Major Labor Union Joins Speaker Turzai to Discuss Growing Shale Jobs and Tax Implications

Apr. 08, 2015 /

SAXONBURG – The Laborers’ International Union of North America – Mid-Atlantic Region (LiUNA), representing more than 40,000 workers, met Tuesday at the union’s Western Pennsylvania training facility with Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to discuss Pennsylvania's shale industry, jobs and training, and Gov. Tom Wolf’s natural gas severance tax proposal.

Bloom Says Bikers Need Safe Option to “Ride on Red”

Apr. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG — Committed to solving practical problems and ensuring safety, Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today introduced legislation to give motorcyclists the option to proceed with caution through an intersection when trapped due to an unresponsive red light.

A.G. DePasquale to Testify Before House Policy Committee on Education Audits, Potential Cost Savings

Apr. 07, 2015 /

WHAT: State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will testify before the House Majority Policy Committee regarding the findings of several hundred audits of the state’s school districts. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, invited the Auditor General to present suggestions to the committee on potential cost savings to the state’s public education system. The Auditor General will also discuss the scope of his on-going Pennsylvania Department of Education audit.

House Policy Committee to Accept Testimony on Organ Donation

Apr. 07, 2015 /

WHAT: In an effort to ensure policymakers in Harrisburg are educated on the complexities of organ donation, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, will host the first of three public hearings on the topic.

House Judiciary and Health Committees to Hold Second Hearing on Medical Cannabis

Apr. 07, 2015 /

WHAT: Reps. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), chairman of the House Health Committee, and Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will hold a combined hearing on the practical implications of legalizing medical cannabis in Pennsylvania and its impact on the law enforcement community.

Brown Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month in House

Apr. 02, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rosemary M. Brown’s (R-Monroe/Pike) resolution recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Pennsylvania was approved by the state House this week. After the vote, Brown made the following statement:

Barrar Explains Law Requiring Background Checks for Commonwealth Volunteers

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In response to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal at Penn State, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) was one of many state legislators who voted in favor of a comprehensive package of legislation designed to update Pennsylvania’s child protection laws during the previous legislative session. The laws took effect on Dec. 31, 2014.

Benninghoff Congratulates PSU Students, Honors THON Leaders on House Floor

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today announced that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution 119, congratulating Pennsylvania State University students for raising more than $13 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital to help fight pediatric cancer.

Farry Named Chairman of Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the House Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus today elected Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) majority chairman of the bipartisan group, which represents more than 200,000 paid and volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel.

Opinion: Don’t Be Fooled – Gov. Wolf’s Budget Will Cost You

Apr. 01, 2015 /

These days, April Fools’ isn’t the only day you have to be on guard for potential pranks. As we move through budget season in the state legislature, don’t be tricked by phrases like “holistic budget” or “property tax relief.” In fact, under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget, the last thing middle-class, working families and small businesses will feel is relief. What’s really in Gov. Wolf’s budget plan for Pennsylvania? Billions in new taxes and borrowing to support historic levels of government spending.

Sonney Endorses Bill to License Naturopathic Physicians

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Harborcreek) today joined colleagues on the House Professional Licensure Committee in moving to the full House legislation which would require naturopathic physicians to be licensed with the State Board of Medicine.

Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill Advances

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) that would help to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania school students who suffer from severe allergic reactions. House Bill 423 will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

Lawmakers Call for Action on Topper Bill to Reform Prevailing Wage Law

Apr. 01, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In a press conference today in Harrisburg, Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) led a group of lawmakers from across the Commonwealth in calling for action on legislation which would reform Pennsylvania’s outdated Prevailing Wage Act. In particular, the legislators referenced Topper’s House Bill 707, which would exempt school construction projects from the law and which would require that all public bodies pay the prevailing minimum wage, as determined by the secretary of Labor and Industry, when a project exceeds $25,000.

Measure to Honor Local Hero Advances in State House, Says Day

Mar. 31, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Honoring a local hero by naming an area roadway in his memory is one step closer to fruition after Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) led the House today in passing legislation to designate a section of Route 309 North in Lehigh County as the Lance Cpl. Brandon J. Van Parys Memorial Road.

Oberlander Seeks to Raise Awareness of Esophageal Cancer

Mar. 31, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In an effort to bring greater attention to esophageal cancer and raise awareness about early detection, Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) has secured House passage of legislation designating April 2015 as “Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month” in Pennsylvania.

House Passes Godshall Bill to Prevent ‘Empire Building’

Mar. 31, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote Monday, the House advanced legislation, sponsored by Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), which would provide greater transparency over acquisitions by municipal authorities and prevent what Godshall described as “empire building.”