Apr. 07, 2015 /
![House Judiciary and Health Committees to Hold Second Hearing on Medical Cannabis]()
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.
Apr. 02, 2015 /
![Brown Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month in House]()
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:
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Barrar Explains Law Requiring Background Checks for Commonwealth Volunteers]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Benninghoff Congratulates PSU Students, Honors THON Leaders on House Floor]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Farry Named Chairman of Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Opinion: Don’t Be Fooled – Gov. Wolf’s Budget Will Cost You]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Sonney Endorses Bill to License Naturopathic Physicians]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Toohil Resolution Aims to Raise Awareness of Intellectual Disabilities]()
HARRISBURG – A resolution sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), recognizing March as “Intellectual Disabilities Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives this week.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill Advances]()
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.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![House Committee Hearing to Focus on Eliminating the Stigma of Mental Health]()
WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, led by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing about how the stigma regarding mental health can be eliminated.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Rapp Resolution Condemning Global Persecution of Christians Wins Unanimous House Approval]()
HARRISBURG — Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), a measure condemning the global persecution of Christians unanimously passed the state House on Wednesday for the second consecutive year.
Apr. 01, 2015 /
![Lawmakers Call for Action on Topper Bill to Reform Prevailing Wage Law]()
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.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Measure to Honor Local Hero Advances in State House, Says Day]()
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.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Oberlander Seeks to Raise Awareness of Esophageal Cancer]()
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.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Hackett Resolution to Raise Awareness on Fibromuscular Dysplasia Passes House]()
HARRISBURG—The House has unanimously passed House Resolution 202, sponsored by Rep. Joe Hackett (R-Delaware), to declare March 2015 as “Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![House Passes Godshall Bill to Prevent ‘Empire Building’]()
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.”
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Marsico Introduces Legislation to Protect Public Safety in Labor Disputes]()
HARRISBURG –House Judiciary Committee Majority Chairman Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) today introduced legislation to prohibit harassment, stalking or making threats by parties involved in a labor dispute. Current law provides immunity for such actions.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![House Bill to Improve Government Efficiency Gains Committee Passage, Lawmakers Say]()
HARRISBURG – The House Urban Affairs Committee voted today in favor of legislation which would help improve government efficiency, Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) said.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Quinn Selected to Serve on Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) has been appointed to serve on the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny). The committee consists of 18 members of the state House and Senate and serves the Pennsylvania General Assembly as well as the people of the Commonwealth.
Mar. 31, 2015 /
![Topper to Call for Prevailing Wage Reform for School Projects]()
WHAT: Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) will lead members of the House at a press conference Wednesday, April 1, in a call for Prevailing Wage Act reform for school construction projects. House Bill 707, which Topper authored, would exempt school construction projects from the law, which requires that all public bodies pay the prevailing minimum wage, as determined by the secretary of Labor and Industry, when a project exceeds $25,000.