May. 13, 2015 /
![House Approves Ward’s Bill to Revitalize Deteriorating Communities]()
HARRISBURG – The state House of Representatives today unanimously approved the first legislative measure introduced by Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) since taking office. House Bill 613 seeks to revitalize areas where abandoned or blighted properties are located in order to increase property values and make these communities more desirable places to live and locate a business.
May. 13, 2015 /
![Rapp Bill to Promote Job-Ready Computer Science Skills in Schools Aces House Passage]()
HARRISBURG — Legislation sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) to give school districts and students another viable option to help address shortages in specific employment areas passed the state House on Wednesday.
May. 13, 2015 /
![Rapp Resolution Recognizes PA Apraxia Awareness Day For Third Consecutive Year]()
HARRISBURG—Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), a resolution officially recognizing Thursday, May 14, 2015, as Apraxia Awareness Day in Pennsylvania unanimously passed the state House on Wednesday.
May. 13, 2015 /
![House Committee Advances Gillespie Tourism Promotion Bill]()
HARRISBURG – The House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee today overwhelmingly passed legislation authored by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) that would give York County commissioners a key tool they and county tourism officials have requested in the effort to further promote local destinations and attractions. House Bill 794 may now be considered by the full House.
May. 13, 2015 /
![Godshall Bill Would Maintain Confidentiality of Autopsy Images]()
HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote Tuesday, the House advanced legislation sponsored by Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) that would maintain the confidentiality of audiovisual material generated during autopsies.
May. 12, 2015 /
![McGinnis Introduces Pension Reform Bill]()
HARRISBURG – Over concern that current proposals fail to adequately address Pennsylvania’s public pension crisis, Rep. John McGinnis (R-Blair) today introduced legislation for eliminating the state’s massive pension debt. The combined unfunded liability of the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) currently totals more than $55 billion.
May. 12, 2015 /
![State Employee Pension Reform Bill Passed by House State Government Committee, Says Wheeland]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation designed to reform the Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System (SERS) and the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS) was approved by the House State Government Committee today, said committee member, Rep. Jeff C. Wheeland (R-Lycoming).
May. 12, 2015 /
![House Passes Grove’s School Construction Reform Bill]()
HARRISBURG – A vote today in the state House brings reform for Pennsylvania’s school construction process one step closer, Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) said. Grove authored House Bill 210 to address the loss of taxpayer and school district funds and to modernize the process.
May. 12, 2015 /
![Baker Bill Imposes More Stringent Penalties for Those Impersonating a Doctor]()
HARRISBURG – In order to protect Pennsylvania citizens from unscrupulous individuals posing as physicians, Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) has introduced legislation approved by the state House to increase penalties for those who impersonate a doctor and treat patients.
May. 12, 2015 /
![House Passes Toohil’s Bill to Strengthen Rights of Rape Victims]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), that would strengthen the rights of rape victims who have conceived a child as a result of the crime, was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. House Bill 410 will next be considered by the Senate.
May. 12, 2015 /
![Kampf Pension Reform Bill Passes Committee]()
HARRISBURG—Legislation sponsored by Rep. Warren Kampf (R-Chester/Montgomery) to reform Pennsylvania’s two large and unsustainable public pension systems has passed the House State Government Committee and is headed to the whole House for a vote.
May. 12, 2015 /
![State Senate Again Holds Key to Direct Shipment of Wine, Says Sonney]()
HARRISBURG – For the second consecutive session, the fate of legislation that would allow direct shipment of wine to the homes of Pennsylvania consumers is in the hands of the state Senate, says Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Harborcreek).
May. 12, 2015 /
![House Passes Vereb Resolution Honoring National Fraternal Order of Police’s 100th Anniversary]()
HARRISBURG — The state House of Representatives today unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) honoring the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) on its 100th anniversary.
May. 12, 2015 /
![House, Senate Ag Committees to Hold Informational Meeting About Industrial Hemp]()
WHAT: The House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), will hold an informational meeting to discuss legislation to allow the growth and cultivation, for research purposes, of industrial hemp in the Commonwealth.
May. 12, 2015 /
![Emrick Bill Would Correct Flaw in Teacher Certification Process]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would address the misuse of a teacher evaluation test in the process of measuring college students’ performance has been unanimously passed by the state House, according to the bill’s author, state Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Nazareth). House Bill 499 may now be considered by the state Senate.
May. 11, 2015 /
![House Approves Christiana Bill to Increase Funding to EITC/OSTC Programs]()
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved legislation, authored by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver), which aims to provide more Pennsylvania students and parents with options in pre-K-12 education with the expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs.
May. 11, 2015 /
![Simmons Bill to Allow Independent Universities to Conduct Wine Auctions Advances]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would allow independent colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to conduct wine auctions, sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), today was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives. House Bill 619 will next be considered by the Senate.
May. 11, 2015 /
![Oberlander Secures House Approval for Chief Nursing Officer]()
HARRISBURG – In an effort to help strengthen the state’s role in health care across the state, Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) has secured House approval of legislation she has sponsored to establish a chief nursing officer for the Commonwealth.
May. 11, 2015 /
![House Approves O’Neill Bill to Address PA Substitute Teacher Shortage]()
HARRISBURG — The House of Representatives today voted to approve legislation, authored by Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks), which would address the substitute teacher shortage currently facing many school districts across the Commonwealth.
May. 11, 2015 /
![Toohil’s Resolution Aims to Raise Awareness of Drug Treatment Courts]()
HARRISBURG – A resolution recognizing the month of May as “National Drug Court Month” in Pennsylvania today received unanimous support in the House of Representatives.