Parker Introduces Legislation to Reform Legislative Redistricting Process

Mar. 16, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Parker (R-Monroe) at a Capitol press conference today announced his legislation, House Bill 1835, which would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to create a citizen commission to draw legislative and Congressional redistricting maps with updated standards. It would be a more open, transparent process and produce a more inclusive, fair result. Parker’s bill also ensures that no county would ever be carved up into six senate districts as Monroe County was in 2001.

Committee Approves Grove Law Enforcement Grant Legislation

Mar. 16, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation, sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) to help enhance public safety was approved in the House Finance Committee today. House Bill 176 would provide grants to eligible police departments across the Commonwealth to defray costs for: vehicle purchases, camera purchases, speed timing devices, training, personnel costs and community law enforcement efforts. The legislation would further clarify of a previous grant program, which authorized the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to award similar grants under the Local Law Enforcement Grant program.

Everett’s Natural Gas Royalty Owner Legislation Subject of Informational Hearing

Mar. 15, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today conducted an informational meeting concerning legislation authored by Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) that would, if enacted, protect natural gas royalty owners from unjustified post-production cost deductions. House Bill 1391 is also co-sponsored by Reps. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne), Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Potter/Tioga), Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) and Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming).

Hearing Underscores Need to Fund PA Agriculture Initiatives, Causer Says

Mar. 15, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Programs supporting the state’s agriculture industry are nearing a crisis without the tens of millions of dollars in state funding vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf in December. That was the message from nearly a dozen testifiers at a joint hearing of the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), chair of the House committee.

Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill Advances in Senate

Mar. 15, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The Senate 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 Senate.

Juvenile Justice Alternatives to be Focus of House Children and Youth Committee Meeting

Mar. 15, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will hold an informational meeting focusing on the implementation of evidenced-based home and community programs and practices that would serve as an alternate to detention for the rehabilitation of certain youth placed in the juvenile justice system.

House Approves Harris Legislation to Modernize PA Business Laws

Mar. 15, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To make the Commonwealth more hospitable for new and current businesses, Rep. Adam Harris (R-Franklin/Juniata/Mifflin) drafted legislation to revise and harmonize Pennsylvania’s existing partnership laws with the Uniform Laws, which are substantially clearer and easier to use. The House passed the bill unanimously today.

Benninghoff Praises THON Participants on House Floor

Mar. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG –The House of Representatives today unanimously passed Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin)’s House resolution congratulating Pennsylvania State University students for raising more than $9.7 million this year to help fight pediatric cancer.

House Committee to Examine Bill to Protect Landowner Royalties in Shale Regions

Mar. 14, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny/Washington), chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, will hold an informational meeting on House Bill 1391, which would ensure that royalties paid to landowners who lease to natural gas drillers are protected from unjustified post-production cost deductions.

House, Senate Ag Committees to Hold Hearing on Agriculture Funding Cuts

Mar. 14, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), will hold a joint public hearing to discuss the impact of agriculture funding cuts on Pennsylvania farmers and programs that support them.

Parker Testifies Before House Appropriations Committee on Unfair School Funding

Mar. 11, 2016 /

HARRISBURG –Rep. David Parker (R-Monroe) today testified before the House Appropriations Committee on the last day of the 2016-17 budget hearings. Parker detailed how the state’s unfair school funding formula is hurting students and punishing taxpayers in Monroe County. Parker’s spoken and submitted remarks before the committee are as follows: