House Passes Mackenzie Measure to Restore Burn Center Funding

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – During his line-item veto of the 2015-16 budget passed by the Legislature in December, Gov. Tom Wolf eliminated $3.78 million in funding for Pennsylvania hospital burn units. Today, the Pennsylvania House approved House Bill 1803, introduced by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh), to restore the governor’s cuts. The final vote was 117-61.

Ward Champions Safety of Health Care Workers

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved legislation authored by Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) that would increase the protection of health care workers who are assaulted during the performance of their duties.

Keller’s Bill Clarifying Definition of Autocycle Passed by House

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland) that would clarify the definition of an autocycle today was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. House Bill 1797 will next be considered by the Senate.

Stephens to Chair Impeachment Investigation into Attorney General Kane

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery), a former prosecutor, is the Majority Chairman of the House subcommittee investigating whether Attorney General Kathleen Kane should face Articles of Impeachment. The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (170-12) to authorize an impeachment investigation into General Kane’s conduct. Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) is the minority chairman of the subcommittee.

House Votes to Restore Funding to Child Advocacy Centers, Toepel Says

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House voted 127 to 53 in favor of legislation authored by Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) to restore critical funding to child advocacy centers that Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed from the 2015-16 budget. House Bill 1802, which passed with bipartisan support, would restore $1 million for centers across the Commonwealth.

Topper Opposes Wolf’s Tax-and-Spend Agenda

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Yesterday, Gov. Tom Wolf addressed the General Assembly to propose his 2016-17 fiscal year budget. State Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) issued the following statement in response to the governor’s address:

Everett Resolution to Investigate Attorney General Kane Passes House

Feb. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – A House resolution calling for an investigation into the conduct and allegations against Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was approved by the full House today by a vote of 170-12, according to its author, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union).

Sonney Calls Wolf Budget Address ‘A Great Campaign Speech’

Feb. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf plans to pursue an expanded sales tax and increased Personal Income Tax as part of his budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year. During today’s budget address, the governor expressed a desire to raise the Personal Income Tax from 3.07 percent to 3.4 percent for 2016-17, and make it retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. He also wants to add sales tax to basic cable television bills and movie theater ticket purchases, as well as increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

Wolf Gives Campaign Lecture, Not Budget Address, Say York County House Republicans

Feb. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – York County’s House Republican delegation today questioned Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to continue pursuit of broad-based tax increases as part of his 2016-17 budget agenda. While avoiding details up front in his budget address, the governor behind the scenes laid out a desire to raise the Personal Income Tax from 3.07 percent to 3.4 percent for 2016-17, and make it retroactive to Jan. 1 of this year. He also wants to add sales tax to basic cable television bills, movie theater ticket purchases and digital downloads, as well as increase the cigarette tax by $1 per pack.

Gov. Wolf Ignores Taxpayer Needs, Toepel Says

Feb. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) today joined her colleagues in a joint session of the General Assembly as Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his second budget address. His $33.29 billion budget proposal would require a $2.7 billion tax increase.

Representative Adolph Response to Wolf Budget Proposal

Feb. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Today, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his budget proposal to finish FY 2015-16 and his proposal for FY 2016-17 to a joint session of the General Assembly. His proposal for this current year would raise spending by $1.68 billion or 5.8 percent and would increase another $2.5 billion or 7.9 percent for next fiscal year. After the governor’s budget address House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Adolph had this to say: