Gaming Committee Approves Klunk Bill to Update PA Bingo Law

May. 03, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Gaming Oversight Committee today unanimously approved legislation, authored by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York), which would update Pennsylvania’s Bingo Law to help sustain the game as a viable fundraising tool for licensed community nonprofits.

Boback, Kortz Emphasize Importance of Civics Education

May. 02, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) called for increased civics education in schools and were joined by state and national leaders in civics education to encourage the Legislature to support House Bill 1858, which would require Pennsylvania high school students to demonstrate a basic understanding of American history and civics as a condition of graduation.

Boback, Kortz to Hold Civics Education Event

Apr. 29, 2016 /

WHAT: Reps. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), will host a news conference in support of House Bill 1858, which would require Pennsylvania high school students to demonstrate proficiency in civics as a graduation requirement.

Brown Hosts House Urban Affairs Committee Hearing

Apr. 19, 2016 /

WHAT: Representative Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) will host the House Urban Affairs Committee for a public hearing in East Stroudsburg to focus on a bill she is sponsoring to address the way in which planned communities are handled by the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Brown plans to testify on behalf of her House Bill 1774, which would grant the power of investigation and mediation of complaints from planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums to the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Christiana Introduces New PennWATCH Legislation

Apr. 18, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – PennWATCH Champion Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would improve the state government database launched in 2012.

New Law Brings Sunlight to Collective Bargaining Contracts

Apr. 15, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Shedding light on backroom contract deals, a new Pennsylvania’s law requires the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to provide cost analysis of every proposed collective bargaining agreement under the governor’s jurisdiction, prior to the agreement taking effect, House Majority Leader, Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) said today. Senate Bill 644 was signed into law this week by Gov. Tom Wolf as Act 15 of 2016.

Major Votes in Favor of Restoring Funding Cuts

Apr. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To help local schools receive the state funding they are due in the 2015-16 state budget, Rep. Sandra Major (R-Wayne/Susquehanna) this week voted in favor of new legislation that would restore funding cuts to education created when the governor vetoed the state’s Fiscal Code.

Rader Votes to Pass Fiscal Code to Restore Education Funds

Apr. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe) issued the following statement after the House voted 149-45, by an overwhelming veto-proof majority, to pass House Bill 1589, a state fiscal code bill that would restore education funds to school districts across Pennsylvania. Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the state fiscal code sent to him by the Legislature last month. The governor’s veto of the fiscal code included a rejection of the bipartisan basic education funding formula, which he previously endorsed.

Streamlining Social Services is Necessary, Kaufer Says

Apr. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – In an effort to streamline social services, the House unanimously voted in favor of Rep. Aaron Kaufer’s (R-Luzerne) bill on Wednesday to place the operation of the state’s compulsive and problem gambling program under the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP).

Parker Demands Fair and Legal K-12 Funding

Apr. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Parker (R- Monroe) today condemned the method by which the state’s 2015-16 education funding is being distributed. In particular, Parker called into question the legality of the governor’s distribution “formula” that shortchanges the state’s neediest school districts.

Heffley Votes to Restore Education Funding for Carbon County Schools

Apr. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement after the House voted, in an overwhelming bipartisan majority, to pass House Bill 1589, a state fiscal code bill that would restore the funding formula developed by the Basic Education Funding Commission last year. The formula was rejected by Gov. Tom Wolf when he vetoed the state fiscal code last month.