Reps. Dowling and Simmons to Unveil Legislation to Provide Transparency for Voters

Oct. 28, 2019 /

WHAT: State legislators will detail and answer questions about a bill that would eliminate the ability for all candidates for public office to cross-file their nomination petitions. Currently, the Pennsylvania Election Code of 1937 allows candidates seeking to run for school board, county court of Common Pleas and district judges to file nomination petitions for multiple political parties that have become hyper partisan.

Mehaffie to Urge Support of Better Access to Treatment Act

Oct. 21, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) will encourage legislative support of House Bill 1900 (Better Access to Treatment Act) at a press conference. The bill’s aim is to recognize applied behavior analysis as a licensed and independent profession.

Committees to Examine Closures of White Haven, Polk State Centers

Oct. 17, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), and the House Health Committee, chaired by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren), will hold a public hearing on the decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to close the White Haven and Polk state centers.

Liquor Control Committee to Consider Two Bills

Oct. 17, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Liquor Control Committee, chaired by Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana), will hold a voting meeting to consider two proposals. They are measures to allow hotel liquor licenses issued before 1949 to be sold as restaurant licenses (House Bill 1617) and allow club licenses, just like restaurant licenses, to remain in safekeeping for up to two years and subsequent years for an additional fee (House Bill 1886).

House Policy Committee to Convene Business Roundtable Discussion in Blair County

Sep. 25, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will travel to Blair County to host a roundtable discussion with local businesses, elected officials and economic development organizations. Topics to be discussed will include workforce development, unfunded mandates, health care, higher education, regulatory reform and criminal justice reform. This is part of the House Republican Caucus’ #GoodJobs4PA legislative package.

Committee to Vote on Bills to Aid Volunteer Fire, EMS Service Providers

Sep. 23, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee, will hold a voting meeting at the state Capitol to consider a package of bills to benefit volunteer fire and ambulance companies and help in the recruitment, retention and care of first responders. Many of the bills under consideration stem from recommendations from a study by the SR6 Commission, which aims to ensure the viability of volunteer fire and EMS services in the Commonwealth.

House Ag Committee to Discuss Fireworks Law

Sep. 23, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold a public hearing to discuss legislation regarding the state’s fireworks law. House Bill 1687, sponsored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), proposes to implement time constraints on when fireworks can be used, offer guidance to local governments on controls for sale and use, increase penalties for violations and provide notices for consumers purchasing fireworks.

Keefer to Unveil Bill to Combat Encouraging Suicide

Sep. 18, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-York/Cumberland) will discuss her bill called Shawn’s Law in honor of Shawn Shatto, who killed herself after she received a step-by-step guide on how to commit suicide from an online chat forum. Keefer’s bill would increase criminal penalties on those who encourage another person to commit suicide.

Committee to Consider Seven Human Services Bills, Resolutions

Sep. 16, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider seven proposals. They include measures that would merge the mandatory and supplemental disorder lists so that every baby in Pennsylvania will be screened for every recommended disorder

Turzai, Cutler and Advocates Outline ‘Energize PA’ Accomplishments and Plans

Sep. 16, 2019 /

WHAT: Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and House colleagues will join representatives of labor, manufacturing and business to discuss “Energize PA,” a pro-growth, pro-jobs legislative package that facilitates job creation and redevelops infrastructure with no new fees or taxes. Introduced in April, one of the bills in the package is law, two are in position for a Floor vote, one is in the Senate and others will be considered by committee this fall.

Rowe to Take Oath of Office Sept. 17

Sep. 12, 2019 /

WHAT: Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) will take the oath of office as state representative of the 85th Legislative District, for his first term.

House Majority Policy Committee to Hold Philadelphia Hearing on Economic Competitiveness

Sep. 09, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), will hold a public hearing to learn more about efforts to attract large businesses to southeastern Pennsylvania. Among the issues to be discussed will include challenges to attract business and industry to this region of the state, along with suggestions for improvement.