Grove Reintroduces Voting Rights Protection Act

Sep. 17, 2021 /

HARRISBURG ¬– In the few months since Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Pennsylvania Voting Rights Protection Act (formerly House Bill 1300), Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) reintroduced today the measure as House Bill 1800 after the governor says he now supports voter identification.

Ryan Wins Battle for Data that Kept Lebanon County Closed in Pandemic

Sep. 16, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) won a major victory this week when the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) finally surrendered data he requested more than a year ago. At issue is the data the Wolf administration used to prevent Lebanon County businesses from reopening following the statewide shutdown.

Good Data and Testing Key COVID Measures, Speaker Says

Sep. 15, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – In response to repeated requests by the Legislature, the Wolf administration has finally provided additional data on Pennsylvanians currently suffering from COVID-19 infections, direct consequences of individual vaccination choices and who is most at risk for infection. Pennsylvanians now have a much clearer picture about the current COVID-19 challenges facing our Commonwealth.

House Working to Address Concerns Over Mask Mandate, James Says

Sep. 15, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – The House Health Committee on Tuesday voted to adopt a letter requesting a determination from the Commonwealth Joint Committee on Documents on whether the regulatory process and the Regulatory Review Act applies to the acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s indoor mask mandate for K-12 schools and child care centers.

Keefer Joins Committee in Call to Review Mask Mandate

Sep. 15, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Recognizing the means in which Gov. Tom Wolf, through the Department of Health, issued a statewide mask mandate for students and school staff, exceeded his authority, Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg) joined members of the House Health Committee to call on the Joint Committee on Documents to review the mandate.

Staats, Quinn Unveil Child Welfare Reform Legislation in Memory of Grace Packer

Sep. 15, 2021 /

DOYLESTOWN - Reps. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) and Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) announced the introduction of a legislative package to better protect children in the Pennsylvania child welfare system. The bills are crafted in honor of Grace Packer, a 14-year-old girl who was murdered in Bucks County by her adoptive mother and her adoptive mother’s boyfriend in 2016.

Mackenzie Leads Hearing on Ballot Order Selection

Sep. 14, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – To ensure elections are conducted in a fair manner, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R- Berks/Lehigh), chairman of the House State Government Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections, today led a hearing at the state Capitol on ballot order selection and randomization.

Mackenzie Leads Hearing on Lobbying Reform Bills

Sep. 14, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – In his capacity as chairman of the House State Government Subcommittee on Campaign Finance and Elections, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) today led a hearing at the state Capitol that focused on lobbying reform legislation introduced earlier this year in the House of Representatives. The 12 bills would increase openness and transparency in the lobbying process, limit the influence of professional lobbyists, and hold lobbyists to a higher standard of ethical conduct.

Speaker Supports Concerns over Process of Mask Mandate

Sep. 14, 2021 /

Speaker Supports Concerns over Process of Mask Mandate

HARRISBURG – Agreeing there are procedural concerns over how Pennsylvania’s current statewide mask mandate for schools was implemented, Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) thanked House Health Committee Chair Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) for her letter calling on the Joint Committee on Documents to review the mandate.

Rapp, Health Committee Issue Regulatory Review Act Challenge to Acting Health Secretary’s School Mask Mandate

Sep. 14, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – House Health Committee Majority Chair Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) convened a voting meeting on Tuesday to adopt the letter (excerpted below) requesting a determination from the Commonwealth Joint Committee on Documents on whether the acting Health secretary’s K-12 schools and child care centers indoor masking mandate is subject to the regulatory process and the Regulatory Review Act:

Speaker Calls for United Effort to Reform Harrisburg Lobby Rules

Sep. 14, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Continuing efforts to ensure the voices of the people of Pennsylvania are not silenced by those who try to pay for access and influence, Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) submitted testimony today in support of legislation that would establish new rules for lobbyists in Harrisburg.

Suspended COVID-19 Restrictions Affect Our Aging Community

Sep. 14, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Gary W. Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), chairman of the House Aging and Older Adults Services Committee, held a public hearing today discussing the suspension of regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it relates to the treatment and residency of older adults in Pennsylvania.

McClinton, Muth, Toohil Introduce Bipartisan Legislation for a Statewide Tracking System for Sexual Assault Evidence

Sep. 10, 2021 / Press Release

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) is joining House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) and state Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) in introducing legislation to establish a statewide tracking system for sexual assault evidence administered jointly by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Department of Health.