Gregory: Report on Unused State Properties a Positive First Step

Aug. 07, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – A report from the Joint State Government Commission identified more than 40 vacant sites that could be considered as potential drug treatment centers, according to Rep. Jim Gregory, who authored legislation that precipitated the report.

House Majority Leader Benninghoff Urges PIAA to Stay the Course, Make Independent Stand from Wolf’s ‘Recommendation’

Aug. 07, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) sent a letter to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) urging the body to make an independent stand from Gov. Tom Wolf’s “strong recommendation” that interscholastic sports do not resume until January 2021 and stay the course with allowing fall sports to safely continue as previously planned.

Grove Seeks Answers Through RTKs on Wolf No-Sport Edict

Aug. 07, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – On the heels of Gov. Tom Wolf’s sudden recommendation for schools to suspend sports until Jan. 1, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) filed a series of Right-to-Know (RTK) requests with the Department of Health and Department of Education. The requests seek the data Wolf used to make his decision.

Representative Brown Speaking Out to Support Families and Children in Fall Sports

Aug. 05, 2020 /

Representative Brown Speaking Out to Support Families and Children in Fall Sports

HARRISBURG – Responding to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) and the governor’s decision to prohibit spectators from attending any fall sports games for the upcoming school year, State Representative Rosemary Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) is speaking out and has joined over 60 House Republicans in sending a letter requesting them to reverse or modify their rulings. Brown provided the following statement on this matter.

Reese, Warner Introduce Legislation to Permit Small Games of Chance to Conduct Games Online During COVID-19

Aug. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Reps. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) and Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) announced today that they have introduced legislation to permit Small Games of Chance (SGOC) licensees to conduct games online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Events to raffle popular items such as golf equipment and other items have become important community fundraisers throughout Pennsylvania. COVID-19 restrictions have greatly inhibited the fire departments, veterans associations and other nonprofit organizations that rely on revenue from these events.

Toohil Takes Part in Committee Hearing that Explored Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Pennsylvania

Aug. 04, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – In her position as a member of the House Human Services Committee, Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) recently participated in an informational meeting conducted by the committee that examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Pennsylvania residents and how the mental health community is addressing those needs – particularly in rural areas.

Toohil Issues Statement on PIAA Fall Sports Guidelines

Aug. 03, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) decision to ban spectators from high school sporting events this fall over COVID-19 concerns.

Rowe Introduces Bill to Protect the Rights of PA Public Workers

Jul. 31, 2020 /

HARRISBURG -- For too long, the rights of Pennsylvania’s public servants have been suppressed by special interests and political favoritism, costing them their voice and hard-earned money. To ensure the rights of Pennsylvania’s public sector employees are protected, Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) today introduced legislation to put public workers back in charge of their representation.

Gaydos Highlights Need for Medicaid Payment Reform

Jul. 31, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation to curb improper payments by Pennsylvania’s Medicaid system recently passed the House of Representatives as House Bill 2353. The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), made the following statement in light of its passage:

Mehaffie’s Bill Provides for Frontline Workers

Jul. 31, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) introduced a bill this week to expand paid sick leave to essential workers excluded by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Struzzi Resolution Leads to Study on Behavioral Health Efficiency

Jul. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) today published a report entitled Behavioral Health Care System Capacity in Pennsylvania and its Impact on Hospital Emergency Departments and Patient Health. The report was commissioned upon the passage of House Resolution 268, authored by Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).

Mihalek, Kail and O’Neal to Introduce Resolution Designating September 2020 as ‘Pennsylvania Business Month’

Jul. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Recognizing that Pennsylvania has a deep and rich history steeped in business and industry, and acknowledging the significant hardships that local businesses have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reps. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington), Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) and Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) announced they plan to introduce a resolution designating September 2020 as “Pennsylvania Business Month.”

Struzzi Introduces Legislation to Help Businesses, Promote Environmental Compliance

Jul. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) today introduced legislation to establish the Office of Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The office would assist small and medium-sized businesses in complying with environmental statutes, regulations and policies by working with them to determine applicable environmental requirements, as well as conduct training events across the Commonwealth.

Stand Your Ground Against Socialism: Metcalfe Sets New Date for 2020 Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rally

Jul. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG —Answering the people’s demands that Gov. Tom Wolf’s tyrannical abuse of emergency powers must be stopped and never imposed again, State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) officially confirmed today that this year’s Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29, beginning at 11 a.m., on the front steps of the Capitol, in Harrisburg.