Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). The PLCB was accompanied by the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement of the Pennsylvania State Police. Here are the key takeaways from the day: Bridge tolling proposal sparked significant debate.....

O’Neal Questions PennDOT Secretary on Bridge Tolling

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – During House Appropriations Committee budget hearings this morning, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) asked PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian about the department’s plans to toll nine bridges in the Commonwealth, including the I-79 bridge at the Bridgeville exit.

Toohil Troubled by Department of Aging’s Actions to Block Release of COVID-19 Deaths at Pennsylvania Nursing Home

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) was troubled to learn the Pennsylvania Department of Aging took action to block the release of documents to a federally empaneled grand jury looking into an unusually high rate of COVID-19 related deaths at a nursing home in western Pennsylvania. The revelation from Secretary of Aging Robert Torres came to light during state budget hearings conducted by the House Appropriations Committee currently underway in Harrisburg.

Tomlinson Introduces Legislation to Create Patient Safety Act

Feb. 23, 2021 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bucks) will introduce legislation with Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) to establish safe patient limits under the care of an individual nurse in Pennsylvania hospitals. The legislation will be known as the Patient Safety Act.

Gov. Wolf’s Income Tax Hike Impacts Us All

Feb. 23, 2021 /

When Gov. Tom Wolf gave his second to last budget address earlier this month, it reminded me of his first budget address when he proposed a complete overhaul of the Commonwealth’s tax structure to take more of your money to drastically increase government expenditures.

Key Takeaways from House Appropriations Hearings

Feb. 22, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Today the House Appropriations Committee heard from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Here are the key takeaways from the day: Now is certainly not the time to raise taxes on Pennsylvanians who are already struggling.....

White Criticizes Delaying the Reopening of Schools

Feb. 22, 2021 /

HARRISBURG - Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) today rejected the decision to delay opening Philadelphia’s public schools as another sign there is no effective plan to return children to class following the shutdowns caused by COVID-19.

Dowling Opposes Wolf Bridge Tolling Plan

Feb. 19, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) issued the following statement opposing a proposal by the Wolf administration to charge tolls for the use of nine bridges across the Commonwealth, including one on Interstate 79 in Allegheny County.

Toohil Troubled by Latest Vaccine Snafu

Feb. 18, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s announcement that tens of thousands of second doses of the Moderna vaccine were recently administered as first doses by mistake, resulting in a vaccination delay for more than 100,000 Pennsylvania residents.

Mihalek Proposes Tax Changes to Boost Economic Recovery

Feb. 17, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee for the 2021-22 Legislative Session. She is working to create a responsible budget that limits state spending and does not raise any taxes. Mihalek issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget and what she is proposing instead: