Human Services Committee to Consider Mental Health, Methadone and Sober Housing Measures

Sep. 29, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider three proposals. House Bill 1251 would expand the definition of mental health and intellectual disability to someone who experienced childhood sexual abuse; House Bill 1295 would include deaths and incidents attributable to the use and misuse of Suboxone as part of the Methadone Death and Incident Review Team; and House Resolution 424 would urge Congress to examine existing federal laws relating to sober living arrangements.

Governor Continues to Hold Schools, Social Service Agencies Hostage

Sep. 29, 2015 /

We are now four months into the 2015-16 fiscal year without a state operating budget. What does that mean? That means schools, government agencies and social service organizations like those that provide rape crisis services, cancer screenings, assistance for children with intellectual disabilities and many others do not receive essential state funding. Without this funding, services are beginning to be curtailed, hours and staff are being reduced, and in some extreme situations, schools and organizations are now in the position of having to consider shutting down completely.

Warner Responds to Wolf’s Veto of Emergency Funding

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – On Sept. 24, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) joined his colleagues in the House in supporting an emergency funding plan in order to provide more than $11 billion in funding for critical state government services while budget negotiations continue. Today, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the plan.

House Approves Harper Resolution Focusing on Civic Education

Sep. 28, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure Pennsylvanians remember the important role they play in their government and communities, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) is joining with a constituent from North Wales to draw attention to the importance of civic education.

House Ag Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Race Horse Industry Reform

Sep. 25, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 352, sponsored by Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), legislation to reform the state’s race horse industry.

English Votes to Approve Emergency Funding Legislative Package

Sep. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In an effort to help alleviate funding problems being encountered by Commonwealth social services and school districts in Allegheny County and elsewhere, Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny) voted in favor of final passage of several bills that can release funds that are already available in the treasury.

Time for a Stopgap Budget

Sep. 25, 2015 /

This week, the House of Representatives will consider a four-month “stopgap” budget to provide funding to schools, human service providers and agencies that desperately need funding. I can’t think of any reason why the Governor wouldn’t agree to this. Can you? Senators approved the legislation, Senate Bill 1000 last week.

Simmons Votes Yes on Emergency Funding Bill

Sep. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) on Thursday joined a majority of his colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in support of emergency funding legislation that allocates $11 billion to human service organizations and school districts across the Commonwealth. The bill now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for consideration.

Baker Supports Emergency Funding Bill for Social Service Programs, Education

Sep. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today cast an affirmative vote on emergency funding legislation that was approved by the state House and sent to the governor. The set of bills approved would ensure certain social service agencies and schools receive critical funding until a compromise state budget plan can be agreed upon.

Committees to Discuss Municipal Pension Funding Challenges

Sep. 25, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Local Government Committee, chaired by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), and the House Urban Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), will conduct a public hearing to discuss the growing challenges of municipal pension funding. According to the Pennsylvania Municipal League, underfunded municipal pensions are a statewide problem. The total unfunded liability carried by taxpayers for municipal pensions is nearly $8 billion, and 66 of the state’s 67 counties are home to at least one community with a pension plan under a high level of financial stress. The hearing will seek to better evaluate the challenges facing specific municipalities and to explore legislative options to address these challenges.

Quinn to Wolf: Sign the Emergency Funding Bills

Sep. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – After passage of legislation to offer emergency funding to health and human services organizations and school districts adversely impacted by Gov. Tom Wolf’s June 30 budget veto, Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) issued the following statement:

Benninghoff Votes to Release Emergency Funding

Sep. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today voted in favor of an emergency funding plan which would provide an infusion of more than $11 billion in funding for critical government functions like social service agencies and Pennsylvania schools, while state budget negotiations continue. The bills passed both the House and the Senate, and are on their way to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.

Pyle Disappointed in Wolf’s Status Quo

Sep. 24, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong/Indiana/Butler) voted in favor of emergency funding legislation for schools and vital human services across the state. The legislation, Senate Bills 1000 and 1001, would provide four months of funding for government operations applied retroactively to the beginning of the fiscal year July 1 through Oct. 31.