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.

Metcalfe, ERE Committee to Receive Progress Updates on PA’s Energy-Enabled Economy -- RESCHEDULED FROM FEB. 1

Feb. 23, 2021 /

WHAT: PA House Environmental Resources and Energy (ERE) Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) will convene an informational meeting focusing on the state of the Commonwealth’s oil and natural gas energy-enabled economy and what future policies are needed to protect family-sustaining energy jobs, ensure affordable energy costs and generate increased energy independence.

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.

Sonney to Host Hearings on COVID-19 Impact on Education

Feb. 22, 2021 /

WHAT: Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), chairman of the House Education Committee, will hold two days of public hearings to gather information on the impact COVID-19 has had on Pennsylvania’s elementary and secondary schools, as well as institutions of higher education. The first day will focus on K-12 education with the second day on higher education.

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.

Vaccine Distribution Remains Critical as Wolf Demands Record Tax Hike

Feb. 19, 2021 /

While much of the media and public conversation in Pennsylvania swirls with concern and uncertainty about obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine, Gov. Wolf on Wednesday used his annual budget address to propose the highest Personal Income Tax hike in Pennsylvania history.

$6.2 Million in Grants for Lancaster Restaurant, Hospitality Businesses

Feb. 19, 2021 /

My office continues to receive calls from folks who are unable to get the unemployment benefits they deserve and small business owners struggling to stay alive as a result of the ongoing pandemic. In an effort to help these individuals, I recently voted to approve a comprehensive COVID-19 relief package that will bring some relief to Lancaster County.