Kauffman Cautions Judges Against Requests for Widespread Release of Inmates

Mar. 24, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) this week sent a letter to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Thomas Saylor to express his reservations about the request from other lawmakers to categorically release populations of inmates from state and county prisons in response to the current health crisis facing the state.

Rowe Joins House Speaker in Denouncing Mandated Closure of Construction Industry

Mar. 23, 2020 /

MIFFLINBURG - Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) joined Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) in urging Gov. Tom Wolf to allow residential home construction projects and all other construction projects already underway to continue. The governor’s emergency declaration has shut down the construction industry in Pennsylvania, which industry professionals have warned poses a health and safety risk to current customers and taxpayers, as well as an unreasonable financial burden on their businesses.

New School Funding Formula

Mar. 23, 2020 /

In 2014 the legislature passed Act 51. This was passed on the direction of a bipartisan, bicameral commission established by the legislature to deal with the inequities in the current education funding formula. Lancaster County was represented on that Commission by then- Senator Smucker and Representative Sturla. They came up with an excellent compromise on a formula that would be more equitable for every school district across the state.

Irvin Cancels April 21 Senior Expo

Mar. 23, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – In light of the coronavirus pandemic currently impacting the state, Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) has decided to cancel his annual Senior Expo scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Fire Hall in Huntingdon.

During National Sunshine Week, Cook Releases Disclosed Information Involving LSAs in Washington County

Mar. 19, 2020 /

BELLE VERNON – As Pennsylvania, the nation and world grapple with COVID-19, other things still happen. Noting it is national Sunshine Week, Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) announced today that he will release years of disclosed information involving the Local Share Account (LSA) process in Washington County. This information will include correspondence, Right to Know (RTK) requests, materials obtained from RTK requests and correspondence with other state agencies for assistance. Cook is still awaiting RTK information from his recent request, which was appealed by the agency, but reversed by the state Office of Open Records.

Rowe, Ryan Bill Would Aid Working Families During Emergency

Mar. 19, 2020 /

HARRISBURG —Reps. David Rowe (R-Union/Snyder) and Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) are sponsoring legislation to suspend the personal income tax and state sales tax to protect working families adversely impacted by mitigation efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

Kaufer Introducing Vital Unemployment Compensation Legislation for Small Business Owners

Mar. 19, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – With the current statewide mitigation causing extreme distress for Pennsylvania small businesses, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) will soon be introducing legislation aimed at requesting a waiver from the federal government for self-employed individuals to be able to collect unemployment compensation during emergency situations like the current one involving COVID-19.

Owlett Urges Small Businesses to Apply for Assistance

Mar. 19, 2020 /

Unemployment compensation requirements eased to help displaced employees HARRISBURG – Businesses impacted by coronavirus and efforts to mitigate its spread are now able to apply for disaster assistance loans available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Bernstine Temporarily Halts In-Person Visits to Ellwood City Office, Cancels March Event

Mar. 19, 2020 /

ELLWOOD CITY – To protect the health and safety of the community and office staff, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced his Ellwood City office will be temporarily closed to walk-in visitors. In addition, his “Coffee with Aaron” event scheduled for Friday, March 27, has been canceled in observance of social distancing practices.

Rowe Calls on Governor and PennDOT to Open Rest Area Parking Lots for Truckers

Mar. 18, 2020 /

MIFFLINBURG - Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union) is calling on Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to open rest area parking lots for truck drivers, saying that the decision by the Wolf administration to completely shut down these rest areas poses a serious, immediate safety risk.