House Republicans Move to Expand COVID-19 Testing

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As daily announcements from Gov. Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine say, expanded testing is the most crucial step in saving lives and helping Pennsylvania get back to normal. However, House Democrats disagreed, blocking the two-thirds vote required to pass an emergency bill to expand testing to Pennsylvanians on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.

Ward, Gregory Congratulate Tyrone Hospital on Funding Award

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Tyrone Hospital will receive $1 million from the Hospital Emergency Loan Program to help it respond to COVID-19 cases in the region, according to Sen. Judy Ward (Blair/Cumberland/Franklin/Fulton/Huntingdon) and Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair).

Kail Offers Virtual Event in Place of Canceled Donuts and Discussion Event

Apr. 30, 2020 /

MONACA – Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) will be hosting a telephone town hall meeting on Friday, May 8, at approximately 1:10 p.m. in place of the Donuts and Discussion event that was scheduled to be held in person that day from 8:30-10 a.m. The program will consist of a COVID-19 legislative update and a question-and-answer session.

House Republicans Advance Expanded Testing Plan

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG –The best way to help millions of Pennsylvanians resume their daily lives is to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities across the Commonwealth. To accomplish that, House Republicans are again leading the way in protecting and empowering Pennsylvanians during this crisis, by passing an amendment that would require Gov. Tom Wolf to produce a plan for procuring and deploying COVID-19 testing in Pennsylvania.

O’Neal to Host Shredding Event in South Strabane

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As a free service to the community, Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) will be holding a shredding event on Saturday, May 9, in South Strabane Township to give residents of the 48th Legislative District a chance to safeguard themselves against identity theft by having their personal documents securely destroyed.

Warner Applauds Passage of Bill to Aid Fire/EMS Companies

Apr. 30, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) is urging the Senate to follow the lead of the House and quickly pass a bill he co-sponsored that would provide much-needed funding to fire and ambulance companies across the state.

House Republicans Lead Efforts to Expand Testing

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As daily announcements from Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine say, expanded testing is the most crucial step in saving lives and helping Pennsylvania get back to normal. However, House Democrats disagreed today, blocking the two-thirds vote required to pass an emergency bill to expand testing to Pennsylvanians on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor Backing Off Regional Reopening Plan, Metzgar Says

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset/Bedford) today announced that the governor is backing off his plan to reopen Pennsylvania by region. Metzgar recently wrote a letter to the governor urging him to restructure his plan to open by county, as was done when he closed them. He specifically cited issues with his district, Somerset and Bedford counties, being placed in the same region as more urban areas like Pittsburgh and York.

Maloney Announces Cancellation of Bally Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) today announced that the Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar scheduled for April 30 at Bally Fire Company has been canceled in an effort to abide by the Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines on how to limit spread of coronavirus by limiting in-person interactions through social distancing.

Southcentral House Republicans Move to Expand COVID-19 Testing

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – House Democrats today blocked a measure which would have provided the Wolf administration with necessary COVID-19 testing tools it requested to help protect Pennsylvanians and reopen the state. Southcentral region state legislators, including House Appropriations Majority Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) and Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Abbottstown), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg), Seth Grove (R-Dover), Mike Jones (R-York Township), Greg Rothman (R-Camp Hill), Sheryl Delozier (R-Lower Allen Township), Paul Schemel (R-Franklin), Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland) and Barb Gleim (R-Carlisle), issued the following statement:

Roae and Other PASSHE Board Members Vote to Freeze Tuition

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania state Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie), who serves on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors, today issued the following statement after the board met online Wednesday and voted to freeze tuition rates at the 14 state-owned universities for the 2020-21 school year:

Turzai Asks Hospital Association How Many Hospital Beds are COVID-occupied

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Seeking reliable data information, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) sent a letter to the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania asking for information and updates about how many of the state’s 37,000 hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Provide COVID-19 Data, Speaker Turzai Again Asks Secretary of Health

Apr. 29, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – As with any informed decision-making process, reliable and current data is essential for the public and legislature as Pennsylvania transitions to a path of recovery. In an attempt to access this important data, Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) sent the Secretary of Health the attached letter today.