Lawmakers to Gather Testimony on PA’s Drug Epidemic in Scranton
WHAT: Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature are joining forces to attempt to tackle the state’s opioid crisis.
Led by Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Chair of the House Minority Policy Committee Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), members of the House of Representatives and state Senate are traveling the Commonwealth to gather testimony about the growing drug epidemic and how it is impacting communities. At the conclusion of the tour, the joint committee will make legislative and policy recommendations for the Legislature to consider when it reconvenes for a special session on the opioid crisis.
The eight-stop tour will conclude this week with hearings in Williamsport, Scranton and York. The seventh hearing in the tour, hosted by Rep. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna) will be held on Wednesday in Scranton.
WHO: Members of the House and Senate policy committees.
Testifiers to include: Dr. Karen Murphy, Pennsylvania Department of Health; Judge Michael Barrase, Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas; Shane Scanlon, Lackawanna County District Attorney; Deb Beck, Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania; Cindy Bellino, Just Believe Recovery Center; Dick Conaboy, Clearbook Treatment Centers; and Dr. Gary Henschen, Magellan Health.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to noon.
WHERE: Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, Electric City Ballroom, 100 Adams Ave., Scranton.
WATCH LIVE: Barring technical difficulties, the hearing will be live-streamed at
pagoppolicy.com.
Media contact: Morgan Wagner, 717.260.6281,
mwagner@pahousegop.com