Lawmakers to Gather Testimony on PA’s Drug Epidemic in Venango County
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 this fall for a special session on the opioid crisis.
The eight-stop tour will kick off in Western Pennsylvania, with hearings scheduled in Venango County, Pittsburgh and Westmoreland County. The first of these hearings, hosted by Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler), will be held at UPMC Northwest in Seneca.
WHO: Members of the House and Senate policy committees.
Testifiers include: Robert Wenner, Oil City chief of police; Shawn White, Venango County district attorney; Michelle McGee, Pennsylvania State Police community service officer; Marie Plummer, Venango County Drug and Alcohol Office; Christina Rugh, Venango County coroner; and Shane Judy, local pharmacist and member of the Venango County Overdose Task Force.
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon.
WHERE: Courtyard Conference Room, UPMC Northwest, 100 Fairview Drive, Seneca. (Use UPMC Cancer Center entrance)
WATCH LIVE: Barring technical difficulties, the hearing will be live-streamed at
www.pagoppolicy.com and
www.PAHouseGOP.com.
Media contact: Morgan Wagner, mwagner@pahousegop.com
House Policy Committees
PAGOPPolicy.com
pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee