House Government Oversight Committee to Investigate State Gun Purchases

Apr. 17, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – The House Government Oversight Committee will investigate the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) erroneous purchase of pistols, ammunition and other equipment, which cost taxpayers $160,000, and are sitting in storage unused, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), chair of the House Government Oversight Committee, announced.

Food Supply Chain Needs Urgent Action

Apr. 17, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Recognizing the urgent need to address immediate challenges impacting the food supply chain across Pennsylvania, House Republicans have urged Gov. Tom Wolf to protect employees, address supply capacity rates and address a packaging material shortage that is resulting in an untold amount of food waste at a time when the state and country need those resources the most.

Stephens Asks Levine to Expand Testing to All Long-Term Care Workers, Residents

Apr. 17, 2020 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) has written to the Pennsylvania secretary of Health asking the state to expand testing for COVID-19 to all workers and residents of long-term care facilities. Stephens will also introduce legislation to require the release of data on COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities to give families the best information to protect their loved ones.

Polinchock Introduces Legislation to Allow Safe Real Estate Transactions

Apr. 16, 2020 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks) has introduced legislation, House Bill 2412, to require the secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development to issue a waiver to the COVID-19 Business Closure Order to allow all real estate-related activities that can adhere to social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

House Passes Knowles’ Legislation Giving Employer Tax Credits to First Responders

Apr. 15, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation that would provide tax credits to employers who allow their employees, who are volunteer firefighters or ambulance personnel, to respond to emergencies during work hours passed the House unanimously on Tuesday. According to Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill), the bill’s sponsor, these volunteers would receive no loss in pay and would not be required to use vacation time or sick time while serving their communities.

Mehaffie Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Bills

Apr. 15, 2020 /

HARRISBURG –The Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced legislation Tuesday, April 14, to help eligible first responders who get COVID-19, direct the PA Health Care Cost Containment Council to gather data on the health care response, allow businesses to reopen if they choose and adhere to safety guidelines, and help notaries do their work via audio-video communication, according to Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin), who supported the measures.

Cook Joins Colleagues in Passing Legislation to Save Family-Sustaining Jobs

Apr. 15, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) joined his colleagues in the state House in voting for legislation that would require the governor to develop and implement a plan to mitigate COVID-19 for businesses and allow those businesses that can meet the requirements of that plan to reopen. The plan must be developed using Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) guidelines.

House Republicans Act to Save Family-Sustaining Jobs

Apr. 14, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – After hearing from thousands upon thousands of frustrated and concerned Pennsylvanians, House Republicans acted today to pass legislation which would require transparency and consistency in how the governor determines which businesses can operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topper Issues Statement to Bring Parity for Pennsylvania Businesses

Apr. 14, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) joined House colleagues to approve legislation to put Pennsylvania businesses at parity with their competitors in the Commonwealth and in surrounding states. In response to passage of Senate Bill 613, Topper issued the following statement:

Kail Supports Easing UC Backlog, Allowing People to Work Safely

Apr. 14, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Josh Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) joined his colleagues in voting for legislation that would allow people to safely return to work rather than continue to force them to wait for unemployment benefits that are significantly delayed.