House Passes Lawrence Bills to Aid PA Dairy Farmers

Dec. 18, 2019 / Press Release

HARRISBURG – Two bills sponsored by Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester/Lancaster) that would provide much-needed relief to Pennsylvania’s struggling dairy farmers received overwhelming bipartisan approval Tuesday in the state House of Representatives.

House Approves Bill to Protect Health Care Workers, Gillespie Announces

Dec. 17, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) today announced that the House of Representatives has passed his bill, House Bill 1879, which would amend Title 18 to add “health care practitioners” to the list of protected classes in the event of an assault. Under the bill, the penalty for an assault on a health care practitioner, while in the performance of duty, would be increased from a misdemeanor to a felony of the second degree.

Causer Applauds Passage of Pro-Dairy Bills

Dec. 17, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Continuing the commitment to strengthening the state’s dairy industry, the House has approved two bills designed to boost dairy markets and ensure struggling dairy farmers receive their milk premiums, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

House Committee Voted to Keep Polk Center Open, James Says

Dec. 17, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) announced that the House Health Committee made a monumental vote today to keep Polk and White Haven state centers open, despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s call to close them both. The closures he requested would evict residents against their will and result in the loss of nearly 1,100 jobs in an area that is already struggling economically.

Liquor Control Committee to Consider Two Bills

Dec. 17, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Liquor Control Committee, chaired by Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong/Butler/Indiana), will hold a voting meeting to consider two proposals. They are measures to improve customer convenience in wine sales by increasing the cap on the amount of wine that can be bought in a single purchase (House Bill 1279) and suspend the auction of expired licenses in possession of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board dating back to 2000 until the formation of the Wine and Spirits Wholesale and Retail Privatization Commission and the publication of its study (House Bill 1544).

Representatives to Roll Out PA Financial Reform Plan

Dec. 16, 2019 /

WHAT: No dollar collected, held or spent by state government belongs to the government. As stewards of taxpayer money, a group of representatives will unveil their proposed reforms to strengthen the financial management of the Commonwealth.

New Data Shows Criminals with Guns Receive Sentences Below Sentencing Guidelines in PA

Dec. 16, 2019 /

HARRISBURG—Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) called on tougher penalties for violent criminals in response to data from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing showing violent criminals who use guns, drug dealers who use guns and felons who illegally possess guns routinely received sentences below the standard sentencing guidelines in Pennsylvania.

House to Act on ‘Smart Justice’ Package of Probation and Justice Reforms

Dec. 11, 2019 /

HARRISBURG-- Leaders in the House this week announced the chamber will take up a bipartisan package of bills next week to reform Pennsylvania’s probation and parole system, to reduce recidivism and to help formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs that will help them avoid some of the pitfalls that keep many in the state’s penal system.