House Committee to Discuss Progress in Containing Chronic Wasting Disease

Jun. 12, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will hold a public hearing to discuss Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its threat to Pennsylvania’s cervid population. CWD attacks the brain of infected deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death.

Owlett Named to Three Standing House Committees

Jun. 12, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) was named to three standing committees within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week. They are the Insurance, Human Services and Liquor Control committees.

Dowling to Introduce Bill to Protect Consumers, Funeral Escrow Funds

Jun. 11, 2018 /

UNIONTOWN – Rep. Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) is developing legislation that he will introduce in the House of Representatives to address the management of escrow accounts controlled by funeral directors and hold them accountable for any actions that they take with that money. This legislation would help prevent or punish cases like those seen in the ongoing trial in Dowling’s district in which a funeral director allegedly misused funds given to him by clients paying for his services.

Human Services Committee to Consider Opioid Reform Legislation

Jun. 11, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider comprehensive legislation, House Bill 2200, sponsored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) to help address the ongoing opioid epidemic. The bill would compile a complete report on how the state is implementing existing state laws related to this issue. This would then allow lawmakers to see if additional laws are needed or if existing laws just need to be enforced. Furthermore, the measure would centralize litigation against the opioid manufacturers so that the judiciary can effectively weigh what, if any, responsibility the industry has to Pennsylvania taxpayers.

O’Neal Assigned to Three Committees

Jun. 11, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) this week was named to three House standing committees for the remainder of the 2017-18 legislative session.

House Ag Committee to Consider PENNVEST Audit Resolution

Jun. 08, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold a meeting to consider House Resolution 948, sponsored by Causer, calling on Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to conduct a thorough audit of more than 100 nonpoint source management transactions approved by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The resolution comes in response to concerns raised about PENNVEST approval of two low-interest loans totaling nearly $51 million for New Hampshire-based Lyme Timber Company to purchase more than 60,000 acres of private forest land in Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.

Turzai Celebrates Wine Sales at Weis Markets’ Enola Store

Jun. 07, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today celebrated the two-year anniversary of Act 39 of 2016, which opened the sale of wine in select grocery and convenience stores, and called on Gov. Tom Wolf to continue to support legislation to expand wine sales statewide.

Metzgar Unveils Comprehensive Prison Reform Package

Jun. 06, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – In the wake of the rash of recent assaults and the murder of Sgt. Mark Baserman at State Correctional Institution-Somerset, Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Bedford/Somerset) plans to introduce a seven-bill package to increase safety for prison staff and the public.

House Committee OKs Christiana Bill to Expand PA Sunshine Act

Jun. 06, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Raising the bar of transparency and accountability at all levels of government, the House State Government Committee today voted to approve legislation, authored by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington), which would expand Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act.

Lawmakers, EMS Personnel Rally to Save Our Ambulance Services

Jun. 06, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Lawmakers and EMS personnel from across the Commonwealth gathered on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg Wednesday, issuing a call to action on legislation that would address some of the financial challenges facing ambulance companies across the state.

Turzai to Celebrate Wine Sales at Weis Markets’ Enola Store

Jun. 05, 2018 /

WHAT: Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will join House colleagues to celebrate the second anniversary of Act 39 of 2016. The law, the ABC and Wine Privatization Act, made sweeping changes to Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code, loosening restrictions on alcohol sales and bringing the state’s wine and spirits system into the 21st century. Turzai will also discuss additional reforms outlined in his House Bill 975.