Bipartisan Hearing to Focus on STEM Education Opportunities

Nov. 16, 2017 /

WHAT: Led by House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and House Minority Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature will learn about several distinguished STEM-based programs and “learning ecosystems” that are gaining recognition and educating youth across Pennsylvania.

House Committee to Hear from Expert on Child Manipulation during Divorces

Nov. 14, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will hold an informational meeting about parental alienation syndrome, which is the psychological manipulation of a child by one parent in order to alienate the child from the other parent during and following a divorce.

Legislative Hearing to Focus on PA Manufacturing, Technology and Energy Jobs

Nov. 14, 2017 /

WHAT: Lawmakers from across the state will travel to Pittsburgh to gather testimony about the current jobs climate in Pennsylvania’s manufacturing, technology and energy sectors. Led by House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), the hearing will focus on the impact affordable energy has on the state’s economy and the good-paying, technologically advanced manufacturing jobs available today.

School Code Puts Excellent Teachers and Students First, Turzai Says

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is excited about the enactment of Act 55 of 2017, comprehensive education reform legislation, despite the fact the governor refused to sign the bill. As of today, 10 days have elapsed since the House and Senate put House Bill 178 on the governor’s desk, making it become law despite no action by the governor. Turzai issued the following statement:

Kaufer Continues to Lead in Fighting PA’s Opioid Abuse Crisis

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – In his continuing efforts to fight the ongoing opioid crisis in Pennsylvania, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has successfully ensured that schools across the state will include opioid prevention strategies in school districts’ drug abuse curriculum. The requirement was included in the 2017-18 Public School Code, which became law over the weekend.

Legislative Hearing to Focus on Small Businesses, Job Creation

Nov. 06, 2017 /

WHAT: State lawmakers from across Pennsylvania will participate in a legislative hearing to gather testimony from Berks County small business owners. Led by House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster), testifiers will focus on how state government can help small businesses succeed, and the challenges job creators face when dealing with state agencies, complex regulations and cumbersome processes.

Day Pleased that School, Safety Security Bill Becomes Law

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), whose House Bill 178 became the Public School Code of the 2017-18 budget package, issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf allowed the legislation to lapse into law:

Staats Bill to Enhance School Security Becomes Law

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Reps. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), Gary Day (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Sid Michaels Kavulich (D-Lackawanna), which aims to increase school security and preparedness, becomes law today without the governor’s signature.

Adoptees Can Now Apply for Original Birth Certificates

Nov. 03, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – After eight years of negotiations, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s (R-Centre/Mifflin) legislation to reinstate the rights of Pennsylvania adult adoptees to apply for and receive a copy of their original birth certificate finally became law on Nov. 3, 2016. One year later, the state Department of Health (DOH) has begun processing those requests for the first time since 1984.