Baker Joins President for Declaration of National Opioid Abuse Crisis

Oct. 27, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today joined President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., as he declared the opioid epidemic a national health emergency. Since 2000, more than 500,000 people have died as the result of opioid abuse, or about 144 people per day.

Everett Says Budget Bills Sent to Governor This Week

Oct. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said today the bills to fund the 2017-18 state budget have been passed and sent to Gov. Tom Wolf.

Understanding The Ballot Referendum

Oct. 26, 2017 /

In 1997, the Pennsylvania Constitution was amended to allow local taxing authorities - counties, school districts and municipalities - to reduce any homeowner’s property taxes by no more than 50 percent of the median assessed value of all primary residences (the Homestead Exclusion). On Election Day, we will have a chance to potentially raise that figure to 100 percent.

House Sends Ortitay’s Gaming Bill to Governor

Oct. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – The House today sent Rep. Jason Ortitay’s (R-Washington/Allegheny) gaming legislation to the governor to finish funding the Fiscal Year 2017-18 state budget process.

Marsico Fights to Protect Children of Crime Victims

Oct. 25, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Lower Paxton) issued the following statement expressing his disappointment in a Senate-created program that aims to provide scholarships to children of incarcerated individuals but does not specifically provide the same benefit to children of crime victims:

Kauffman Bill Provides End to Supplemental Funding of UC Program

Oct. 24, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee, is introducing legislation to ensure the completion of long-awaited updates to the Unemployment Compensation (UC) program’s computer benefits system and the end of state supplemental funding that was originally designed to end last year.

Hearing Cancelled - State Lawmakers to Hold Job Creation Hearing at UPMC Enterprises

Oct. 24, 2017 /

WHAT: State lawmakers will participate in a legislative hearing on job creation, led by House Majority Policy Committee chairman Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin). The hearing will feature UPMC Enterprises, the innovation and commercialization arm of UPMC, that partners with startups and entrepreneurs with promising health care innovations. During the hearing, the committee will learn more about how UPMC has boosted the local and state economy, created jobs and invested in technologies that are shaping the future of health care.

Lawmakers Confirm Legalizing VGTs a Must Have for Closing Out State Budget

Oct. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – With a downtown Harrisburg convenience store in the background, Reps. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland) and Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) hosted a press conference to re-emphasize the far-reaching economic benefits of legalizing Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) to help close out the 2017-18 state budget.

Phillips-Hill Teacher Certification Bill Gives Schools Flexibility in Hiring

Oct. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation that would change the manner in which Pennsylvania’s public school teachers are certified is expected to receive a vote on final passage next week in the House after being passed overwhelmingly by the House Education Committee on Monday. House Bill 1386, authored by state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township), is supported by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, Pennsylvania School Board Association and Pennsylvania State Education Associations.

Wolf Chooses Boback for PA Commission for Women

Oct. 20, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to serve on the Pennsylvanian Commission for Women. Boback was sworn in by Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres at the Governor’s Residence on Oct. 18.