Watson, Pashinski to Unveil Proposals to Help Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Mar. 08, 2018 /

WHAT: Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee, together with Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne) and other members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Caucus, will unveil a two-bill legislative package designed to help non-parental family members who are raising children and ensure access to state and private resources. In Pennsylvania, nearly 82,000 grandparents are the sole caregivers for more than 89,000 children, saving over $2 billion per year in keeping children out of foster care.

House Education Committee Sets School Safety Hearing

Mar. 08, 2018 /

HARRISBURG - The status of school safety in the State of Pennsylvania will be the focus of the House Education Committee hearing being held on Thursday, March 15, according to the committee chairman, Rep. Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster/Dauphin).

Barrar’s Committee Hears from First Responder Community About Deadly Problem

Mar. 07, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – To consider a problem responsible for more deaths in the first responder community than are suffered in the line of duty, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee, held an informational hearing about post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI).

Benninghoff Bill Would Require Counseling in Drug Treatment

Mar. 06, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today introduced legislation requiring counseling for every patient receiving Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for addiction, such as Vivitrol, Suboxone and Methadone.

Diamond Withdraws Support for Independent Districting Commission Bill

Mar. 05, 2018 /

LEBANON -- Rep. Russ Diamond (R/Lebanon) announced today he has removed himself as a co-sponsor of House Bill 722, which seeks to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission in Pennsylvania. Diamond offered the following statement regarding his withdrawal of support for the bill:

Barrar Queries PEMA Director on School Safety

Mar. 01, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Following the tragedy in Parkland, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) discussed school safety with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Richard Flinn at a hearing held by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee.

Metcalfe Declares Major Victory for Election Integrity and Maximum Transparency

Feb. 28, 2018 /

HARRISBURG — House State Government Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) issued the following statement today after his right-to-know appeal was partially granted by the PA Office of Open Records. The Department of State now has 30 days to release all communication and records between former Secretary Pedro Cortes and his staff regarding voter registration and/or voting by non-citizen foreign nationals.

Law Crafted by Mackenzie Saves Veteran Business Owners $178,000

Feb. 23, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – A recent law authored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) is proving to greatly benefit veteran and reservist business owners. Under the law, known as Startups for Soldiers, it was reported by the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations earlier today that 1,613 veterans and reservists saved $178,000 in business and professional licensing fee exemptions in 2017.