Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Transportation

Mar. 04, 2024 /

House Republicans asked several questions about the Governor’s proposal to dedicate an additional 1.75% of sales tax collections, or $283 million, for public transit funding, and how this funding would be distributed throughout the Commonwealth. Additionally, Republicans inquired about requiring electric vehicles to contribute to the Motor License Fund, PennDOT contracts for snow removal and travel brochures, the overall state of road projects throughout the Commonwealth, and automatic voter registration.

Gleim Spearheads Greater Regulatory Oversight of FPR

Mar. 01, 2024 /

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland), a lawmaker and farmer, has been at the forefront of the issues surrounding food processing residual (FPR) waste for months, with many constituents in her district complaining about the odor and lack of regulations regarding FPR.

Mercuri Commends Commitment to Eliminate Antisemitism on College Campuses

Mar. 01, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – Reacting to a House Appropriation Committee hearing with heads of state-related universities on Thursday, Feb. 29 with the state-related universities, Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) commended the presidents on their affirmation of conduct codes prohibiting antisemitic words and actions on their campuses.

Budget Hearing Wrap with State-Related Universities

Feb. 29, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned their involvement in any meetings or discussions regarding Governor Shapiro’s “Blueprint for Higher Education” and the financial implications on each institution. Additionally, Republicans asked about efforts to combat antisemitism on campuses while simultaneously allowing for free speech, performance-based budgeting, and how to make our state-related universities more affordable for students.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Judiciary

Feb. 29, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned the financial transparency of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), who is responsible for operations of courts within the Commonwealth. Additionally, Republicans asked about the unilateral decision of the Supreme Court to allow for venue shopping in medical malpractice lawsuits, the rationale for the “traveling courts,” and the significant increases in the Judicial budget.

Safeguarding our Community from Fraud

Feb. 29, 2024 /

WHAT: House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Rep. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), and other lawmakers will host a hearing titled “Safeguarding our Community from Fraud” to identify vulnerabilities, share preventive measures, and promote a unified approach for community protection against fraudulent activities, particularly elder exploitation.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Dept. of Environmental Protection and Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned the DEP on improvements of their permitting process, dam safety, and regulatory updates, including the status of the Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Climate Action Plan. Additionally, Republicans asked about the increased spending within DCNR and their ability to keep up with their current core functions before taking on new initiatives.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Community College Leaders

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on trying to understand the potential impacts of the Governor’s “Blueprint for Higher Education” on our valuable community colleges. Once again, Republicans were shocked to learn how little work has been done on this massive, proposed idea to upend and merge the funding of two higher education systems in Pennsylvania that often serve different populations.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Health with Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans inquired about the fiscal health of each agency and asked pointed questions on the amount of funding for current programs and proposed new initiatives. Additionally, Republicans asked about long-term care facility regulations, hospital sustainability, adult-use cannabis, and substance abuse disorder treatment.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of State

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questions on how prepared the Department of State (DOS) is for the upcoming 2024 elections, as well as the lack of uniformity in the Commonwealth’s election process. Additionally, Republicans asked how the DOS plans to spend proposed increases in “Voter Registration and Education” equitably, the Governor’s unilateral decision to begin automatic voter registration, and the department’s continued plans to improve the professional licensure process.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Labor and Industry

Feb. 26, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on the various workforce development programs within the department – both new and existing. Additionally, Republicans questioned the impacts of the proposed minimum wage increase on job growth, the amount of unemployment compensation fraud and whether the dollars were recouped, and labor law enforcement practices.

Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania

Feb. 26, 2024 /

WHAT: House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington), Rep. Jamie Barton (R-Berks/Schuylkill), and other lawmakers will host a hearing titled “Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania” to address building ordinances and the cost-prohibitive issues developers face when trying to build or renovate in Pennsylvania.