Toohil’s Postpartum Depression Bill Approved by Committee

May. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation co-sponsored by Reps. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) and Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh), that would offer state assistance to Pennsylvania mothers struggling with postpartum depression and their babies, today was unanimously approved by the House Children and Youth Committee. House Bill 200 now moves to the full House for consideration.

Tallman Legislation Expands Access to Potential Military Recruits

May. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Branches of the military would have access to an expanded list of potential recruits under legislation authored by state Rep. Will Tallman (Adams/Cumberland). House Bill 524 now sits with the state Senate after passing the House Monday with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Barrar and Committee Favor Bill to Support Military Families

May. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and its chairman, Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), unanimously supported a bill that would support military families by permanently offering an option for Commonwealth residents to contribute all or a portion of their tax refund to the Military Family Relief Fund.

Dunbar and Cutler Applaud House Action on Results First Act to Continue Conversation on Reinventing Government

May. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Co-sponsored by Reps. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) and Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), the Results First Act (House Bill 599), which would provide the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) with legal authority to obtain data and analyze the effectiveness of government assistance programs, was advanced by the state House on Monday for the second consecutive legislative session.

Human Services Committee to Consider Treatment, Mental Health Bills

May. 23, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider two proposals designed to help people with mental illness or those with substance abuse issues. House Bill 825, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), would establish a registry of available beds in treatment facilities; and House Bill 1233, sponsored by Rep. Tom Murt (R-Philadelphia/Montgomery), would establish a new standard for court ordered assisted outpatient treatment in the community, while leaving in place the clear and present danger standard for involuntary hospitalization.

Show Me the Savings

May. 23, 2017 /

One month from now, the General Assembly will hopefully be putting the finishing touches on the 2017-18 state budget. From my point of view, we appear to be a good distance away from accomplishing that. One of the components of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan proposes to save $90 million by combining four state agencies - the departments of Aging, Health, Human Services, and Drug and Alcohol Programs. The governor wants to roll these agencies into one department, despite their having drastically different missions.

Day’s Bill to Honor Local Hero Passes House Committee

May. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation designed to acknowledge and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by a Lehigh County soldier passed the House Transportation Committee recently, said Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), sponsor of the bill to designate a section of Route 100 in Lehigh County as the Capt. Mark T. Resh Memorial Highway.

Heffley, Veterans Advocates Join to Support Mission 22 and Prevent Veteran Suicide

May. 22, 2017 /

WHAT: A press conference recognizing Mission 22, an organization that helps prevent veteran suicide, and its presence in the Capitol. Mission 22 creates large-scale public memorials to recognize and honor those who served, and has chosen three Pennsylvania veterans who have lost the battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This event marks the dedication of a memorial to Michael Wargo, one of the veterans chosen from the Commonwealth. Heffley’s House Resolution 349, recognizing Mission 22 and its efforts, will be considered by the House on Tuesday.

Santora’s Bill to Direct Casino Money to Local Counties Passes Committee

May. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislative language drafted by Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) to fairly compensate local counties for the increased demand casino patrons place on services through an annual fee and percentage of slot machine revenue passed the House Gaming Oversight Committee with strong bipartisan support today.

House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Post-Partum Depression Bill

May. 22, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will consider House Bill 200, sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), which would add post-partum depression as a qualifying at-risk condition for early intervention services under the Early Intervention Services System Act.

Speaker Turzai, Majority Leader Reed and House Republican Leaders Tell Democratic National Committee to Return Pennsylvania’s Money

May. 18, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) and other House Republican leaders have sent the following letter to former Gov. Ed Rendell and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez, requesting they return the surplus money from the 2016 national convention held in Philadelphia.

Simmons’ ‘Epi-Pen’ Bill Signed into Law

May. 17, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), that helps to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania school students who suffer from severe allergic reactions, has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf as Act 2 of 2017.