Topper Picked to Lead Health Care Subcommittee

Apr. 16, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – In just his second full term in office, Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton/Franklin) was handpicked by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Alleghany) as chairman of the Subcommittee on Health Care for the 2017-18 legislative session.

Second Hearing to Hear from Stakeholders on State Agency Consolidation

Apr. 13, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Human Services, Health, and Aging and Older Adult Services committees will host a second joint hearing on a proposal by the Wolf administration to merge the departments of Health, Human Services, Aging, and Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) into a larger Department of Health and Human Services. This second hearing will focus on testimony from those most impacted by the proposed consolidation, including counties, providers, consumers and others. The first hearing on April 5 included testimony from the respective department secretaries.

Bloom Introduces State Agency Unification Legislation

Apr. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today introduced the enabling legislation for Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed unification of the Departments of Aging, Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), Health, and Human Services (DHS) into a new Department of Health and Human Services.

Metzgar Appointed Chairman of Mining Subcommittee

Apr. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Bedford/Somerset) was appointed by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Alleghany) to serve as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Mining under the standing Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the 2017-18 legislative session of the General Assembly.

Committee Leadership Appointments for Mackenzie Announced

Apr. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) this week received notice of two leadership positions he has been appointed to on House standing committees for the 2017-18 legislative session by Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny).

Harper Introduces Civil Forfeiture Reform Measure

Apr. 12, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure homeowners receive due process when faced with the possibility of civil forfeiture of their homes, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) has introduced legislation making needed reforms to state law.

Simmons Changes Committee Assignment for 2017-18 Session

Apr. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today announced that he has been named to serve on a new committee in the House of Representatives during the 2017-18 legislation session. Simmons’ appointment to the influential House Insurance Committee is in addition to his current membership on the House Children and Youth, House Human Services and House Liquor Control committees.

Government Gone Wild

Apr. 05, 2017 /

When the General Assembly is not in session, members of the House and Senate spend a significant amount of time examining both existing legislation that may soon be coming up for a vote and issues in need of a legislative “fix.” Last week, I joined a number of my House and Senate colleagues in Harrisburg to examine an ongoing problem that is begging to be addressed legislatively.

House Adopts Toohil’s “Donate Life Month” Resolution

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today unanimously adopted House Resolution 209, legislation sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) that designates April 2017 as “National Donate Life Month” in Pennsylvania.

Leaders Laud Passage of Debt Reform and Reduction Measure

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – A measure aimed at reducing Pennsylvania’s debt burden passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration, Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) and Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said today.

House Approves Mackenzie Bill to Provide Better Protection of Local Tax Dollars

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Local tax collectors take on a great responsibility and work many hours ensuring proper collection of taxes; however, with little clarity in current law as to best practices, mistakes and misuse of the system can occur. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh/Berks) has crafted legislation approved by the House of Representatives to correct current oversights in the law.

Watson’s Task Force on Opioid Impact on Children Earns House Approval

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – As a way to help address the growing number of babies born addicted to opioids and to better protect children living in homes with addicted parents, the House unanimously endorsed a proposal today to establish a task force to study the impact of the crisis on infants and young children, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), sponsor of the proposal.

Mako Votes in Favor of House Budget

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — Rep. Zach Mako (R-Lehigh/Northampton) joined his colleagues in approving a $31.52 billion Fiscal Year 2017-18 state budget on Tuesday. He issued the followed statement in response:

Irvin Supports State Budget Plan That Cuts Spending, Dedicates Funding to School Students

Apr. 05, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Mifflin/Centre) offered the following statement after joining the majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives on Tuesday in passing a $31.52 billion state budget proposal that funds the core functions of government, doesn’t raise taxes, and continues to invest additional dollars in areas such as education and human services: