House Passes Simmons’ Student Health and Safety Bill

Mar. 15, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton), that would help to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania students who suffer from severe allergic reactions, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives on Monday. House Bill 224 will now go to the Senate for consideration.

Lewis’s Bill to Ease the Adoption Process Receives House Support

Mar. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – To provide Commonwealth children who have incarcerated parents with stable families in a more timely fashion, Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) drafted a bill to fulfill adoption requirements in a more efficient manner. It passed the House unanimously today.

State Lawmakers Actively Partnering with Trump Administration to End Illegal Alien Invasion

Mar. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), along with Representatives Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) and Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland), joined together to announce the introduction of six pieces of bipartisan legislation to curb illegal immigration throughout the Commonwealth.

House Members Advocate for ‘My Work, My Choice’

Mar. 13, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – A bipartisan group of legislators from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today rallied to prevent individuals with disabilities from being forced to sit in the community and leave day programs and sheltered workshops where they are comfortable.

House Committee to Consider Health Care Insurance Bill

Mar. 10, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Insurance Committee, led by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), will hold a voting meeting on House Bill 133, which would offer a tax credit for the purchase of more affordable health insurance, along with other provisions.

Barrar and Committee Discuss Military Recruitment Barriers

Mar. 10, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Led by chairman Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a meeting with military recruiters this week to learn about the challenges that recruiters experience in Pennsylvania’s high schools when trying to connect with students.

State Lawmakers to Announce Legislation to Partner with Trump Administration Against Illegal Alien Invasion

Mar. 10, 2017 /

WHO: Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Chairman Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) will join with Representatives Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill), Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) and other legislative co-sponsors to officially introduce legislation to curb the illegal alien invasion throughout Pennsylvania.

Committee to Examine Issue of Day, Work Choices for Individuals with Disabilities

Mar. 10, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on a recent requirement that would significantly reduce the amount of time that a person with disabilities could spend in a day center or sheltered workshop under the Office of Developmental Programs. The hearing will include testimony of those affected, along with a potential compromise worked out between lawmakers and officials with the Department of Human Services.

House Members to Rally for ‘My Work, My Choice’ Movement

Mar. 10, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) will lead a rally supporting individuals with disabilities and their right to work in sheltered workshops if they so choose. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) proposed changes which would require this group of citizens to spend up to half of their day in public places for improved community integration. The plan was met with significant public outcry and DHS has been working with members of the General Assembly to reach a compromise allowing work and integration. Following the rally, the House Human Services Committee will hold a hearing on the matter.

Saylor, Grove Ask State Employees for Money-Saving Solutions

Mar. 08, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – As three weeks of budget hearings draw to a close, House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) and Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) joined Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) as she unveiled a new program, State Employees Achieving Savings (SEAS), to find additional ways the state can saving money.

Quinn Unveils New Program that Seeks Expert Advice on Savings

Mar. 08, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – As the Legislature works to restructure state government to save taxpayers’ money, Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) launched a new program, State Employees Achieving Savings (SEAS), during a press conference today that seeks input from government employees on how the state can rein in spending.

Joint Hearing to Gather Information on Gaming Expansion, Local Share, Says Petri

Mar. 06, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, will hold a joint public hearing with the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe/Northampton), to gather information from gaming industry stakeholders regarding suggested changes to the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The joint hearing is the first in a series of planned hearings on efforts to ensure the integrity and sustainability of Pennsylvania’s gaming industry and increase state revenues. Among the issues to be discussed at this week’s hearing will be expanded gaming options such as those contained in House Bill 392, sponsored by Reps. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) and Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia), and suggested changes to the Local Share Assessment, which is the share of gaming proceeds that goes to local municipalities.