State Budget Update

Mar. 23, 2017 /

It is an honor to have been asked to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. This bipartisan group of members is primarily responsible for passing legislation dealing with expenditures of money by state government. Our first significant task involved the three weeks of budget hearings that took place in Harrisburg in late February and early March. The vantage point I had as a first-time committee member gave me a new perspective on the budget process.

Klunk Introduces Bill to Improve PA Bingo Law

Mar. 23, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) would bring Pennsylvania’s outdated Bingo Law into the 21st century while helping nonprofit organizations attract more players by allowing for increased prize limits.

Expanding Educational Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Mar. 23, 2017 /

Pennsylvanians should be proud of the great and varied educational options available to our Commonwealth’s students. Public, nonpublic, charter and parochial schools all provide unique and valuable opportunities to empower our children to pursue their dreams and reach their potential. Last week, I was pleased to support our most recent effort to extend our successful track record of educational choice and excellence in our state.

Farry Votes in Favor of Precious Metals Reform Bill

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – After amending language into this bill last session, Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) supports a bill that would require pawn shops and kiosks in the mall that purchase precious metals to keep records of the seller’s proof of identity and photograph each item.

Baker Bills Aim to Help Improve, Safeguard Public Health

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter), chairman of the House Health Committee, has authored three bills passed by the House of Representative this week to ensure individuals across the Commonwealth have access to health care and safeguards are in place to ensure optimal care.

House Committee Approves Watson’s Task Force on Opioid Impact on Children

Mar. 22, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – To help bring greater attention and more protections to the silent, forgotten victims of the state’s ongoing opioid epidemic, legislation to establish a task force to study the impact of the crisis on infants and young children today was unanimously reported out of the House Children and Youth Committee, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), sponsor of the proposal and chairman of the committee.

Saccone Bill to Bestow New Honors Passes House

Mar. 21, 2017 /

HARRISBURG—Legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Saccone (R- Allegheny/Washington) that would add two new decorations to the list of existing medals, badges and awards conferred by the Commonwealth for heroic civilian and military service passed the Pennsylvania House on Tuesday.

Pickett Votes for Bills to Get Children into Loving Homes

Mar. 21, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – As a way to help ensure that Pennsylvania children who are in need of loving homes are adopted, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) voted last week to approve a series of bills designed to improve the way in which adoptions are handled in Pennsylvania.

House OKs Study of Right-to-Know Law, Harper Says

Mar. 21, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s Right-to-Know Law, the state House has unanimously approved a resolution, sponsored by Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), to study the law’s impact on state and local agencies.

House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Task Force Bill

Mar. 21, 2017 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee will consider House Bill 235 authored by its chairman, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), to establish a task force on the opioid abuse epidemic’s impact on children. The legislation also would outline the duties and responsibilities of such task force, which is modeled after the Task Force on Child Protection.