White Bill to Honor Battalion Chief Goodwin Signed Into Law

Oct. 04, 2016 /

HARRISBURG-- Legislation sponsored by Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) to honor the sacrifice of fallen firefighter Battalion Chief Michael R. Goodwin Sr. by renaming a local road in his honor has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Brown’s Bill Addressing Private Community Violations Approved by Senate Committee

Sep. 30, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rosemary M. Brown’s (R-Monroe/Pike) legislation to grant the power of investigation and mediation of complaints for residents of planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums to the Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection passed the Senate Urban Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

Oberlander to Host Legislative Hearing on Manufactured Home Industry

Sep. 30, 2016 /

WHAT: The manufactured home industry, a major employer in Clarion County and the surrounding region, is facing regulatory and economic challenges. Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) has invited the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), to a legislative hearing in Shippenville so that legislators across the Commonwealth can learn more about the economic impact this industry has on the region, as well as how legislative and regulatory decisions made in Harrisburg impact its ability to grow. Oberlander is hosting the hearing to not only educate the Legislature on the industry, but to ensure continued growth and success of this manufacturing field, which is vital to the local economy.

Opioid Impact on Children Focus of House Hearing, Watson Says

Sep. 29, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The impact of the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania is not only affecting babies born dependent on the powerful substance but also on the child welfare system, members of the House Children and Youth Committee learned during a public hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), chairman of the committee.

House Advances Moul Bill to Enhance Small Games of Chance Law

Sep. 29, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – By a vote of 167-21, the House voted today to approve legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) that would eliminate the cap on weekly prize payouts for nonprofit and club licensees offering small games of chance, enabling them to make larger contributions to local charities.

Ghost Teachers Costing Taxpayers and Students Plenty

Sep. 29, 2016 /

Legislation introduced in the House would end a practice that permits teachers to remain on the public payroll while they are out of the classroom and actually doing work for the union they belong to rather than teaching our children.

Brown Comments on Governor’s Address on Opioids

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf addressed a joint session of the General Assembly to emphasize the magnitude of the effects that the opioid and heroin abuse crisis has on Pennsylvania. Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) has been a sponsor and supporter of meaningful legislation to create solutions to this epidemic. Due to her work on the issue, Brown was selected to serve as a member of the governor’s escort committee, where legislators are responsible for escorting the governor to the House floor for his address. She issued the following comment at the conclusion of the joint session:

Kaufer Disappointed by Lack of Special Session to Address Opioid Abuse, Yet Appreciative of Governor’s Attentiveness to Issue

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf spoke before a joint session of the General Assembly about Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid and heroin abuse crisis. Throughout the 2015-16 legislative session, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has been leading policy discussions and developing solutions for this issue, and the governor acknowledged Kaufer and other legislators for their work on this issue during his speech. After the governor’s address, Kaufer issued the following statement:

Masser: Governor Wants to Sign Anti-Opioid Abuse Bills into Law Now

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf spoke before a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday to reinforce the need for meaningful legislation to address Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid addiction epidemic, which is plaguing all regions of the Commonwealth. After the joint session, Rep. Kurt A. Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland) made the following statement:

Gabler, Sankey Support Elimination of E-cigarette Wholesale Tax

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) joined House Finance Committee members on both sides of the aisle Tuesday in advancing legislation that would replace the 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarette and vapor products with a 5-cents-per-milliliter vapor products tax. House Bill 2342 may now be considered by the full House.