House Children and Youth Committee to Consider More Adoption Reform Bills

Sep. 20, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee will consider three more bills to reform the adoption process in Pennsylvania. House Bill 1525, sponsored by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), would streamline and expedite the procedures for terminating parental rights; House Bill 1528, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams), would allow adoptive families to appeal to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services the amount of an adoption subsidy provided by local authorities; and House Bill 1530, sponsored by Rep. Harry Lewis (R-Chester), would make it easier for parents who are incarcerated to relinquish their parental rights by allowing correctional staff to witness the individual’s consent to adoption.

House Committee to Vote Bills Dealing With Hunting, Fishing License Fee Increases

Sep. 20, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will vote Senate bills 1166 and 1168. These pieces of legislation would allow the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to set their own license fees. Currently, hunting and fishing license costs and fees are established, and can only be changed, by legislative action.

Rapp Resolution Recognizes Surgical Technologist Week

Sep. 19, 2016 /

HARRISBURG — Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), a resolution officially designating the week of Sept. 18-24, 2016, as “Surgical Technologist Week” in Pennsylvania unanimously passed the state House on Monday.

PA Tax Amnesty Program Outlined, Marsico Says

Sep. 19, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The state Department of Revenue has announced guidelines for a state tax amnesty program adopted by the General Assembly as part of Act 84 of 2016, Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Lower Paxton) said today.

Parker Leads Delegation to Supreme Court Hearing on Basic Education Funding

Sep. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG– Rep. David Parker (R-Monroe) and a delegation of Monroe County taxpayers and school board members attended oral arguments Tuesday in Philadelphia before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. With hundreds of spectators, the court hearing focused on the funding levels and constitutionality of the state's Basic Education Funding (BEF) for its 500 school districts.

Speaker Mike Turzai Announces First Auction of Expired Restaurant Liquor Licenses

Sep. 14, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has begun the process of auctioning off expired restaurant liquor licenses as permitted by Act 39, the Alcoholic Beverage Convenience (ABC) and Wine Privatization Act. The Turzai-sponsored law went into effect on Aug. 8.

Quinn Announces Release of Tax Amnesty Guidelines

Sep. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) today announced that guidelines outlining an upcoming tax amnesty program have been released by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

Murt, Stephens Urge State to Reduce Contaminant Levels in Water

Sep. 09, 2016 /

HARRISBURG—Reps. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) and Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) have issued a letter to the state Secretary of Environmental Protection to request that the agency lower the acceptable levels of perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the Commonwealth’s drinking water.

English, Kortz Introduce Bipartisan Ethical Hunting Legislation

Sep. 08, 2016 /

ALLISON PARK – Reps. Hal English (R-Allegheny) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) today said that they have introduced legislation aimed at not penalizing ethical hunters who self-report a mistaken kill. Specifically, the bill will remove the threat of a license suspension for those truthful hunters who make an honest mistake and then contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, turn in the animal and plead guilty to the offense.

Kaufer to Announce 10 Bills to Address PA’s Opioid Epidemic

Sep. 06, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) is hosting a press conference in front of his district office in Luzerne on Wednesday morning to announce a package of legislation, which includes 10 bills that seek to address Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid epidemic. Kaufer’s legislation aims to empower communities across the state by developing strategies for educators, hospitals, law enforcement, counselors, and families. Kaufer will explain each of the bills at the press conference.