Heffley Recognizes September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – In order to draw attention to Down syndrome, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by the condition, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) today recognized September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania with House Resolution 999.

Wheeland Legislation to Change Tax on Vapor Products Approved by House Finance Committee

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Finance Committee approved legislation authored by Rep. Jeff C. Wheeland (R-Lycoming) which would change the current 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes and vapor products and replace it with a 5-cent-per-milliliter retail tax on the vapor liquid only, to stave off a massive loss of jobs in that industry. The bipartisan vote was 18 to 4.

Cutler Works to Honor Local Fallen Marine with Bridge Naming

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislative language drafted by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) to salute a 2003 Penn Manor High School graduate who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan was passed unanimously by the House Transportation Committee this week.

Speaker Turzai to Highlight the Success of Recent Increase to EITC; Calls for Additional Increases to EITC and OSTC Moving Forward

Sep. 27, 2016 /

WHAT: House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will highlight the success of the recent $25 million increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program for Fiscal Year 2016-17. The Speaker will also announce new legislation to increase the amount of EITC and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credits (OSTC) to record numbers. The two programs give tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to a Scholarship Organization, an Educational Improvement Organization, and/or a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization.

Barrar and Committees Consider Civics Education Graduation Requirement

Sep. 26, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Led by majority chairmen Reps. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) and Stan Saylor (R-York), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness and Education committees held a hearing to hear testimony on House Bill 1858, which would require students to take the naturalization test as a condition of graduation.

Heffley, Waksmunski Family to Recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Sep. 26, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) is holding a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 27, recognizing September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Eric Waksmunski, a Down Syndrome advocate from Carbon County, will speak about his experience as a father of twins with Down Syndrome. Eric’s son, Jesse, will also speak, along with Josh Stranix from the Arc of Pennsylvania.

Barrar and House Committees to Consider Adding Civics Education Requirement for High School Graduation

Sep. 22, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold a joint public hearing with the House Education Committee to consider the effects of amending the Public School Code by added a civics test graduation requirement based on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test.

Simmons Seeking Legislative Fix to Phone Snafu

Sep. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – A problem during a recent telephone town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) that affected a number of customers has led him to seek a legislative solution.

Bucks House Delegation Requests Christie Reconsider Decision on Reciprocity

Sep. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Scott Petri (R-178) and several other members of the Bucks County delegation of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives sent a letter to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, imploring him to reconsider his plan to revoke a 38-year-long reciprocity agreement that allows Pennsylvania residents who work in New Jersey, and New Jersey residents who work in Pennsylvania, to pay income taxes where they live.

Barrar and Committee Vote to Make More Veterans Eligible for State Benefit Programs

Sep. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Led by majority chairman Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee unanimously approved legislation to reduce the portion of veterans’ VA benefits and compensation that can be counted as income to 50 percent for state benefit programs with income thresholds.

Reese: Allow Liquor Sales in Hotels, Restaurants and Grocery Stores

Sep. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG -- Legislation to allow hotel and restaurant licensees to begin selling distilled liquor was introduced Wednesday as a means to further improve Pennsylvania’s liquor laws. The bill’s author, Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset), called his proposal another step to make purchasing spirits more consumer friendly and withdraw Pennsylvania from the business of selling alcohol.