May. 23, 2016 /
![Grove, Wagner Release Taxpayers’ Caucus Report Detailing $3 Billion in Savings]()
WHAT: Co-chairs of the Taxpayers’ Caucus, state Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) and Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York), will release the details of a comprehensive report that has identified over $3 billion in potential savings to Pennsylvania taxpayers. The report has identified $300 million more in savings than Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed in tax increases for Fiscal Year 2016-17.
May. 23, 2016 /
![PACENET Program Expansion Legislation Approved by Committee, Says Hennessey]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would, if enacted, expand income eligibility limits for participation in the Pennsylvania PACENET prescription drug assistance program, received unanimous approval today by the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, said committee chairman Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester/Montgomery).
May. 23, 2016 /
![House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Background Checks for Physicians, Clergy]()
WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will consider Senate Bill 1156, which would ensure that health care personnel and members of the clergy who have direct and routine contact with children or who are responsible for a child’s welfare are required to obtain specific criminal background check clearances under Act 15 of 2015. The legislation also would extend the time period for which valid General Protective Service reports are retained in the Department of Human Services’ statewide database.
May. 23, 2016 /
![House Committee Approves Farry Bill to Expand Prescription Coverage to Over 32,000 PA Seniors]()
HARRISBURG – The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee today took the first step toward extending prescription drug coverage to over 32,000 older Pennsylvanians, by approving legislation, authored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), which would increase income eligibility guidelines for the PACENET program.
May. 23, 2016 /
![House Committee Advances Legislation Aimed At Expediting Military Veterans, Spouses’ Return to the Classroom]()
HARRISBURG – Veterans and military and veterans’ spouses who face obstacles when attempting to maintain state teaching certification due to frequent moves would get a boost under legislation authored by state Reps. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Pam DeLissio (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia). The two General Assembly members discussed the legislation Monday at a news conference that followed unanimous passage of House Bill 2078 by the House Education Committee.
May. 23, 2016 /
![Metcalfe Announces Locked and Loaded Lineup for Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms]()
WHAT:State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and many other pro-Second Amendment state lawmakers will join together with gun owners from across the Commonwealth for the Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Established in 2006, dozens of state lawmakers and hundreds of citizens from across the Commonwealth attend this annual grassroots event in support of the Second Amendment.
May. 20, 2016 /
![House Manufacturing Caucus Examines State of Pennsylvania’s Steel Industry - Legislators call for federal action to protect domestic steelmakers]()
HARRISBURG – The House Manufacturing Caucus on Wednesday held an informational meeting at the Capitol, led by Rep. Eli Evankovich (R-Westmoreland/Allegheny), the caucus co-chairman, which examined the current state of Pennsylvania’s steel industry.
May. 20, 2016 /
![State House Members Aim to Speed-Up Military Veterans, Spouses’ Return to the Classroom]()
WHAT: Teachers who are military members, veterans, or military and veterans’ spouses can encounter challenges in maintaining their state certification due to frequent moves and other obstacles. Reps. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Pam DeLissio (D-Montgomery/Philadelphia) will discuss their bipartisan effort to help these individuals who already hold teaching certificates, as well as expediting the application process for military members, veterans and their spouses who are first-time applicants for teacher certification.
May. 19, 2016 /
![Bloom Introduces Bill to Increase Responsible Electronics Disposal Options for Rural Communities]()
HARRISBURG – In response to complaints about the increasing number of electronics being illegally dumped in woodlands, streams and environmentally sensitive areas, Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today introduced legislation that would increase access to lawful electronics disposal options for consumers in rural communities.
May. 19, 2016 /
![Governor Signs Three Gingrich Bills]()
HARRISBURG – At a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol on Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed three bills sponsored by Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon).
May. 19, 2016 /
![Payne, Harkins Invite Public to NASCAR Hauler Parade on June 2]()
HARRISBURG –House of Representatives’ Motorsports Caucus Co-Chairmen Reps. John Payne (R-Dauphin) and Pat Harkins (D-Erie) invite Pennsylvania families and racing enthusiasts to attend the annual NASCAR Hauler Open House and Parade in Harrisburg on Thursday, June 2, starting at 10 a.m.
May. 19, 2016 /
![PA Medical Society Issues Guidelines for Doctors and Patients to Address Opioid Use, Says Heffley]()
HARRISBURG – In order to address Pennsylvania’s widespread and devastating opioid abuse crisis, the PA Medical Society issued guidelines to both patients and doctors to encourage a proactive approach to prescription drug use, said Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon).
May. 19, 2016 /
![Barrar’s Committee Supports Bill to Increase Police Officer Safety]()
HARRISBURG – Led by majority chairman Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee approved legislation to increase the safety of police officers.
May. 18, 2016 /
![Bloom Issues Statement in Response to Governor’s Veto of Protecting Excellent Teachers Act]()
HARRISBURG – Bill author Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of House Bill 805 – the Protecting Excellent Teachers Act, which would end the practice of seniority-based layoffs in Pennsylvania and instead require teacher performance to guide furlough and reinstatement decisions:
May. 18, 2016 /
![Schemel’s Bill to Improve Intergovernmental Cooperation Process Advances in House]()
HARRISBURG – Three related bills that would make intergovernmental cooperation easier and more efficient, sponsored by Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin), today were approved by the House Local Government Committee.
May. 18, 2016 /
![House Advances Petri’s Public Pension Forfeiture Legislation]()
HARRISBURG – The House today overwhelmingly approved legislation sponsored by House Ethics Committee Chairman Scott Petri (R-Bucks) that would strengthen Pennsylvania laws governing public corruption.
May. 18, 2016 /
![Committee Advances Godshall Bill to Allow Terminally Ill to Receive Drugs Not Yet Approved by FDA]()
HARRISBURG – The House Health Committee on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), which would permit eligible patients with a terminal illness to use investigational drugs, biological products and devices not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
May. 18, 2016 /
![Hahn Legislation Toughens Penalties For At-Risk Drivers]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township) that would change the penalties for driving with a suspended license resulting from a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction has passed the House overwhelmingly. House Bill 1861 may now be considered by the state Senate.
May. 18, 2016 /
![House Approves Barrar’s Bill to Protect Consumers from Identity Theft]()
HARRISBURG – The House approved legislation with unanimous support sponsored by Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) to protect Commonwealth citizens by eliminating the automatic expiration of security freezes on consumer credit reports.
May. 18, 2016 /
![Metcalfe, Lawmakers Respond to Obama’s Bathroom Decree]()
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House State Government Committee Majority Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) and 96 other state lawmakers sent the following letter to President Barrack Obama in response to his administration’s recent letter threatening to pull federal funding and seek legal action against public schools that prohibit transgender students from using bathroom and locker room facilities based on gender identity.