Turzai: Pennsylvanians Need Governor to Sign 2015-16 Budget

Mar. 22, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement today urging Gov. Tom Wolf to sign the 2015-16 budget supplement passed last week that includes the highest education spending in state history:

Ignition Interlock Legislation Advances, Says Heffley

Mar. 22, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – To help make roads safer, Senate Bill 290, which would make the ignition interlock program mandatory for first-time DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels, advanced this week out of the House Transportation Committee, said Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon).

House Children and Youth Committee to Study Bills to Reform Adoption Hearing Process

Mar. 22, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will hold the second in a series of public hearings on reforming the adoption process in Pennsylvania. The legislation to be examined at this hearing includes House Bill 1525, which would require the courts to set a hearing date no more than 20 days after the birth parent(s) file with the court a petition voluntarily relinquishing their parental rights; House Bill1 1527, which would repeal the requirement of an intermediary report from the adoption process; and House Bill 1531,which would eliminate the requirement of holding a hearing to confirm a consent to an adoption when the birth parent or parents of the child being placed for adoption have executed valid consents to an adoption.

Boback Encourages Colon Cancer Awareness

Mar. 22, 2016 /

WHAT: Reps. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) and Rep. Maria Donatucci (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) will be holding a press conference to designate March 31, 2016, as C.A.S.U.A.L. (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day and to recognize March 216 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

Ortitay Bill Would Make Learning Opportunities Available Online

Mar. 21, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to increase online learning opportunities in the Commonwealth. His legislation, House Bill 1915, would task the Department of Education (PDE) with establishing a clearinghouse of online courses, for students in grades 6-12, to be accessible to public schools, nonpublic schools, home education programs and the general public.

House Leaders Statement on Fort Littleton Toll Shooting

Mar. 20, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County), Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana County) and Majority Whip Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster County) issued the following statement regarding the Fort Littleton toll exchange shooting today:

Gaming Committee to Examine Consolidation of Small Games of Chance Oversight

Mar. 18, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 1891, which would transfer the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s oversight responsibilities under the Local Option Small Games of Chance (SGOC) Act to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The legislation is sponsored by Gaming Oversight chairman, Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin).

Lewis Denounces Party Politics, Votes for Supplemental Budget

Mar. 18, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) today voted in favor of a supplemental budget that would make historic education investments, reverse debilitating budget cuts made by Gov. Tom Wolf and spend responsibly by not requiring any new taxes.

Simmons to Honor Life of NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik

Mar. 18, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) is the sponsor of a House Resolution 740, which honors the life of Charles “Chuck” Bednarik, Hall of Fame center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, who passed away on March 21, 2015. Simmons will offer remarks in the House of Representatives and recognize members of Bednarik’s family, who will be in attendance, including his wife and five daughters.

Cutler Calls for Greater Review of Medical Marijuana Impact

Mar. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) this week raised concerns about legalizing medical marijuana, including the impact of bypassing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product approval process as well as how current federal law would affect banking and gun ownership. Other possible consequences include loss of rights for workers as well as property and land owners.

Lancaster County Lawmakers Implore Governor Wolf to Keep Schools Open

Mar. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Senators Ryan Aument (R-36), Lloyd Smucker (R-13), and Representatives Bryan Cutler (R-100), Mindy Fee (R-37), Keith Greiner (R-43), Dave Hickernell (R-98), Steve Mentzer (R-97), Brett Miller (R-41) and Dave Zimmerman (R-99) today sent an urgent letter to Governor Wolf imploring him to keep Pennsylvania’s public schools open.

Cutler Asks Pennsylvanians to Implore Gov. Wolf to Sign the Budget

Mar. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) joined his colleagues in the House to pass a supplemental budget with bipartisan support this week. Under House Bill 1801, the 2015-16 state budget would spend $30 billion, a 3 percent increase over the previous year’s budget, without requiring any new taxes.

Regan Lauds Bipartisan Passage of Medical Cannabis Legislation

Mar. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Following a lengthy effort and cooperation among many individuals and groups, the House this week passed legislation that would, if enacted, allow physicians to prescribe medical cannabis for patients suffering from debilitating diseases, said Rep. Mike Regan (R-York/Cumberland).

Helm Votes Yes to Fund Schools and Agriculture Programs

Mar. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Voting to keep schools in Pennsylvania open, Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) on Wednesday joined a bipartisan majority of her colleagues in passing a supplemental spending bill that would complete the 2015-16 state budget. House Bill 1801 now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for his consideration.