Petri Bill Would Make it Easier to Adopt Pennsylvania Children

Mar. 10, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Thousands of children are currently awaiting adoption in Pennsylvania, yet state laws are making adoption so difficult that frustrated adoptive parents are going out of state or out of the country to adopt children. Today, the House Children and Youth Committee held a public hearing on legislation by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks) that would make it easier for those seeking to adopt a child to do so in Pennsylvania.

Local Lawmakers Address Wolf’s Proposed Tax Increases and Connection to Property Tax Reform

Mar. 09, 2016 /

LANSFORD – Local legislators from the House Republican Caucus are rejecting Gov. Tom Wolf’s demand for massive tax increases, including an increase to the Personal Income Tax as part of his annual budget proposal. That 11 percent tax increase (retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016), along with several others, would amount to an annual tax hike of $2.7 billion. The legislators included Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Rep. David Parker (R-Monroe), Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) and Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin).

Local Lawmakers: Wolf Tax Hikes Unwanted

Mar. 09, 2016 /

COOPERSBURG - State legislators from Lehigh and Schuylkill counties today said they will continue to oppose the retroactive, broad-based tax increase being pushed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Act 12 Implementation on Track, Barrar Says

Mar. 08, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), acting in his role as majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, today participated in the House Appropriations Committee budget hearing for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Santora and McGarrigle Work to Restore State Education Funding

Mar. 08, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – At a press conference held in Drexel Hill today, Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) and Sen. Tom McGarrigle (R-26) voiced their support of House Bill 1821, which would restore the more than $3 billion in funding for Pennsylvania schools that Gov. Tom Wolf cut. The legislation was drafted by Santora.

Area State Representatives Stand Up For Taxpayers

Mar. 08, 2016 /

WHAT: A news conference to discuss Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2016-17 budget proposal, along with its expected impact on constituents and local small businesses. The lawmakers will speak in opposition to the governor’s neglect of school property tax reform, and his proposed $3.6 billion increase in new state taxes. Local business people will also speak.

Local State Representatives Set the Record Straight

Mar. 08, 2016 /

WHAT: A news conference where local lawmakers will discuss Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2016-17 budget proposal. Wolf is proposing a $3.6 billion increase in taxes. The lawmakers will voice their opposition to the governor’s plan to take money out of people’s pockets, and even their savings accounts.

House Children and Youth Committee to Examine Bills to Reform Adoption Process

Mar. 08, 2016 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will hold a public hearing on several bills to reform the adoption process in Pennsylvania. The legislation includes House Bill 1526, which would shorten the period in which a birth parent can revoke adoption consent from 30 days to five; House Bill 1524, which would provide access to adoption-related counseling services to birth parents who are considering adoption or relinquishing parental rights; and House Bill 1529, which would add reasonable expenses incurred by a birth mother to be reimbursed by the adoptive parents.

Penn State Ag Council Spotlights Agricultural Extension and Research Funding Crisis

Mar. 07, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, will join members of the Penn State Ag Council to discuss the current funding crisis and possible elimination of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research stations and statewide extension programs, as well as flagship programs such as 4-H and Master Gardener.

Santora and McGarrigle Hold Press Conference Urging Schools Not to Close

Mar. 07, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) is holding a press conference to call on Commonwealth schools to borrow money rather than closing their doors, while he works to restore Gov. Tom Wolf’s line item veto of $3 billion of state education funding. Joined by Sen. Tom McGarrigle (R-26), Santora urges the schools to disregard the school closing checklist that the governor sent and instead prioritize the education of the children.

Barrar Considers 2016-17 State Budget Proposal’s Effect on Military, Emergency Services

Mar. 04, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – As majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) reviewed the governor’s 2016-17 budget proposal, including requests by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Homeland Security and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This week, the House Appropriations Committee continued its extensive look at the governor’s proposal.

Agreement Restores PERC Independence, Say Bloom, Grove

Mar. 03, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Following legal action taken in Commonwealth Court to prevent Gov. Tom Wolf’s unilateral closure of the Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC), an agreement signed Tuesday temporarily restores the independence of the watchdog agency, said Reps. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) and Seth Grove (R-York), who filed the suit on behalf of Pennsylvania taxpayers.