A Sad Day for Our Commonwealth

Aug. 07, 2015 /

Last Thursday, criminal charges were brought against Pennsylvania’s attorney general, Kathleen Kane. The charges, that Ms. Kane used her office to leak grand jury material in order to damage a political opponent, are quite serious and stem from an investigation by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.

Marsico Calls on Attorney General Kane to Resign

Aug. 06, 2015 /

HARRISBURG –Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has called on Attorney General Kathleen Kane to resign, after being charged today. In doing so, he released the following statement:

Bloom Says Kane Should Step Down

Aug. 06, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) issued this statement following news of the indictment of Attorney General Kathleen Kane on several criminal charges:

Topper says Background Check Fees Waived for Volunteers

Aug. 04, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – A new state law supported by state Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) waives the two $10 background check fees for volunteers and reduces the fee for employees in Pennsylvania who have direct and routine contact with children.

Budget Stalemate is About Priorities, Not Politics

Aug. 03, 2015 /

When I talk to people about the state budget and the current stalemate, many of them voice frustration over what they see as a partisan political battle. While I understand their frustrations, I want to be clear that this budget stalemate is not about politics. It’s about priorities.

Opinion: The Campaign is Over. Let’s Get to Work.

Aug. 03, 2015 /

We are now several weeks into the state’s fiscal year with no signed budget and education funding in the balance. So why is Gov. Tom Wolf traveling the state campaigning for an already rejected budget proposal? It’s time to get off the campaign trail and get serious about working on a budget that moves Pennsylvania forward.

State Budget Facts vs. Fiction

Jul. 31, 2015 /

One month has passed since Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the state budget. The goal should be to enact a budget built upon fact versus one built on the propaganda being circulated by the governor and special interest groups from Washington, D.C.

State Officials Discuss Changes to Child Protection Laws

Jul. 31, 2015 /

YORK TOWNSHIP - Volunteers from churches, fire companies and Little League teams were among those in attendance at Thursday’s seminar on Pennsylvania’s recent changes to child protection laws, according to state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township). The event was held at Dallastown Intermediate School.

Parker Shows Support for Nursing Moms

Jul. 30, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Parker (R-Monroe) today announced that due to legislation he co-sponsored, House Resolution 429, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is supporting “World Breastfeeding Week” during the first week of August (Aug. 1–7).

Liquor Privatization Would Have Benefitted Pennsylvania and Its Consumers

Jul. 30, 2015 /

The Pennsylvania General Assembly recently sent Gov. Tom Wolf a historic bill that would have moved the Commonwealth out of the alcohol business and, as a result, in line with the 48 other states that have privatized wine and spirits sales. Unfortunately, Wolf vetoed this pro-consumer legislation, which would have generated more than $200 million annually to the state. The governor’s severance tax proposal, by contrast, would be lucky to bring in that much money.

Warner Urges Gov. Wolf to Provide for the Safety of PA’s National Guard

Jul. 28, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Following the tragic deaths of five military personnel at two military installations in Tennessee, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) signed a letter urging Gov. Tom Wolf to issue an executive order to allow Pennsylvania National Guard recruiters and personnel to carry firearms in the performance of their duties.

On Pension Reform, Legislators Must Lead By Example

Jul. 28, 2015 /

A year ago this week, I wrote a column, titled “Push for Pension Reform Must Continue,” in which I explained my support for a pension reform proposal that would have moved elected officials, including current and future legislators, out of their current defined benefit retirement plans and into defined contribution, or 401(k)-type pension plans. The vast majority of individuals in the private sector have defined contribution plans, while those who work in the public sector have much more generous defined benefit plans. I argued that elected officials needed to lead by example by switching to defined contribution plans.