House Agriculture Committee to Discuss Transparency in Payments to Dairy Farmers

Jun. 16, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold an informational meeting to discuss House Bill 1265, which would require any payment made to a dairy farmer to clearly delineate the dollar amount of the total that consists of money collected from the state mandated over-order premium.

Saccone Bill to Ban Legislative Gifts Earns Backing of the Government Reform Caucus

Jun. 16, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the Government Reform Caucus yesterday expressed their support for a measure authored by Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington) that would prohibit gifts to legislators from individuals seeking to influence the outcome of legislation. The legislators made their announcement during a news conference at the Capitol in Harrisburg.

Committee OKs Causer Snowmobile-ATV Funding Bill

Jun. 16, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation to bring fairness and accountability to the collection and distribution of funds for ATV- and snowmobile-riding opportunities in the Commonwealth earned the unanimous support of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee today, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), prime sponsor of the measure.

Lawmakers and Stakeholders Urge Action on PlanCON Reform to Ensure ‘Schools That Teach’ and ‘Government That Works’

Jun. 15, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Action is sorely needed to address Pennsylvania’s outdated school construction reimbursement process, a group of lawmakers, including Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover), said today. Grove authored House Bill 210 to address the loss of taxpayer and school district funds and to modernize the process. Companion legislation, Senate 694 sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair), recently gained committee passage in the Senate.

House Committee to Hold Meeting on Lawrence’s Dairy Pricing Transparency Bill

Jun. 15, 2015 /

WHAT: The state House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee will hold an informational meeting to discuss legislation introduced by Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) that aims to encourage transparency and accountability with regard to premiums owed to Pennsylvania dairy farmers. House Bill 1265 would require that written statements accompanying payments made to a dairy farmer clearly delineate the dollar amount of the total that consists of money collected from the state mandated over-order premium.

Grove to Urge Reform, Additional Funding for School Construction Projects

Jun. 12, 2015 /

Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) will bring together school officials in continuing to spearhead legislative efforts to both reform and increase funding for the school construction reimbursement process. Grove has sponsored House Bill 210 to replace PlanCon (also known as the “Planning Construction Workbook”) with a new system called ArcCon, which stands for the “Accountability and Reducing Costs in Construction Process.”

Wolf Administration’s Threatening Letter Reprehensible, House Labor and Industry Committee Chair says

Jun. 11, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee and outspoken advocate for children, the elderly and people with disabilities, responded to a letter by the Wolf administration today that threatened funding for the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (PAB) and other associations receiving funds for vocational rehabilitation services if a budget is not passed by July 1. The administration’s letter further threatens that expenses will not be reimbursed or paid retroactively if passage is delayed.