Apr. 26, 2017 Download
Legislation that would allow hotel and restaurant licensees to begin selling distilled spirits in the Commonwealth has passed the Pennsylvania House. House Bill 438 would establish a Spirit Extended Permit, which could be purchased by any valid hotel or restaurant licensee, allowing the sale of up to 3 liters of spirits for off-site consumption. Bill sponsor Rep. Mike Reese (R-Somerset, Westmoreland) said this is just one more step toward getting Pennsylvania out of the alcohol business.
Apr. 26, 2017 Download
Lawmakers joined representatives of women’s business groups in the state Capitol Wednesday in supporting passage of a House resolution urging all public and private companies as well as nonprofit institutions doing business in Pennsylvania to move toward a goal of having a minimum of 30 percent of leadership positions filled by women. Resolution sponsor Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) said by taking action on the measure Pennsylvania becomes the 5th state nationally to officially encourage and recognize the benefits of increasing gender diversity on the boards of companies and non-profit institutions.
Apr. 26, 2017 Download
Legislation designed improve charter and cyber charter schools in the Commonwealth has been passed by the Pennsylvania House. House Bill 97 would address a long-standing problem with the cyber charter funding formula and also would propose academic performance and teacher evaluations, bringing charters in line with public schools. Bill sponsor Rep. Mike Reese (R-Somerset, Westmoreland) said his bill would strengthen both the fiscal and academic aspects of charter schools in Pennsylvania.
Apr. 25, 2017 Download
Rep. Jamie Santora (R-Delaware) joined a group of teachers and lawmakers Tuesday in Harrisburg in calling for a reduced emphasis on the use of the PSSA testing program as the primary tool to measure pupil success in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Speaking at a Capitol press conference, Rep. Santora said legislation he plans to introduce would help to discourage the practice of ‘teaching to the test’ at the expense of the actual education of students.
Apr. 24, 2017 Download
Members of the House and Senate appeared a capitol press conference on Monday in support of the legislation that would update the rules for the use of DNA evidence in Pennsylvania courts and allow the use of post-conviction DNA testing by those seeking to prove their innocence. Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer & Butler) plans to sponsor a House version of the bill that would help make sure those truly guilty of crimes are punished, by ensuring that DNA evidence can be examined after an initial conviction.
Apr. 21, 2017 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Apr. 21, 2017 Download
Legislation that would establish a legislative commission to examine and suggest improvements to the delivery of emergency services in Pennsylvania has been unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania House. Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield & Elk) said issues related to recruiting and retention of volunteer responders must be addressed in order to ensure that emergency personnel will be available when they are needed.
Apr. 21, 2017 Download
The weekly Legislative Report Program with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Apr. 21, 2017 Download
A new Legislative Report Program/Podcast with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.
Apr. 21, 2017 Download
A new Legislative Report Program-Podcast with Representative Frank Ryan (R- Lebanon) is now available on the House Republican Radio News Service. You may use this brief public affairs report in its entirety or edit it down for actualities to use in your state government news coverage.