Aug. 28, 2015
HARRISBURG — Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) announced that he recently introduced legislation to establish English as the official language of Pennsylvania.
“Declaring English the official language of Pennsylvania is a simple way to promote unity and create a common means of communication in our increasingly diverse society,” Warner said.
Warner’s legislation would require all official acts of state and local governments, including the printing of government documents, to be communicated in English.
House Bill 1506 would also prohibit any level of government from enacting a preference, or the appropriation of taxpayer funding, for any language other than English with the following exceptions:
• Promotion of international commerce and tourism.
• When public health, safety and justice requires usage of another language.
• Instruction in foreign language courses or for English as a second language classes for students.
“If our budget impasse has taught us anything, it is that we must continue to look for every opportunity to cut wasteful government spending,” Warner said. “The role of government should be to encourage residents to learn English for their own benefit, not to use taxpayer dollars to support continual translation.
“Study after study has shown that immigrants who are encouraged to learn English attain higher levels of education, are better able to both find and retain employment, earn a higher living wage, and are more economically and professionally successful,” Warner continued.
By declaring English the official language of the Keystone State, Pennsylvania would be joining 31 other states that have already adopted English as their official state language. As in previous legislative sessions, the bill is expected to be referred to the House State Government Committee for consideration.
Representative Ryan Warner
52nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
RepWarner.com /
Facebook.com/RepWarner