House Judiciary Committee Approves Grove Legislation

Sep. 30, 2015 /

YORK – Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) was approved in the House Judiciary Committee today, would improve Pennsylvania’s business climate by authorizing the creation of specialized commerce courts in the Superior Court and Court of Common Pleas.

Benninghoff Legislation Gains Unanimous Support

Sep. 30, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Today, in a unanimous vote, the House Judiciary Committee supported House Bill 623. The bill, introduced by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), would prohibit prosecutors from recommending, and the court from ordering, accelerated rehabilitative disposition, or ARD as it is more commonly known, for a person charged with certain child sex offenses. These include rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse or aggravated indecent assault.

Heffley Disappointed with Gov. Wolf’s Veto of Emergency Funding

Sep. 30, 2015 /

HARRISBURG- Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) released the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Legislature’s emergency funding bill. The bill would have provided critical funding for school districts and human service agencies retroactively to July 1 through Oct. 31.

Mackenzie ‘CareerBound’ Legislation Unanimously Passes House

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In an ongoing effort to make Pennsylvania more competitive in its efforts to attract job creators to the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania House today approved legislation introduced by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Berks/Lehigh) that would establish a public-private educational initiative known as “CareerBound.” The legislation, House Bill 725, passed unanimously.

Quigley Concerned for Commonwealth Following Wolf’s Veto

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) expressed dismay upon Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the emergency state funding bill, which would have released state appropriations to social service providers and school districts amounting to $11 billion, retroactively to July 1 and carrying through to Oct. 31.

Keller’s Veterinarian Immunity Bill Passed by House

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Cumberland), which would provide civil immunity to veterinarians when they report a case of animal cruelty, today was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives. House Bill 760 will next be considered by the Senate.

Millard Responds to Wolf’s Veto of Emergency Funding Plan

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – On Sept. 24, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed an emergency spending plan, which would provide more than $11 billion in funding for public and private schools, rape crisis centers, Area Agencies on Aging and other social service providers while state budget negotiations continue. The critical funding attempt was vetoed today by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Human Services Committee to Consider Mental Health, Methadone and Sober Housing Measures

Sep. 29, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider three proposals. House Bill 1251 would expand the definition of mental health and intellectual disability to someone who experienced childhood sexual abuse; House Bill 1295 would include deaths and incidents attributable to the use and misuse of Suboxone as part of the Methadone Death and Incident Review Team; and House Resolution 424 would urge Congress to examine existing federal laws relating to sober living arrangements.

Governor Continues to Hold Schools, Social Service Agencies Hostage

Sep. 29, 2015 /

We are now four months into the 2015-16 fiscal year without a state operating budget. What does that mean? That means schools, government agencies and social service organizations like those that provide rape crisis services, cancer screenings, assistance for children with intellectual disabilities and many others do not receive essential state funding. Without this funding, services are beginning to be curtailed, hours and staff are being reduced, and in some extreme situations, schools and organizations are now in the position of having to consider shutting down completely.

Warner Responds to Wolf’s Veto of Emergency Funding

Sep. 29, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – On Sept. 24, Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) joined his colleagues in the House in supporting an emergency funding plan in order to provide more than $11 billion in funding for critical state government services while budget negotiations continue. Today, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the plan.

House Approves Harper Resolution Focusing on Civic Education

Sep. 28, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure Pennsylvanians remember the important role they play in their government and communities, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) is joining with a constituent from North Wales to draw attention to the importance of civic education.

House Ag Committee to Hold Public Hearing on Race Horse Industry Reform

Sep. 25, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 352, sponsored by Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), legislation to reform the state’s race horse industry.

English Votes to Approve Emergency Funding Legislative Package

Sep. 25, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In an effort to help alleviate funding problems being encountered by Commonwealth social services and school districts in Allegheny County and elsewhere, Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny) voted in favor of final passage of several bills that can release funds that are already available in the treasury.