Hickernell and Aument Introduce School Funding Guarantee Legislation

Apr. 13, 2015 /

Rep. Dave Hickernell (R-Lancaster/Dauphin) and Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) today began the process of introducing legislation that would guarantee all Pennsylvania schools would continue to be funded at the previous fiscal year’s amount if a new appropriation is not enacted by Aug. 15 of a given year.

Pickett Advances Bill to Extend Children’s Health Insurance Program

Apr. 13, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – To ensure that children enrolled in the state’s health insurance program can continue with the coverage, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) has secured approval from the House Insurance Committee to extend the program for two more years.

Barrar to Lead House Committee in Vote on 9-1-1 Center Funding Legislation

Apr. 13, 2015 /

WHAT: Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will lead the committee in its consideration of House Bill 911. The bill would modernize our state’s 911 law to address next generation 911 technologies, create a uniform 911 surcharge, establish a 911 board, create a 911 fund reimbursement process and reauthorizes the provisions of the Commonwealth’s 911 law until June 30, 2019.

House Insurance Committee to Consider Bill to Extend CHIP

Apr. 10, 2015 /

WHAT: The House Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), will consider legislation she has sponsored (House Bill 857) to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through Dec. 31, 2017. The program is expected to sunset by Dec. 31, 2015. In Pennsylvania, more than 145,000 children are currently enrolled in CHIP.

Wolf’s Tax Proposals Will Hurt Higher Education, Lawmakers Say

Apr. 10, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Following Gov. Tom Wolf’s visit today to the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship at York College, Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township) and Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) and Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York) issued the following statement explaining the impact of the governor’s proposed budget on higher education in Pennsylvania:

White to Take Oath of Office April 13

Apr. 10, 2015 /

WHAT: Rep.-elect Martina White (R-Philadelphia) will take the oath of office at the beginning of House session and to officially begin her service to the people of the 170th District in Northeast Philadelphia. White was elected to office last month to fill the remainder of the term of Congressman Brendan Boyle.

Administration’s Gamesmanship a Disservice to PA College Students, Saylor Says

Apr. 09, 2015 /

HARRISBURG - Students attending Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities will have to pay more to attend a Pennsylvania state-owned university under Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget due to political bullying by officials in his administration, House Education Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) said today.

Auditor General Grants Sankey Request for Review of Statewide Housing, Homeless Prevention Program Funding Streams

Apr. 08, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – Questions raised by state Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) concerning state government distribution of federal dollars earmarked for programs to address homelessness in Pennsylvania are being answered. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale has confirmed plans to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

Pickett Shows Appreciation to Electric Linemen with House Resolution

Apr. 08, 2015 /

HARRISBURG – In appreciation of the men and women who serve as line workers for Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives and utilities, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) has secured House passage of legislation designating April 13, 2015, as “Lineman Appreciation Day” in Pennsylvania.

Major Labor Union Joins Speaker Turzai to Discuss Growing Shale Jobs and Tax Implications

Apr. 08, 2015 /

SAXONBURG – The Laborers’ International Union of North America – Mid-Atlantic Region (LiUNA), representing more than 40,000 workers, met Tuesday at the union’s Western Pennsylvania training facility with Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to discuss Pennsylvania's shale industry, jobs and training, and Gov. Tom Wolf’s natural gas severance tax proposal.

Bloom Says Bikers Need Safe Option to “Ride on Red”

Apr. 07, 2015 /

HARRISBURG — Committed to solving practical problems and ensuring safety, Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) today introduced legislation to give motorcyclists the option to proceed with caution through an intersection when trapped due to an unresponsive red light.

A.G. DePasquale to Testify Before House Policy Committee on Education Audits, Potential Cost Savings

Apr. 07, 2015 /

WHAT: State Auditor General Eugene DePasquale will testify before the House Majority Policy Committee regarding the findings of several hundred audits of the state’s school districts. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, invited the Auditor General to present suggestions to the committee on potential cost savings to the state’s public education system. The Auditor General will also discuss the scope of his on-going Pennsylvania Department of Education audit.