Governor’s June 4 Extension Continues to Fuel Residents’ Uncertainty for the Future, Say Fritz, Peifer and Baker

May. 08, 2020 /

WAYNE COUNTY – Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and Reps. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) and Mike Peifer (R-Pike/Wayne) voiced their displeasure after hearing Wayne County was not included in the next group of counties moving into the “yellow phase” of the governor’s reopening plan on May 15 and the negative impact it will continue to have on area residents and small businesses. The 13 counties listed in the governor’s announcement this afternoon are all located in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Bonner Joins Southwestern Legislators in Suing Governor Wolf

May. 08, 2020 /

GROVE CITY – Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) announced today that he joined Congressman Mike Kelly, state Reps. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) and Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), county officials from Butler, Washington, Fayette and Greene counties, as well as southwestern PA business owners in filing a lawsuit against Gov. Tom Wolf at the United States District Court in Pittsburgh on Thursday, May 7. The lawsuit alleges that Gov. Tom Wolf has acted in an unconstitutional manner in exercising emergency powers requiring non-essential businesses to close and citizens to remain in their homes due to the COVID-19 virus.

Day Hosts Committee Meeting to Look Into COVID-19 Situation in PA Nursing Homes

May. 08, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Services Committee Chairman Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) Thursday in Harrisburg hosted an informational meeting so legislators could hear from industry experts about the unique challenges COVID-19 is placing on nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the Commonwealth.

Perry County Lawmakers Implore Governor to Support Reopening Businesses, Services

May. 07, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – With its low caseload and rural setting, Perry County should have been among the first Pennsylvania counties to have stay-at-home orders lifted as the COVID-19 crisis eases, according to Sen. John DiSanto, Rep. Mark Keller, and Perry County Commissioners Brian Allen, Gary Eby, and Brenda Watson.

Reese Responds to Governor’s New Government Program

May. 06, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Today, Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s recent announcement of a new Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps program:

Grove Reacts to Wolf’s Coronavirus Corps

May. 06, 2020 /

DOVER – Earlier today, Gov. Tom Wolf announced his intentions to create the Commonwealth Civilian Coronavirus Corps to expand testing and contact tracing capabilities and provide new job opportunities in the public health sector. In response, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) issued the following statement:

Topper Issues Statement of Wolf’s Plan to Create Coronavirus Corps

May. 06, 2020 /

“I find it very disturbing that the governor is attempting to unilaterally create a new government program that has the potential to cost taxpayers millions of dollars. The plan, as has been the case with many of the plans from this administration during this time of crisis, lacks details and specifics."

Bipartisan Group of PA House Members Urge Governor to Withdraw RGGI Order

May. 06, 2020 /

HARRISBURG – At the request of Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Armstrong/Clarion/Forest), Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) and Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene/Washington/Fayette), a bipartisan group of 58 Pennsylvania House of Representatives members signed a letter urging Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to suspend Pennsylvania’s regulatory efforts to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Ecker to Introduce Bill to Reopen Florists

May. 06, 2020 /

ABBOTTSTOWN – Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) announced today that he will introduce legislation to immediately reopen florists in Pennsylvania. Ecker issued the following statement on his proposed legislation:

House Committee to Explore Impact of COVID-19 on PA Veterans, Says Barrar

May. 06, 2020 /

WHAT: Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold an informational meeting on the effects of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania Veterans Homes, the Pennsylvania National Guard and its mission status. Because the Capitol remains closed to visitors during the statewide emergency, the meeting will be held virtually with public access via LIVE webstreaming.

Bonner Supports Bill to Freeze Pay for Public Officials

May. 06, 2020 /

HARRISBURG - Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) today announced that he has co-sponsored legislation to freeze Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) for Pennsylvania public officials through 2021 in response to the financial turmoil that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused all Pennsylvania residents.

Toohil Pushes for Automatic and Immediate Rebates for Seniors

May. 06, 2020 /

HAZLETON – In an effort to provide an additional financial resource for eligible Pennsylvania seniors during the current health crisis, Rep. TarahToohil (R-Luzerne) today sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf requesting that property tax or rent rebates for 2019 be processed by the Department of Revenue and Treasury and distributed immediately. Toohil said the rebate should be based on the amount received in 2018.