Watson’s Kinship Caregiver Navigator Bill Heads to State Senate

Apr. 18, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Receiving a vote in the state House on Tuesday, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th) thanked her colleagues for overwhelmingly supporting three measures that would help grandparents who are the sole caregivers of their grandchildren. The bills now go to the state Senate for consideration.

House Committee Approves Increasing Transparency on State Finances

Apr. 17, 2018 /

HARRISBURG - To help ensure taxpayers know how every cent they send to the state is appropriated, the House State Government approved on Tuesday legislation by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) to greatly enhance the Pennsylvania Treasury’s Transparency Portal website and codify the program so it’s available to taxpayers for decades to come.

Bernstine: Ellwood City Electric Legislation Clears Major Hurtle

Apr. 17, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Taking the first major step toward protecting local residents from skyrocketing electric bills, the state House of Representatives today approved legislation, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), to bring additional oversight to the business and spending practices of Ellwood City Borough’s electric company.

Tobash’s Welfare Reform Bill Approved by Health Committee

Apr. 17, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Mike Tobash’s (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) House Bill 1659 seeks to prohibit the Department of Human Services from applying for, accepting or renewing waivers of the work requirements without prior approval of the General Assembly. The bill passed the Health Committee on Monday.

House Education Committee to Hold Press Conference on Bipartisan Career and Technical Education Package

Apr. 17, 2018 /

WHAT: Members of the House Education Committee will hold a press conference to explain the details of a bipartisan nine-bill package to enhance Career and Technical Education in Pennsylvania that has been reported to the full House. The package of bills is the result of hearings held and data gathered from 2016 to 2017 by the former Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness.

House Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing about Property Assessed Clean Energy Program

Apr. 17, 2018 /

WHAT: House Commerce Committee Chairman Brian Ellis (R-Butler) announced the committee will hold a public hearing about Senate Bill 234, which would establish the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program. PACE is a financing mechanism that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation upgrades to commercial or industrial properties. Currently, 33 states plus the District of Columbia authorize PACE financing for clean energy and energy efficiency projects.

Committee to Consider Variety of Human Services Bills

Apr. 17, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a voting meeting to consider four proposals. They include measures that would improve transparency in rate setting calculations for those in the intellectual disability and autism system (House Bill 1535); expand a pilot grant program which provides for services and assistance to persons who are deafblind (House Bill 2069); strengthen enforcement of the provisions of existing law which permit minor children to consent for their own treatment, but also allows their parents to consent on their behalf (House Bill 2126); and recognize the rights of individuals with cognitive disabilities to technology and information access (House Resolution 760).

House Committee Approves Grove Bill to Improve Career and Technical Education

Apr. 16, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – As part of continuing efforts to ensure educational opportunities are available to all Pennsylvania students, the House Education Committee approved on Monday legislation by Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) to expedite and simplify the Classification of Program Code to improve and expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) in schools.

House Children and Youth Committee to Consider Adoption Subsidy Bill

Apr. 16, 2018 /

WHAT: The House Children and Youth Committee, led by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), will hold a voting meeting to consider House Bill 2213, which would allow adoptive families to appeal the amount of an adoption subsidy. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams).

House Committee Advances Bloom Bill to Help Recruit Career and Tech Teachers

Apr. 16, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – In a push to improve career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in Pennsylvania and help shrink the skills gap, the House Education Committee today unanimously advanced legislation, authored by Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), to remove barriers for qualified career and technical educators.

House Advances Legislation to Protect Babies with Down Syndrome

Apr. 16, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – By a vote of 139-56, the House of Representatives passed legislation authored by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) to prohibit the abortion of a child due solely to a diagnosis of possible Down syndrome.