School Code Puts Excellent Teachers and Students First, Turzai Says

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is excited about the enactment of Act 55 of 2017, comprehensive education reform legislation, despite the fact the governor refused to sign the bill. As of today, 10 days have elapsed since the House and Senate put House Bill 178 on the governor’s desk, making it become law despite no action by the governor. Turzai issued the following statement:

Kaufer Continues to Lead in Fighting PA’s Opioid Abuse Crisis

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – In his continuing efforts to fight the ongoing opioid crisis in Pennsylvania, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has successfully ensured that schools across the state will include opioid prevention strategies in school districts’ drug abuse curriculum. The requirement was included in the 2017-18 Public School Code, which became law over the weekend.

Legislative Hearing to Focus on Small Businesses, Job Creation

Nov. 06, 2017 /

WHAT: State lawmakers from across Pennsylvania will participate in a legislative hearing to gather testimony from Berks County small business owners. Led by House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) and Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster), testifiers will focus on how state government can help small businesses succeed, and the challenges job creators face when dealing with state agencies, complex regulations and cumbersome processes.

Day Pleased that School, Safety Security Bill Becomes Law

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks), whose House Bill 178 became the Public School Code of the 2017-18 budget package, issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf allowed the legislation to lapse into law:

Staats Bill to Enhance School Security Becomes Law

Nov. 06, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Reps. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), Gary Day (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Sid Michaels Kavulich (D-Lackawanna), which aims to increase school security and preparedness, becomes law today without the governor’s signature.

Adoptees Can Now Apply for Original Birth Certificates

Nov. 03, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – After eight years of negotiations, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s (R-Centre/Mifflin) legislation to reinstate the rights of Pennsylvania adult adoptees to apply for and receive a copy of their original birth certificate finally became law on Nov. 3, 2016. One year later, the state Department of Health (DOH) has begun processing those requests for the first time since 1984.

Warner Announces Performance-Based Budgeting Bill Becomes Law

Oct. 31, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – On Monday, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 181, which would change the state budgeting process by requiring performance-based budgeting. The House version, House Bill 410, was authored by Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland).

Mackenzie’s Bill to Reduce Fraud Signed into Law

Oct. 30, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Today, the governor signed into law House Bill 16, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s (R-Lehigh/Berks) legislation designed to reform the local tax collection system to reduce instances of fraud.