Speaker Turzai to Celebrate National Charter Schools Week

May. 01, 2017 /

WHAT: In partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will be visiting City Charter High School in Pittsburgh to help celebrate the role that high-quality public charter schools play in Pennsylvania. Turzai will take questions from the media at the event.

Bill to Protect Second Amendment Rights Passes House, Causer Says

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Working to ensure the gun rights of law-abiding citizens are protected, the state House today approved legislation to combat illegal efforts by local governments to enact their own gun regulations, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

Speaker Turzai Attends White House Executive Order Signing

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG - Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) today attended an executive order signing with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the White House Roosevelt Room. The event highlighted the concept of federalism, returning powers to states and local communities, especially in the area of education.

Efforts to Help Babies, Mothers with Opioid Dependence Focus of House Hearing, Watson Says

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – In continuing its efforts to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic’s impact on children and infants, the House Children and Youth Committee today heard from a range of medical experts and state officials on current programs and services to treat mothers addicted to opioids and babies born dependent on the drug, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), committee chairman.

Topper Bill to Rename Bridge for POW Approved in House

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – The House approved on Wednesday legislation, House Bill 303, authored by Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Franklin/Fulton) to rename a Bedford County bridge in memory of a Korean War hero and prisoner of war, U.S. Army PFC William Glenn Koontz.

Dowling Supports Bill to Protect Second Amendment Rights

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania gun owners would be protected against locally enacted restrictions on guns and ammunition under legislation approved today in the state House, said Rep. Matt Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset).

DiGirolamo Leads Committee Endorsement to Halt Agency Consolidation

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – Raising concerns about the impact upon Pennsylvania residents who rely on state services and programs, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) today led the House Human Services Committee in reporting out legislation that would halt the merger of four state health-related departments into one immense agency until further studies can be done.

House Passes Moul Bill to Ease Burden on Charitable Groups

Apr. 26, 2017 /

HARRISBURG — The House this week passed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul, which would enable volunteers of charitable organizations to produce fundraising mailers on behalf of the organization, without triggering burdensome annual state registration requirements.

Abuse of Your Tax Dollars

Apr. 26, 2017 /

In March, Sen. Rich Alloway (R-33), state Rep. Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg) and I joined House members from Lancaster and York counties for a meeting at the state Capitol with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Representatives from local governments were also in attendance to discuss the controversial Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC).

Reese Charter Education Reform Passes House

Apr. 25, 2017 /

HARRISBURG – A bill authored by Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) aimed at improving charter and cyber charter education in Pennsylvania was passed by the House on Tuesday.

Reese Spirits-To-Go Bill Garners House Approval

Apr. 25, 2017 /

HARRISBURG - Legislation to allow hotel and restaurant licensees to begin selling distilled spirits was passed Tuesday to continue efforts to improve consumer convenience for wine and spirit sales in the Commonwealth. Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) called his proposal, House Bill 438, another step to withdraw Pennsylvania from the business of selling alcohol.

Godshall Committee to Consider Surcharge to Defray Costs of Natural Gas Distribution

Apr. 25, 2017 /

WHAT: Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, will hold a public hearing on legislation he is sponsoring that would enable natural gas distribution companies to recover costs related to distribution system expansion. House Bill 107 would permit the distribution companies to assess a surcharge for this purpose with Public Utility Commission (PUC) approval.