Klunk Introduces Lethality Assessment Bill

Oct. 17, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) introduced legislation that would require minimum standards of training for local and state police officers when responding to domestic violence calls, and would establish the Police Department Grant Program to offset the cost of training and equipment costs incurred by police departments.

Heffley, Tennis to Appear on PCN Call-In Program

Oct. 14, 2016 /

WHAT: Heffley, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Secretary Gary Tennis will discuss Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic and will answer questions and comments from viewers periodically throughout the show. Viewers are invited to call 1-877-726-5001 with their comments or questions.

Report Highlights PA’s Mounting Pension Debt, Grove Says

Oct. 13, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania has one of the highest unfunded pension liabilities in the nation, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) said Thursday, citing a report released today by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Speaker Turzai: Boost School Choice, Cut Wait Lists for Charter Schools in Philadelphia

Oct. 11, 2016 /

WHAT: House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will announce new legislation to increase funding for Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credits (OSTC) to record numbers. The two programs give tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to a Scholarship Organization, an Educational Improvement Organization and/or a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. Turzai will discuss how the proposal will help cut the charter school wait list in half, providing new educational opportunities for tens of thousands of Philadelphia students. Turzai will also highlight the success of the recent $25 million increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program for Fiscal Year 2016-17.

Protecting the Living and the Dead

Oct. 06, 2016 /

The gift of a donated organ is one of the greatest things one human being can do for another. Unfortunately, statistics related to organ donation are trending in the wrong direction. The national transplant waiting list grows by 144 people every day. Simultaneously, 22 people die daily in this country while waiting for the gift of life (that figure was 18 just three years ago).

Cox Introduces Property Tax Independence Act in House

Oct. 05, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) today introduced the Property Tax Independence Act (House Bill 76) in the Pennsylvania state House. The legislation would completely replace school district property taxes

Toohil’s No-Fault Divorce Bill Signed into Law

Oct. 05, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislation that reduces the waiting time to obtain a no-fault divorce in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne), was signed into law on Tuesday by Gov. Tom Wolf as Act 102 of 2016. The new law takes effect in 60 days.

White Bill to Honor Battalion Chief Goodwin Signed Into Law

Oct. 04, 2016 /

HARRISBURG-- Legislation sponsored by Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) to honor the sacrifice of fallen firefighter Battalion Chief Michael R. Goodwin Sr. by renaming a local road in his honor has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Brown’s Bill Addressing Private Community Violations Approved by Senate Committee

Sep. 30, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rosemary M. Brown’s (R-Monroe/Pike) legislation to grant the power of investigation and mediation of complaints for residents of planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums to the Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection passed the Senate Urban Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

Oberlander to Host Legislative Hearing on Manufactured Home Industry

Sep. 30, 2016 /

WHAT: The manufactured home industry, a major employer in Clarion County and the surrounding region, is facing regulatory and economic challenges. Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) has invited the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), to a legislative hearing in Shippenville so that legislators across the Commonwealth can learn more about the economic impact this industry has on the region, as well as how legislative and regulatory decisions made in Harrisburg impact its ability to grow. Oberlander is hosting the hearing to not only educate the Legislature on the industry, but to ensure continued growth and success of this manufacturing field, which is vital to the local economy.