Opioid Impact on Children Focus of House Hearing, Watson Says

Sep. 29, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The impact of the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania is not only affecting babies born dependent on the powerful substance but also on the child welfare system, members of the House Children and Youth Committee learned during a public hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, said Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th), chairman of the committee.

House Advances Moul Bill to Enhance Small Games of Chance Law

Sep. 29, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – By a vote of 167-21, the House voted today to approve legislation sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) that would eliminate the cap on weekly prize payouts for nonprofit and club licensees offering small games of chance, enabling them to make larger contributions to local charities.

Ghost Teachers Costing Taxpayers and Students Plenty

Sep. 29, 2016 /

Legislation introduced in the House would end a practice that permits teachers to remain on the public payroll while they are out of the classroom and actually doing work for the union they belong to rather than teaching our children.

Brown Comments on Governor’s Address on Opioids

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf addressed a joint session of the General Assembly to emphasize the magnitude of the effects that the opioid and heroin abuse crisis has on Pennsylvania. Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) has been a sponsor and supporter of meaningful legislation to create solutions to this epidemic. Due to her work on the issue, Brown was selected to serve as a member of the governor’s escort committee, where legislators are responsible for escorting the governor to the House floor for his address. She issued the following comment at the conclusion of the joint session:

Kaufer Disappointed by Lack of Special Session to Address Opioid Abuse, Yet Appreciative of Governor’s Attentiveness to Issue

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf spoke before a joint session of the General Assembly about Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid and heroin abuse crisis. Throughout the 2015-16 legislative session, Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) has been leading policy discussions and developing solutions for this issue, and the governor acknowledged Kaufer and other legislators for their work on this issue during his speech. After the governor’s address, Kaufer issued the following statement:

Masser: Governor Wants to Sign Anti-Opioid Abuse Bills into Law Now

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf spoke before a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday to reinforce the need for meaningful legislation to address Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid addiction epidemic, which is plaguing all regions of the Commonwealth. After the joint session, Rep. Kurt A. Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland) made the following statement:

Gabler, Sankey Support Elimination of E-cigarette Wholesale Tax

Sep. 28, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) joined House Finance Committee members on both sides of the aisle Tuesday in advancing legislation that would replace the 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarette and vapor products with a 5-cents-per-milliliter vapor products tax. House Bill 2342 may now be considered by the full House.

Heffley Recognizes September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – In order to draw attention to Down syndrome, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by the condition, Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) today recognized September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania with House Resolution 999.

Wheeland Legislation to Change Tax on Vapor Products Approved by House Finance Committee

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – The House Finance Committee approved legislation authored by Rep. Jeff C. Wheeland (R-Lycoming) which would change the current 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes and vapor products and replace it with a 5-cent-per-milliliter retail tax on the vapor liquid only, to stave off a massive loss of jobs in that industry. The bipartisan vote was 18 to 4.

Cutler Works to Honor Local Fallen Marine with Bridge Naming

Sep. 27, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Legislative language drafted by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) to salute a 2003 Penn Manor High School graduate who was killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan was passed unanimously by the House Transportation Committee this week.

Speaker Turzai to Highlight the Success of Recent Increase to EITC; Calls for Additional Increases to EITC and OSTC Moving Forward

Sep. 27, 2016 /

WHAT: House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will highlight the success of the recent $25 million increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program for Fiscal Year 2016-17. The Speaker will also announce new legislation to increase the amount of 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.

Barrar and Committees Consider Civics Education Graduation Requirement

Sep. 26, 2016 /

HARRISBURG – Led by majority chairmen Reps. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) and Stan Saylor (R-York), the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness and Education committees held a hearing to hear testimony on House Bill 1858, which would require students to take the naturalization test as a condition of graduation.

Heffley, Waksmunski Family to Recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month

Sep. 26, 2016 /

WHAT: Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) is holding a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 27, recognizing September as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Eric Waksmunski, a Down Syndrome advocate from Carbon County, will speak about his experience as a father of twins with Down Syndrome. Eric’s son, Jesse, will also speak, along with Josh Stranix from the Arc of Pennsylvania.