Mar. 21, 2016 /
![Ortitay Bill Would Make Learning Opportunities Available Online]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to increase online learning opportunities in the Commonwealth. His legislation, House Bill 1915, would task the Department of Education (PDE) with establishing a clearinghouse of online courses, for students in grades 6-12, to be accessible to public schools, nonpublic schools, home education programs and the general public.
Mar. 21, 2016 /
![Simmons Resolution Honors Life of NFL Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Eagles Legend Chuck Bednarik]()
HARRISBURG – With members of the Charles “Chuck” Bednarik family in attendance, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously approved a condolence resolution honoring the life of the National Football League Hall of Fame center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, sponsored by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton).
Mar. 21, 2016 /
![Career, Tech Ed Subcommittee Focuses on Private Sector Needs and Existing Opportunities, Tobash Says]()
HARRISBURG – In continuing his efforts to learn more about the needs and opportunities that exist within Pennsylvania’s private sector, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) joined his colleagues on the House Select Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness at a public hearing in Pittsburgh on Friday.
Mar. 20, 2016 /
![House Leaders Statement on Fort Littleton Toll Shooting]()
HARRISBURG – House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County), Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana County) and Majority Whip Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster County) issued the following statement regarding the Fort Littleton toll exchange shooting today:
Mar. 18, 2016 /
![Gaming Committee to Examine Consolidation of Small Games of Chance Oversight]()
WHAT: The House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 1891, which would transfer the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s oversight responsibilities under the Local Option Small Games of Chance (SGOC) Act to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The legislation is sponsored by Gaming Oversight chairman, Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin).
Mar. 18, 2016 /
![Barrar, House Committee to Consider EMS and Veteran Bills]()
WHAT: Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will hold a committee vote on bills that will impact emergency responders and veterans:
Mar. 18, 2016 /
![Lewis Denounces Party Politics, Votes for Supplemental Budget]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) today voted in favor of a supplemental budget that would make historic education investments, reverse debilitating budget cuts made by Gov. Tom Wolf and spend responsibly by not requiring any new taxes.
Mar. 18, 2016 /
![Human Services Committee to Hear from Families of Loved Ones with Disabilities]()
WHAT: The House Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing to learn more about the challenges faced by families who care for loved ones with disabilities.
Mar. 18, 2016 /
![Simmons to Honor Life of NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik]()
WHAT: Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) is the sponsor of a House Resolution 740, which honors the life of Charles “Chuck” Bednarik, Hall of Fame center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles, who passed away on March 21, 2015. Simmons will offer remarks in the House of Representatives and recognize members of Bednarik’s family, who will be in attendance, including his wife and five daughters.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Cutler Calls for Greater Review of Medical Marijuana Impact]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) this week raised concerns about legalizing medical marijuana, including the impact of bypassing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product approval process as well as how current federal law would affect banking and gun ownership. Other possible consequences include loss of rights for workers as well as property and land owners.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Lancaster County Lawmakers Implore Governor Wolf to Keep Schools Open]()
HARRISBURG – Senators Ryan Aument (R-36), Lloyd Smucker (R-13), and Representatives Bryan Cutler (R-100), Mindy Fee (R-37), Keith Greiner (R-43), Dave Hickernell (R-98), Steve Mentzer (R-97), Brett Miller (R-41) and Dave Zimmerman (R-99) today sent an urgent letter to Governor Wolf imploring him to keep Pennsylvania’s public schools open.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Cutler Asks Pennsylvanians to Implore Gov. Wolf to Sign the Budget]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) joined his colleagues in the House to pass a supplemental budget with bipartisan support this week. Under House Bill 1801, the 2015-16 state budget would spend $30 billion, a 3 percent increase over the previous year’s budget, without requiring any new taxes.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Regan Lauds Bipartisan Passage of Medical Cannabis Legislation]()
HARRISBURG – Following a lengthy effort and cooperation among many individuals and groups, the House this week passed legislation that would, if enacted, allow physicians to prescribe medical cannabis for patients suffering from debilitating diseases, said Rep. Mike Regan (R-York/Cumberland).
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Helm Votes Yes to Fund Schools and Agriculture Programs]()
HARRISBURG – Voting to keep schools in Pennsylvania open, Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) on Wednesday joined a bipartisan majority of her colleagues in passing a supplemental spending bill that would complete the 2015-16 state budget. House Bill 1801 now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for his consideration.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![House Subcommittee to Receive Testimony on Career and Technical Education, Workforce Policy in Western Pennsylvania]()
WHAT: State Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and members of the Select
Subcommittee on Technical Education and Career Readiness
will hear testimony regarding career and technical education
programs in western Pennsylvania and discuss workforce
policy issues.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Cox Backs Medical Cannabis Bill Approved by House]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) on Wednesday voted for legislation approved by the state House that would provide Pennsylvania patients with access to cannabis to treat medical conditions. Cox, who first introduced legislation to legalize medical cannabis in 2014 and participated in the ongoing process that led to the approval of yesterday’s bill, made the following statement:
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Warner Votes to Restore Wolf Cuts, Close 2015-16 Budget]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) today voted in support of a supplemental budget, which would restore Gov. Tom Wolf’s cuts to education and agriculture, and close out the 2015-16 state budget without tax increases.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Benninghoff Votes to Restore Education Funding, Supports Supplemental Budget]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) today voted to release funding for the remaining 13 percent of the 2015-16 state budget. The supplemental budget includes an increase of more than $200 million for basic education, fully funds the Pennsylvania State University, restores cuts to agriculture and healthcare funding, and does not require new taxes or tax increases.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Millard Votes to Reverse Wolf Vetoes, Restore Education and Ag Funding]()
HARRISBURG — Rep. David Millard (R-Berwick) today voted to restore Gov. Tom Wolf’s devastating cuts to education and agriculture, and close out the 2015-16 state budget without any tax increases. The supplemental budget, House Bill 1801, represents a 3 percent overall increase from 2014-15.
Mar. 17, 2016 /
![Zimmerman Legislation to Protect High Tunnel Greenhouses Passes House]()
HARRISBURG – The state House of Representatives last night voted 154-37 to approve House Bill 1103, legislation authored by Rep. Dave Zimmerman (R- East Earl) that would exempt high tunnel greenhouses from the planning and regulatory requirements of the Storm Water Management Act. Zimmerman is a member of the House Agriculture Committee.