Jul. 24, 2026 /
![Rowe, Bashline Announce Legislation to Protect Fourth Amendment Rights]()
HARRISBURG—Reps. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata) and Josh Bashline (R-Clarion/Armstrong) today announced plans to introduce a two-bill legislative package establishing reasonable safeguards for the use of automated surveillance technologies, including automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and facial-recognition systems.
Jul. 24, 2026 /
![Gaydos: House Democrats Put Politics Ahead of Public Safety]()
HARRISBURG - Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) voted against House Bill 1042 after House Democrats amended the legislation, replacing a bipartisan Senate-passed solution with provisions that weaken accountability for violent offenders and create uncertainty for crime victims and their families.
Jul. 24, 2026 /
![Heffley Votes to Keep Murderers Behind Bars]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) issued the following statement after his vote against House Bill 1042, a bill that would change the punishment for second-degree murder in Pennsylvania:
Jul. 24, 2026 /
![Marcell Opposes Measure That Weakens Sentencing for Second-Degree Murder]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks) voted Thursday against House Bill 1042, saying the legislation fails to provide a strong constitutional sentencing framework for second-degree murder convictions and falls short of protecting public safety and the rights of crime victims.
Jul. 23, 2026 /
![Armanini, Kephart Oppose Democrats’ Soft-on-Crime Policies]()
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Dallas Kephart (R-Clearfield/Cambria) released the following statement in reaction to legislation passed today by the House of Representatives. The measure was intended to change the sentencing framework for anyone convicted of second-degree murder, commonly called felony murder. However, an amendment greatly broadened the scope of the measure and added provisions that include opportunities for inmates to be released for medical reasons.
Jul. 23, 2026 /
![Democrats Put Public Safety at Risk, Says Kauffman]()
HARRISBURG – Legislation addressing the sentencing of convicted murders will miss the state deadline due to House Democrat maneuvers, potentially putting killers back on the streets, said Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin).
Jul. 23, 2026 /
![Roae Calls Out House Democrats for Delay Tactics, Removing Accountability for Convicted Murders]()
HARRISBURG — Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) issued the following statement in response to the vote on House Bill 1042:
Jul. 22, 2026 /
![Additional Voting Time Must Be Used to Protect Crime Victims, White Says]()
HARRISBURG – House Democrats have yielded to pressure from Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) and her Republican colleagues from greater Philadelphia by signaling plans to vote on legislation affecting the sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder.
Jul. 22, 2026 /
![Banta Applauds Pennsylvania Supreme Court Decision Ruling Warrantless Searches on Private Land Unconstitutional]()
ERIE – Rep. Jake Banta (R-Erie), a lifelong sportsman and member of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, today applauded the ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declaring warrantless searches unconstitutional.
Jul. 21, 2026 /
![Scheuren Legislation Supporting Veterans Becomes Law]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) announced today that legislation she championed to improve services for veterans affected by military sexual trauma has been signed into law.
Jul. 21, 2026 /
![State Supreme Court Stands Firm on Private Property Rights, Rejects Warrantless Searches of Private Land]()
HARRISBURG – Great news for Pennsylvania sportsmen, homeowners and landowners, after lengthy deliberation, the state Supreme Court today joined a growing number of other states in recognizing our Commonwealth’s constitutional protections for Pennsylvanians against the federal “open fields doctrine” loophole which law enforcement has abused for decades to negate private property rights.
Jul. 21, 2026 /
![House Democrats Must Act to Protect Crime Victims, Preserve Accountability, White Says]()
HARRISBURG – Because a court-mandated deadline is fast approaching, hundreds of men and women already convicted of second-degree murder could be resentenced and released from incarceration because of inaction from House Democrats, according to Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).
Jul. 21, 2026 /
![Farry, Marcell to Address Urgent Need for Action on Felony Murder Sentencing]()
WHAT: Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) will host a press conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. to discuss the need for immediate legislative action to address Pennsylvania's second-degree murder sentencing laws before the Supreme Court-imposed deadline of July 24.
Jul. 16, 2026 /
![Scheuren Calls on House Judiciary Committee to Convene and Advance Fix for Second-Degree Murder Sentencing]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) today called on House Democrats to immediately bring Senate Bill 1400 before the House Judiciary Committee, warning that continued inaction could have serious consequences for victims, public safety and the administration of justice in Pennsylvania.
Jul. 16, 2026 /
![Banta Votes ‘Yes’ on 2026-27 Budget, Citing Long-Awaited Collaboration Among the General Assembly]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jake Banta (R-Erie) today issued the following statement after voting “yes” on the $50.8 billion state budget deal for Fiscal Year 2026-27:
Jul. 14, 2026 /
![Rep. Day: 2026-27 State Budget Statement]()
HARRISBURG – Following the passage of the 2026-27 state budget, Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh) issued the following statement:
Jul. 14, 2026 /
![Hamm Votes ‘No’ on Late State Budget]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan) released the following statement after the 2026-27 state budget was passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on July 12.
Jul. 13, 2026 /
![Greiner Comments on the Budget]()
HARRISBURG – Rep. Keith J. Greiner (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement on the 2026-27 state budget:
Jul. 13, 2026 /
![Smith Supports Budget Deal Funding Schools, Retired Public Workers]()
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) issued this statement following House passage of a General Appropriations bill for the 2026-27 fiscal year:
Jul. 13, 2026 /
![Chip-Enabled EBT Card Security Measure Included in State Budget Plan, Says Heffley]()
HARRISBURG – Policy led by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Republican chair of the House Human Services Committee, aimed at reducing theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has been included in the state budget agreement.