Sep. 03, 2020 /
![Slow Down for School Buses]()
With some students returning to school for in-person classes, school buses are back on the roads. Motorists, parents and children are encouraged to refresh their memories about how to share the road safely.
Jul. 22, 2020 /
![Lancaster Delegation Urges Governor to Sign Bipartisan Transparency Bill]()
HARRISBURG - The Lancaster County Republican Delegation – House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom), Mindy Fee (R-Manheim), Keith J. Greiner (R-Upper Leacock), Dave Hickernell (R-West Donegal), Brett Miller (R-East Hempfield), Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz) and Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl) – issued the following statement after the announcement from Gov. Tom Wolf at yesterday’s press conference that he plans to veto House Bill 2463. The bill would ensure Right-to-Know (RTK) requests are answered during state of emergency declarations and it was passed unanimously by the General Assembly.
Jul. 10, 2020 /
![97th District Police Departments Are Exceptionally Trained and Professional]()
Like you, I have been reading and watching the news regarding the current situation facing law enforcement. The headlines present a real and present argument for change. The question is what will this change look like and what is the current situation in local police departments?
May. 26, 2020 /
![Lancaster GOP House Delegation Votes in Favor of Budget to Maintain 180-Day School Year and Basic Operations]()
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today voted in favor of a short-term budget that will fully fund our schools and maintain government services for residents in accordance with the severe economic constraints facing our Commonwealth.
May. 14, 2020 /
![Lancaster Delegation Votes in Support of Commissioners]()
HARRISBURG – As Pennsylvania’s unemployment statistics continue to rise, and the COVID-19 ‘curve’ is flattened, the House of Representatives sent a plan to allow counties to develop and implement their own COVID-19 mitigation plans for businesses to the Governor’s desk.
May. 14, 2020 /
![Mentzer, Greiner Introduce Legislation to Create Employer COVID-19 Testing Pilot Program]()
HARRISBURG - Reps. Steve Mentzer (R-Lancaster) and Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster) have introduced House Bill 2524, which would establish a pilot program that would allow employers to test their employees for COVID-19 antibodies when they return to work.
Mar. 23, 2020 /
![New School Funding Formula]()
In 2014 the legislature passed Act 51. This was passed on the direction of a bipartisan, bicameral commission established by the legislature to deal with the inequities in the current education funding formula. Lancaster County was represented on that Commission by then- Senator Smucker and Representative Sturla. They came up with an excellent compromise on a formula that would be more equitable for every school district across the state.
Mar. 06, 2020 /
![School Property Tax Reform]()
It is my distinct privilege to serve the constituents of the 97th Legislative District. A concern I hear frequently is, when will the General Assembly pass property tax reform? The fact of the matter is that all Pennsylvanians, should they choose to retire and stay here, will be dealing with constantly rising school property taxes while on a fixed income.
Mar. 06, 2020 /
![Fair Funding and Hold Harmless]()
Property tax reform and how we fund our schools are issues that go hand in hand. Over the next several weeks, I would like to share with you the challenges our State has in implementing reforms.
Feb. 25, 2020 /
![Free Tax Preparation Assistance Available]()
Tax season is upon us. For many people, this means having to choose between paying high fees to have their taxes prepared by a third party or attempting the filing process on their own.
Feb. 18, 2020 /
![Governor Says More Spending More Debt and More Taxes]()
Gov. Tom Wolf recently outlined his vision for the upcoming state budget to a joint session of the General Assembly. His budget proposal shows that his administration has already overspent the current budget by nearly $600 million. This Governor is now seeking another $1.5 billion in new spending for next year’s budget. Over 80% of that new spending is in the Department of Human Services.
Feb. 07, 2020 /
![Economic Gains Cast Doubt on Governor’s Minimum Wage Request]()
Pennsylvanians are earning more today than ever in our state’s history. According to Gov. Tom Wolf’s Department of Labor and Industry, the average wage in our state has increased by about 25% over the last 10 years. Policies I have supported and continue to support have paved the way for industries across Pennsylvania to increase wages at all levels of the employment spectrum. Today, you can walk into all kinds of businesses offering entry-level work, with no experience necessary, and gain employment paying well above the minimum wage.
Feb. 04, 2020 /
![Lancaster County House Republican Delegation Responds to Governors Budget Proposal]()
HARRISBURG – The Lancaster Republican Delegation to the House of Representatives today listened to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal before a joint session of the General Assembly where the governor ask for $2 billion in new spending over the current budget and $5 billion in new taxpayer debt.
Jan. 31, 2020 /
![Pennsylvania Has a Human Trafficking Problem]()
Recently I joined with my House Republican colleagues in supporting more than a half dozen bills aimed at stopping the scourge of human trafficking in the Commonwealth. The problem exists in big cities, small towns and everything in between.
Jan. 24, 2020 /
![2020 Pennsylvania House Scholarships]()
High school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance to help pay for college can now apply for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship.
Jan. 17, 2020 /
![Don’t Forget to License Your Dog for 2020]()
The Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to be sure they get a license for 2020.
All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed. The fee for an annual dog license is $6.50, or $8.50 if the animal is not spayed or neutered.
Jan. 17, 2020 /
![Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Pre-Enforcement Period Underway]()
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) announced that the required 60-day pre-enforcement period for the statewide Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program has begun and will last until March 4.
Jan. 03, 2020 /
![Building Our Workforce with New Training Opportunities]()
The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) is now accepting applications for $6.6 million in PAsmart Apprenticeship grants to help more workers “earn while they learn” and gain the hands-on skills for good jobs in high-growth industries.
Dec. 02, 2019 /
![Thanksgiving’s True Meaning]()
Thanksgiving is one of our nation’s most popular holidays. It is a time for expressing gratitude for family and friends, as well as an opportunity to reflect on the founding of our nation, and the principles and ideals it stands for. It also reminds us of the ongoing need for citizens to give back to community and country to uphold that vision. Often, however, the true meaning of the day can get lost in the chaos and commercialization of the holiday season.
Nov. 21, 2019 /
![Veterans Trust Fund Grant Program Open for Applications]()
The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is now accepting applications for 2019-20 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grants. Up to $800,000 in VTF grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations and county directors of veteran affairs across the state.