Looming Crisis in Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service

Jan. 03, 2019 /

With fire and ambulance services continuing to struggle across the Commonwealth, a 39-member commission created by lawmakers to study the situation issued dozens of recommendations in their report released last week.

Thoughts on the Upcoming Budget Debate

Jan. 03, 2019 /

As we head into the new legislative session, the focus of the House Republican Caucus will be on creating a budget that does not rely on new taxes or fees and that supports job creation. So, far, revenue collections are strong, and the state Treasury has collected $333 million more than expected through the end of November.

Thanking Our Veterans

Nov. 16, 2018 /

This past Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the armistice which ended World War I, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month. President Woodrow Wilson declared a national day to commemorate the armistice a year later in 1919. That has since become Veterans Day.

House Votes to Support Victims

Oct. 10, 2018 /

In a historic, bipartisan vote, the House passed legislation that would empower victims of sexual abuse by eliminating the criminal statute of limitations for prosecutions of sexual abuse of minors and extending the civil statute of limitations for lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of minors until the victim reaches 50 years of age.

PennDOT Making Plans to Roll Out REAL ID

Sep. 12, 2018 /

Starting Sept. 4, eligible Pennsylvania residents who wish to obtain a REAL ID may begin the pre-verification process. Customers who received their first license before September 2003 and want to obtain a real ID will need to bring the required documents to a Driver License Center so they can be verified in person. (Residents who received their first license after September 2003 have been able to pre-verify since March.) Those documents include:

Save for College with State 529 Plan

Sep. 06, 2018 /

For families looking to plan for higher education, the Pennsylvania Treasury offers the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP), in which growth is tied to the rate of college tuition inflation, and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), which offers 15 investment options by The Vanguard Group.

Enhancing Consumer Protections

Jul. 27, 2018 /

With news breaking last week of a security breach at the Pennsylvania Department of Health and a previous breach at the Department of Human Services, the House has asked the Office of Attorney General to investigate. Since then, it has come to light that the personal information of nearly 13,000 personnel and inmates within the state Department of Corrections may have been compromised in recent weeks.

Protecting Our Communities

Jul. 12, 2018 /

The new state budget, which I voted for and took effect July 1, directs critical investments to support community protection efforts.

Budget Passed, Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended

Jul. 06, 2018 /

I am pleased to report that prior to the June 30 deadline, the General Assembly approved a no-tax-increase budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that respects the taxpayer while also investing more money for all levels of education and protecting our communities and families.

The Show Will Go On

Jun. 25, 2018 /

Folks will be happy to know that the Fourth of July fireworks display at Lititz Springs Park will go on as it has for the past 170 years.

Better Informing Parents of Child Care Quality

Jun. 08, 2018 /

When a parent or guardian drops their child off at state-licensed daycare center, they assume that the child will receive the level of care and nutrition that they themselves would provide.

PUC Acts on Behalf of Consumers

May. 29, 2018 /

In response to a letter from Republican members of the state House of Representatives, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) last week issued an order requiring 17 major electric, natural gas and water and wastewater utilities to return $320 million per year to over-charged consumers.

Salute to Veterans – A Decade

May. 07, 2018 /

President John F. Kennedy once said, “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.”

Dairy Farmers Get Lifeline from General Assembly

Apr. 30, 2018 /

Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law as Act 15 of 2018, a measure I co-sponsored that waives storm water management plans for high tunnel structures, which are temporary buildings often used to dry tobacco and raise produce through the early spring and late into the fall.

Legislature Studies PennDOT/Turnpike Merger

Apr. 12, 2018 /

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently announced another series of rate hikes. I am often contacted by folks who ask why the Turnpike is a separate entity from state Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Budget Outlook 2017-18

Apr. 11, 2018 /

As we start the 2018-19 budget season, House Republicans intend to pursue a budget that does not increase taxes. Pennsylvania’s government needs to live within its means and not spend more than it takes in. We need more accountability in state spending and we need to ensure that the dollars we spend align with the needs of Pennsylvanians. By holding the line on spending and looking out for taxpayers, House Republicans have saved the taxpayers of Pennsylvania millions of dollars.