Feb. 07, 2017 Download
Governor Tom Wolf delivered his annual budget address before a joint session of Pennsylvania’s House and Senate on Tuesday in Harrisburg. The Governor proposed a $32.3 billion spending plan with no new major taxes for the upcoming fiscal year. House Republicans were encouraged by the Governor’s decision to work with lawmakers to explore several cost-saving measures in order to balance the budget.
Sep. 29, 2016 Download
On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf spoke before a joint session of the General Assembly about Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid and heroin abuse crisis, calling for the legislature to address access and abuse of the drugs, from prescription to disposal.
Sep. 01, 2016 Download
Legislation allowing the sale of wine and beer at grocery stores recently took effect in Pennsylvania allowing local stores to offer the convenience of food and alcohol purchases in one place. Thanks to the new law, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Pennsylvania has taken the first steps in moving toward a privatized system for the sale of wine and liquor in the Commonwealth. Several local lawmakers were joined by Governor Wolf at a Wegmans store in Mechanicsburg on mark the beginning of private wine sales in the state.
Aug. 11, 2016 Download
Governor Wolf’s decision to award unionized state workers and his personal staff with large raises, while denying non-unionized employees any increase for the second consecutive year has drawn criticism from Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), whose district is home to hundreds of state employees. Delozier questioned the Governor’s motives during budget negotiations as he had insisted that new taxes were necessary to maintain state government operations, and then chose use the money to reward his political allies.
May. 23, 2016 Download
Legislation designed to help military and veterans’ spouses maintain state teacher certification while coping with the rigors of military travel has been approved by the House Education Committee. House Bill 2078 would allow for faster processing of applications for permanent teaching certification for military personnel, veterans, and their spouses. Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) said it is important to allow qualified teachers with worldwide experience to share their knowledge with the Commonwealth’s children.
House Bill 2078 now moves to the full House for consideration.
Mar. 16, 2016 Download
Lawmakers took action Wednesday in the state capitol to provide essential funding for the remainder of the 2015/2016 state budget. The current year’s fiscal plan remains unresolved due to the Governor’s line-item vetoes of more than $6 billion for basic and higher education, as well as money for the Department of Corrections and agriculture programs. The House and Senate put forth the supplemental budget legislation to address funding holes created by the Governor’s vetoes and restore state funding for these programs. The funding bill approved today provides for a 200 million dollar increase for basic education, a 5 percent increase for higher education, and ensures that no schools will close in the Commonwealth. Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) said it is past time to complete the budget and provide much needed funding for schools and other critical programs without raising taxes
Feb. 09, 2016 Download
House lawmakers offered their reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending proposal for fiscal year 2016-17, which he announced today in an address before a joint session of the General Assembly. The governor’s budget plan would increase taxes on working Pennsylvanians and employers by $3.6 billion and spending by 10 percent, or $3 billion, and calls for $33.3 billion in total spending. To support his proposed spending plan the governor has proposed 15 new tax increases, including a retroactive increase in the Personal Income Tax on Pennsylvania workers.