News Updates from the Pennsylvania Senate Republican Caucus http://www.pasenategop.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:30:00 Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:30:00 Legislation that would provide stronger penalties for people who leave children alone in vehicles has been introduced by Senator Tommy Tomlinson and Representative Gene DiGirolamo. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0910/tomlinson-090210.htm Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:30:00 State Senator Tommy Tomlinson and State Representative Gene DiGirolamo will hold a news conference at noon on Thursday, September 2, at the Bensalem Municipal Building, located at 2400 Byberry Road in Bensalem. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0910/tomlinson-090110.htm Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:30:00 A new website will make it easier for users of mobile devices to access legislative information, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-116) announced today.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0810/pileggi-083010.htm Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:00 Reacting to today's announcement that Pennsylvania has not been chosen to receive federal Race to the Top (RTT) monies in the second round, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin and York), said: http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0810/piccola-082410.htm Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:30:00 Reacting to the release of Harrisburg School District's most recent test results, state Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-15) said: "This level of transparency and honesty is refreshing, and long overdue. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0810/piccola-082010.htm Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:00 Senate Transportation Committee Chair John Rafferty (R-44) said his committee will hold a public hearing in September to further probe widespread allegations of mismanagement, fraud and political patronage at the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA), stressing that "a long-term solution is needed to clean up decades of abuse." http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0810/rafferty-080510.htm Thu, 5 Aug 2010 14:00:00 The Senate Transportation Committee will continue its aggressive schedule of public hearings on transportation funding issues this summer, according to Chairman John Rafferty (R-44), who said the panel is seeking input on a wide range of issues affecting the state’s roads, bridges, rail lines, ports and aviation. The hearings will all be held in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in Harrisburg. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/rafferty-071610.htm Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:00:00 Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-37) that will allow colleges to offer lower, in-state tuition rates for on-line courses to military personnel has been signed into law.     http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/pippy-070910.htm Fri, 9 Jul 2010 13:50:00 Legislation introduced by Senator Don White (R-41) authorizing the Corrections Department and county prisons to redistribute unopened prescription medicines is now before the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.     http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/dwhite-070610.htm Tue, 6 Jul 2010 13:50:00 Pennsylvania's Education Empowerment law may have expired on June 30, but the state's efforts to turn around failing school districts are continuing in the form of incentive grants, to be awarded to the six former "empowerment" school districts that take steps to implement reforms.     http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/piccola-070310.htm Tue, 6 Jul 2010 13:50:00 The Senate approved legislation today that would improve hunter safety and impose stiffer penalties for poaching, according to Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33).   http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/alloway-070310.htm Sat, 3 Jul 2010 13:30:00 Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) proposed legislation this week that would require Senate and state employees to use the most cost-effective method of travel for state business.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0710/brubaker-070210.htm Fri, 2 Jul 2010 10:30:00 The Senate today approved and returned to the House of Representatives a budget package that restrains state spending and maintains state services and programs without a broad-based tax increase. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/budget-063010.htm Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:00:00 Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) is proposing legislation that would improve the Pennsylvania Megan's Law Website by incorporating recommendations made in a Special Report issued recently by Auditor General Jack Wagner.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/orie-063010.htm Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:32:00 Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs was approved by the Senate today. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/ward-062910.htm Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:11:00 The Senate approved Senate Bill 460, legislation introduced by Senator Pat Browne (R-16), intended to improve safety at tanning salons and require parental consent for minors. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/browne-062910.htm Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:45:00 The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), held a public hearing today on legislative term limits. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/erickson-062910.htm Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:15:00 The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee today explored ways to ensure that struggling state dairy farmers receive premiums intended to be paid to producers for milk sold in Pennsylvania, according to committee chairman Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36).  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/brubaker-062910.htm Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:50:00 Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) seeking to protect children from sexual predators  and establish federally mandated national standards to strengthen sex offender registration was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee today. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/walsh-062910.htm Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:30:00 The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission presented its final report today outlining over 40 recommendations to reduce or eliminate unnecessary government expenditures. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/argall-062810.htm Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:30:00 The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), will hold a public hearing tomorrow on legislative term limits. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/erickson-062810.htm Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:00:00 The Senate approved legislation today that would make college textbooks more affordable and accessible to students, according to State Senator David G. Argall (R-29). http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/argall-062310.htm Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:07:00 When a company is fined by the state for violating Pennsylvania's Clean Air Act, local communities would get a share of that money for environmental projects under legislation introduced by Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and approved unanimously today by the Senate.    http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/pileggi-062310.htm Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:07:00 The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Robert M. "Tommy" Tomlinson that would require the Department of Health to take important steps to increase public awareness of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice's influenza recommendations for vaccines in children.   http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/tomlinson-062210.htm Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:00:00 Pennsylvania will soon begin work on a comprehensive review of the 50-year-old law governing library services in the state. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/pileggi-062210.htm Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:00:00 Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs was approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee today.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/ward-062210.htm Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:30:00 The State Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) that would designate I-84 from Lackawanna County to the PA/New York state line as the "Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway."   http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/baker-062210.htm Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:30:00 State Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) today unveiled her proposed "Jennifer's Law" named after a Westmoreland County woman who was tortured and murdered. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/ward-062110.htm Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:00:00 State Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) on Monday will unveil her proposed "Jennifer's Law" named after a Westmoreland County woman who was tortured and murdered. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/ward-061810.htm Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:00:00 The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), met today for a briefing on Marcellus Shale safety issues. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/mjwhite-061610.htm Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:55:00 Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) introduced legislation today that would support the Commonwealth's workforce development efforts by continuing the Industry Partnerships program. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/brubaker-061610.htm Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:55:00 The Senate Transportation Committee kicked off a series of public hearings today on the transportation funding issues, according to Committee Chairman Senator John Rafferty (R-44).  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/rafferty-061510.htm Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:30:00 The state Senate today adopted a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct designed to make the division between legislative and campaign work clear, to provide annual ethics training, and to establish strong penalties for violations. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/scarnati-061510.htm Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:10:00 The Senate Law and Justice Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) that would remove the current requirement in state law that Pittsburgh police reside in the city. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/orie-061410.htm Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:00:00 Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks and Montgomery) voiced his support for legislation to protect Pennsylvania construction jobs at a Capitol press conference.    http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/mcilhinney-061410.htm Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:10:00 The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21), will meet next week for a briefing on Marcellus Shale safety issues.   http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/mjwhite-061010.htm Thu, 10 Jun 2010 10:10:00 The Senate Education Committee approved legislation this week sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) to extend a provision of the state's Empowerment Act that allows school districts to apply for waivers from certain mandates.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/corman-060910.htm Wed, 9 Jun 2010 10:10:00 the Pennsylvania Senate approved three prison reform bills sponsored by Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf. The bills (SB 1145, 1161, 1275) would provide for alternative sentencing programs for non-violent offenders, allow offenders with short minimum sentences to serve their time in community corrections centers, and provide punishment alternatives for technical parole violators.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/greenleaf-060810.htm Tue, 8 Jun 2010 15:35:00 The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) that would require a "super majority" vote for school boards to raise taxes. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/rafferty-060810.htm Tue, 8 Jun 2010 15:30:00 Governor Rendell has signed Senator Elder Vogel's legislation barring the state from citing community groups for selling home-made baked goods. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0610/vogel-060410.htm Fri, 4 Jun 2010 13:30:00 Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-34) reiterated his commitment to adopting a fiscally responsible state budget before the June 30 deadline, but strongly warned that underperforming revenues continue to drive up the Commonwealth's year-end deficit. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/corman-060110.htm Tue, 1 Jun 2010 14:30:00 The Senate of Pennsylvania unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) to allow a parent to request a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth" from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/corman-052710.htm Thu, 27 May 2010 09:10:00 A group of lawmakers and advocates unveiled a bipartisan package of legislation today overhauling Pennsylvania’s methadone treatment laws to increase fiscal accountability and safety, and reduce the unlawful use of methadone and methadone poisoning deaths.   http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/ward-052610.htm Wed, 26 May 2010 11:10:00 Senator Elder Vogel's legislation barring the state from citing community groups for selling home-made baked goods received final legislative approval in the Senate today.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/vogel-052510.htm Tue, 25 May 2010 15:30:00 State Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) and Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-4) were joined today on the Capitol steps by food bank advocates to promote the Weekend Backpack Program for hungry children.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/ward-052510.htm Tue, 25 May 2010 11:00:00 A group of lawmakers and advocates will unveil a bipartisan package of legislation Wednesday overhauling Pennsylvania's methadone treatment laws to increase fiscal accountability and safety, and reduce the unlawful use of methadone and methadone poisoning deaths. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/ward-052410.htm Mon, 24 May 2010 11:00:00 State Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) and Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-4) will be joined Tuesday on the Capitol steps by food bank advocates to promote the Weekend Backpack Program for hungry children.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/ward-052010.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 15:30:00 Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) has introduced a resolution calling for a study designed to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive update of the 50-year-old law governing library services in Pennsylvania. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/pileggi-052010.htm Thu, 20 May 2010 9:00:00 Ensuring pipeline safety and providing reliable and sustainable energy for consumers were two of the main topics of discussion during a public hearing held today by the State Senate Majority Policy Committee. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/yaw-051110.htm Tue, 11 May 2010 15:30:00 The Senate Majority Policy Committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday on issues related to pipelines and Marcellus Shale, Chairman Ted Erickson (R-26) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) announced today.    http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/yaw-050710.htm Fri, 7 May 2010 9:30:00 Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-Dauphin, York) applauded an announcement from the state Department of Education that John Harris High School has been added to a sweeping 30-school study of school climate and safety issues.  http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/piccola-050610.htm Thu, 6 May 2010 16:30:00 Senate Local Government Committee Chairman John Eichelberger (R-Blair) and Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) have introduced Senate Resolution 323 to establish a task force to study the impact of state mandates on Pennsylvania's boroughs, townships, cities and counties. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/waugh-050510.htm Wed, 5 May 2010 10:30:00 The Hunger Caucus broke ground today on the hunger garden at the state Capitol Building, according to Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36). http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/brubaker-050510-groundbreaking.htm Wed, 5 May 2010 10:18:00 The state Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to establish state licensing of plumbing contractors. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/erickson-050510.htm Wed, 5 May 2010 9:35:00 The Senate Labor and Industry Committee unanimously approved legislation today that would preserve Pennsylvania jobs by giving employers alternatives to layoffs. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/mcilhinney-050410.htm Tue, 4 May 2010 13:30:00 The Senate Education Committee approved a comprehensive overhaul of the state's charter school law at its meeting today, by a vote of 11 to 0. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/piccola-050410.htm Tue, 4 May 2010 13:20:00 Senator Mike Folmer's Senate Bill 507, legislation to establish a state High Risk Pool (HRP), today passed the full Senate by a vote of 49-1. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/folmer-050310.htm Mon, 3 May 2010 15:35:00 Members of the Legislative Hunger Caucus will be joined by Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, students from the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, representatives of area food banks, the Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University, the Pennsylvania Ag Coalition, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, PennAg Industries Association, the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, the PA Association of Sustainable Agriculture and the Pennsylvania State Grange to hold a news conference to unveil the State Capitol’s new Hunger Garden. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/brubaker-050310-groundbreaking.htm Mon, 3 May 2010 15:30:00 Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) introduced legislation today that would dedicate existing state tax credits to regional food banks. http://www.pasenategop.com/news/2010/0510/brubaker-050310.htm Mon, 3 May 2010 14:30:00