Key Points from Senate Budget Hearings Monday, March 20
The Senate Appropriations Committee today began the first of three weeks of public hearings on the proposed 2023-24 state budget. [Read More]
Norfolk Southern CEO to Appear Before Senate Committee Monday
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw is scheduled to appear before the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), at a hearing on Monday, March 20, at 10 a.m. in Room 8EB of the state Capitol. [Read More]
Senate Committee Hears Powerful Testimonies about Veteran Suicide Prevention
While many people may assume war-related trauma is responsible for most military veteran suicides, the stigma associated with seeking mental health care and civilian life crises often precipitate these tragedies. [Read More]
Public Hearing to Strengthen Guardianship Laws, Prevent Elder Abuse Examines Shortcomings in PA’s Process
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), held a joint public hearing with the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), on strengthening guardianship laws and preventing elder abuse in Pennsylvania. [Read More]
Coleman Appointed to Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
State Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) has been appointed to the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39). [Read More]
Bartolotta and Martin Introduce Child Reunification Act
Free child identification kits could be made available to parents to help relocate missing children under legislation introduced today by Senators Camera Bartolotta (R-46) and Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]
Mastriano, Senate Committee to Host Hearing about Veteran Suicide
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), will hold a hearing Thursday, March 16, at 10 a.m., to hear from experts about issues related to military veteran suicide in Pennsylvania. [Read More]
School Finances Reviewed by Senate Education Committee
Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) chaired a public hearing of the Senate Education Committee today reviewing school budgeting and general fund balances. [Read More]
Yaw Bill Limiting Firefighter Exposure to PFAS, Safeguarding Environment Passes Senate
A bill establishing statewide uniform requirements restricting the use of “Class B” firefighting foams containing added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for training purposes and testing has been passed by the state Senate, according to prime sponsor Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23). [Read More]
Pennycuick Chairs Hearing Examining Government Cloud-Based Cybersecurity
The Senate Communications and Technology, chaired by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), brought together information technology experts Monday for a public hearing on securing cloud-based data held by state and local governments. [Read More]
Culver Appointed to Serve on Committee Responsible for Reviewing Governor’s Budget Proposal
The governor last week delivered his annual budget address and Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) today announced she has been appointed to serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee, which will hold hearings and dig into the details of the governor’s plan during the next few weeks. [Read More]
Joint Public Hearing Tuesday on Strengthening Guardianship Laws and Preventing Elder Abuse
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), and the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), are hosting a public hearing tomorrow, March 14, at 11 a.m., in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in the Capitol Complex, Harrisburg, on strengthening guardianship laws and preventing elder abuse. [Read More]
Robinson’s Bill Honoring Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans Now in Effect
Sen. Devlin Robinson’s (R-37) bill honoring Pennsylvania veterans who have served in both Afghanistan and Iraq with the opportunity to apply for a special license plate is now in effect, as of this week. [Read More]
Mastriano Bill to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled Veterans Passed Unanimously by Senate
The Senate this week unanimously passed legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payment from income calculations for any commonwealth program or benefit. [Read More]
Senate Committee Advances Bill to Provide Financial Help to PA Residents Harmed by Norfolk Southern Train Wreck
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), Wednesday approved a resolution and two bills, including one to provide financial help to Pennsylvania businesses and residents impacted by the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train wreck in East Palestine, Ohio. [Read More]
Rothman Appointed to Committee Overseeing Public Access to Legislative Information
State Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) has been appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39) to the Legislative Data Processing Committee. [Read More]
Mastriano Measure to Combat Elder Abuse Passed Unanimously by Senate Committe
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee on Monday in Harrisburg unanimously passed legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) to help combat financial crimes that target senior citizens. [Read More]
Senate Approves Yaw Bill to Encourage Responsible Solar Development, Protect Landowners
The state Senate this week approved a bill that would establish decommissioning and financial requirements for solar generation projects and offer better protections for landowners, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) said. [Read More]
Senator Martin Continues the Fight to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
As Pennsylvanians prepare to set their clocks ahead an hour this weekend, Senator Scott Martin (R-13) is continuing to work to make daylight saving time permanent and eliminate the twice-yearly time changes. [Read More]
Robinson Honors 20th Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom
Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37) introduced to the Senate today, along with his colleagues, Sens. Ryan Aument (R-36), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) and Doug Mastriano (R-33), a resolution honoring the 20th anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom. [Read More]
Langerholc’s Resolution to Fix Section 8 Passes Senate Committee
Today, the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee passed the resolution sponsored by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) which urges the federal government to address the abuse of the porting process in the Housing Choice Voucher program. [Read More]
Coleman, Senate Committee Advance Legislation Adding Critical Oversight to Regulatory Process
The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16), approved two measures today aimed at reducing the regulatory burden hampering job growth and opportunity in Pennsylvania. [Read More]
Senate Approves Hutchinson Bill to Expand Medical Officer Health Incentive Program Participation
The state Senate has approved Sen. Scott Hutchinson’s legislation that would allow more health professionals to participate in the Medical Officer Health Incentive Program. [Read More]
Senate unanimously approves Phillips-Hill’s TikTok ban on state devices, networks
HARRISBURG – Legislation that would prohibit state-owned devices and networks from downloading and using TikTok was approved with unanimous support in the Senate, according to the measure’s sponsor, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York). Across the nation, Democrats and Republicans have voiced growing concerns about the security and potential manipulation of the popular social media app TikTok. […] [Read More]
Sen. Yaw: Senate Passes Bill to Protect Diverse Energy Options for Pennsylvanians
Legislation ensuring that state residents have options when it comes to fuel availability was overwhelmingly approved today by the state Senate, 40-9, according to prime sponsor Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23). [Read More]