News Releases

Stressing that the Wolf Administration’s recent restrictions on owners of bars and restaurants are arbitrary, burdensome and unfair, Senator Pat Stefano (R-32) has circulated a cosponsorship memo for four bills that are intended to offer relief to those businesses, many of which are struggling to stay open and keep workers employed.   [Read More]

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) issued the following statement on the PIAA’s announcement today that it will delay the start of high school athletics, following Governor Wolf’s recommendation that the fall season not take place.   [Read More]

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) and Senate Education Committee Chair Wayne Langerholc Jr. (R-35) today issued the following statements regarding Governor Wolf’s recommendation that no school sporting events take place until January 2021:   [Read More]

Senator Mario Scavello (R-40) has introduced legislation that would provide much needed school property tax relief for senior citizens across the Commonwealth.   [Read More]

Recognizing that the ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak is placing a severe financial crisis on first responders, veterans’ groups and other non-profit organizations, Senator Joe Pittman is introducing legislation that would temporarily allow these organizations to conduct online small games of chance (SGOC) fundraising activities during the duration of the Governor’s disaster declaration.   [Read More]

Senator Scott Martin (R-13) today called on Governor Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine to develop guidelines on allowing spectators to attend fall sports activities, including at a minimum, parents of athletes.   [Read More]

A measure sponsored by State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would streamline the process for veterans seeking a driver’s license designation was signed into law today as Act 74 of 2020.   [Read More]

A new law authored by Senator Scott Martin (R-13) could help more local taxpayers benefit from school property tax discounts and extended payment deadlines. Listen   [Read More]

News Conference | July 23, 2020 | 4:00 p.m. | Luzerne County Community College (1333 S Prospect St, Nanticoke) | Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit | Watch Live   [Read More]

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) and Senator David Arnold (R-Lebanon) announced today (July 22) that in addition to the lawsuit filed by the Lebanon County Commissioners against Governor Wolf for withholding $12.8 million in federal CARES Act funding for the county, legislation has been introduced to ensure that Lebanon County does not lose out on this vital funding its citizens, the same as citizens across Pennsylvania, need during this enduring pandemic.   [Read More]

The state Senate today approved a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored  by Senator Kim Ward (R-39) that would limit the length of future emergency disaster declarations unless an extension is approved by the General Assembly, moving the measure one step closer to a voter referendum.   [Read More]

The Senate approved a bipartisan bill today to improve Pennsylvania’s probation system by addressing serious flaws that have trapped nonviolent offenders in a cycle of incarceration without improving public safety. Listen   [Read More]

The membership of Pennsylvania’s appellate courts would reflect the regional diversity of Pennsylvania under a sweeping judicial election reform bill that was approved by the Senate today, according to Senator Ryan Aument (R-36). Listen   [Read More]

The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) that would assist recent teaching graduates who are attempting to navigate the state certification process, which was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic.     [Read More]

Today the Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by State Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) to equip municipalities with a better enforcement mechanism to crack down on abandoned and dilapidated properties.   [Read More]

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill today sponsored by Senator Scott Martin (R-13) that would help more local taxpayers benefit from school property tax discounts and extended payment deadlines.   Listen   [Read More]

A bill was signed into law today to give municipalities a new tool to transform blighted properties into thriving parts of the community, according to the measure’s sponsor, Senator Judy Ward (R-30). Listen   [Read More]

Applications are now being accepted for a tax credit program intended to support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry by helping new farmers get established, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who authored the legislation that created the initiative.   [Read More]

The Senate approved bipartisan legislation today that would help create thousands of family-sustaining jobs and provide a boost to Pennsylvania’s energy economy, according to Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman.   [Read More]

Governor Tom Wolf signed a measure into law that will dedicate a bridge near Lake Redman in honor of fallen U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Michael Cohen, according to Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), who sponsored the legislation.   [Read More]

A resolution to end the COVID-19 emergency declaration in Pennsylvania was presented to Gov. Wolf for his signature today. The termination was delayed after the Wolf administration took legal action to block the implementation of HR 836 despite a bipartisan adoption by the General Assembly.   [Read More]

Senator Mike Regan (R-Cumberland & York) and Senator Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong, Butler, Indiana & Westmoreland) announced that the guidelines for the COVID-19 Crisis Fire Company and EMS Grant Program have been released and that fire companies and EMS agencies may now register to receive funds.   [Read More]

Senator Ryan Aument (R-36) circulated a co-sponsorship memo announcing his intent to re-introduce legislation that would guarantee that the diversity of Pennsylvania and the uniqueness of its various regions would be more accurately reflected in the election of appellate judges.   [Read More]

A package of broad reforms to protect the future of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) was signed into law today, according to Senator Scott Martin (R-13).   [Read More]

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) today strongly criticized the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s nullifying House Resolution 836, which was passed by the General Assembly with bi-partisan support. The Court issued their ruling today.   [Read More]