Felony Murder Sentencing Highlighted at Senate, House Hearing
Law enforcement officers and other public officials shared the on-the-ground reality of their efforts to fight crime and how the General Assembly could support their mission during a joint public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and the House Republican Policy Committee hosted by Rep. Dane Watro (R-116) and chaired by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and Rep. David Rowe (R-82) today in Hazleton. [Read More]
PA Senators Support Empowering Parents with Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
A bipartisan group of state senators is working to ensure Pennsylvania benefits from a new federal tax credit program which could help empower parents and create new learning opportunities for students. [Read More]
First-Ever PA Anti-Human Trafficking Caucus Scores Major Victories for Victims, Law Enforcement and Survivor Networks
Following the historic signing of two major human trafficking-focused bills, endorsed by the first-ever bipartisan, bicameral Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Caucus, Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), caucus chairman, and co-chairs Sen. Maria Collett (D-12), Sen. Marty Flynn (D-22), Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-28), Rep. Danilo Burgos (D-197), Rep. Kate Klunk (R-169), Rep. Clint Owlett (R-68) and Rep. Regina G. Young (D-185) issued the following statement: [Read More]
PA House Fails Murder Victims’ Families While Jeopardizing the Safety of Commonwealth’s Communities
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Senate Majority Whip Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin (R-13), and Senate Judiciary Chair Lisa Baker (R-20) issued the following statement after the House failed to protect Pennsylvania communities today by refusing to allow a vote on bipartisan legislation passed twice by the Senate: [Read More]
Senators Hail Court Ruling as Victory for PA Property Owners
Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41), Senate Game & Fisheries Committee Chairman Greg Rothman (R-34) and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) issued the following statement regarding the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday in favor of the Punxsutawney Hunting Club and the Pitch Pine Hunting Club: [Read More]
Argall Bill to Remove Employment Barriers for Cosmetologists Signed into Law
Legislation authored by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law by the governor, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages. [Read More]
State, Local Officials Call for PA House to Meet July 24 Deadline to Protect PA Communities
A group of state and local officials gathered in Lancaster today to call on the state House of Representatives to address sentencing guidelines for criminals convicted of second-degree murder when they reconvene this week. [Read More]
Landmark Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Expanding Enforcement/Penalties for Sex Trafficking/Prostitution Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Caucus Chairman Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) aimed at helping the Pennsylvania attorney general and law enforcement more effectively target and prosecute human trafficking was signed into law today. [Read More]
Ward Bill to End CDL Mills Becomes Law
Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, announced today her legislation was signed into law to crack down on unlicensed commercial driver training schools, commonly referred to as “CDL mills.” [Read More]
PA Senate Approves Fiscally Responsible State Budget
The Senate approved a fiscally responsible state budget today that stands up for taxpayers, doesn’t raise taxes on Pennsylvania families and supports affordability and job growth, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13). [Read More]