House Approves Rep. O’Neill's Child Protection Measure

State Rep. Bernie O'Neill's bill is one of seven bills drafted in response to a report prepared by the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection.

The House of Representatives today voted unanimously to approve legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks), which would require courts in custody proceedings to consider whether a child has been identified as a victim of child abuse by a person seeking custody or member of that person’s household. The bill, House Bill 414, was drafted by O’Neill based on the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection that was created by the General Assembly to conduct a comprehensive review of the laws and procedures relating to the health and safety of children.  “The task force cited the need for a court in a custody matter to have information regarding a child involved with respect to whether he or she has been …

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O’Neill Appointed Secretary of House Appropriations Committee

State Rep. Bernie O'Neill served on the committee for three years and also serves on the education, judiciary Professional licensure and human services committees.

As he begins his sixth term in office, Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks) has been appointed by Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana/Armstrong) as secretary of the House Appropriations Committee. “I am honored that Speaker Smith has selected me to serve in this committee leadership position for the 2013-14 legislative session,” O’Neill said. “I’ve served on the Appropriations Committee for three years; the position of secretary is a big responsibility, but a challenge that I welcome and look forward to undertaking.” The House Appropriations Committee is primarily tasked with drafting an annual balanced budget proposal that allocates funds to state agencies and departments for state government operations on an annual basis. The …

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New PA Laws Taking Effect in 2013

Laws impact fines for underage drinking, reporting child abuse, animal euthanasia, simplifying voting rules for servicemen and women, and more.

  According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, new Pennsylvania laws taking effect in 2013 include:

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Rep. Watson Tapped to Lead Children and Youth Committee

The committee addresses issues including child protection, welfare, day care services, health issue, juvenile delinquency, adoption and foster care.

In keeping with her ongoing interest in child protection and safety, Speaker-designee of the House Sam Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana/Armstrong) has selected Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks/144th) to serve as House Children and Youth Committee chairman where she will continue to advocate for the well-being of Pennsylvania’s children. “I am very honored to be given the chance to help strengthen Pennsylvania’s laws when it comes to the well-being of our children,” said Watson. “Sadly, cases of physical and sexual abuse of children have captured far too many headlines, and as a result, it is time that we take a look at our current laws and update them for our ever-changing world. After all, our greatest asset is our children, and we must do everything…

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State News

Lawmakers Tread Water on Property Tax Reform

Lawmakers in Harrisburg seem no closer to providing tax relief for homeowners.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — State Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-Montgomery, served on a property tax committee around 12 years ago, he said. The committee also crafted a report to reform school property taxes. And then it failed to secure the votes on any legislation. He said he doesn’t see that changing this time either. “I think we’re going to spin our wheels a lot of times, like I have done over the years,” he said. Micozzie joined 12 other members of the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform on Monday and heard the same arguments for property tax reform lawmakers made this past session, treading water until a new fiscal analysis comes out in the fall. The committee is expected to file a report on property tax …

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PA House Agenda for June 11 - 13

The House returns to session on Monday, June 11; one item on the agenda is privatizing the Pennsylvania state liquor store system.

All of House session and most committee meetings will stream live on PAHouseGOP.com. Many events also may be viewed on Facebook.com/PAHouseGOP.  The following information is supplied by Republican Majority Leader, State Rep. Mike Turzai (29th District). When it was created nearly 80 years ago during the administration of Gov. Gifford Pinchot, the goal of the state store system was to make liquor sales “as inconvenient and expensive as possible.” Lawmakers will work to change that this week when they take up amendments to House Bill 11 (Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County) to privatize alcohol sales.   Gov. Tom Corbett this week endorsed the proposal to privatize sales of both wine and spirits, and editorial writers in newspapers across …

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PA House Agenda for June 4 - 7

The House returns to session on Monday, June 4.

Here's this week's schedule for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Information and commentary has been supplied by the office of Rep. Mike Turzai, Republican Majority Leader. All of House session and most committee meetings will stream live on PAHouseGOP.com. Many events also may be viewed on Facebook.com/PAHouseGOP.  Improving the Commonwealth Jobs Climate The full House is expected to consider legislation (Senate Bill 1310, Sen. John Gordner, R - Columbia, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder counties) when passed from the Senate to address the solvency of the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, which currently owes the federal government approximately $3.8 billion. This legislation will lead to full trust fund …

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PA House Agenda for May 21 - 25

The state House returns to session on Monday, May 21, to debate and vote on various issues.

Here's this week's schedule for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Information has been supplied by Rep. Mike Turzai, Republican Majority Leader. In Pennsylvania, retired state employees who have been called back to work temporarily via a signed contract with a definitive end date have been later collecting unemployment benefits when that contract comes to an end. These are retired individuals already collecting a pension. State law dictates that annuitants who are re-employed may not work more than 95 days in a calendar year without impacting their annuities and health care benefits.   House Bill 2346 (Rep. Adam Harris, R-Snyder/Mifflin/Juniata counties) would add a new provision to Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law to …

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State Rep. Proposes Bill to Do Away with Property Tax Funding For School Districts

Berks County state Rep. Jim Cox's bill would fund school districts with earned income and sales tax increases and new taxes on food, clothing, TV and air transportation.

Several media outlets are reporting on state Rep. Jim Cox (R-129th District – Berks County) and his HB 1776 – the "Property Tax Independence Act."  Hundreds of supporters of the proposed bill descended on Harrisburg last Monday to rally "for change to keep the American dream alive across the commonwealth," attendees told WFMZ TV in Allentown. Cox recently visited The Times Herald to talk about the bill which he says will raise $5 billion by increasing the earned income tax from 3.07% to 4% and the state sales tax to 7%. He said the state would bring in an additional $4.6 billion by adding new taxes on food, clothing, TV and air transportation. Pennsylvania allocated over $10 billion for education in the 2010-2011 budget. "We’re well on our…

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Jim Combs

5:59 am on Thursday, July 5, 2012

The information at www.ptcc.us is conjecture not facts.   more ›