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The Weekly Roundup
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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No-Tax-Increase, Timely Budget Passes House
This week, the House approved a no-tax-increase budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that respects taxpayers while investing more money for all levels of education and protecting our communities and families.
The $32.7 billion spending plan is a 1.7 percent increase over the current fiscal year budget, which is below the rate of inflation.
For education, the budget creates a new, $60 million initiative to ensure Pennsylvania’s children are in a safe learning environment and invests $100 million more for basic education, $25 million more for early childhood education and an additional $15 million for special education. This equates to a record-high $12.3 billion for prekindergarten through 12th-grade education. Additionally, the budget includes a 3 percent increase for Pennsylvania’s state-related universities and community colleges; a 3.3 percent boost for the State System of Higher Education; and $30 million more for career and technical education.
Additional funds will help protect communities by training more state police troopers, caring for those with intellectual disabilities, supplying home visiting services for families affected by the opioid crisis, combating the spotted lanternfly and supporting emergency medical services.
This budget is the result of prudent spending, an improved economy and responsible policies that prevented the need for the governor’s repeated calls for increased taxes over the last four years.
We have outright rejected the governor’s calls for new or increased taxes again this year. As history shows, this is a major benefit for all Pennsylvanians. Over the past three budgets, we have saved each Pennsylvanian more than $600, or more than $2,400 for a family of four. By holding the line on taxes here in Pennsylvania and thanks to the Trump Administration in Washington, our economy has been able to grow naturally. This shows our free market economy can thrive when government stays out of the private sector and doesn’t overtax our residents.
More information is available here.
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House Approves Consumer Protection Bill
The House unanimously approved my legislation to protect consumers and independent pharmacies from unfair drug prices and reimbursement rates.
It was recently brought to my attention that some pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have been cutting reimbursements to community pharmacies for medications sold to patients on Medicaid. This practice has led to substantial financial difficulties for community pharmacies, which are typically locally owned family businesses. House Bill 2212, which I introduced, would remedy the problem.
Many of Pennsylvania’s rural areas are served by community pharmacies. In Carbon County, for example, more than half of the pharmacies are locally owned and operated.
The bill is now in the Senate for consideration.
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Processing Birth Certificates Faster
This week, the House voted overwhelmingly for legislation that aims to prevent unreasonable delays in getting birth certificates to citizens who need them.
With the implementation of REAL ID, many Pennsylvanians will be requesting a copy of their birth certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records. Despite efforts to work with the department to improve processing times, it currently takes as long as six months for the state to issue a birth certificate.
House Bill 84 would overhaul the process for issuing birth certificates by permitting the Division of Vital Records to coordinate with city and county officials, along with more than 150 registrars statewide, to help with the issuance of the birth certificates. It also would mandate a top-to-bottom, third-party review of the current process to issue birth certificates, with a goal of increasing efficiency and processing times.
House Bill 84 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Meeting with Future Leaders
Earlier this week, I welcomed to the Capitol Kiya Jenkins (top) and Noah Rodgers (bottom), both from Jim Thorpe and who were taking part in the American Legion Auxiliary Keystone Girls and Boys State. This program that allow our youth to develop leadership skills and a better understanding of the governmental process.
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July 4 Marks PA’s Second Fish-for-Free Day
The second Fish-for-Free Day in Pennsylvania will be held Wednesday, July 4.
Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone – residents and non-residents – to legally fish in Pennsylvania without a fishing license. All other fishing regulations apply.
To make the fishing experience more convenient, people can borrow equipment from dozens of fishing tackle loaner sites across the state. Many of the sites are located at state parks, along with some county parks and public libraries. Click here for the list of loaner sites.
More information is available on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, which includes interactive maps, regional fishing reports, and tips on fishing fundamentals. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at GoneFishingPa.com.
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Road Closure in Lehighton
On Monday, June 25, Lehighton Borough will be closing the 100 Block of North Third Street, where my Lehighton district office is located, to do road work. While the office will still be open for constituents, there will be no parking available along this block. Constituents are advised to park on North Street, bordering the park above the Lehighton Borough office, or to reach out to my office by phone at 610-377-6363. The borough has advised us that the work should be completed on Monday. |
Eagle Scout Makes His Mark
Congrats to Dominick Bierman of Troop 555 on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Becoming an Eagle Scout is no easy task and Dominick certainly deserves to wear his badge with pride. Way to go!!
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| Office Locations |
| 110 North Third Street, 2nd Floor, Lehighton, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 403 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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