York County House, Senate Republicans Bring Home $2.2 Million in Community Grant Funds

Mar. 26, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – The York County Republican delegation to the House and Senate announced that they helped secure $2.2 million in grant funding for communities across the county. The delegation is comprised of Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Mike Regan (R-York/Cumberland) and Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Mike Jones (R-York Township) Wendy Fink (R-Red Lion) and Joe D’Orsie (R-Manchester).

Phillips-Hill, Grove Honor 100-Year-Old World War II Veteran Quentin Stambaugh

Mar. 21, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) honored 100-year-old Spring Grove resident Quentin Stambaugh in Harrisburg this week. Stambaugh, a staple of the Spring Grove community, honorably served our nation in World War II. After returning home from World War II, he worked at PH Gladfelter and later served as a magistrate in York County for 24 years.

York County House Republicans: Funding Awarded to York County Police for Recruitment

Mar. 12, 2024 /

HARRISBURG – As police departments throughout the nation face officer shortages, two York County departments were awarded a combined $38,000 in Law Enforcement Recruitment grant funding, House Appropriations Republican chairman Seth Grove (R-Dover) and Reps. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) and Joe D’Orsie (R-Manchester) announced.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Transportation

Mar. 04, 2024 /

House Republicans asked several questions about the Governor’s proposal to dedicate an additional 1.75% of sales tax collections, or $283 million, for public transit funding, and how this funding would be distributed throughout the Commonwealth. Additionally, Republicans inquired about requiring electric vehicles to contribute to the Motor License Fund, PennDOT contracts for snow removal and travel brochures, the overall state of road projects throughout the Commonwealth, and automatic voter registration.

Budget Hearing Wrap with State-Related Universities

Feb. 29, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned their involvement in any meetings or discussions regarding Governor Shapiro’s “Blueprint for Higher Education” and the financial implications on each institution. Additionally, Republicans asked about efforts to combat antisemitism on campuses while simultaneously allowing for free speech, performance-based budgeting, and how to make our state-related universities more affordable for students.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Judiciary

Feb. 29, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned the financial transparency of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), who is responsible for operations of courts within the Commonwealth. Additionally, Republicans asked about the unilateral decision of the Supreme Court to allow for venue shopping in medical malpractice lawsuits, the rationale for the “traveling courts,” and the significant increases in the Judicial budget.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Dept. of Environmental Protection and Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans questioned the DEP on improvements of their permitting process, dam safety, and regulatory updates, including the status of the Regional Green House Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Climate Action Plan. Additionally, Republicans asked about the increased spending within DCNR and their ability to keep up with their current core functions before taking on new initiatives.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Community College Leaders

Feb. 28, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on trying to understand the potential impacts of the Governor’s “Blueprint for Higher Education” on our valuable community colleges. Once again, Republicans were shocked to learn how little work has been done on this massive, proposed idea to upend and merge the funding of two higher education systems in Pennsylvania that often serve different populations.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Health with Dept of Drug and Alcohol Programs

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans inquired about the fiscal health of each agency and asked pointed questions on the amount of funding for current programs and proposed new initiatives. Additionally, Republicans asked about long-term care facility regulations, hospital sustainability, adult-use cannabis, and substance abuse disorder treatment.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of State

Feb. 27, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questions on how prepared the Department of State (DOS) is for the upcoming 2024 elections, as well as the lack of uniformity in the Commonwealth’s election process. Additionally, Republicans asked how the DOS plans to spend proposed increases in “Voter Registration and Education” equitably, the Governor’s unilateral decision to begin automatic voter registration, and the department’s continued plans to improve the professional licensure process.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Insurance

Feb. 26, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on the financial health of the Pennsylvania Insurance industry and how the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) is allocating its funding. Concerns were raised about the Governor’s proposal to transfer $50 million from the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund for the benefit of subsidizing low- and middle-income families’ health insurance premiums.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Feb. 23, 2024 /

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) Executive Director and CFO Robin Wiessmann and Deputy Executive Director and Chief Counsel Leonidas Pandeladis testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on how the PHFA is improving their services after their high-profile failure with distributions from the Federal CARES Act for rent and mortgage relief programs. Additionally, Republicans asked for details on the Governor’s plan to spend more money through the PHFA in the PA Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund, commonly referred to the “PHARE” program.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Dept. of Corrections and Probation and Parole Board

Feb. 23, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their line of questioning on cost increases for the department, even though the prison population in Pennsylvania has been declining. Republicans also asked what the DOC can do to help counties deal with the recent increase in high-profile prison escapes and increases violent incidents.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Agriculture

Feb. 22, 2024 /

Department of Agriculture (Ag) Secretary Russell Redding, and Executive Deputy Secretary Greg Hosttetter testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on proposed spending increases for the Department and how these new dollars will directly help Pennsylvania farmers. Additionally, Republicans asked, and were again dismayed, at the lack of planning for another of the Governor’s key budget initiatives – adult-use cannabis regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Aging

Feb. 22, 2024 /

House Republicans focused their questions on how the Department of Aging is meeting the needs of Pennsylvania’s growing elderly population. Additionally, Republicans asked why the department’s budget material provided no details on the $11.7 million request for the “Aging Our Way, PA” plan, and how this investment will reduce the need for more costly levels of care for the growing senior population. Republicans also asked pointed questions on the Department’s handling of reports of elder abuse and neglect, leading to frustrating replies from Sec. Kavulich.

Budget Hearing with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

Feb. 21, 2024 /

Dr. Daniel Greenstein, the Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), testified today before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on the fiscal health of the 11 Universities under the PASSHE system. Additionally, Republicans asked about the potential issues with Governor Shapiro’s opaque “blueprint” for Higher Education and its impact on PASSHE schools.

Budget Hearing Wrap with PA Department of Revenue

Feb. 20, 2024 /

For the second consecutive year under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, spending is poised to outpace revenue, leading House Republicans to question the fiscal stability of his proposal. Additionally, Republicans recited conversations with their constituents concerning the untimely processing of applications for Property Tax and Rent Rebates last year which resulted in an unnecessary delay of much needed relief for seniors.

Budget Hearing Wrap with Dept. of Community and Economic Development

Feb. 20, 2024 /

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger, along with Executive Deputy Secretary Mike Hanna Jr., testified before the House Appropriations Committee. House Republicans focused their questions on many of the bloated and potentially wasteful spending proposals within DCED. This includes spending millions on new programs while cutting others with a track record of success at the same time