 |
|
|
|
|
|
The Weekly Roundup
|
|
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Wolf’s White Haven Center Veto Disappointing
I issued the following statement in reaction to Wednesday’s veto by Gov. Tom Wolf of Senate Bill 906, legislation that would have placed a moratorium on the pending closures of the White Haven and Polk state centers by the Department of Human Services.
“I am disappointed by the governor’s decision to veto legislation that would have given White Haven Center residents the option of staying in the only home many of them have ever known.
“I have toured the center, where many residents require around-the-clock care, and have little confidence their needs can be met in a community-type setting.
“I am hopeful to reach a bipartisan solution and a possible veto override in order to give the residents of these two centers and their families a choice in the care they receive.”
|
Train Rides Return to Jim Thorpe
This week’s announcement that the Reading and Northern Railroad and Jim Thorpe borough officials had come to an understanding over the amusement tax issue came as very welcome news. I am happy the train will be back, starting this weekend for Winterfest, offering rides to the tens of thousands of visitors who come every year to explore the historic Carbon County community. Learn more here.
|
Hearings to Review Budget Proposal Start Tuesday
Presented with a costly $36 billion budget proposal from Gov. Tom Wolf – one that would increase state spending more than $2 billion over the current year’s enacted budget – the House Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, will get to work next week investigating the governor’s funding requests and the actual needs of state agencies.
The annual budget hearings kick off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with the Department of Revenue, which includes the state lottery, and continue that afternoon with the non-partisan Independent Fiscal Office and the Department of Aging.
On Wednesday, the committee will hear from leaders of the departments of State, Military and Veterans Affairs, and Labor and Industry. Thursday’s hearings will focus on criminal justice with the Pennsylvania State Police, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Corrections and the boards of Pardons, and Probation and Parole.
For more information about the 2020-21 state budget proposal, click here. For a hearing schedule, or to watch live streams or archived video of the budget hearings, click here.
|
Election Reforms in Effect for April 28 Primary Election
Comprehensive reforms designed to encourage greater participation in our elections will be in place for the upcoming April 28 Primary Election.
Anyone not already registered to vote now has more time to do so. You may register online or in person at your county courthouse up to 15 days prior to an election, which is April 13.
For the first time, voters may choose to cast their ballots by mail for no reason other than convenience. The ballots will work similarly to absentee ballots, but voters need not be out of town or otherwise unavailable to vote in person to qualify for a mail-in ballot.
You may apply for the mail-in or absentee ballots here.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is 5 p.m. the Tuesday before the election, which is April 21. The completed ballot must be received via mail or dropped off in person at your county elections office, by 8 p.m. on Election Day, April 28.
The last day for county election boards to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 p.m. April 27) is a week after the election, May 5.
Also under the new law, voters who have a permanent disability may ask to be placed on a permanent absentee voter list. Voters on this list will have an absentee ballot application mailed to them by the first Monday in February each year. If you complete and return the application, the county will send you ballots in the mail for all the elections that take place that year, as well as for any special election held through the third Monday in February of the next year.
For more information about the upcoming election, click here.
|
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 204B Bridge St., Weissport, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 420 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
