February 3, 2020: Prescription Drug Affordability with Rep. Steve McCarter

The cost of prescription drugs can take a serious toll on a household budget.  Some Pennsylvanians have to make difficult choices between getting enough to eat, and getting their medication.  Rep. Steve McCarter is sponsoring a bill that could be a significant step toward reducing prices for consumers.  He wants to have state government do […]

February 5, 2020: Cell Phone Use While Driving with Rep. Rosemary Brown

Most drivers at one time or another have noticed another driver paying attention to their cell phone instead of the road.  We all know this form of distracted driving leads to accidents.  Rep. Rosemary Brown is sponsoring a bill that bans the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving.  She’s happy that nearly half […]

January 27, 2020: PA Farmers’ Priorities with Sen. Judy Ward

The annual Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg wrapped up in early January.  Most of us know it as a show for livestock, but it’s also a platform for politics.  Senator Judy Ward attended the show with other lawmakers for a meeting with representatives of the farming community.  Their goal was to implement legislation that can […]

January 28, 2020: PA Probation System with Sen. Camera Bartolotta

A person convicted of a crime can avoid time behind bars by being put on probation.  That means if an offender doesn’t follow rules ordered by the court, they can end up in jail anyway.  But some lawmakers say the terms of probation in Pennsylvania are often too severe.    Under current law, a judge […]

January 29, 2020: Human Trafficking with PA Coalition Against Rape

Human trafficking is a crime that often exploits young victims as slaves for sex or prostitution.  The Pennsylvania House passed a package of bills that increases the penalties for the offense.  One of the bills doubles the maximum jail time for trafficking, or patronizing the victim of trafficking.  Donna Greco, Policy Director at the PA […]

January 21, 2020: PA Farmers’ Priorities with PA Grange

It’s easy to think the annual PA Farm Show is only a showcase for livestock.  But removed from the commotion of the show,  in conference rooms, you can find lawmakers and representatives of the farming community trying to work out government policy.  Their goal is to keep agriculture interests strong in Pennsylvania.  Wayne Campbell, President […]

January 22, 2020: Legislative Priorities for Counties with CCAP

Every year, the County Commissioners Association of PA makes a list of funding priorities for the consideration of lawmakers and the governor.  At the top of their list is more funding for mental health services, and emergency medical services.  The group also supports putting less reliance on property taxes when they need to pay for […]

January 13, 2020: PA Sales Tax with Rep. Russ Diamond

Sales tax is set at 6 percent in most parts of Pennsylvania.  Rep. Russ Diamond would like to reduce it to 1.9 percent, and apply it to a broader range of goods and services.  He’s also working on bills that would abolish the property tax, and eliminate statewide elections for judges by replacing them with […]