| Weekly Roundup |
| The latest news from the State Capitol |
Wolf Proposes More Spending
On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf once again proposed increased spending and increased taxes during his budget address. The governor wants to increase spending by $1.19 billion, or 3.7 percent over the current year budget for a grand total of $33 billion for the 2018-19 budget.
That is simply too much spending at a time when the state should be tightening its belt to rein in spending.
Learn more about my thoughts on the budget by watching the above video, or click here to read a column by members of the York County House Republican Delegation published in the York Daily Record/Sunday News.
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Register Now for My Concealed Carry Seminar
In an effort to better inform gun owners who live in the 92nd District about Pennsylvania’s firearm laws, I will host a Concealed Carry Seminar at the Northern York Middle School, 655 S. Baltimore St. in Dillsburg on Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
During the seminar, gun owners will learn more about their rights. The speakers, which include law enforcement officials, have a firm grasp of our laws and will do an excellent job explaining them. Attorney Matt Menges will discuss concealed carry laws. Carroll Township Police Chief Thomas Wargo and a Wildlife Conservation officer from the state Game Commission will discuss how to safely interact with law enforcement officers when carrying a firearm.
You can register online by clicking here, or by calling my office at (717) 432-0792.
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REINS Act Approved by House Committee
My legislation, House Bill 1237, to decrease unnecessary government oversight and allow businesses to thrive and created more jobs was approved by the House State Government Committee on Tuesday.
Known as the Pennsylvania REINS Act, Keefer’s House Bill 1237 would establish an enhanced review process for major regulations that impose a substantial cost burden on communities, businesses and/or the Commonwealth.
Read more about the bill by clicking here.
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Increasing Government Transparency
Bipartisan legislation designed to increase government transparency and more appropriately address unlawful lobbying practices is headed to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature after receiving a concurrence vote in the House this week.
House Bill 1175 would increase fines and penalties for violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act by raising the maximum penalty imposed by the Ethics Commission from the current fine of $2,000 to $4,000. The bill also would increase the maximum administrative penalty that may be imposed for negligent failure to report under current law from $50 per day, to $50 per day for the first 10 days, $100 for each late day after the first 10 late days, and $200 for each late day after the initial 20-day period. The bill would also improve the current electronic filing system for lobbyists.
This would help ensure that the penalties for violating the public’s trust would be better aligned with the crime, and is an effort to restore the public’s faith in the government.
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43 Photos Needed for Wall of Faces
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has partnered with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) in Washington, D.C., to find a photo of every Pennsylvanian whose name appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The VVMF is posting the photos on a virtual Wall of Faces to put a face and a story to every name, allowing Vietnam veterans to be honored by everyone from around the world.
Though great progress has been made to find all 3,151 photos of service members from Pennsylvania whose names are on The Wall, there are still 43 photos missing from only nine counties.
A complete list of Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans whose photos are still needed can be found by going to www.veterans.pa.gov, and clicking on “Wall of Faces.” Instructions on how to submit a photo can be found by clicking here.
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