Sep. 10, 2018

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Weekly Roundup
The latest news from the State Capitol
 
Labor and Industry Committee Examines Key Employment, Workplace Issues

Click here to view video.

The House Labor and Industry Committee, on which I serve, conducted three public hearings last week on issues of interest to both employees and employers across the state.

On Wednesday morning, the committee heard testimony regarding the potential impacts of the Wolf administration’s proposed changes to the executive, administrative and professional exemptions from state minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act. The proposal would make Pennsylvania’s rules significantly different than federal law.

In the afternoon, the committee turned its attention to legislation, House Bill 2571, which seeks to ensure nonmembers of public sector unions are made aware of their right not to contribute money to the representative union. The bill was introduced after the United States Supreme Court ruled that forced union dues from nonmembers is a violation of those workers’ First Amendment rights. As such, public employees cannot be forced to pay a fair share fee – or any other money they did not consent to pay – to a public labor union.

Legislation to address workplace harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination were the focus of the committee’s hearing on Thursday morning. The proposals include an expansion of the application of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, requiring more detailed Employment Fair Practices notices, and making it easier for workers to report problematic behaviors to their employers.
 
 
Reporting Storm Damage

York County was hit hard by flooding this past week. If you or someone you know sustained damages from storms and flooding in July, early August or last Friday’s downpours, the county’s Office of Emergency Management needs you to report it. It’s easy to do by clicking here. This is only for York County residents.
 
 
Improving Broadband Speed

The lack of rural broadband access is a major problem in rural communities like ours, impacting our economy, educational opportunities, health care access and more.

While the General Assembly has been working on legislation to address the problem, one of the challenges we face is the lack of clear information about actual internet speeds in various areas of the Commonwealth.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania and its research partners at Penn State University are inviting Pennsylvania residents to help provide that much-needed information by taking the broadband speed test available here. Your participation will help map broadband access in Pennsylvania, providing a valuable tool as lawmakers work to resolve this issue.
 
 
Aging Committee Discusses Updates to Law Protecting Senior Citizens

Working to ensure the health and safety of Pennsylvania’s senior citizens, the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a two-day hearing to examine proposed changes to the Older Adult Protective Services Act.

House Bill 2549 seeks to make a number of changes to the act, including changing background check requirements to refine employment bans for people convicted of certain crimes. The legislation also would require financial institutions in the Commonwealth to provide employees with specific training in recognizing signs of potential financial abuse of an older adult and the process to make an abuse report.

Testifiers included Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne, senior citizen care provider organizations, AARP and the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
 
 
Register Now for My Farmers’ Breakfast


On Thursday, Oct. 11, from 8-10 a.m. I will again host my Farmers’ Breakfast at Baker’s Restaurant, located at 515 N. U.S. 15 in Dillsburg.

During this informative event, those in the agricultural industry will receive an update on issues that impact them. The guest speaker will be former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and House Majority Leader Sam Hayes. The 92nd District has a rich history of farming; and we must ensure agriculture has a bright future here. I encourage all farmers to attend. Breakfast will be provided.

To register, call my office at (717) 432-0792, or fill out the registration form on www.RepKeefer.com by clicking the “Farmers Breakfast” icon.
 
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repkeefer.com
Office Locations
12 North Baltimore Street,Dillsburg, PA 17019 | 717-432-0792
422 Irvis Office, PO Box 202092, Harrisburg PA 17120-2092 | (717) 783-8783 / 3-8783
Email Address: DKeefer@pahousegop.com
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