It was a busy week in Harrisburg with both chambers in session, and so while a flurry of activity is expected, here are three bills that deserve a little extra attention:
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill), HB 1659 requires the Department of Human Services seek approval from the General Assembly before asking for a work requirement waiver for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Another day, another ideological slugfest over a platform issue in an election year. The House Health committee approved two bills, both reforming the state’s welfare system, Tuesday afternoon after more than two hours of debate among representatives. The votes also came a day after a partisan debate on Speaker of the House Mike Turzai's (R-Allegheny) bill to ban justifying an abortion with the diagnosis of Down Syndrome.
While several dozen House Republican legislators—including the entire leadership team—held a news conference Tuesday to implore on Gov. Tom Wolf to sign a controversial Human Services Code bill, the governor said he is still holding firm on his promise to veto the legislation.
Senators David Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) are hoping to decrease welfare fraud by hiring additional staff for the Office of Inspector General to investigate claims about possible welfare misconduct.
Monday
Rep. Mindy Fee (R-Lancaster)
Tuesday
Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny)
Wednesday
Rep. Thomas Quigley (R-Montgomery)
Saturday
Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bucks)
Sunday
Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland)