Often times when debating or discussing politics and policy, facts are tossed aside in favor of more emotional arguments. Even worse, when one side of a legitimate but spirited debate falters, it has somehow become acceptable to either refuse to accept the facts as accurate. Others strive to find flaws in an effort to have two wrongs make a right. By way of experimentation, here are ten totally unrelated facts about issues we deal with in Pennsylvania government. Let’s see what happens… 1. Mental Health First Aid USA estimates that approximately 7 percent of police contact involves a mentally…

The battle over property tax reassessment in Washington County has been going on for five years now. Amidst all the fighting, the only thing nearly everyone involved could agree on was the inability of the state legislature to ever actually pass any meaningful reforms on how counties perform reassessments. Well guess what? The most comprehensive reassessment reforms in over 50 years have cleared the State House and Senate and are heading for the Governor’s signature. Senate Bill 66, a bill containing legislative language written by a bipartisan group of local legislators including myself, …

Often when debating or discussing politics and policy, facts are tossed aside in favor of more emotional arguments. Even worse, when one side of a legitimate but spirited debate falters, it has somehow become acceptable to either refuse to accept the facts as accurate. Others strive to find flaws in an effort to have two wrongs make a right. By way of experimentation, here are 10 totally unrelated facts about issues we deal with in Pennsylvania government. Let’s see what happens… 1. A new Families USA report estimates that expanding Medicaid would create about 41,200 new jobs and generate …

Last week, the roller coaster ride between some of the municipalities I represent and some of the extreme elements of the natural gas industry public-relations machine took a few more twists and turns. What has already been a bizarre relationship is getting more and more bizarre by the day. Last month, Robinson Township Board of Supervisors was forced to turn down two drilling permit applications when the drilling company, Range Resources, refused to submit an adequate sound study or site plan. This alone was bizarre, since Range’s lawyers were given multiple chances to correct the situation …

Here's the latest from the Legislature: 1. Pulse Oximetry Screening for Newborns This week I introduced House Bill 809, which would require hospitals to perform a pulse oximetry screening on newborn babies within 24 hours of birth. Although some hospitals already perform pulse oximetry newborn screenings, current law does not require hospitals to do so. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, congenital heart defects account for nearly 24 percent of infant deaths. In addition, about 12 percent of babies born each year have one of seven critical congenital heart defects. …

Last week, Gov. Tom Corbett unveiled his proposed 2013-14 state budget in a speech to a joint session of the state House and Senate in Harrisburg. This was my seventh budget speech, and the response was by far the most unenthusiastic I’ve ever seen—there were times you could hear a pin drop in the House chamber as the governor delivered his speech. The lack of enthusiasm was bipartisan in that both Democrats and Republicans were clearly reluctant to embrace Corbett’s agenda, and when you break down the numbers of his plan, it isn’t difficult to see why. Here are five of the many reasons the …

This week I participated in a hearing held by the House Judiciary Committee to receive and review the report of the Task Force on Child Protection we created in the wake of the Sandusky scandal. As someone who has worked in the judicial system as an attorney representing children in juvenile and Children and Youth Services cases, I know there are many areas in the law we can clarify and strengthen to help protect our children. These are often uncomfortable to discuss, but we need to have an honest conversation about child abuse in order to find ways to help prevent it from occurring. The full…

One of the most controversial pieces of legislation passed in Harrisburg last year was Act 2 of 2012, which dealt with reporting requirements for organizations with a Small Games of Chance (SGOC) license. Although labeled as “reforms,” many of the new requirements sparked an outcry from local social clubs, veterans’ organizations and fire departments that depend on these small games to survive. Apparently these changes had been negotiated and approved by the statewide organizations without any real input from the local chapters; as a result, no one realized there was a problem until the bill …

With a new two-year session of the state Legislature set to begin on Jan. 1, the legislative branch hits the reset button on all the bills and issues left unresolved from the previous session. The 2012 elections should have little impact on what to expect from Harrisburg, with the House and Senate staying firmly in Republican control and the same leaders returning for the upcoming session. The most interesting development will be to watch how both legislative chambers handle Governor Corbett’s agenda as his 2014 re-election bid looms large over major policy decisions. Despite one-party rule, …

Dear Santa, I’d like to think I have been a pretty good state representative this year. 2012 has been a big year for me; I got married to the love of my life, plus I got re-elected. I was even talked into rescuing another animal, a kitten named Woodrow, which brings our menagerie to a total of two dogs and two cats (and no, I do NOT want any more cats for Christmas or any other holiday). I didn’t raise anyone’s taxes and I fought hard on some really important issues, so I think I’ve done about as much as possible for a politician to stay off of your “naughty” list. As such, I have put …

Last month I sent out a press release asking about the testimony given under oath in depositions by two high-ranking officials at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. These officials testified the DEP is using a system of codes, called ‘Suite Codes’ to limit the information given to landowners who have their water tested if there is a suspicion of contamination near a natural gas drilling site. Instead of addressing the damning words of his own employees, DEP Secretary Krancer released two separate responses. He went to great pains to avoid addressing the specific issues, …

Last week, I was copied on a letter sent by a local attorney to Michael Krancer, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The letter contained some very explosive information that is extremely relevant to our region when it comes to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. The facts in the letter are based on two depositions given under oath by two DEP employees, Bureau of Laboratories Technical Director Taru Upadhyay and Water Quality Specialist John Carson, in a lawsuit filed against the DEP and a natural gas drilling company by a Washington County resident over …

Often times when debating or discussing politics and policy, facts are tossed aside in favor of more emotional arguments. Even worse, when one side of a legitimate but spirited debate falters, it has somehow become acceptable to either refuse to accept the facts as accurate. Others strive to find flaws in an effort to have two wrongs make a right. By way of experimentation, here are 10 totally unrelated facts about issues we deal with in Pennsylvania government. Let’s see what happens… 1. Each year, domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania provide services to approximately 95,000 victims …

This week, two major events dealing with Marcellus Shale and our local communities took place; you decide if they’re related or not. Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Act 13 challenge, the lawsuit filed after all local zoning control over oil and gas operations was usurped by the Legislature. The Supreme Court decision may be one of the single most important ones in the history of Pennsylvania, particularly in heavily drilled areas such as Washington County. The municipalities leading the charge are Cecil, Robinson and Mt. Pleasant Townships in Washington …

One of the most common criticisms of the state Legislature is “they can’t get anything done” in Harrisburg. In many ways, those critics are more correct than they probably realize. If you want to reduce the biggest obstacle hurting Pennsylvania down to just one word, that word would be “process." Sit back and pay attention to a rare glimpse into the real inner workings of our state government, and try not to throw up your breakfast along the way. Our system of legislative government hasn’t changed much in more than 200 years. A legislator introduces a bill, the leadership of the majority …

I recently introduced a two-bill package in the state Legislature that would change the head of the Department of Environmental Protection from an appointed secretary to an independently elected commissioner. The bills—HB 2606 and 2607—would change the Pennsylvania Constitution to give the DEP commissioner true independence to do his or her job, much like we did in 1981 by moving the office of Attorney General from an appointed to elected position. What’s the benefit? First and foremost, any time the people have a direct say in choosing their leaders, it’s a good thing. Voters would be able …

There is a lot of confusion about Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law, and whether you agree or disagree with the law, it’s critical to know the facts to make sure you aren’t turned away on Election Day. Here are some more common issues people may need to deal with to comply with the Voter ID law. WHAT IF I VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT? Voters who vote by absentee ballot will also be required to verify their identity in every election, beginning with the November 2012 election. When applying for an absentee ballot, you will have to provide your Pennsylvania driver’s license number. If you do not have …

Earlier this year, Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law a new requirement that every voter present a valid form of photo identification when they vote. The requirement takes effect for the November 2012 election and will be in effect for every election after that. If you are a registered voter and you plan to vote in the November election, you need to make sure you have a valid, unexpired form of photo identification. Although I do not necessarily have a problem with requiring ID to vote, this law creates burdens and loopholes that could actually result in legitimate voters being turned away at …

At 402 square miles, the 46th Legislative District, which I proudly represent, is one of the largest geographic districts in all of Pennsylvania, and much of the rural land in the district is used for agricultural purposes. I’ve had the privilege to visit many of my constituents’ working farms, and have been truly impressed by the work ethic and innovation of our local farmers. As a result, I was proud to cast a vote to give real help to our family farmers by making major changes to tax provisions important to family farms in Pennsylvania. Last December, the House of Representatives …

There are lots of issues impacting the people of Pennsylvania, many of which are centered in the heart of my legislative district. As challenging and rewarding as it is to represent an area with so much going on, it can be equally frustrating to have ideas you care about sit on the back burner because there are only so many hours in the day. But we’re making time this Saturday, Aug. 25, for the my first ever Pet Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds at 2151 N. Main Street in Chartiers Township. I have partnered with PetSearch, a local non-profit rescue group that …