Senator Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) speaks during a bipartisan prostate cancer awareness event at the State Capitol.

Committee Hearings/Meetings

Aging & Youth
Child Abuse
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State Government
Electoral College Reform
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Urban Affairs & Housing
Housing
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Resources

Focus on PA

September 2011 - This month's program looks at Pennsylvania's first interactive redistricting website.  We also speak with Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi about legislative priorities as well as a trip to Fort Indiantown Gap.  

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Senate News Brief

A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.

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Podcast

9/22/11 - Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) discusses legislative efforts to address flood recovery in Pennsylvania.

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Session: Monday, October 17, 2011 - 1 p.m.

10/5/11 - Senate Appropriations Committee to Hold Hearings At Temple & Lincoln Universities on Higher Education Issues
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), will continue its series of statewide public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities, holding two hearings next week at Temple University and Lincoln University.

10/4/11 - Senate Committee Hears Testimony on Housing Needs, Affordability
The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee today heard testimony on the lack of affordable housing stock in Lycoming County, according to Committee Chairman, State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming).

10/4/11 - Committee Explores Changes to State Definition of Child Abuse
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39), held a public hearing Tuesday in Pittsburgh to explore possible changes to the state's definition of child abuse and the Commonwealth's Child Protective Services system.
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10/4/11 - Senate News Brief
A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.

10/3/11 - House Sends Brubaker Agriculture Education Measure to Governor's Desk
The House of Representatives passed legislation today that would update and modernize the definition of vocational agricultural education in the School Code, according to the bill's sponsor Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36).

10/3/11 - Scarnati Responds to Governor Corbett's Shale Proposal
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati was pleased to see that Governor Tom Corbett included an impact fee on Marcellus Shale drilling in his recently announced comprehensive proposal.

10/3/11 - Media Advisory - Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Hearing to Examine Quail, Pheasant Management
The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee will hold a public hearing to examine the state's quail and pheasant management programs on Friday, October 7 at 10 a.m. at Whitetail Ski Resort in Mercersburg, according to Committee Chairman Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33).

9/30/11 - Orie Resolution Designates October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in PA
To help promote awareness of the growing incidence of domestic violence and provide help to at-risk individuals, Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) has sponsored Senate Resolution 193 designating October 2011 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

9/29/11 - Senate Finance Committee Hearing Examines Pension Issues, Possible Solutions
The Senate Finance Committee took a closer look at the financial challenges of state and municipal pension systems and gathered suggestions for possible solutions during a public hearing Wednesday.

9/28/11 - Vance Committee Exposes Wasteful Spending
A hearing today of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York), revealed a significant lack of fiscal oversight of funds meant to provide services for those with intellectual disabilities.

9/27/11 - Senate Approves Bill Opening Vital Statistics for Research
The Senate today approved legislation that would make it easier for the public to research birth and death records maintained by the Commonwealth, after a suitable waiting period, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

9/27/11 - Senate Passes Two Brubaker Bills To Save Local Tax Dollars
The Senate passed two bills today that would streamline local government operations and save taxpayer dollars, according to the sponsor of the bills Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36).

9/27/11 - Lawmakers Announce Agreement on Financial Recovery Legislation for Harrisburg
Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) and Representative Glen Grell (R-87) joined efforts today to announce a compromise reached to address the Capital City's ongoing financial crisis by calling for an immediate recovery plan and state intervention.

9/27/11 - Media Advisory - Senate Finance Committee to Examine Pension Issues 
State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) will convene a public hearing of the Senate Finance Committee to examine unfunded liabilities in state and local pension systems on Wednesday, September 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room #1 in the Capitol's North Office Building. 

9/26/11 - Media Advisory - Lawmakers Consider State Disaster Assistance Fund
The Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees will hold a hearing on Tuesday to consider the establishment of a state disaster assistance program.

9/26/11 - Brubaker to Host Prostate Cancer Awareness Event Tuesday
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) will host a Prostate Cancer Awareness event at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg at noon on Tuesday.

9/26/11 - Senate News Brief
A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.

9/21/11 - Senator Pileggi: Senate Approves Bill Requiring Prompt Notification of Personal Data Breaches
State and local government agencies will be required to notify the public of data breaches involving personal information within one week under legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and unanimously approved by the Senate today.

9/19/11 - Senators Unveil Flood Relief Package
In response to the heavy flooding caused by tropical storms Irene and Lee earlier this month, five senators today announced that they will introduce a comprehensive, bipartisan legislative package aimed at bringing relief to those affected by the disaster.
- news conference

9/19/11 - Senate News Brief
A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative action.

9/15/11 - Media Alert - Senator Gordner to Hold Capitol News Conference on Flood Legislation
Sen. John Gordner (R-27), together with Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20), John Blake (D-22), Gene Yaw (R-23), and John Yudichak (D-14), will unveil a comprehensive legislative package in response to the devastating effects of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

9/13/11 - Senator Pileggi Unveils Proposal to More Fairly Allocate Electoral College Votes
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) will soon introduce legislation designed to more fairly allocate Pennsylvania's electoral college votes in presidential elections. 

9/8/11 - Senate Committee to Hold Hearing at University of Pittsburgh on Higher Education Issues
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), will hold the second of a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities on Monday, September 12, in Pittsburgh, PA.

9/7/11 - Senate Aging and Youth Committee Examines Long Term Care Issues
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39), held a public hearing Wednesday in Beaver County on long term care in Pennsylvania.

9/6/11 - Senate Aging and Youth Committee to Hold Beaver County Hearing on Long Term Care
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39), will hold a public hearing Wednesday in Beaver County on long term care in Pennsylvania.

9/1/11 - Senate Panel to Hold Hearing in State College on Higher Education Issues 
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), will hold the first of a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities – beginning with the Pennsylvania State University – on Wednesday, September 7, in State College, PA.

9/1/11 - Piccola Calls City Officials' Latest Actions ‘Reckless' & Urges Governor To Enforce Law and Plan for State Takeover
State Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) condemned the majority of Harrisburg City Council today for once again failing to adopt a recovery plan that would turnaround the financial crisis plaguing the Capital City, labeling their most recent actions as ‘irresponsible and reckless,' and called on Governor Corbett to freeze state assistance until legislation is approved to provide for a state takeover of the city's finances.

8/30/11 - Independent Fiscal Office's First Director Named
Matthew J. Knittel, a senior financial economist with the U.S. Department of Treasury, has been selected to serve as the first director of Pennsylvania's new Independent Fiscal Office, legislative leaders announced today.

8/29/11 - Senate Education Chair Reacts to Auditor General's Recommendations
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement today reacting to Auditor General Jack Wagner's recommendations as a result of a review of superintendent buyouts and announcing his intentions to pursue legislation addressing these recommendations.

8/25/11 - Senate Education Committee Hears Testimony on Chairmen's Charter School Bill
A bipartisan measure calling for ethical and fiscal accountability and governance to Pennsylvania's charter school movement was the subject of a public hearing today before the Senate Education Committee as the chairmen, Senators Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) and Andrew Dinniman (D-19), questioned the panel of testifiers on the need for their legislation, Senate Bill 904.

8/23/11 - Senate Education Committee Chair Comments on Resignation of Philadelphia Superintendent
State Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement today reacting to the resignation of Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.

8/18/11 - Senator Pileggi: First-Ever Pennsylvania Redistricting Website Unveiled
The first-ever website for redistricting in Pennsylvania has been unveiled, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) announced today. The site can be accessed at www.redistricting.state.pa.us.

8/16/11 - Senate Transportation Chair to Tour Port of Erie, GE Facility Wednesday and Thursday
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) will visit the Port of Erie at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, to learn more about the facility and speak with workers and employers there.

8/11/11 - Media Advisory: Senate Education Committee Announces Summer & Fall Hearing Schedule
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, has announced the panel's summer and fall public hearing schedule. 

8/4/11 - Hearing on UPMC-Highmark Dispute Set for Sept. 13
Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Chairman Senator Don White today announced his committee will hold a public hearing in McKeesport in September on the on-going dispute between UPMC and Highmark.

7/15/11 - Media Advisory: Senate Majority Policy Committee to Hold Hearing on Issues Facing Inner Ring Suburbs
The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), will hold a public hearing July 21 on issues facing "inner ring" suburbs in Pennsylvania.

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