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| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
Marsy’s Law
The Senate has passed Marsy’s Law, which seeks voters’ approval on providing crime victims with a bill of their rights in the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Authored by Rep. Delozier, House Bill 276 would change the state Constitution and ensure crime victims receive information about their rights; receive notification of proceedings in their criminal cases; be present at court hearings; be heard at plea and sentencing proceedings; and be treated with fairness, respect and dignity.
Since it is a constitutional change, the language in Marsy’s Law legislation needed to pass in two consecutive sessions of the Pennsylvania General Assembly (first as Senate Bill 1011 and now as House Bill 276). It can now be placed as a referendum question on ballots for voters to decide in the November 2019 election.
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California. She was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983, then, just days later, her mother and brother were confronted by the accused murderer in a grocery store. They were unaware the defendant had been released on bail.
To honor his sister, Henry Nicholas has made it his life’s mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights.
Victims and their families deserve to be informed and heard as part of restorative justice.
The Senate passed House Bill 276 on Wednesday on a 50-0 vote. The House passed it 190-8 in April.
Taxpayers Deserve Better Budgeting Practices
Respecting the taxpayers who foot the bill for the annual state budget, House Republicans took the lead this week in adopting several measures to bring more transparency to the budget process.
To help limit “supplemental” spending beyond what is approved in each year’s budget, House Bill 855 would require the secretary of the budget to project revenue shortfalls for the fiscal year starting in December and put that amount of money in budgetary reserve to ensure the budget is balanced at the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, House Bill 923 would require the governor to explain the reasons for any supplemental spending requests and offer recommendations for cost-savings or other reforms to address the cause.
My bill, House Bill 922, would not only require annual reports on federal mandates, but also require the governor to present legislative language in his annual budget proposal for changes being proposed.
Other reform measures would require the administration to provide quarterly reports on funding committed and awarded through special funds that provide grants and subsidies (House Bill 921), and update budget procedures related to unspent appropriations and how those amounts are dealt with at the close of a fiscal year (House Bill 920).
The bills are part of the House Republican Caucus' #GovtDoneRight initiative and now go to the Senate for consideration. To learn more, click here.
Boosting PA Agriculture, Dairy Farmers
The focus on supporting our state’s top industry continued this week with House approval of several bills to help carry on our agriculture traditions for future generations and a Capitol rally in support of two federal bills aimed to boost the dairy industry.
The House gave overwhelming approval to measures that would ensure a quick state-level response to threats such as invasive species or disease; establish the Dairy Investment Program to provide grants to support dairy farmers; create a Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center to help farmers develop a business plan, transition plan or succession plan; enhance youth exposure to opportunities in the agriculture industry; and empower the State Conservation Commission to provide technical assistance and financing options for implementing best management practices.
We also approved bills that would boost enrollment in the veteran farmer Homegrown by Heroes program, provide specialty crop block grants and aid with meat inspection costs for small or new processors.
Also on Tuesday, dairy farmers and advocates from across the Commonwealth gathered in the Capitol rotunda to rally support for two bills pending action in Congress that would help the dairy industry as well as our children.
The “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019” would allow flavored and unflavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias to give students more choice, while the Dairy PRIDE Act would protect the integrity of dairy products by calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce existing labeling requirements for milk. Essentially, non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds and plants could no longer be marketed as milk, yogurt or cheese.
The rally followed a meeting of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee in which committee members heard from two members of the state’s congressional delegation about the bills and also unanimously approved resolutions endorsing the measures.
Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer has officially arrived, and that means it’s also Pennsylvania fair season.
From June through September, communities across the Commonwealth will host more than 100 fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
To make your fair planning easier, the Department of Agriculture is offering an interactive Fair Guide this year that will allow you to search for your favorite events through the “Find Fairs Near Me” tool or filters that narrow down fairs by county, month or date.
Click here to use the interactive tool.
Printed copies of the 2019 Pennsylvania Fair Guide are also available at my district office 2929 Gettysburg Road in Lower Allen Township.
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| Committee Updates |
Monday, June 17
Judiciary Committee
The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
Senate Bill 500 (Baker) – county adult probation and parole advisory committee
Senate Bill 501 (Killion) – improving sentencing process
Senate Bill 502 (Bartolotta) – amend Crime Victims Act
Consumer Affairs Committee
The committee held a voting meeting on House Bill 1400 (Farry) – wireless small cell siting
Thursday, June 20
Majority Policy Committee
The Majority Policy Committee toured Broad Street Market and discussed food deserts, which are urban areas without access to high-quality, fresh food.
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| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
• At Naturalization Court in Carlisle last Friday, 44 people became the newest citizens of our country and community. I gave them a voter registration form, a district map and brochures about services state government provides. Welcome to our new citizens!
• I joined Pa. Sen. Mike Regan at his veterans appreciation breakfast Friday in Camp Hill, where we shared our gratitude for those who served. Thank you to our veterans!
• Rep. Jordan Harris and I were interviewed Monday by Hill.TV about criminal justice reform efforts in Pennsylvania.
• We had mostly sunny skies for Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg borough Thursday. Thanks to the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce for coordinating the largest one-day street fair on the East Coast. My booth had quite a bit of Pennsylvania government information available to those who stopped by while checking out the fair.
• We cut ribbons to welcome two new businesses, Madame Blueberries and Gallery on Bridge, to New Cumberland borough. They offer really sharp-looking home décor. Best wishes to these stores!
• We were visited this week in the Capitol by participants in Keystone Boys State and Keystone Girls State. In these programs through Pennsylvania American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, participants learn leadership and citizenship. I loved meeting the 2019 participants, especially the juniors from Cedar Cliff and Mechanicsburg Area high schools.
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| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 107 Ryan Office Building, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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