Rep. Benninghoff's Bill to Require ID for Sponsors of Political Robo-Calls Passes PA House - 3/17/2010
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Legislation to close a loophole in state law that has allowed anonymous political ‘Robo-Calls’ to be directed at Pennsylvania voters has been approved this week by the state House. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) Republican Chairman of the House State Government Committee said his bill would for the first time give citizens the right to know who is behind these automated political calls that often interrupt the dinner hour in Pennsylvania households around election time. Benninghoff’s bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on Robocall Legislation - 3/9/2010
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Legislation to close a loophole in state law that allows Pennsylvania voters to be deluged by anonymous political "robo-calls" is moving forward in the state House. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre, Mifflin), Republican chairman of the House State Government Committee, said his bill would, for the first time, give citizens the right to know who is behind these automated calls. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on Governor's Budget Address - 2/9/2010
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Governor Rendell proposed nearly a billion dollars in new state spending during his budget address Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly in Harrisburg. Details of the plan include a broadening of state sales and business taxes to help pay for a predicted increase of state expenses in the coming years. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (Centre) said state government should be looking for ways to decrease spending instead of increasing taxes. Mike Davies Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on "Healthcare Freedom" Rally in Harrisburg - 1/27/2010
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House lawmakers joined hundreds of citizens at a “Health Care Freedom” rally Wednesday in the state capitol to support new legislation that would to help prevent a future takeover of Pennsylvania’s health care system by the federal government. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) said he feels these bills are a reaction to a desire by Pennsylvania citizens to have control over their own health care without intervention from the federal government. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Says University Funding Should Not be Tied to Gaming Expansion - 12/9/2009
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As the Pennsylvania House prepares to debate expanding gambling to include table games, many lawmakers are voicing concern with a last minute rewrite of the legislation which has left no time to study or even read the actual bill. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) said he feels the bill should not be rushed and that House Democrats are unjustified in holding funding for state related universities like Penn State hostage until the bill is passed. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on Efforts to Move Budget as Committee of the Whole - 9/10/2009
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In an effort to end the budget stalemate which has now drawn into its third month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are proposing a temporary rule which would require the House to convene session each day until a budget is passed. The House would meet as a Committee of the Whole, a parliamentary procedure which would allow each House member to have a say in the budget negotiation process. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said that budget negotiations have stalled, and that it is time to give rank and file members a voice in the budget process. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Proposes Committee of the Whole to Resolve Budget Crisis - 9/8/2009
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With a final version of a state budget still not in sight, House lawmakers are calling for unconventional methods to find a solution to the state's financial crisis. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre, Mifflin) is a proponent of a parliamentary procedure that would allow the full House of Representatives to be directly involved with the development of a final budget. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff - Democrats Say No to Responsible Budget Plan - 8/3/2009
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The state House on Monday advanced a stopgap budget bill that may solve the problem of thousands of state workers getting no paychecks, but lawmakers are concerned about the Governor’s stated intention to line item veto most important spending programs, a move that would shift the financial pressure but continue Pennsylvania’s budget crisis. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) said the House had an opportunity to pass a bi-partisan and responsible state budget, but the Governor and House Democrats are choosing to prolong the budget process and hold out for a tax increase. Mike Davies reports...
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on Differing Budget Proposals - 7/15/2009
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Competing budget plans are lined up for consideration this week in the State House. Republican lawmakers are expressing their concern that the most recent plan offered by House Democrats fails to fully meet the needs of the Commonwealth. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said that he supports the House Republican budget plan which includes funding for higher education, and doesn’t raise personal income taxes. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Benninghoff Comments on Defeat of Gov's Tax Increase Proposal - 7/9/2009
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House Republican lawmakers celebrated a partial victory in the state budget battle on Thursday as Republican Leader Sam Smith declared the defeat of Governor Rendell’s proposed personal income tax hike. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R- Centre & Mifflin) said House Republicans are pleased, but remain anxious to introduce their amendment to help fix the budget legislation when it finally hits the House floor next week for consideration.