Here you will find audio clips about important events that have taken place during the current and past Legislative Sessions. en Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST HouseRep RSS v1.0 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Download Story :57 | Download Bite :33

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. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said he believes the state should be looking to reduce spending before searching for ways to increase revenues. Mike Davies Reports – Story and Bite available.

]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:47:00 EST Download Story :56 | Download Bite :32

A conference committee compromise version of gaming expansion legislation was narrowly approved Wednesday by the state House. The bill would legalize table gaming at the state’s existing slots casinos and would create at least one additional resort gaming license in the future. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said he feels the bill fails to provide needed reforms to gaming oversight or provide additional property tax relief for Pennsylvania homeowners. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:50:00 EST Download Story :50 | Download Bite :28

While the budget game continues in Harrisburg, legislation that could be the vehicle for welfare reforms that would eliminate fraud and abuse and save Pennsylvania taxpayers millions remain stalled and have yet to come before the full House for a vote. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), sponsor of a welfare reform amendment said House Republicans are interested in addressing the known problems of fraud waste and abuse in the welfare system. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:09:00 EST Download Story :36 | Download PSA:28

A special event is scheduled for area seniors this week by Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming). “I’d like to invite senior citizens from the Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Susquehanna county area to attend a Senior Expo I will be hosting with Senator Gene Yaw on September 15 at the Lycoming Mall from 10 AM until 3 PM. At this free event, you can find information on a wide variety government programs for seniors, as well as information on healthcare, insurance, estate planning and other services important to older Pennsylvanians. Free health screenings will also be available. For more information contact my office at 546-2084 or 398-4476.”

]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST Download Story :54 | Download Bite :27

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. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said he feels the Governor and House Democrats are trading one set of hostages for another in order to obtain a tax increase. Mike Davies reports...

]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:46:00 EST Download RT :51 | Download Bite :30

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. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said that House Republicans have found a way to provide a balanced budget, which would continue to fund education, without a Personal Income Tax increase. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:50:00 EST Download Story :57 | Download Bite :37

As the state begins another year without a spending plan, lawmakers in Harrisburg are expressing concern that House Democrats are continuing to refuse to bring the Governor’s budget plan to the House floor for a vote. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said the Governor’s continuing threats to lay off workers and demands for higher spending and new taxes are causing the delay in consideration of a new state budget. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:07:00 EST Download Story -:48 | Download Bite :26

The budget continues to be almost the only news from Harrisburg as Governor Rendell continues to try to sell a personal tax boost to support his budget plan that calls for increased spending at a time when the state faces a $3 billion deficit. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said that the Governor’s supposed spending cuts have actually amounted to a billion dollar increase in spending over last year. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:14:00 EST Download Story :45 | Download Bite :20

Natural gas drillers and lawmakers concerned with the economic future of Pennsylvania joined in calling for no new taxes on the fledgling Marcellus Shale Natural Gas production industry Wednesday in Harrisburg. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said lawmakers want to protect the growing gas drilling industry and Pennsylvania’s economy from the negative effects of Governor Rendell’s proposed severance tax on gas production. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available

]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:10:00 EST Download Story :48 | Download Bite :24

Dozens of Republican lawmakers have joined a call for House Democrat leaders to get down to work on the state budget and use the legislative committee structure to actually discuss needed budget cuts before the June 30th constitutional deadline. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said the call for early and careful consideration of this year’s state budget would allow for increased participation in the budget process by both legislators and the public. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:49:09 EST Download Story :55 | Download Bite :27

A plan that would expand the amount of state forest land available for natural gas drilling, share an estimated $260 million in revenue with local governments and help to create new private sector jobs in Pennsylvania’s emerging Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling industry was introduced this week in Harrisburg. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said the Energize PA initiative is a better alternative to the Governor’s proposed severance tax that will hurt the industry and stifle economic growth. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:04:47 EST Download Story :55 | Download Bite :31

The renewal of funding for the state’s MCARE program to help doctors pay for medical malpractice insurance was the goal of many lawmakers this week in Harrisburg as the legislative voting session winds down. House Republicans tried to force MCARE legislation to the House floor on Tuesday, only to have the effort stymied by House Democrats who are holding out for the Governor’s state subsidized healthcare plan. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said this move shows House Democrat Leaders are not interested in helping to keep doctors practicing in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:58:43 EST Download Story :55 | Download Cut :33

Thanks to a new state law, gift vouchers for hunting and fishing licenses will be available in Pennsylvania for the first time. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) said that this will provide an opportunity for experienced sportsmen and women to share their love of the outdoors with a new generation. The vouchers will be available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and their licensing agents. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Cut available.

]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:47:19 EST Download Story :44 | Download Bite :17

Lawmakers worked through the weekend in the state capitol, waiting for some sign of progress in negotiations that might lead to the possibility of an on-time budget for the state of Pennsylvania. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said House Republicans are trying to hold the line on state spending while the Rendell Administration attempts to force through new programs without allowing full debate on their merits. Mike Davies reports...story and bite available.

]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:43:28 EST Download Story :46 | Download Bite :24

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are continuing to work through the weekend, waiting for the conclusion of last minute negotiations with the Rendell administration so they can vote on a new state spending plan. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said House Republicans are glad that some progress is being made, but have reservations about Democrat attempts to tap the state’s rainy day fund to increase state spending. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:08:21 EST Download Story :42 | Download Bite :24

Lawmakers in Harrisburg were quick to react on Thursday to the Supreme Court Decision that upholds the second amendment right of citizens to keep and bear arms. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said the court decision will help to settle the debate about enacting restrictive gun control laws in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:31:08 EST Download Story :51 | Download Bite :24

Lawmakers spoke out Tuesday in the state capitol against the Governor’s threatened furlough of thousands of state workers if agreement on a new state budget is not reached by the June 30th fiscal deadline. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said legislation is in the works to prevent the Governor from declaring layoffs for state personnel he characterizes as “Non-essential.” Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:44:53 EST Download Story :61 | Download Bite :47

The Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan and how it will affect water treatment plants and consumers in the Susquehanna River drainage area was the topic of a House Republican Policy Committee hearing held Wednesday in Williamsport. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County co-chaired the hearing where representatives of local sewer and water authorities as well as state officials testified about the possible costs of the proposed bay cleanup plan. Everett said serious questions were raised about the effectiveness of spending hundreds of millions on water treatment plant improvements when the real cause of the problem appears to be agricultural runoff. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Thu, 01 May 2008 00:21:54 EST Download Story :59 | Download Bite :26

Legislators are calling for property tax reform legislation that was extensively debated last week to be returned to the House voting calendar for consideration. Democrat House Majority Leader Bill Deweese removed the bills from the voting calendar after an amendment to eliminate property taxes for low income senior citizens was approved in a bi-partisan vote. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said the move to shut down debate is unfair to House members and Pennsylvania homeowners. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:06:07 EST Download Story :58 | Download Cut :29

Tax Relief for Pennsylvania seniors is the focus of legislation now being considered by the State House. The bill was amended to offer low income senior citizens complete relief from school property taxes. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) says this proposal helps those Pennsylvanians who are most in need of relief. Mike Davies reports. Story and bite available.

]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:47:09 EST Download Story :55 | Download Bite :30

As the Pennsylvania House moves into the final voting sessions of the year, House Republicans are asking when the legislature will move on a number of issues that are crucial to the citizens of the Commonwealth. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County says he feels frustrated with House inaction on issues that are meaningful in his district. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:04:31 EST Download Story :48 | Download Bite :15

A package of legislation designed to protect the business and medical communities from frivolous lawsuits was unveiled Monday by House Republicans. Former Governor Dick Thornburgh joined Republican lawmakers at the Capitol on Monday to support the package of bills aimed at reducing the abuse of lawsuits in PA. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County said the reforms will put Pennsylvania on par with other states. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:43:05 EST Download Story :59 | Download Cut :29

Legislation to ban the use of aluminum bats by little leaguers and school baseball and softball teams in PA was the topic of a hearing held Thursday by the House Children and Youth Committee. Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), whose district encompasses the home of the Little League World Series, speaks out against this bill. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:32:03 EST Download Story 1:02 | Download Bite :34

A move by House Republicans to avert another state government shutdown and bring a stop-gap funding bill to the House floor for a vote was defeated Friday evening in Harrisburg. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County led the effort and said the stop-gap bill may be necessary due to a constitutional barrier to state spending that would take effect early next week. House Democrats voted to block consideration of the stop-gap spending bill as the budget process grinds on in the state capitol with a final vote on a budget bill possibly days away. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available

]]> Sat, 14 Jul 2007 22:07:48 EST Download Story :53 | Download Bite :28

The state budget impasse continues in Harrisburg with the Governor imposing a government shutdown that will put 26,000 state workers on the street. Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County led an unsuccessful attempt this weekend to move a stop-gap funding bill onto the floor for a vote in order to avoid the Governor’s threatened government shutdown. Mike Davies reports...story and bite available.

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