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 :51 | Download Bite :22

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.

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:39:00 EST Download Story :56 | Download Bite :29

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.

]]> Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:08:00 EST Download Story :58 | 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. 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.

]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:43:00 EST Download Story :49 | Download Bite :27

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.

]]> Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:07:00 EST Download Story :57 | Download Bite :32

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.

]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:09:00 EST Download Story :57 | Download Bite :29

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.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:37:00 EST Download Story :57 | Download Bite :33

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.

]]> Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:02:00 EST Download Story :61 | Download Bite :31

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...

]]> Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:57:00 EST Download Story :46 | Download Bite :25

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.

]]> Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:53:00 EST Download Story :59 | Download Bite :32

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.

]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:11:00 EST Download Story :55 | Download Bite :30

The war of words continues in Harrisburg with Governor Rendell continuing to insist that his proposal to spend more and raise income taxes is the only way to balance a state budget without threatening school funding or laying off large numbers of state employees. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) said that the Governor is wrong about education funding and that House Republicans are working to offer an alternative budget that would not hurt taxpayers or schools. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:55:00 EST Download Story :48 | Download Bite :29

A large number of House Republican lawmakers joined together in the state Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday to pledge to do what they can to prevent the tax increase being called for by Governor Rendell and House Democrat leaders. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said that the Governor’s use of scare tactics must end, and that the legislature can craft a budget that does not raise taxes. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:04:00 EST Download Story :47 | Download Bite :25

A coalition of thousands of sportsmen, gun owners and activists rallied in the state Capitol rotunda on Tuesday at the fourth annual Right to Keep and Bear Arms rally. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre & Mifflin) joined a large number of lawmakers in offering support for second amendment rights said recent proposals to increase state gun control laws would hurt law abiding citizens, not criminals. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:07:39 EST Download Story :50 | Download Bite :29

Lawmakers are reacting to Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposed $29 billion general fund budget as announced Wednesday in Harrisburg and are expressing their concern that despite a continuing recession and growing deficits, the new budget calls for even more state spending. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin County said he has some doubts about the increased spending in the Governor’s budget proposal. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:51:24 EST Download Bite :17

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are voicing their concern over how the proposed Federal stimulus funding that may be coming to state government will be utilized. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Center and Mifflin Counties said House Republicans want to be sure any new federal money is used for infrastructure projects that benefit the whole state, not to subsidize new or existing state programs...

]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:14:38 EST Download Story :38 | Download Bite :19

As the State House returns to legislative session, many lawmakers are expressing concern over the mounting budget deficit numbers being released by Gov. Rendell. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin Counties said House Republicans are not surprised with the growing red ink is state government and are looking for fiscally responsible solutions. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:32:36 EST Download Story :38 | Download Bite :17

A mid-year budget briefing was offered by Governor Rendell this week, giving lawmakers an insight into his proposals to close a projected $1.6 billion gap in this year’s state budget caused by sagging state tax revenue. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said that with such a large deficit, cuts to state programs must begin in earnest. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:49:09 EST Download Story :54 | 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. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin Counties said this move will damage efforts to keep costs down and boost access to healthcare in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:16:43 EST Download Story :39 | Download Bite :19

A plan to hire more Pennsylvania state police troopers this year may fall victim to the cost cutting plans of the Rendell administration as they react to a dramatic decrease in revenue flowing into state coffers. House Republicans like Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin Counties said spending cuts will be necessary but should not compromise public safety. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:26 EST Download Story :55 | Download Bite :24

Information for area homeowners who have concerns about household heating and alternative energy sources are invited to attend an Energy Expo on Thursday evening, hosted by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin Counties. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:47:11 EST Download Story :36 | Download Bite :18

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are working to soften the blow for electricity consumers who may face higher bills as electricity rates in Pennsylvania are deregulated over the next two years. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Center and Mifflin Counties said House Republicans have a plan to phase in the change to offer some relief for PA consumers. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

]]> Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:16:17 EST Download Story :55 | Download Cut :38

Legislation that would extend the caps on electricity rates for three more years was approved by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee on Tuesday. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) said Pennsylvanians must look for ways to reduce energy consumption, and find ways to increase capacity, while keeping prices in check. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Cut available.

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:49 EST Download Story :48 | Download Bite :29

Energy and conservation efforts are being highlighted at Ag Progress Days, held this week at Penn State’s Agricultural research center in Rock Springs Centre County. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin counties said among the new technologies showcased at the event is a process to utilize agricultural by-products to produce fuel . Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:50:19 EST Download Story :45 | Download Bite :32

Lawmakers negotiated through the weekend with administration officials in the state capitol to reach a handshake agreement on a $28.2 Billion dollar budget plan early on Monday morning. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre and Mifflin Counties said the budget deal does achieve many of the goals sought by House Republicans. Mike Davies reports...story and bite available.

]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:03:20 EST Download Story :52 | Download Bite :26

Legislation to authorize the sale of more than 1000 acres of land that is now part of the Rockview State Prison has been approved by the state House. Rep. Kerry Benninghoff of Centre County said that even though he initially opposed the sale, he was satisfied with the final product that included his amendments to ensure public access to the land, particularly for sportsmen. The bill, that would transfer the land ownership to Benner Township, Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, will now return to the Senate for concurrence. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

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