Replies

Win Against Human Trafficking in PA

Legislation to deal with the scourge of human trafficking was signed into law this week, and we salute the efforts of three excellent State Representatives in seeing these bills to completion:

HB 246, sponsored by Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny), prohibits defendants from introducing evidence of a victim’s past sexual victimization in any prosecution.
HB 843, sponsored by Rep. David Rowe (R-Union), requires human trafficking offenses to be considered in a parent’s bid for child custody.
HB 1147, sponsored by Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), requires those convicted of human trafficking to participate in sex offender treatment programs.

Losses...

Governor Wolf Vetoes Voting Reform Bill and Funding for Election Audits

In response to all the chaos and confusion surrounding the last election season, the Pennsylvania House and Senate passed a bill that would make it easier to vote and harder to cheat, through reforms that would require voter ID, uniformity across counties, and more.

Unfortunately, HB 1300, sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove (R-York), was vetoed by Governor Wolf this week, leaving our state without a forward-looking solution to all the election challenges we faced during the 2020 elections.

Also, election related: While Gov. Wolf signed the budget bill, he first line-item vetoed a provision to provide funding to create a Bureau of Election Audits under the Pennsylvania Auditor General. Lawmakers sought this provision to ensure future election integrity; Wolf said no.

Vaccine Passports Ban Vetoed by Wolf

Senate Bill 618, sponsored by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), was vetoed yesterday by Governor Wolf. SB 618 would have prohibited vaccine passports in Pennsylvania - allowing people the freedom from government intrusion into their personal medical decisions.