May. 24, 2016 Download
Gun owners from across the Commonwealth as well as pro-Second Amendment state lawmakers joined together in the state capitol rotunda on Tuesday for the Rally to Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms. For ten years the annual grassroots event has highlighted Second Amendment rights and served as a platform for citizens to lobby for the passage of legislation to protect the firearms rights of Pennsylvania citizens. Comments are available from Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette & Westmoreland), who was among the featured speakers at the event.
Mar. 23, 2016 Download
Three pieces of legislation designed to address problems arising from an influx of illegal immigrants in Pennsylvania have been introduced in Harrisburg. Lawmakers introduced bills to tackle issues regarding sanctuary cities, employment, and public benefit distribution. House Bill 1894 would require all Commonwealth employers to confirm workers’ Social Security Numbers through the federal E-Verify program, ensuring employees are eligible to work. House Bill 1885 would force municipalities that operate as “Sanctuary Cities” for illegal immigrants to take responsibility for illegals’ criminal actions. And House Bill 237 would prevent those who are here illegally from collecting public benefits.
Mar. 17, 2016 Download
Lawmakers took action Wednesday in the state capitol to provide essential funding for the remainder of the 2015/2016 state budget. The current year’s fiscal plan remains unresolved due to the Governor’s line-item vetoes of more than $6 billion for basic and higher education, as well as corrections and agriculture programs. The supplemental budget bill approved by the House and Senate would address the funding holes created by the Governor’s vetoes and restore state funding. The legislation provides for a 200 million dollar increase for basic education lines, a 5 percent increase for higher education, and ensures that no schools will be forced to close in the Commonwealth. Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette & Westmoreland) said it is well past time to complete the state budget and he hopes the governor will stop holding schools hostage and sign the legislation.
Mar. 17, 2016 Download
Lawmakers in Harrisburg took the next step toward legalization of Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania on Wednesday with the passage of an amended version of Senate Bill 3, which would allow for the use of cannabis in order to treat specific ailments. The legislation outlines how marijuana-related organizations will be regulated, and establishes an advisory board charged with reviewing Commonwealth law related to the production and distribution of prescription cannabis Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette, Westmoreland) said he supported the bill and hopes that this will help reduce prescription painkiller addiction. Senate Bill 3 now returns to the Senate for concurrence of the amendments made by the House.
Feb. 10, 2016 Download
Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette & Westmoreland) offered his reaction to Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending proposal for fiscal year 2016-17, which was announced Tuesday in an address before a joint session of the General Assembly. The governor’s budget plan would increase taxes on working Pennsylvanians and employers by $3.6 billion and spending by 10 percent, or $3 billion, and calls for $33.3 billion in total spending. To support his proposed spending plan the governor has proposed 15 new tax increases, including a retroactive increase in the Personal Income Tax on Pennsylvania workers.