gene-yaw
Pa. Senate committee advances proposed fireworks reform
With proposed reform moving through the Republican-controlled Legislature this month, Pennsylvania could soon see new limits on fireworks.
Pennsylvania oil lobby keeps abandoned wells unplugged
The oil and gas industry could jeopardize federal funding to clean up the state’s thousands of abandoned and leaking wells.
Efforts to change Pa. fireworks law haven’t fizzled out. House, Senate committees to hear feedback
The House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs committees will hold a joint hearing to discuss fireworks regulations, which have prompted safety concerns across the commonwealth since the state legalized their sale and use in 2017.
Pa. Sen. Gene Yaw announces plans for legislation to tax, regulate ‘skill games’
Some want so-called "skill games" banned, arguing that they result in millions of dollars lost by the Pennsylvania Lottery and casino industry each year, one Republican state lawmaker — who considers them a lifesaver for businesses — wants to tax the machines.
After telling constituents to ‘get over it,’ GOP senator proposes changing Pa. fireworks law
Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, is now open to changing Pennsylvania's fireworks law.
An ‘energy choice’ bill has some lawmakers worried local government could lose power
Though it's dubbed an “energy choice” bill, a proposal now before the state Senate has lawmakers worried that Pennsylvania municipalities will lose some power over local decisions.
With election results unresolved, General Assembly delays internal leadership elections
With a number of key legislative races still undecided amid the slow count of mail-in ballots, some of the internal elections to decide who will lead the four partisan caucuses in the House and Senate have been delayed. A week after each election, state lawmakers traditionally return to the Capitol to pick which of their […]
‘We can’t ask any questions:’ Environmental official gets OK from Senate committee over pipeline objections
A committee advanced Secretary Patrick McDonnell’s nomination to the full Senate, over the objections of Sens. Andrew Dinniman, D-Chester, and Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery.
Top environmental official’s reconfirmation hearing delayed over pipeline concerns
This story was updated on Tuesday, April 30 to include a statement from a DEP spokesperson. A state Senate committee postponed a planned confirmation hearing for one of Pennsylvania’s top environmental officials, after a bipartisan group of lawmakers raised concerns about his agency’s involvement in controversial gas pipeline project. The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy […]
In call to arms for environmental action, Wolf and lawmakers name Eastern hellbender state amphibian
No, a live hellbender did not attend the ceremony.
State senator wants to block sale of Pa.-produced natural gas to anti-fracking neighbors
As Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry has boomed, neighboring states including New York, New Jersey, and Maryland have taken steps to curtail gas drilling and infrastructure. Now, a state senator wants to prevent them from purchasing gas produced in Pennsylvania. Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, announced at a […]
Six Pa. House members voted against naming the Eastern hellbender the state amphibian. Why?
After two years of inter-chamber warfare, the Pennsylvania House voted Tuesday to make the Eastern hellbender, a foot-long salamander native to the Keystone state’s creeks and streams, the commonwealth’s official amphibian. The proposal originated in the Senate, where it was introduced by Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, last year at the urging of students to bring […]