polk-center

Wolf vetoes bill blocking Pa.’s planned shutdown of two centers for the intellectually disabled

BY: - February 12, 2020

(*This piece has been updated to include comment from Sens. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne; Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, and Scott Hutchinson, whose districts include the affected residential centers) As expected, Gov. Tom Wolf has run his veto pen across a bill that would have blocked him — and his eventual successor — from unilaterally shutting down any […]

Polk-home

Wolf’s budget earmarks $5M in aid to communities hit by prison, residential center shutdowns

BY: - February 11, 2020

The centers employ hundreds of Pennsylvanians, often in rural areas. But they're expensive. Which means they're the first on the chopping block.

Polk-home

Wolf underlines veto threat as divided Pa. Senate passes bill blocking admin effort to shutter two centers for the intellectually disabled

BY: - January 27, 2020

The Pennsylvania Senate passed the legislation, from Sen. John Yudichak, I-Luzerne, 28-21 in a near-party line vote.

Facing veto threat, Pa. House approves bill blocking Wolf from closing centers for the intellectually disabled

BY: - January 15, 2020

The chamber’s 139-55 vote on Wednesday afternoon split both Republicans and Democrats, but reached the two-thirds majorities needed to overcome Wolf’s veto promise. 

Polk-home

As debate rages, Wolf says he will veto attempts to stop Polk and White Haven shutdown

BY: - December 17, 2019

Gov. Tom Wolf has promised to veto a bill that would overturn his administration’s decision to shutter two state facilities that care for the intellectually disabled. Wolf first made the promise in a private Nov. 19 letter to the Philadelphia chapter of ADAPT, a disability rights group, and it was reiterated by a spokesperson Tuesday. […]

COMMENTARY

Pa. Senate bill keeping Polk, White Haven centers open has serious flaws. This is why | Opinion

BY: - December 3, 2019

The provisions of Yudichak's bull will force thousands of people with intellectual disabilities to go without services.