On Wednesday, I joined a majority of my House colleagues in approving a $28.3 billion budget proposal that now heads to the state Senate for debate and consideration. Our balanced spending plan does not raise taxes and focuses on funding core government services. A final budget must be in place by June 30 and we expect to meet that deadline for the third consecutive year.
A bill that gives crime victims a voice during the parole process is now on the governor’s desk. House Bill 492, which I supported, would allow a victim or victim representative to appear personally before the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole and provide testimony in connection with an inmate’s application for parole.
We are also continuing our efforts to improve the laws that protect Pennsylvania kids from harm. The House has already approved a number of bills and this week, the House Children and Youth Committee advanced another package of bills aimed at strengthening laws pertaining to child abuse. The keystone of the package is House Bill 726, which would expand and enhance the definition of child abuse. The bills now head to the full House for consideration.