Apr. 28, 2021 Download
Rep. Rob Kauffman was a guest on KDKA on April 28, 2021.
Oct. 24, 2019 Download
The Pennsylvania House has begun to move a package of bills designed to help reinforce Pennsylvania’s ailing volunteer fire and emergency medical services companies. The Helpers and Heroes Package addresses an alarming decline in emergency services volunteers over recent years.
Apr. 17, 2019 Download
A package of bills designed to support and empower crime victims has been passed by the Pennsylvania House. Lawmakers gathered for a press conference on Wednesday to highlight legislation that gives victims a greater voice in the Commonwealth. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle came together to achieve landmark legislation that would enhance victims’ rights, provide children and those with intellectual disabilities safer means of testifying against abusers, and address statutes of limitations regarding child sexual abuse.
Apr. 11, 2018 Download
Working to protect potential victims and ensure Pennsylvania has the most effective laws to address sexual and workplace-related harassment, members of the House Republican leadership team – Reps. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) and Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) – along with victim advocate Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) and House Labor and Industry chairman Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) today unveiled new legislation to further safeguard employees. The proposals would create a task force to investigate the laws, practices and procedures surrounding harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace; and direct the Joint State Government Commission to comprehensively review anti-harassment and discrimination laws and policies affecting Commonwealth employees. Rep. Kauffman offered the following comments at a capitol press conference on the proposed legislation.
Jan. 23, 2018 Download
House Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to strengthen the fight against Pennsylvania’s opioid crisis by reducing the over-prescription of addictive painkilling drugs in the state’s Workers’ Compensation system. According to recent nationwide studies, Pennsylvania is the second highest state in the number and amount of opioid drugs prescribed per claim. To address this problem, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (Lehigh & Berks), has authored House Bill 18 that would require the Department of Labor and Industry to adopt changes to the official state formulary of medicines that may be prescribed for those within the Workers’ Compensation program. Currently, 21 states, including New York and California, have altered their drug formulary lists for health care payment systems to limit the use of opioids, and those states have significantly reduced the number of injured workers dependent on opioid painkillers.
House Labor and Industry Committee Chair Rep. Rob Kauffman(R-Franklin) offers his comments on the legislation.
Mar. 22, 2017 Download
A package of legislation designed to protect the rights and freedoms of employees in Pennsylvania was introduced in Harrisburg on Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Open Workforce Initiative package of bills would give employees the right to opt in or out of union membership and would prevent compulsory or “fair-share” union dues by employees who may not support the political activities of their industry’s union.
Mar. 13, 2017 Download
A package of bills designed to reduce illegal immigration curtail the government incentives that draw noncitizen aliens to Pennsylvania was unveiled on Monday in Harrisburg. The National Security Begins at Home package of bills would mandate employer compliance with the national E-Verify program, introduce penalties for those who knowingly employ illegal aliens, and require state and local law enforcement compliance with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
Mar. 16, 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 money for the Department of Corrections and agriculture programs. The House and Senate put forth the supplemental budget legislation to address funding holes created by the Governor’s vetoes and restore state funding for these programs. The funding bill approved today provides for a 200 million dollar increase for basic education, a 5 percent increase for higher education, and ensures that no schools will close in the Commonwealth. Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin & Cumberland) said it is past time to complete the budget before local schools and other programs are forced to close their doors.
Feb. 09, 2016 Download
House lawmakers offered their reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending proposal for fiscal year 2016-17, which he announced today 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.