A weekly summary of important events on Capitol Hill provided by Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne)

House Transportation Committee Begins Series of Hearings on Funding Solutions

House Transportation Committee Chairmen Rep. Rick Geist (R-Blair) and Rep. Joseph Markosek (D-Allegheny/ Westmoreland) have begun a series of hearings to discuss ways to raise revenue to support maintenance and repairs to Pennsylvania’s existing highway, bridge and public transit systems, and to focus on ways to develop sustainable transportation funding sources for the future.  The first hearing featured testimony from the PA Secretary of Transportation, a representative from the Transportation Advisory Committee and testifiers from PennDOT Districts 8 and 9.  Testifiers indicated that $3.5 billion should be spent annually for transportation and that current spending levels are merely maintaining the state’s infrastructure.  More hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.  For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com.

Castle Doctrine Voted out of Committee

Legislation allowing citizens to defend themselves and their families while in their homes or occupied vehicles has been voted out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 22-4.  Rep. Scott Perry (R-York/Cumberland) authored House Bill 40, known as the “Castle Doctrine,” to ensure an individual’s right to self-defense.  The bill, which I have co-sponsored, creates a presumption that if an attacker or intruder intends to inflict great bodily harm using force, the intended victim may respond using deadly force, if necessary, to protect oneself, their family and others in the face of an attack.  The legislation also offers specific protection against civil liability for the lawful use of force in self-defense.  House Bill 40 now goes before the full House for consideration.  For the latest news, visit PAHouseGOP.com.