State House Returns to Session Next Week

Members of the House of Representatives return to the state Capitol on Monday for the fall session. Several important issues will be on our agenda, including pro-jobs measures and pension reform. In addition, we will continue to work to find funding for much-needed repairs to the state’s roads and bridges, while also working to ensure any plan does not substantially increase the burden for taxpayers. For the latest legislative news, visit RepSimmons.com or PAHouseGOP.com. 
 
In other news, the House Labor and Industry Committee met in Johnstown this week to conduct the third in a series of public hearings to discuss updates to Pennsylvania’s outdated Prevailing Wage Act. Testifiers included township managers, supervisors, a county commissioner, a city manager and union officials. The act requires municipalities and school districts to pay the “prevailing minimum wage” to workers on public construction projects, often resulting in inflated costs for taxpayers. Learn more.
    
Did you know that Pennsylvania now has a work-search requirement as a condition of eligibility to receive unemployment compensation (UC) benefits? Residents must register through Pennsylvania Career Link and conduct an active search for work within 30 days of filing an application. 

Enforcement of the requirement will begin with new UC applications filed on or after Aug. 19, 2013. Anyone failing to register by the 21st day will receive a letter reminding them they are required to register. Claimants who fail to register will be disqualified  from UC benefits unless they qualify for an exemption.