Community Corner
This Week in Harrisburg
This week at the Capitol, a special House committee held its fourth and final hearing to examine how to keep students and teachers safe in Pennsylvania’s schools while balancing a quality environment for learning. The committee’s recommendations are due by Sept. 30.
In addition, the 2013-14 state budget contained more money for safe school initiatives. The General Assembly also recently approved priority funding for school districts that hire retired police officers who have completed special training on dealing with students.
Also this week, the House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing at the Capitol to focus on current procedures for firearm background checks. The committee heard testimony from the state police, CeaseFirePA and several gun retailers. Information was presented on both improving Pennsylvania’s system and expanding the state’s current background checks for handgun and long gun purchases to also include private gun transactions.