Rep. Pugh introduces legislation addressing public benefits
Pugh, R-Dallas Township, said the legislation would address access to public benefits, and it stipulates that Pennsylvania's public benefits are not to be provided to anyone unlawfully present in this country.
"We are a nation of laws, and the various public assistance programs established by Pennsylvania are an agreement to support individuals and families who have lawfully joined our communities," Pugh said. "Extending these benefits to illegal immigrants violates the public's trust and cannot be justified, especially with our state facing daunting fiscal challenges."
Pugh said any person who attempts to obtain benefits without the proper citizenship verification would be subject to a third-degree felony.
"It is time to prioritize the well-being of Pennsylvania residents," Pugh said. "Those who live, work and pay taxes here deserve our support and attention. Let's ensure the benefits we provide go to those who truly need them and are here legally. Together, we can build a stronger Pennsylvania."
Pugh said residents are encouraged to follow the following link to see the bills and resolutions Pugh is supporting for the 2025-26 Legislative Session: https://bit.ly/4kJCpB4.
House Bill 931 was referred to the House Human Services Committee for consideration.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Growth, parking and small-town charm are at the heart of this Pierce County race
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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Teacher incentives, math education bills become law in Oklahoma
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Yahoo
03-06-2025
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Michigan Board of Education President Pamela Pugh (left) and Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Rice (right) listen to members of the Michigan House Oversight Committee on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis Two top officials with the Michigan Department of Education on Tuesday defended the current state of Michigan schools amid House Republican calls for dismantling the department and allusions to taking public education back to a time when literacy rates were at some of their lowest in modern American history. Board of Education President Pamela Pugh and Superintendent for Public Instruction Michael Rice appeared Tuesday before the Michigan House Oversight Committee, which included a lengthy presentation on the department's goals, its latest budget requests and some heavy back and forth between Republican lawmakers. Several Republican members of the committee, including its chair, Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), lambasted Pugh and Rice over low literacy rates and flailing math scores. Eventually, the specter of tearing down the department and starting anew with a department controlled closely by the Michigan Legislature materialized from Rep. Jaime Green (R-Richmond). Before dismantling the department became a topic of conversation, Rice and Pugh attempted to show the committee that schools, students and educators have been making progress in multiple ways to achieve Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Plan, which did include record achievement in several areas. Part of that forward progress was seen in the passage of new literacy and dyslexia laws, some of which were spearheaded by Greene, who worked closely with Rice to make that reality. Rice and Pugh extolled how much of a difference those laws will make in the screening of all children for dyslexia, for example. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The pair also praised the Legislature for increasing funding to public schools over the last few years, but said those budgets did not make up for decades of underinvestment in public schools a decade earlier. Pugh discussed some of the challenges currently facing schools and the effect disinvestment has had on public schools, not only on student needs and achievement, but also the state's teacher shortage. 'It is critical and crucial to understand that the challenges before us are not new,' Pugh said. 'They are the result of long standing policy decisions that prioritize cost-cutting over sustained investment in our children and our schools. Despite these challenges, the state Board of Education has remained resolute in our mission to reverse those harms and build an educational system that truly serves all Michigan students.' 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