Latest news with #Mehaffie
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hershey Kiss one step closer to becoming Pennsylvania state candy as Senate votes on bill
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — The Hershey Kiss is one step closer to becoming the official state candy of the Commonwealth after a previously introduced bill moves to the Senate. A bill originally introduced by Representative Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin) has moved into the Senate after passing through the Pennsylvania House. Mehaffie argued in his bill that the Hershey Kiss is 'an iconic product' that was first produced in the Commonwealth in 1907. The Representative highlighted that the Hershey Kiss is recognizable worldwide and brings significant importance to Pennsylvania. The Hershey Co. employs almost 19,000 people, and the founder, Milton Hershey, used the Kiss as the foundation for a product line and manufacturing process that strengthened the region's economy. Peeps vs. Hershey Kiss: What should be the next Pennsylvania candy 'We believe that denoting Hershey's Kisses as the state candy will not only bring more attention to our state, but also commemorate a company and candy that has forever impacted our state's economy and values,' The bill reads. In April, Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh, Northampton) argued that Peeps, which are also produced in Pennsylvania, should also be in the running for the next state candy. Boscola noted that the impact of the marshmallow candy goes beyond the aisle, with Peeps representing a longstanding commitment to community and economic development. Boscola's legislation was never officially introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate; only a memo was circulated to her peers. Mehaffie's legislation will now be voted on by committees in the Senate before being sent for an official floor vote. If passed, the bill would then be sent to Governor Josh Shapiro's desk for consideration and signing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could the Hershey Kiss become the state candy for Pennsylvania?
Could the classic Hershey Kiss chocolate drop become the official state candy of Pennsylvania? Here's where the process stands on the state officially adopting the Hershey Kiss. Published reports indicate the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on Tuesday, May 13, in favor of a bill designating the Hershey Kiss as the official state candy of Pennsylvania. House BIll 1030 pointed out the history of Hershey founder Milton Hershey and the impact the candy has had on Pennsylvania's economy. "Hershey's supports many aspects of this Commonwealth's economy, including supporting this Commonwealth's proud dairy industry for more than 125 years through the company's use of fresh dairy milk that surrounds the company's chocolate factories," read a portion of HB 1030. "The globally beloved legacy of Milton Hershey and the products he created transformed Hershey into a tourist destination for visitors from around the world." HB 1030 now goes to the Pennsylvania State Senate. State Rep. Thomas Mehaffie sponsored HB 1030, and Reps. Kristin Marcell and Perry Warren were the cosponsors. Mehaffie said the idea to make the Hershey Kiss the official state candy came from a Bucks County classroom project. "A group of dedicated young Pennsylvanians formed a committee, researched Pennsylvania's confection history, and drafted a bill to establish Hershey's Kisses as the first-in-the-nation state candy," read Mehaffie's memo. "We believe that denoting Hershey's Kisses as the state candy will not only bring more attention to our state and promote tourism, but also commemorate a company and candy that has forever impacted our state's economy and values." Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Could the Hershey Kiss become the state candy for Pennsylvania?
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmakers pass election reform bill; Senate Republicans balk on voter ID
(WHTM) — Democrats in the State House and Republicans in the State Senate continue to pass legislation they know is unacceptable to the other chamber and has no chance of becoming law. The most recent example, an election reform bill full of Democratic priorities that ignores the GOP's biggest request. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The State House passed an election reform bill that would allow pre-canvassing and curing of mail-in ballots, drop boxes, and early voting. The most powerful Democrat sponsored it. 'House Bill 1396 is a commonsense measure to improve the way Pennsylvania conducts our elections,' said Democratic Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton. The bill didn't address voter ID and didn't get a single Republican vote. 'We're working on the voter ID bill,' said Rep. Thomas Mehaffie (R-Dauphin). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Rep. Mehaffie's House Bill 771 would require an ID to vote, but expands what's acceptable. 'You can bring in a utility bill, different forms of ID from all parts of government, federal, state, and county government,' said Mehaffie. Bill 771 would also let those without an ID sign an affidavit, with penalties for those who falsify. 'If you don't have anything or you refuse to sign the affidavit, then you've got to vote provisionally,' said Mehaffie. 'That's the failsafe in all of this.' A failsafe, Mehaffie says, so courts don't rule it unconstitutional for disenfranchising voters, but some Democrats say too restrictive. 'You should be able to go and do your constitutional right to vote and not have to have impediments, said Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia). 'We should be making voting easier, not harder.' Not restrictive enough for some Republicans, which kept it from a House vote. 'Would I like to see improvements on it? Sure,' said Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Franklin). 'But listen, this is the back and forth that we have in state government.' There's no shortage of back and forth between the House and the Senate. Rare is success on the thornier issues. 'Yeah, it was a party line vote, but it starts a conversation with our colleagues in the Senate, and I think we need more of those conversations today,' said Rep. Nate Davidson (D-Cumberland/Dauphin). The House and the Senate, and Republicans and Democrats, are going to have to get together and talk about exactly what they want to get something done. If not, they will proceed as they have done for several years and not get anything done, when almost everyone agrees something needs to get done. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Proposed bill would make Hershey's Kisses official Pennsylvania candy
(WHTM) — The sweetest place on earth may soon have the official candy of the Commonwealth. abc27 spoke with State Rep. Tom Mehaffie as he was filling a bowl in his Capitol office with Hershey kisses. Rep. Mehaffie's bill would designate the kiss as Pennsylvania's official candy. Pennsylvania would be the first state with a state candy. Rep. Mehaffie says several Bucks County 8th graders came up with the idea in civics class. They're now high school seniors. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'They call me and say, 'Would you like to introduce this bill?' I said, 'Absolutely.' If kids are going to get involved in it, I'm all in, and I think it's great,' said Rep. Mehaffie. The bill is on to the Senate, where its future is uncertain. Lehigh County Senator Lisa Boscola has a bill making Peeps the state candy. Mehaffie says Governor Shapiro told him he would sign the Hershey Kiss bill if it gets to his desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
