Latest news with #PennsylvaniaHouseofRepresentatives
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?
CBS News
06-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Bill that would legalize recreational marijuana advances out of Pennsylvania House committee
A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana advanced out of the Pennsylvania House Health Committee on Monday. The bill, named the Cannabis Health & Safety Act (HB1200), was approved with a 14-12 party-line vote. It will now move to the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration. "The time is now for Pennsylvania," Rep. Rick Krajewski, who represents the 188th District in Philadelphia, said in a release. "We have listened carefully to public health experts, criminal justice reformers, small business advocates and community leaders. Our bill reflects what we've learned — that we can and must legalize cannabis in a way that is safe, equitable and beneficial to all Pennsylvanians." What's in the Cannabis Health & Safety Act? According to a news release, here are the key priorities of the Cannabis Health & Safety Act: The bill would clear criminal records and advance "restorative justice for those impacted by cannabis-related offenses." It would reinvest tax revenue into communities hurt by the War on Drugs. The bill would implement "critical public health protections, including THC limits, marketing restrictions and child safety measures." It would create pathways for "diverse and local entrepreneurs" to be involved in the local cannabis market. The bill would also maximize "state revenue and accountability with publicly owned and accountable retail stores." Where is recreational marijuana legal in the United States? In the United States, 24 states, including Pennsylvania's neighbors New Jersey and Delaware, have legalized recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana has been legal in Pennsylvania since 2016, but it's still not legal recreationally like most of the U.S. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's budget proposal included some new revenue that would come from legalized marijuana sales.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania House passes bill to increase affordable housing aid
(WHTM)– The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill that aims to increase aid for affordable housing in Pennsylvania. House Bill 643, introduced by State Representative Sean Dougherty (D-PHILA), would allow for an increase in funding for the Pennsylvania Housing and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to Rep. Dougherty, an increase in funding enables more Pennsylvanians to have access to safe and affordable housing. Additionally, the PHARE revenue from Pennsylvania's Realty Transfer Tax reaches a statutory cap of $100 million in the 2027-2028 fiscal year. The bill would raise the cap to $110 million in 2028, helping PHARE keep up with demand, Dougherty said. 'Affordable housing is a necessity that all Pennsylvanians deserve easy access to,' said Dougherty, D-Phila. 'This bill takes a very necessary step to making more affordable housing options a real opportunity for many Pennsylvanians who are in need of it.' The bill now advances to the Pennsylvania Senate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to make Peeps the official state candy
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to make a classic Easter-time treat the official state candy. Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) says she will soon introduce legislation to designate Peeps as the official state candy. Peeps — the iconic, colorful marshmallow treat often shaped as chicks or bunnies — have been manufactured in Bethlehem, Pa., since 1953. Boscola argues that Peeps have become a culturally important American icon and, locally, manufacturing the treat creates hundreds of jobs and supports charitable initiatives. 'Given Pennsylvania's rich confectionery history, it is fitting that we finally honor one of our own with this unique designation,' Boscola said. 'Peeps are not only a symbol of Pennsylvania's well-earned reputation for satisfying candy cravings, but of our imagination and enduring spirit.' But, there is competition for state candy designation. A bill passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives last March would make Hershey's Kisses the official state candy. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania House passes bill to ban remote stalking
(WHTM) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a lawmaker's bill to ban the unauthorized tracking of victims using AirTags. House Bill 407, introduced by State Rep. Lindsay Powell (D-Allegheny), aims to ban the use of AirTags and other similar technology for stalking or tracking someone without their consent. While some individuals have been charged after committing such acts in the past, Pennsylvania has yet to outline penalties for abusing this technology. In July 2024, a Lancaster County constable was charged after stalking a fellow constable via an Apple AirTag that was found inside the victim's vehicle. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'My bill not only gives neighbors their peace of mind and privacy back, but it would protect them from those seeking to do them harm,' Powell said. 'It's crucial that the legislature stays proactive when it comes to preventing bad actors from misusing this technology. Thank you to my House colleagues for voting to keep Pennsylvanians safe.' According to Powell, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple in December 2022 for remote stalking. The bill, known as House Bill 416 last year, once again passed in the house with a near unanimous vote, per Powell. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
