My Audio Updates
Here you will find audio clips about important events that have taken place during the current and past Legislative Sessions.
House Speaker Sam Smith Comments on Resolution to Examine Possibility of Merging Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission - 5/15/2013
Download Story :54 | Download Bite :28
A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to examine the possibility of merging the Game Commission with the Fish and Boat Commission received unanimous approval by the State House earlier this week. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said that by closely examining the potential benefits and detriments of a unified Game and Fish Commission, lawmakers will have a clearer picture of what steps should be taken to best serve hunters and anglers across the Commonwealth. Chuck Nichols reports... story and bite available.
House Speaker Sam Smith Comments on House Passage of Business Tax Reforms Aimed at Improving the Economy and Boosting Job Creation in PA - 5/7/2013
Download Story :60 | Download Bite :32
Legislation that would reform the state’s oppressive corporate tax structure to attract businesses and improve the economic climate has been passed by the Pennsylvania House. Pennsylvania now has the highest corporate net income tax rate in the country, and House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said this bill is designed to spur economic growth and job creation by making the Commonwealth’s tax structure competitive with other states. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.
House Speaker Sam Smith Comments on House Action to Update PA’s System for Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse - 5/1/2013
Download Story :61 | Download Bite :35
A package of legislation to update laws and regulations relating to the recognition and reporting of child abuse in Pennsylvania is now moving through the General Assembly in Harrisburg. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said he is glad to see the House acting to make improvements to the laws governing the reporting of child abuse in the wake of recent events that revealed serious shortcomings in the system. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.
House Speaker Sam Smith Comments on House Passage of Liquor Privatization Legislation - 3/21/2013
Download Story :59 | Download Bite :38
Legislation that would get the Commonwealth out of the business of selling wine and liquor was passed by the Pennsylvania House on Thursday. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said House Bill 790 would privatize the liquor business while providing an opportunity for those who currently sell beer to flourish. House Bill 790 now moves the Senate for consideration. Chuck Nichols reports... story and bite available.
House Speaker Smith Says New Keystone Works Program Now Up and Running to Help Match Unemployed Workers with PA Employers - 2/26/2013
Download Story :66 | Download Bite :27
The new Keystone Works program designed to help unemployed Pennsylvanians get on-the-job training and become better qualified for the current job market is now up and running, according to a recent announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said lawmakers approved legislation last year to create this innovative training program that helps match the unemployed with companies willing to train workers. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.
House Speaker Smith Says New License Plates are Now Available for PA’s Decorated Military Personnel and Veterans - 11/9/2012
Download Story :64 | Download Bite :26
Members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been decorated for valor or meritorious service can now proudly display their medal through a new series of military license plates being offered by PennDOT. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said lawmakers passed legislation this fall that offers these special plates to honor Pennsylvania’s decorated military personnel and veterans. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.
House Speaker Smith Says Prison Reform Measure Will Cut Spending and Improve PA’s Corrections System - 7/18/2012
Download Story :60 | Download Bite :31
Legislation aimed at lowering the cost of Pennsylvania’s state prison system and reducing inmate population, while providing proven methods of treatment and rehabilitation for convicted criminals was recently signed into law. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said the new law would revamp the criminal justice system by providing alternative sentencing programs to deal with non-violent offenders in a more cost effective manner than incarceration in a traditional high security prison. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.
House Speaker Smith Says New Teacher Evaluations Will Provide More Meaningful Feedback - 7/5/2012
Download Story :62 | Download Bite :34
Landmark legislation providing for a new system for evaluating teachers, principals and non-teaching professionals in Pennsylvania’s schools has been signed into law. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said the new evaluation standards will broaden the criteria used to measure teacher performance and provide more useful information to both teachers and administrators in their efforts to improve instructional quality and student performance in our public schools. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.
House Speaker Smith Supports Measure to Put Unemployed Back to Work - 6/27/2012
Download Story :48 | Download Bite :19
Legislation designed to help out of work Pennsylvanians get the job training they need to become better qualified for employment is expected to move through the legislative process this week in Harrisburg. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said he strongly supports the Keystone Works Program that would provide on-the-job training opportunities for potential employees to fill available jobs and hopes to see final action on the bill soon. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.
House Speaker Smith Says House Approves Bill to Ease Regulations for Clearing Stream Obstructions to Alleviate Flooding - 6/12/2012
Download Story :58 | Download Bite :31
Legislation to streamline the process for removing gravel bars and other obstructions from small streams and help prevent flooding problems has been approved by the state House. Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana & Armstrong) said this bill will relieve some of the regulatory hurdles local governments and land owners must now clear in order to expedite the clearing of streams to prevent destructive floods. Mike Davies reporting... full story and a stand-alone bite are available.