Amid all the floor debates, press conferences and committee hearings, the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s newest co-sponsorship memos can get lost in the shuffle. That’s why The PLS Reporter rounds up some of the most noteworthy co-sponsorship memos each week, so you can stay informed of what’s going on in the Capitol.

 

In this week’s feature are memos for proposals that would establish an electric vehicle fee, provide income opportunities to student-athletes and protect agritourism in Pennsylvania.

With the fall session in full swing, The PLS Reporter took the chance to sit down for an on-the-record chat with House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), who is in his first session leading the caucus. The discussion touched on how he has fared in his new role, as well as the governor's plan to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, gun control and the decriminalization of marijuana. Read on for a full transcript or listen to our podcast here.

Following Wednesday’s court ruling that the proposed Safehouse supervised injection site in Philadelphia doesn’t violate federal law, many leaders and legislators in the city have offered public reaction. Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) is circulating a co-sponsorship memo to prohibit such facilities statewide.
 
Mayor Jim Kenney (D) has supported a supervised injection site in Philadelphia after touring similar facilities in Canada. Williams ran against Kenney in this year’s mayoral primary and was against opening Safehouse.

The top-ranking Republican in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives says the chamber will resume its practice of inviting outside guests to lead the chamber in prayer when lawmakers return in October, following a court ruling that said the House may turn away nontheists who wish to give the opening invocation.

 

In a statement announcing the move, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said that an injunction against the House has been lifted, allowing the 203-member body to invite guest chaplains to deliver the prayer that precedes each legislative session. 

With the General Assembly back in action for the fall session, Justin and Andrew catch up with House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster). They talk about his first year as leader, the recent announcement that Pennsylvania would join a regional cap-and-trade initiative and the feasibility of gun control this session. Like what you hear? You can find all episodes on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts.