Cabell, county Republican delegation sign Voter ID discharge petition

Apr. 12—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Mike Cabell, R-Butler Township, along with the rest of the Luzerne County Republican delegation — reps. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston; Alec Ryncavage, R-Plymouth; and Dane Watro, R-Hazleton — on Wednesday said that they have signed the House discharge petition to get a voter ID constitutional amendment out of committee and before the full House of Representatives for a vote in the near future.

"This important constitutional amendment, that has enjoyed broad public bipartisan support, has needlessly been bottled up in committee for over a year and time is of the essence for the House to act," Cabell said. "According to the latest polling, requiring voters to show photo identification each time they cast a ballot is supported by 73% of Pennsylvania residents. There is no reason to not get this legislation moving so it can be put before the voters in the November election."

For the voter ID constitutional amendment to be in place for the November General Election, Cabell said it would need to be approved by the General Assembly by early July.

Earlier this year, Cabell introduced House Bill 1498, a statutory voter ID bill that has also been bottled up in committee.

"I join my Luzerne County Republican colleagues in frustration that such a simple measure that would restore trust in our election process continues to be stymied in committee," Cabell said. "Whether it is through a constitutional amendment or a statutory change, a clear majority of Pennsylvanians agree that this needs to get done."

Senate Judiciary Committee advances two bills focused on safer communities

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced two bills this week focused on safer communities, according to the committee's chair, Sen Lisa Baker," R-Lehman Township.

Senate Bill 920 would implement a statewide rape kit tracking system, allowing victims to go online and track the progress of the DNA evidence collected as part of their case.

The bill implements the recommendations of Act 70 of 2022 requiring the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, to conduct a study and report examining the resources required for a statewide rape kit tracking system.

DNA testing is not immediate and often involves a prolonged period before results are finalized. The Pennsylvania State Police has been actively tackling the backlog of DNA evidence testing. However, the process is inherently time-consuming due to multiple stages involved in testing and analysis.

"We are in sympathy with the victims who are forced to cope with a system that is drawn out under the best of circumstances, a situation aggravated by the backlog of cases," Baker said. "Each day without knowledge of the perpetrator exacerbates their trauma and suffering. This legislation would allow them to track the progress of their rape kit and know the precise timeline and location."

Senate Bill 1127 would require a prosecutor to notify the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) whenever a criminal defendant is an illegal immigrant.

"This bill will establish uniformity across the state, providing more accountability in the process and ensuring that no individual, regardless of their immigration status, evades responsibility for criminal actions," Baker said. "Cooperation between law enforcement agencies is not just a matter of protocol, but a vital commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding our society."

Both bills are part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania. The bills now head to the full Senate for consideration.

Rep. Watro's bill would give tax break to National Guard members

Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton, plans to soon introduce legislation in the House of Representatives that would exempt income derived from an individual's service in the Pennsylvania National Guard from the Commonwealth's Personal Income Tax (PIT).

"It is the service and sacrifice of the brave individuals in our armed forces that ensure our country and communities stay safe and prosperous," said Watro, who is a U.S. Army veteran. "In honor of those sacrifices, it is my hope that we may reward these heroes for their bravery and valor and exempt them from the PIT."

Watro also noted the exemption would help in the Guard's recruitment efforts at a time when all branches of the military are struggling to attract and retain new enlistees. The PIT rate currently stands at 3.07%.

Watro is seeking co-sponsors for his proposal.

Rep. Ryncavage to host community shredding event Saturday, April 13

As tax day approaches, safeguarding personal information is paramount and in an effort to help local residents protect themselves against identity theft, state Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Plymouth, will host a Shredding Day for residents of the 119th Legislative District.

The event will be on Saturday, April 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Crestwood High School, where residents can easily dispose of documents and mail with personal and sensitive information.

"Year after year, residents eagerly anticipate the opportunity to safely dispose of their documents, which many save throughout the year," Ryncavage said. "In the spirit of spring cleaning, and as tax season is upon us, it's crucial for individuals to take proactive steps in safeguarding their personal information from junk mail to bank statements."

This full-service event provides a convenient opportunity for residents to securely dispose of documents and mail. Hosted at Crestwood High School, 281 South Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, residents can simply drive up and leave the rest to Ryncavage and his team.

Upon arrival, residents are asked to stay in their vehicles, where Ryncavage or a member of his staff will be readily available to assist. Each vehicle will be limited to shredding three copy-paper-sized boxes of paper to ensure efficient service and accommodate all participants.

A second Community Shredding Event will be held on Saturday, July 27, at Hanover Area High School, 1600 Sans Souci Pkwy, Hanover Township.

For more information about this outreach, or any other state-related issue, contact Ryncavage's district offices at 50 N. Walnut St., Suite 102, in Nanticoke, or in the Fairview Township Municipal Building, 65 Shady Tree Drive in Mountain Top, or by calling 570-902-4082.

Information can also be found online at RepRyncavage.com or Facebook.com/RepRyncavage.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.