Legislation to ease the process for settling small estates in Pennsylvania was approved recently by the state House of Representatives. Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer/Butler) said this is a commonsense change that will help reduce the costs involved in settling small estates for many Pennsylvania families. The legislation now goes to the state Senate for consideration. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

The Pennsylvania House worked into the evening on Wednesday to pass an on-time state budget for the upcoming fiscal year and lawmakers offered their assessment of the $28 billion compromise spending plan. Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Butler & Mercer) said this year’s budget looks good on the surface but he has concerns about the plan depending on uncertain Federal revenues. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.

Federal transportation officials have once again rejected the application to impose tolls on Interstate 80, put forth by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PennDOT. Lawmakers who opposed the plan that would have crippled economic activity along the I-80 corridor are praising the Federal Highway Administration for their decision. Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer, Butler) said that this decision adhered to the letter of the law, and was also the right move to protect the people who live along I-80. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

A conference committee compromise version of gaming expansion legislation was narrowly approved Wednesday by the state House. The bill would legalize table gaming at the state’s existing slots casinos and would create at least one additional resort gaming license in the future. Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Butler & Mercer) said he feels the bill fails to provide needed reforms to gaming oversight in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies Reports - Story and Bite available.

Legislation that would eliminate the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and fold its responsibilities into the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has been introduced in Harrisburg. The Turnpike Commission has recently come under investigation for a series of ethically questionable circumstances which have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer) said that the Turnpike Commission’s inability to handle its current responsibilities demonstrates why it should have nothing to do with the tolling of I-80. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.