<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
	<channel>
		<title>Latest News</title>
		<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/Display/RSS.ashx?ID=146&SiteID=148]]></link>
		<description>Here you will find Latest News</description>
		<language>en</language>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
		<generator>HouseRep RSS v1.0</generator>
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			<title><![CDATA[LIHEAP Reform Effort Heads to Governor’s Desk, Causer Says]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15888]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – Legislation to bring much-needed accountability to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program will soon become law, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) said today.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15888]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Welfare Reform Measure Requiring Recipients of State Energy and Weatherization Assistance to Verify Income Passes State House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15544]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – In an effort to prevent further waste, fraud and abuse in the state weatherization and energy assistance programs, the House passed a measure that will require recipients to verify their income eligibility, said Rep. Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:21:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15544]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Cutler LIHEAP Reform Legislation Approved in House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15886]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15886]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Approves Bill to Verify Income of Heat Assistance Recipients]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14656]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – This week, the House approved legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), which would require the state to verify the income of anyone receiving heat assistance and weatherization services to determine eligibility.  The legislation also requires any fraud uncovered to be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 23:08:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14656]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Causer Supports LIHEAP Reform Effort]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14647]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – Continuing its commitment to ending waste, fraud and abuse in the Commonwealth’s public assistance programs, the state House has approved legislation to bring accountability to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) said.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:45:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14647]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Pickett Endorses Proposal to Prevent LIHEAP Fraud]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14644]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – To help ensure that taxpayer money set aside to help those in need is not wasted by those who are defrauding the system, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) voted in favor of legislation that applies income verification to the state’s home heating and winter weatherization programs.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:42:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14644]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Brown Votes to Continue Fight Against Welfare Fraud]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14643]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) this week joined her colleagues in advancing legislation that seeks to eliminate fraud and abuse within two important state programs.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:40:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14643]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Swanger Endorses Legislation to Address LIHEAP Fraud]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14639]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) is co-sponsoring legislation which would require income verification to determine eligibility for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). House Bill 1991 is now in the hands of the state Senate following passage by the House Monday.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:25:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14639]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Baker Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Prevent Fraud in State’s LIHEAP and Weatherization Assistance Program]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14637]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – State Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga) this week joined his colleagues in the House in voting to advance legislation aimed at making sure taxpayer dollars set aside to help the truly needy stay warm in the winter months is not abused by unscrupulous individuals.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:06:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14637]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Approves Welfare Reform Bill Co-Sponsored by Reed]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14632]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – The state House today approved a welfare reform bill co-sponsored by Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) that would help reduce fraud in a state-administered program that helps low-income people with their heating bills.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:05:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14632]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Sends Cutler’s LIHEAP Reform Measure to Senate]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14631]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – The House today unanimously approved legislation authored by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) that would reform Pennsylvania’s fraud-ridden Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and its Weatherization Assistance Program so taxpayer dollars only go to help the truly needy.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:55:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14631]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Health Committee Gives Warm Reception to Cutler LIHEAP Reform Bill]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14556]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – The House Health Committee today unanimously approved legislation authored by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom), with the cooperation of Rep. Ron Waters (D-Delaware/Philadelphia), to require the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to verify the eligibility of recipients of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2012 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=14556]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Health Committee Examines Cutler LIHEAP Reform Bill]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15887]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – The House Health Committee today held a public hearing in Harrisburg to study Rep. Bryan Cutler’s (R-Peach Bottom) House Bill 1991, which would increase oversight and income verification standards for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=15887]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Majority Policy Committee Hearing Reveals Significant Welfare Reforms are Well Under Way ]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=12837]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – A state House Majority Policy Committee hearing centered on welfare reform and cost-control efforts revealed that more than 100,000 ineligible welfare recipients have been removed from the state’s Medical Assistance program since July. Majority Policy Committee Chairman Dave Reed (R-Indiana), who along with members of the Policy Committee was briefed on the news today by top welfare department officials, applauded the reform steps. 
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:24:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=12837]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Welfare Reforms Begin Restoring Integrity to a Broken System]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=12157]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[In my time as a state legislator, I have come to learn that Pennsylvania residents are some of the most caring folks one could ever hope to meet.  Especially during difficult times, people are always willing to lend a hand in their community.
]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=12157]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Smith Says New State Law Will Help Deter Welfare Fraud]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11960]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson, Indiana, Armstrong) said today that a new state law begins the long overdue process of reforming our welfare system.  The law targets the misuse of public dollars and seeks to eliminate inefficiencies within the Department of Public Welfare.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:59:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11960]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Welfare Reforms Designed To Prevent Waste, Fraud and Abuse]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11914]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Doug Reichley (R-Lehigh/Berks) supports legislation that makes sweeping reforms to the Public Welfare Code and will bring forth much-needed and long-awaited reform to the state welfare system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:10:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11914]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Quigley Supports On-Time Budget]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11911]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) released the following statement regarding the 2011-12 budget, which has now been signed into law:]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:53:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11911]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Toepel Supports Welfare Reform Legislation]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11905]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) has praised her House colleagues for passing legislation that reforms a public welfare system that Republicans and Democrats concede has an error rate of at least 4 percent.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:14:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11905]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Causer Praises Reforms in Welfare Budget]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11897]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Working to protect taxpayers and put a stop to fraud in the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), the state House has adopted a series of welfare reform measures as part of the 2011-12 state budget, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:27:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11897]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Long-Awaited Welfare Reforms on Way to Governor]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11894]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), who is a co-chair of the Welfare Reform Policy Development Team, authored a key amendment to the Welfare Code that passed the House today and is awaiting the governor’s signature.  Gingrich said House Bill 960 will bring forth much-needed and long-awaited reform of the state welfare system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:36:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11894]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Cutler Lauds Welfare Reforms Included in Budget Agreement]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11891]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[As a co-leader of the Welfare Policy Development Team, Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) today announced that several reforms from the House Republican WelFAIR package were included in the 2011-12 budget agreement. ]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 03:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11891]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Stephens Backs Commonsense Welfare Reform Legislation]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11898]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[In an attempt to reform a public welfare system that officials on both sides of the aisle have long conceded has at least a 4 percent error rate, Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) joined a majority of House colleagues in passing legislation to begin the process of reforming the system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:31:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11898]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Roae Applauds Welfare Reforms Approved by House as Part of State Budget Deal]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11904]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG – The state House tonight approved and Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford) voted for a comprehensive welfare reform bill that is part of the overall state budget agreement.  The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Tom Corbett for his signature.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11904]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Major Gains in Welfare Policy Approved in House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11271]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), who co-chairs the House Republican Welfare Reform Policy Development Team and is the sponsor of a key piece of legislation contained in the WelFAIR package recently introduced and passed in the House, said she is pleased to see significant progress being made on welfare reform.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2011 20:22:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11271]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Oberlander Legislation to Rollback Medical Assistance Transportation Fraud and Abuse Clears House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11254]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[WelFAIR reform legislation sponsored by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong) to implement new administrative guidelines and fraud-prevention restrictions for Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) cleared the state House on Monday.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2011 21:07:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11254]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Stephens Welfare Reform Bill Passes House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11208]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[A bill sponsored by Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) to reform a welfare program that has been abused by people defrauding the system has passed the House by an overwhelming 159-29.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:26:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11208]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Approves Two WelFAIR Bills Co-Sponsored by Reed]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11203]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[The Pennsylvania House today approved two bills co-sponsored by Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) that would call for drug testing for welfare applicants previously convicted of a drug felony and transition one welfare grant program to a loan that recipients would have to pay back.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 04:37:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11203]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Approves Drug Testing Legislation as a Part of Welfare Reform Effort, says Everett]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11202]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[House Bill 1297, which would establish a drug testing program for public assistance recipients who have been convicted of a drug-related felony, has been passed by the House with a vote of 164 to 23,  Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) announced today.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 04:32:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11202]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Harris Heads Effort to Collect Delinquent Taxes]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11084]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Adam Harris’s (R-Snyder/Mifflin/Juniata) House Bill 520 passed the House with unanimous support this week.  The legislation would allow the Commonwealth to intercept Pennsylvania Lottery winnings from individuals who are delinquent in state taxes.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2011 18:18:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11084]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[WelFAIR Bills Championed by Reed Approved by House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11070]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[The House today approved three bills from the WelFAIR (Fairness, Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility) initiative championed by Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) and the House Majority Policy Committee that would improve the integrity of Pennsylvania’s public assistance system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:18:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11070]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Passes Toohil Bill to Crack Down on Welfare Fraud]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11071]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[The House of Representatives has passed legislation by Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) to strengthen penalties for those convicted of more than $1,000 worth of welfare fraud by increasing the offense to a third-degree felony, which will bring the Welfare Code into line with existing penalties in the Crimes Code.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:18:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11071]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Grove Supports House Passage of Welfare Reform Measures]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11069]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) today voted with the majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to advance several bills aimed at reducing welfare fraud and returning accountability to programs administered by the Commonwealth.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 02:12:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11069]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Quigley’s Benefit Shopping Bill Passes House]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11047]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved legislation authored by Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) to limit the ability of welfare applicants to shop for higher benefit amounts in neighboring counties by requiring the Department of Public Welfare to base benefit amounts on an applicant’s county of permanent legal residence.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:50:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11047]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Dunbar Backs House Republican “WelFAIR” Reform Package]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11001]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) applauded Wednesday’s introduction of a monumental package of welfare reform legislation that is intended to provide savings to the Commonwealth, while returning integrity and accountability to the public benefits system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:19:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=11001]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Rep. Fred Keller Applauds Welfare Reform Package]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10995]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Fred Keller (R-85) issued the following statement after House Republicans unveiled their welfare reform proposal:]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:11:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10995]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Gabler Announces Support for Welfare Reform Plan]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10994]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) stood with House leaders Wednesday to formally announce the introduction of welfare reform legislation that is intended to provide savings to the Commonwealth, while returning integrity and accountability to the public benefits system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:01:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10994]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Tobash Supports Welfare Reform Package]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10992]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Responding to reports of waste, fraud and abuse within the state Department of Public Welfare (DPW), House Republicans have introduced a package of legislation aimed at reforming the system, Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Berks) announced today.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:57:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10992]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Kauffman’s Welfare Reform Proposal Key Component of WelFAIR Initiative]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10988]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Legislation authored by Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Cumberland/Franklin) that would require photo identification on welfare benefit cards was highlighted as part of the House Republican WelFAIR reform package unveiled at the state Capitol today.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:34:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10988]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Baker Supports Welfare Reform Initiative]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10987]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[State Rep. Matt Baker (Bradford/Tioga) today participated in the unveiling of a package of legislation known as WelFAIR, aimed at bringing integrity back to the state’s welfare system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:32:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10987]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Gingrich Leads Republican Policy Team on Welfare Reform]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10984]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), who co-chairs the House Majority Policy Committee’s Welfare Policy Development Team, joined with dozens of her House Republican colleagues today to announce WelFAIR, a package of welfare reform measures designed to ensure that public assistance funding goes to people who are truly in need by cracking down on those who are cheating the system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10984]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[House Republicans Unveil ‘WelFAIR’ Proposal]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10962]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[House Republicans today in Harrisburg unveiled a legislative package known as WelFAIR (Fairness, Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility), which would improve the integrity of the state’s welfare system following an array of reports over the last several years depicting egregious instances of waste, fraud and abuse.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:40:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10962]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Cutler Heads Effort to Clean Up Welfare System]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10981]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[With welfare remaining the number one state expenditure, Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) today joined other House Republicans to unveil the “WelFAIR” package aimed at returning fairness, accountability, integrity and responsibility to the system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:31:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10981]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Stephens Sponsors a Key Bill in Welfare Reform Package]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10982]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) has sponsored one of the key bills in the Republican House WelFAIR (Fairness, Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility) plan, a package of legislation designed to improve the integrity of the state’s welfare system.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:52:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10982]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Quigley Introduces Legislation to End Welfare Benefits Shopping]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10967]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) has introduced legislation that would require the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) to base public assistance benefits on an applicant’s county of permanent residence.  Current law allows individuals to apply as temporary residents in counties that may offer higher benefit amounts.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10967]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Fleck Offers Support for House Republican Welfare Reform Package]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10975]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Mike Fleck (R-Blair/Huntingdon/Mifflin) offered support for the newly unveiled House Republican plan for welfare reform today. The legislative package, titled WelFAIR, is comprised of eight separate bills that address the documented cases of fraud and abuse.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:23:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10975]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Aument Supports Welfare Reform Legislation]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10961]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement regarding legislation unveiled today by House Republicans aimed at restoring Pennsylvania’s public assistance program:]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:23:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10961]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Everett Introduces Drug Testing Legislation as a Part of Reforming Welfare in Pennsylvania]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10965]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[House Bill 1297, which would establish a drug testing program for public assistance recipients who have been convicted of a drug-related felony, has been introduced by Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming). It is part of an overall House Republican welfare reform effort named WelFAIR.]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:16:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10965]]></guid>
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			<title><![CDATA[Toepel Backs Legislation To Reform Welfare in Pennsylvania]]></title>
			<link><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10960]]></link>
			<description><![CDATA[Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) issued the following statement regarding legislation unveiled today by House Republicans designed to rid Pennsylvania's public assistance program of fraud and abuse:]]></description>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:14:00 EST</pubDate>
			<guid><![CDATA[http://welfair.pahousegop.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=10960]]></guid>
		</item>
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