Gillespie Boater Safety Bill Increases Penalty for Failure to Mark Presence of Low Head Dams

Jun. 07, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Despite the presence of a more than 20-year-old law that requires proper signage on adjacent shores, Pennsylvania leads the nation in deaths associated with low-head dams. This fact serves as the backdrop for legislation authored by House Game and Fisheries Committee Majority Chairman Keith Gillespie (R-York) that would increase penalties for any entity that fails to adequately mark what are also known as “run-of-the-river” dams.

House Chairmen Applaud Designation of ‘Fishing and Boating Week’ in PA

Jun. 05, 2019 /

HARRISBURG - In an effort to encourage participation in fishing and boating activities, the state House today unanimously passed House Resolution 373, which designates the week of June 1-9 as “Fishing and Boating Week” in Pennsylvania, according to Reps. Keith Gillespie (R-York) and Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), chairmen of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.

A Threat to Pennsylvania’s Economy

May. 31, 2019 /

For many Pennsylvanians, dedicating $2.5 million to the battle against an insect that significantly affects only 20% of our counties is a questionable investment. One reason might be their not being familiar with the spotted lanternfly, which so far has either failed to or just not gotten around to crossing the Susquehanna River in large numbers. To date, 14 counties have been placed under quarantine due to the insect’s presence reaching the level of infestation. The list of counties stretches from Monroe in the north to Dauphin and Lancaster here in the south. A relative handful of spotted lanternflies have been seen in York County. How long will it remain that way?

Gillespie Reacts to DePasquale Game Commission Audit

May. 30, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today announced the findings of an audit of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) that calls for stronger oversight and tighter control of the commission’s finances. The report comes at a time when the PGC is asking for the ability to set its own license fees, as opposed to having them determined by the General Assembly.

House Committee Chairmen Get Commitment to Revisit Change to Start of Rifle Deer Season

May. 01, 2019 /

HARRISBURG - Following their decision to change the first day of rifle deer season to the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGCs) Board of Commissioners has agreed with a House Game and Fisheries Committee request to revisit the move next year. The announcement comes following a meeting in which Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), majority chairman of the committee, and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), the committee’s minority chairman, conveyed to the board the tremendous volume of complaints they and their House colleagues have received from hunters.

Gillespie Legislation Honors Local Veteran

Mar. 27, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – House Bill 692, legislation authored by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) that would re-name the Lewisberry Road bridge over Conewago Creek as the Gary L. Crone Memorial Bridge now sits with the state Senate following unanimous passage by the state House.

PA Game, Fish and Boat Commissions to Appear Before House Committee

Feb. 25, 2019 /

WHAT: Members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), will question both the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and Fish and Boat Commission PFBC) about their annual reports. Subjects to be discussed include the desire of both commissions to set their own license fees.

Adams-York County House Republicans Answer Wolf Budget Proposal with Calls for Fiscal Responsibility

Feb. 05, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Members of the Adams-York House Republican delegation - Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Abbottstown), Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), Seth Grove (R-Dover), Mike Jones (R-York Township), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) and Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg) – issued this statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2019-20 budget proposal, which calls for $1.4 billion in increased spending:

Gillespie Reminds Hunters to Help Monitor Chronic Wasting Disease

Dec. 05, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – With the first full week of rifled deer season in the books, state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), majority chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, is urging hunters to help the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) keep tabs on the potential spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

York County Republican Delegation Announces School Safety Grant Funding

Oct. 31, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – The York County Republican Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which consists of Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) and House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion), announced today that every school district in York County received funding to improve student safety as part of a newly create grant program.

York County House Republicans Invite Residents to an Upcoming Active Shooter Seminar

Oct. 04, 2018 /

HARRISBURG – The York County Republican Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which consists of Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township), Dawn Keefer (R-Dillsburg), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) and House Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion), will offer a free Active Shooter Seminar to residents.

State Legislators to Host Concealed Carry Seminar

Aug. 22, 2018 /

HARRISBURG - State Reps. Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion), Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) and Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township) invite residents of their districts to attend the Concealed Carry Seminar they are hosting on Tuesday, Sept. 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Wisehaven Events Center, 2989 East Prospect Road, York.

Gillespie Putting Together Hearing on Cemetery Fraud Case

Aug. 14, 2018 /

YORK – In reaction to the indictment of a local cemetery’s owners on fraud charges, state Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) is working with his House colleagues to examine the issue and search for possible legislative solutions.

Safety in the Numbers

Jul. 19, 2018 /

These are relatively peaceful times in Harrisburg, as the state budget for the current fiscal year was in place with days to spare before the July 1 deadline. In fact, the unusual times in which we live are reflected in several line items that make up the 2018-19 spending plan.

Gillespie Applauds Fish and Boat Commission Decision to Delay Program Cuts

Jul. 10, 2018 /

YORK – State Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York County), majority chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, welcomed today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s (PFBC’s) Board of Commissioners to delay $2 million in program reductions that were to take effect this month.

Local Serviceman to be Honored With Bridge Naming

May. 21, 2018 /

WHAT: State Reps. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam) and Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) will honor the life and service of Martin W. Kondor, a graduate of Eastern York High School who died in the line of duty on April 29, 2004. As the result of Act 4 of 2018, the Codorus Furnace Road bridge over the Codorus Creek in East Manchester and Hellam townships will be named the SPC Martin W. Kondor Memorial Bridge.

A Career Opportunity

May. 18, 2018 /

We are very fortunate to have such a tremendous asset as the York County School of Technology in our midst. The great statesman Ben Franklin once said, “He that hath a trade hath an estate.” The York County School of Technology has borrowed those words to use as its motto and done a tremendous job in upholding them as the oldest on-going career and technical school in the United States.

Bring Back Brunner Island

Jan. 11, 2018 /

If you enjoy outdoor activities, there are plenty of places in our area from which to choose when it comes to fishing, boating and hiking. That being said, people have their favorites and access to one of them was lost late last year when Talen Energy, the owner/operator of the Brunner Island Steam Electric Station in York Haven, decided to make its property off limits.