Legislation to create a new “In God We Trust” specialty license plate has recently been approved by the state House. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), sponsor of the bill, said as many as 14 other states offer vehicle license plates with this familiar motto from US currency and motorists in his district have requested this option for their Pennsylvania license plates as well. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

The FDA has recently granted approval for clinical trials of a new cancer drug developed by a company in central Pennsylvania. Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, headquartered at the Hershey Center for Applied Research, has been awarded a $2.1 million contract by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate its radiation protection medication. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), a member of the Pennsylvania House Life Sciences Caucus, said this is a major step forward for the region’s growing Biotechnology Industry. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

With the privatization of liquor sales under discussion in Harrisburg, new legislation has been proposed to offer existing beer distributors the opportunity to buy a license that would allow them to sell wine and liquor in Pennsylvania. Co-sponsor of the bill and Chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee’s Subcommittee on Licensing, Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) said the plan has the advantage of simplicity and would get the private sale of wine and liquor up and running quickly in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

Government reform and budget cuts are both high on the agenda this year in the Harrisburg as lawmakers seek to make economies in the upcoming state budget. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) has once again reintroduced legislation designed to cut back on expenditures by reducing the number of vehicles in the state fleet and tightening up the rules for who is driving state issued cars and trucks. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

The Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee plans to sharpen the focus in the coming year on increasing the state’s leading research and development role in the Life Science Industry. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), a member of the committee, said lawmakers held hearings recently at the Life Sciences Greenhouse in Pittsburgh and at the Hershey Medical Center to discuss state support for cutting edge research aimed at developing new technologies that will be crucial to Pennsylvania’s economic future. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.