Thursday, March 27, 2014

English Only For PA Government Publications

03/27/2014

HARRISBURG – Legislation has been introduced to establish English as the official language of Pennsylvania. Butler County Rep. Daryl Metcalfe proposed House Bill 2132. He said, “Pennsylvania taxpayers simply cannot afford, and should not continue to be required, to foot the bill for government translating and printing infinite amounts of forms, documents and publications in many languages other than English.” While absolutely no one would be restricted from learning or conversing in a foreign language under House Bill 2132, Metcalfe’s legislation would require all official acts of state and local governments, including the printing of government documents, to be communicated in English. House Bill 2132 would also prohibit any level of government from enacting a preference, or the appropriation of taxpayer funding, for any language other than English with the following exceptions: promotion of international commerce and tourism; when public health, safety, and justice requires usage of another language; and instruction in foreign language courses or for English as a second language for students. 31 states have passed similar legislation.

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