Pennsylvania HR 236: A Resolution directing the Government Oversight Committee to conduct an investigation.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1703
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 236
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY TOPPER AND C. WILLIAMS, MAY 13, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MAY 13, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Government Oversight Committee to conduct an
investigation.
WHEREAS, In the early morning hours of April 13, 2025, an
arson attack occurred at the Governor's Residence located at
2035 North Front Street, Harrisburg; and
WHEREAS, Security cameras surrounding the residence were able
to capture footage of an individual climbing over an exterior
perimeter fence before breaking a window and throwing a Molotov
cocktail, an incendiary device that is composed of a glass
bottle containing flammable liquid and a source of ignition,
into the piano room of the residence, causing it to catch on
fire; and
WHEREAS, The individual has been identified by law
enforcement as Cody Balmer pursuant to the now-filed criminal
complaint; and
WHEREAS, According to the affidavit of probable cause
attached to the criminal complaint, the information regarding
the incident in this resolution is alleged by law enforcement;
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and
WHEREAS, Mr. Balmer broke a second window outside the dining
room before entering through it; and
WHEREAS, While inside, Mr. Balmer launched another Molotov
cocktail, causing the dining room to ignite into flames; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Balmer then kicked the dining room door open,
exited the residence and left the property by climbing back over
the perimeter fence; and
WHEREAS, All of this occurred while Governor Josh Shapiro,
First Lady Lori Shapiro and their children were inside the
Governor's Residence; and
WHEREAS, Later, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) were
contacted by a former paramour of Mr. Balmer who advised that
Mr. Balmer had confessed to her that he was responsible for
setting the fire at the Governor's Residence; and
WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, Mr. Balmer turned himself in and
confessed to PSP to harboring hatred towards Governor Shapiro
and committing the arson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Balmer was charged with attempted homicide,
aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, aggravated assault,
endangering the welfare of a child and loitering and prowling at
night according to the criminal complaint; and
WHEREAS, On April 18, 2025, PSP announced through a statement
on their public website that former PSP Commissioner Jeffrey
Miller and his consulting company had been hired to conduct a
third-party security review of the arson attack at the
Governor's Residence; and
WHEREAS, The statement also made clear that only PSP and the
Governor's Office would receive a detailed written report of
former PSP Commissioner Miller's findings; and
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WHEREAS, On April 23, 2025, the House of Representatives
Republicans, including House Republican Leader Jesse Topper,
along with Chairmen Craig Williams, Jim Struzzi and Rob
Kauffman, wrote a letter to Governor Josh Shapiro and State
Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris requesting former
PSP Commissioner Miller's report and investigation results; and
WHEREAS, Governor Shapiro spokesperson Manuel Bonder stated
the following in response to the letter: "A detailed written
report of the findings will be provided to the PSP and the
Governor's Office. PSP will not release information that could
compromise the investigation or the safety of the Governor,
First Family, or any of its protectees. The Shapiro
Administration appreciates the offers of support for this work
and we will continue to work collaboratively with the General
Assembly to protect public safety across the Commonwealth"; and
WHEREAS, On April 28, 2025, former PSP Commissioner Miller
and his consulting company delivered the full report to PSP and
the Governor's Office; and
WHEREAS, In a statement on his consulting company's website,
former PSP Commissioner Miller stated that the sensitive nature
of the findings he gave to Governor Shapiro and the PSP
"precludes their release to the public for obvious reasons"; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, former PSP Commissioner Miller
expressed that "I am confident that if fully implemented, the
key recommendations that we have made will prevent an attack of
this nature from succeeding in the future"; and
WHEREAS, To date, legislative leaders and appropriate
oversight committees have received no portion of former PSP
Commissioner Miller's report; and
WHEREAS, On May 6, 2025, PSP Commissioner Christopher Paris
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sent a letter to legislative leaders to provide an update on
former PSP Commissioner Miller's independent security review;
and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Paris stated that as a result of former
PSP Commissioner Miller's review and PSP's own assessment, PSP
had implemented several recommendations laid out in the report,
in