weekly legislative update

Both houses of the general assembly met this week but there was activity only in the Senate. Please note that all items introduced involve cutting taxes/revenue or increasing spending/funding.

SB 47 By Senators TARTAGLIONE, STOUT, COSTA, KITCHEN, FUMO, WONDERLING, A. WILLIAMS and CONTI. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing for the Public Transportation Assistance Fund. Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Jan. 19, 2005

SB 48 By Senators TARTAGLIONE, STOUT, COSTA and KITCHEN. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for collection and disposition of fees and moneys, for certificate of title, for information concerning drivers and vehicles and for certificate of safety inspection. Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Jan. 19, 2005

SB 49 By Senators FUMO, GREENLEAF, STOUT, COSTA, HUGHES, KITCHEN, LOGAN, STACK, A. WILLIAMS, THOMPSON, TARTAGLIONE and CONTI. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing for imposition of tax, for Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund and for Public
Transportation Assistance Fund. Referred to TRANSPORTATION, Jan. 19, 2005

SB 51 By Senators BOSCOLA, LAVALLE, COSTA, O'PAKE, KITCHEN, LOGAN, MUSTO,
GREENLEAF, STOUT, TARTAGLIONE, WOZNIAK and ORIE. An Act authorizing senior citizens to claim an exemption from tax increases as to certain real property; and providing for termination of the exemption. Referred to FINANCE, Jan. 19, 2005

SB 52 By Senators BOSCOLA, LAVALLE, COSTA, O'PAKE, KASUNIC, RAFFERTY,
REGOLA, PUNT, KITCHEN, LOGAN, MUSTO, WOZNIAK, GREENLEAF, STOUT, TARTAGLIONE and ORIE. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, further providing for exemption from payment of real estate taxes. Referred to FINANCE, Jan. 19, 2005

SB 24 By Senators O'PAKE, LOGAN, WAUGH, D. WHITE, COSTA, KASUNIC, LAVALLE,
STOUT, KITCHEN, ERICKSON, ORIE, WAGNER, WONDERLING, MUSTO, C. WILLIAMS,
TARTAGLIONE, GREENLEAF, GORDNER and RHOADES. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, authorizing a tax credit for volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) personnel for purposes of personal income tax. Referred to FINANCE, Jan. 18, 2005

SB 32 By Senators WAGNER, STOUT, C. WILLIAMS, LOGAN, COSTA, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, KITCHEN and ORIE. An Act providing for the exclusion of veterans' disability payments as income in certain circumstances. Referred to FINANCE, Jan. 18, 2005

SB 39 By Senators WAGNER, C. WILLIAMS, LOGAN, COSTA, KITCHEN and ORIE. An Act relating to the delivery of services and programs to persons with disabilities; conferring powers and duties on the Governor's Office; and creating the Office of Disabilities and providing for its funding. Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, Jan. 18, 2005

SB 45 By Senator WAGNER. An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, further defining "medical facility" and "nursing facility"; further providing for composition of the Patient Safety Authority; providing for a health data warehouse; and further providing for continuing medical education. Referred to PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, Jan. 18, 2005

SB 46 By Senator WAGNER. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, excluding child restraint seats from the sales and use tax. Referred to FINANCE, Jan. 18, 2005