Giant Blood-Sucking Leeches? In Philly? No Way!

New Yorker July 25, "Bloodsuckers" by John Colapinto (p. 72-81)

The FDA has approved only two living animals to be used as medical devices. The first was the maggot, approved in Jan. 2004, to consume infected tissue around wounds. The second, last summer, was the leech, which has been very useful in translant or re-attachment surgery and recovery, as it creates an "artificial circulation" until the new or reattached appendage can grow new veins. (p. 74)

Creepy, but cool at the same time.

There is a Philly connection. Roy T. Sawyer is the world's leading leech specialist.

In the early eighties, he formed a partnership with Andrei Budzynski, a professor of biochemistry at Temple University School of medicine, in Philadelphia. Budzynski isolated an enzyme from the giant leech's salivary glands which he and Sawyer called hementin.( p. 79)

Hementin can dissolve clots and may be useful for cardiovascular problems.

Mike Fitzpatrick and CAFTA

Late this past Wednesday the Congress passed Cafta, the US free trade agreement with Central America. It passed 217-215, mostly along party lines (GOP for, Dems against). One interesting PA tidbit showed up in the Wall Street Journal. Fitzpatrick is the 8th district congressman mentioned in my previous post. His district is primarily in Bucks Co with one odd splotch in Montco.

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a freshman Republican from Pennsylvania, had a harder time resisting. The congressman represents a suburban district outside Philadelphia, and worried about the impact of Cafta on the region. But in the midst of the protracted vote, Mr. Fitzpatrick took a call in the Republican cloakroom from Stephen Hadley, the president's national security adviser. Mir. Hadley stressed Cafta would improve regional security, solidfying Central America's move away from instability. The congressman voted "yes," becoming one of the final Cafta supporters to step forward.

(source: Hitt, Greg, "Last-Minute Deals Put Cafta Over the Top," Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2005, p. A4. See the 3rd from the last paragraph.)

I wonder if he was able to get something in return -- a little push in favor of keeping the Willow Grove Air Base or something for the Central American population around Norristown and Kennett Square (not in his district but regional issues all the same)? I sure hope so.

Iraqi Vets as Candidates

The Inky had an article today on Iraqi vets running for national office. I thought this section was very interesting:

Eight Iraq war veterans have run or announced runs for political office across the country, according to the two major parties. Although all but one are Democrats, none has spoken out against the war or stated support for a troop withdrawal.

Where are all the Operation Yellow Elephant veterans? (This is a movement to get all those young conservatives in favor of the war to sign up themselves.)

Only one of the eight is in Pennsylvania. Patrick Murphy is running for the 8th Congressional District (mostly in Bucks Co, with a bizarre looking gerrymanded drop of sweat extending into Montgomery Co). Oddly enough, his only declared Democratic competition is another vet, Paul Lang, who was injured while on duty in the Coast Guard (I think in Alaska, but am not sure on this). The Republican incumbent is Fitzpatrick, but the seat is best known for former congressman Jim Greenwood.

Mayoral Candidate Websites

Politics Philly has done a great job looking at the campaign websites of possible mayoral candidates. If you have any interest in the mayor's race, it will be a very interesting post.

Demoted Legislators

The Inky and a few other papers (here and here, via PoliticsPA and Edico) have articles today on the removal of state reps who voted against the pay raise from subcommittee chairmanships. Here is a full list of those removed and the subcommittees they had chaired (from the Intelligencer). Please note that Greg Vitali has been replaced as chair of the subcommittee on energy by Alan Butkovitz who ran for Philly controller in the last race. I did a quick look into him and have no complaints about his overall work and am sure he does an admirable job, but I don't see any emphasis on energy in his activities.

Bill DeWeese, Demotions, and Other Crazy-Making Things

In today's Inky there is a story about House Minority leader, Bill DeWeese (the guy who talks like he has a dictionary taped to his tongue) removing legislators who were against the legislative pay raise from committee chairmanships and subcommittee chairmanships. (Keystone Politics has the full article; Young Philly Politics has additional commentary.)

Pardon me for a moment while the top of my head blows off and I count to ten.

What is wrong with PA Democratic leadership? Do we have to copy every stinking rotten thing the Republicans do? Don't we realize that we will NEVER EVER EVER have any sort of credibility if we keep doing STUPID IDIOTIC THINGS like this?? No wonder there is voter apathy when anyone willing to stand up on principle is slammed by those in power. How can we POSSIBLY expect to get good people to run for office when they have to deal with GARBAGE like this if they get into office.

The article has several quotes from Rep. Greg Vitali. I like Greg Vitali. He isn't my rep and I've never met him but I've read enough and seen enough to know that this is one good guy. If you see the PA Campaign Finance resource on my links list, a database that drastically simplifies your ability to track political donations for state races, you can thank Greg Vitali for that. Greg Vitali has worked on energy-related issues for years and he was just removed as chairman for the subcommittee on energy. Who you gonna put in, Bill? Someone like Rieger who seldom shows up for work but always toes the line? That will be so wonderful for the state (sarcasm intended). I'm sure the subcommittee will be so much more effective that way. (more sarcasm)

Bill DeWesse has no problem spending lots of other people's money. I wrote last fall about an October 2003 report that found:

These are not the actions of an organization with integrity or any sense of accountability to the rank and file. On October 2003, the AP reported that both party leaders spent an average of $5000 a month on lunches, or $60,000 in 12 months. That’s more than the average Pennsylvanian makes in a year! Honestly, how can party leaders think it is okay to call and ask for money without even making an effort to use it well? I don’t want one red cent from my pocket going to print and mail out known untruths or to pay for expensive meals. I’d be a lot happier and a lot more willing to give if the party sent around pictures of Bill DeWeese eating a brown bag lunch.

So, Bill wants to have a nice lunch out on loyal Democrats who send in money, and squash legislators who refuse a pay raise that is causing a lot of ruckus among the voters. I don't live in his district so I can't vote him out of office, but could we at least get him out of a leadership position? If I can't support Republicans because of political differences and I can't support Democrats because the state party leadership is living on Mars, or someplace far removed from Normal, Pennsylvania, what am I to do?

It is things like this which leave average voters feeling helpless. DeWeese & Co just shove their actions down our throat and don't give diddly how it looks or how it plays back home. They assume Democrats will vote for Democrats no matter what they do. One thing we can do, however, is support Democrats running for office against not only Republicans but also the Democratic machine. Case in point, Chris Bowers who has tossed his hat in the ring for Philadelphia War 27, Division 23 committeeperson. Good luck, Chris!

Latoyia Figueroa

Thanks to Matt (Tattered Coat) and Tulin (PoliticsPhilly), I have figured out how to post photos and do some other blogger tweaking. For the duration I will leave the photo and link for Latoyia on the right side of this blog.

[Note on 08/20/05 I deleted the existing 12 comments and am refusing to allow new ones. This is because those comments included profanity, personal attacks on the missing woman and on each other. These are not considered appropriate comments on this blog.]

MSM on Missing Philly Woman

A number of Philly area bloggers, including many of those on my blogroll, have posted the picture and information on Latoyia Figueroa, an area woman missing for 9 days. The MSM has been receiving a lot of criticism for focusing on wealthy, pretty, white girls to the exclusion of all other missing persons. Last night, though, I saw a note about Figueroa on the late night news and now there is a story about it on CNN. The work done by bloggers is mentioned, although no specific names are given. I didn't have a posting on it because I haven't figured out how to include photos yet. It is a sad excuse, I know.

Hospice Care at CHOP NICU

Today's WSJ, p. D1 has a story, "A New Approach for the Sickest Babies," on hospice care for terminally ill infants. One of the hospital's mentioned is CHOP.

At the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the two-year-old palliative-care service sometimes allows parents to choose to move their terminally ill babies to a slightly less effective type of ventilator, but one that will allow them to hold their children, sometimes for the only time.

My heart aches just to read it.

Santorum Interview

A Smoke-Filled Room has a link to the transcript of Santorum's online interview yesterday. Worth a look.

Cohen Updates Blog on Legislation

State Rep. Mark Cohen has updated his blog on PA legislation with 2 new postings. Take a look when you get a chance. And thanks again to Rep. Cohen for offering this service.

Santorum and Parental Support

I've been reading a lot about Senator Santorum's book but have refrained from commenting on it because I haven't read it myself, have no intention of buying it, and don't want to be on the waiting list at the library for it, not when there are some other good reads out there and I'm in the middle of re-reading a Robert Heinlein classic.

But I've seen noted in a number of places that the Santorum family receives financial help from his family. One example is here.

Now, I will freely admit that the rest of this post will sound self-righteous and priggish. It will, it will, so you might want to skip it.

When Mr. Jane and I married neither of us had expectations of any inheritance. In fact, we both expected that we would eventually have financial responsibilities for our parents. When my father died we received a bill for our share of the funeral costs. When Mr. Jane's father died we received a bill for our share of the funeral costs. For most of the past 13 years we have sent off a small check every month to help cover prescription costs, or for "creature comforts" (a room phone in a nursing home, money so someone could get their hair done once in a while, clothing costs, etc.). Before this became a regular expense we would sometimes receive a call that a parent needed one thing or another and what our share would be. Sometimes it was a small amount sometimes it would be higher. As first generation college students we understood that our household earning power was likely to be higher than our parents' ever had been or would be. This is just what you do. I know a lot of people in the same situation. My mother took care of her parents. My grandparents took care of their parents. People extend a hand to younger siblings. If you lived near a school or college you might offer free room and board to a sibling or other relative.

At one point we feared that a misalignment in medical diagnoses and insurance coverage would mean all the children in the family would need to pitch in $500 a month for several months. Fortunately the stars realigned and this wasn't needed. But we had planned for that eventuality. We have planned our life and finances so that we have a cushion in case of emergency. That means a smaller house than we could afford, and paying extra on the mortgage. Paying into a retirement fund so that our children won't have the same worries we do about parental support, saving for college costs, some investments. In times of trouble all this can be jettisoned and we can come up with more money each month. It isn't enough of a cushion for one of us to quit working but enough that we can relax and know we can handle a level of uncertainty should a problem arise.

When Sen. Santorum talks about two-income households and that being a sign of affluenza or extravagant lifestyles, I want to ask him what he expects people to do, leave their parents on the curb? Insist parents leave their own homes and move in with their adult children because it's more cost effective that way? Knowing you can lend a hand to a loved one or, hopefully, let your children graduate from college without debt, or give those children a future without worry about supporting their parents hanging over their heads -- these are extravangances in Rick Santorum's America? You do have to balance your obligations to your parents and your obligations to your children, and that is sometimes a hard balance, but he assumes we are all throwing way our money on diamond-encrusted computer games or 500 pairs of shoes. He needs to visit a few homes across the state and see how the people of Pennsylvania are really living.

I read that he is still taking money from his parents and my jaw hit the floor. People take money from their parents for college or maybe a house down payment, or ask for a loan if a financial disaster happens. But for him as an adult to still be even somewhat dependent on money from his parents? Where I am from that is downright embarrasing.

PA in the WSJ

I traded in some unlikely to be used frequent flier miles for a 3 month subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Often I don't get a chance to read it until the weekend so I don't always see things quickly. In a stack I went through recently there were a few interesting stories:

"Philadelphia Exchange is Courting Investors" (Tuesday July 12, p. C3). I dont' remember seeing this in the Inky but maybe I just missed it. Morgan Stanley and Creduit Suisse First Boston, and UBS Securities are considering buying a piece of the Philadelphia Exchange. If, like me, you were only vaugely aware that we had an exchange, you may wish to visit it's website here o rread a brief overview here.

The other story is quite timely. On Tuesday, July 19, p. B1, there is a story called "Keeping Up is Hard to Do," on a Pennsylvania couple having a hard time keeping up with bills. The Bellinis are a hard working couple with kids, who currently have trouble paying for gas. Mr. Bellini works for Comcast and hasn't received a raise in three years. Mrs. Bellini works for an eye doctor. I wonder what they think of the recent legislative pay raise, or the legislature's justification that it is doing a good job and deserves it? Isn't that a slap in the face to this family and all the others like it?

Geezer Girl Household Hints

Being one of the older female bloggers in the area, I feel it my duty to share some of the wisdom I have accumulated over the years. Thusly, I have selected 3 specific bits of information to share.

* Dried cherries are a great substitute for raisins, especially in baked goods. The texture is identical and raisin people often don't notice any difference while non-raisin people can tell that it doesn't have the raisin aftertaste but can't identify what, specifically, has changed.

* If you are at the beach with a small child who has finished or is eating vanilla ice cream and see a trail of white down the child's arm, DO NOT lick it off assuming it is ice cream. It takes DAYS to get the taste of sunscreen out of your mouth and off your tongue. You can try burning it off with spicy foods or freezing it off with icy foods. They will work for, oh, about 15 minutes and then you are back to sunscreen.

* To keep track of household linens put a sheet set inside one of the pillow cases that goes with it. It may not be up to Martha Steward standards as far as appearance on the shelf but is makes life easier (this one is not original -- I read it somewhere).

Cookin' in the Philly 'Burbs

Temple University - Ambler in Ft. Washington, PA. made the "Our Favorite College Cooking Classes" list in August's Cooking Light. Their programs include Easy French Dishes, and Matching Wines and Food. The hands-on classes are taught by chefs at Cravings Cafe. The magazine loves it because of the enthusiasm for local chefs' connection with the university.

Not sure what this means and it has nothing to do with politics but it jumped out at me nonetheless. (BTW, Mr. Jane tried out the Turtle Ice Cream Pie on page 134, to take to a pool party this weekend and it was pretty darn good. My contribution was shifting the dry ingredients with a whisk, as the recipe called for; Mr. Jane was going to stir them with a spoon and leave it at that.)

New Federal Legislative Resource

I just found something interesting on Fables of the Reconstruction, which I found on A Smoke-Filled Rooms blog list. CRS, the Congressional Research Service, prepares reports for (guess who!) Congress. Some of those reports are now freely available on the web. I've added it to my link list.

Another Legislative Update

I have been neglecting to include with my weekly legislative updates the exceptionally well done updates by the CPA group, PICPA. Here is their update for last week. They note they will be continuing to discuss legislation over the summer, even if the legislature is not in session. I will try to continue to post those links.

For my part, I hope to take a closer look at some of the bills passed or pending. I have been surprised to learn that bills were still being introduced to referred to committees even after the legislators left for the summer. I won't be listing those, though.

I'm also update my blog list. Blogs that have not been updated for two months or so are being masked (until they are maintained again) or deleted. I'm adding in one or two others, for example, politicsphilly.com, which has posted some really good information. There are other blogs I check regularly but won't be adding them to the list, as I'd like to keep the emphais on state politics.

Hope everyone is staying cool. It is supposed to be nicer this weekend.

legislative update / week of 7/04

This is a list of bills that passed the PA House and/or Senate the week of July 4th. Please note that the legislature was doing business both Sunday, July 3rd and Monday, July 4th. Not that that justifies some gigantic pay raise in my view, but still, it is evidence that many of our elected representatives are working hard. Of course, if they had managed to get themselves organized and together BEFORE the last minute they could have been home walking or riding in parades and what not, but I digress.

Standard caveats apply here. Only bills and not resolutions included. List of sponsors deleted if it runs over 2 lines (sometimes it looks like half the legislative body co-sponsored a bill).

HOUSE

HB 1690 Prior Printer's No. 2152. Printer's No. 2305. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unlawful devices and methods.

SB 126 By Senators WENGER, ARMSTRONG and BRIGHTBILL. Printer's No. 109. An Act designating a certain bridge carrying State Route 322 over Conestoga River in Earl Township, Lancaster County as the Representative Leroy M. Zimmerman Memorial Bridge.

SB 141 By Senators ERICKSON, THOMPSON and PILEGGI. Printer's No. 128. An Act designating a bridge in Westtown Township, Chester County, the L. Charles Scipione Bridge.

SB 565 Prior Printer's Nos. 673, 923. Printer's No. 1038. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for qualifications, eligibility and compensation for district attorneys; and making repeals.

SB 677 Printer's No. 815. An Act designating a portion of State Route 322 in Delaware County as the Senator Clarence D. Bell Memorial Highway.

SB 361 Prior Printer's Nos. 366, 1049. Printer's No. 1066. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for home education programs, for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for cyber charter school enrollment and notification.

SB 608 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 640. An Act making an appropriation from the State Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

SB 609 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 641. An Act making an appropriation from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

SB 610 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 642. An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto.

SB 611 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 643. An Act making appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

SB 612 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 644. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

SB 613 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 645. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.

SB 614 By Senator THOMPSON. Printer's No. 646. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 147 Printer's No. 132. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for technical assistance and information provided by department.

SB 706 By Senator M. WHITE. Prior Printer's Nos. 850, 928. Printer's No. 1013. An Act designating the Main Street Bridge in Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, as the General Richard Butler Bridge.

SENATE

SB 196 Prior Printer's Nos. 185, 409. Printer's No. 1040. An Act providing immunity for physician reporting of suspected use of controlled substance for illicit purpose.

SB 669 Prior Printer's No. 780. Printer's No. 808. An Act amending Titles 2 (Administrative Law and Procedure) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for court and administrative proceeding interpreters; and repealing related provisions.

SB 712 Prior Printer's Nos. 859, 898. Printer's No. 1055. An Act providing for the notification of residents whose personal information data was or may have been disclosed due to a security system breach; and imposing penalties.

HB 612 Prior Printer's No. 685. Printer's No. 2100. An Act amending the act of March 1, 1988 (P.L.82, No.16), known as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, further providing for definitions.

HB 1646 Prior Printer's Nos. 2075, 2303. Printer's No. 2433. An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a prohibition against unauthorized local government unit actions; establishing a cause of action for unauthorized enactment or enforcement of local ordinances governing normal agricultural operations; providing for duties of the Attorney General and for hearings; consolidating the Nutrient Management Act; further providing for scope, for legislative purpose, for definitions and for administration; providing for manure application; further providing for nutrient management and odor management certification; providing for odor management plans; further providing for the Nutrient Management Advisory Board, for financial assistance, for unlawful conduct, for civil penalties and for local preemption; providing for other statutes and for regulations; and making a related repeal.

HB 1650 Prior Printer's No. 2061. Printer's No. 2489. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for resident, nonresident and tourist fishing licenses.

HB 86 Prior Printer's No. 80. Printer's No. 1945. An Act authorizing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on behalf of the Commonwealth to agree to hold and save the United States Army Corps of Engineers free from certain damages arising from certain construction projects.

HB Prior Printer's Nos. 528, 2063, 2112, 2272, 2431. Printer's No. 2522. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further defining "emergency vehicle"; further providing for application for certificate of title, for transfer of ownership of vehicle and for application for certificate of title by agent; providing for certain veterans plates; further providing for suspension of registration of unapproved carriers and for surrender of registration plates and cards upon suspension of revocation; providing for suspension of registration plates upon sixth unpaid parking violation in cities of the first class and for motor vehicle liability insurance for motorcycle marshals; and further providing for reinstatement of operating privilege or vehicle registration, for automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities, for operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection, for conditions of permits and security for damages, for permit for movement of containerized cargo, for impoundment of certain vehicles and combinations for nonpayment of fines, for immobilization, towing and storage of vehicle for driving without operating privilege or registration, for disposition of impounded vehicles, combinations and loads, for prohibitions on ATV operation by persons under age 16 and for refunds of tax imposed upon liquid fuels or certain other fuels.

HB 1168 Prior Printer's Nos. 1374, 1873, 2432. Printer's No. 2560. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, providing for use of medical expenses to establish medical assistance eligibility, for lifetime limit on unpaid medical expenses, for penalty period for asset transfer, for treatment of life estates and annuities, for community spouse income, for eligibility for home and community-based services, for verification of eligibility and for eligibility redetermination of persons for medical assistance; further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care, for other medical assistance payments, for reimbursement for certain items and services and for relatives' responsibility; providing for medical assistance benefit packages, for coverage, copayments, premiums and rates, for definitions of limited applicability, for rebates, for pharmacy management systems, for enrollment limitation and for established drug regimens; further providing for other computations affecting counties, for special provider participation requirements and for third-party liability; and providing for data matching, for special needs trusts, for a health insurance premium payment program and for parity in insurance coverage for State-owned psychiatric hospitals.

SB 726 By Senators PIPPY and ORIE. Printer's No. 941. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for assessment limits on counties of the second class; and providing for effect of appeal, escrow and payment under protest.

HB 3 Prior Printer's Nos. 220, 622. Printer's No. 2571. An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions, for allocation of Environmental Stewardship Fund and for administrative expenses; deleting provisions relating to environmental infrastructure grants; providing for fee deposits; authorizing indebtedness for environmental initiatives; authorizing sale of bonds, temporary financing and debt retirement; further providing for disposal fee for municipal waste landfills and deposit of disposal fee; deleting certain sunset provisions; and making a repeal relating to the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

HB 107 Prior Printer's Nos. 99, 1493, 1922, 2490. Printer's No. 2567. An Act authorizing the establishment and maintenance of health savings accounts; providing for special tax provisions; and imposing restrictions on health savings accounts.

HB 139 Printer's No. 1313. An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, codifying the Optional County Affordable Housing Funds Act; and making a related repeal.

HB 823 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 856, 2389. Printer's No. 2569. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2005-2006, itemizing public highway projects to be constructed or acquired by the Department of Transportation, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed or acquired by the Department of Transportation; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations.

HB 1802 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 2340, 2401, 2452. Printer's No. 2566. An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, further defining "redevelopment assistance capital project"; further providing for procedures for capital budget bill and debt-authorizing legislation and for appropriation for and limitation on redevelopment assistance capital projects; and providing for quarterly reports related to redevelopment assistance capital projects and for the refunding of debt issued under previous authorized acts.

SB 63 Prior Printer's No. 187. Printer's No. 271. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for, in child protective services, investigation of reports and for county agency requirements for general protective services.

HB 851 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 884. Printer's No. 2547. An Act making an appropriation to the Everhart Museum in Scranton for operating expenses.

HB 852 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 885. Printer's No. 2548. An Act making an appropriation to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

Correction

A few weeks ago I had a posting on bloggers testifying in DC. There were some comments to the posting and I replied to them. In one of those comment replies I made this statement:

The rat**** diary recently became the ratbang diary
because some aggregators would not include it under
the old name.

It was based on something in the ratbang diary, announcing the name change (and please note that the previous name did not actually include four asterisks -- use your imagination and I'm sure you'll figure it out):

Because there are prissy twits out there, not to
mention mainstream rags, which would never read or
reference a blog called Rat****.

Recently the writer of that blog contacted me to let me know that I had misread her work:

You have made an inference that is not true. No one
has ever not included my blog anywhere because of the
old name Rat****. It seemed to me that this might
happen sometime, however. That is, if my blog became
popular enough to be noticed in the larger world. It
was a preemptive measure on my part. And I think, a
wise one.

But I would like to correct the impression you may
have that I felt pressured by negative comments or
people who were offended. I didn't feel that kind of
pressure at all. I am aware, though, that acceptance
in the Blogosphere does not mean acceptance in the
mainstream media. Therefore I took a prudent step.

Looking at what I originally read I can see that I did, indeed, make an assumption, and I stand corrected.

Dinner with the House?

Politicspa asked 50 women from the Pennsylvania political community which three Congressmen or state legislators they would most like to have dinner with (no indication that it would be anything other than a hypothetical business dinner). The winners and their responses are posted here. About half showed a sense of humor; the others need to relax a little -- I don't think anyone is really after them. (Truth in advertising -- I was one of the 50; some of my picks made the cut, some didn't.)

legislative update thurs 6/30

I'm trying to get caught up on the legislative updates. Here are the bills passed in the House on Thursday 6/30. Standard caveats apply. I didn't see anything that passed in the Senate. Hopefully, I'll get the week of July 4th done and posted in the next few days. I'm halfway through Thursday of that week, and then get started on last week.

House

HB 727 Prior Printer's No. 818. Printer's No. 2415. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the definition of "emergency vehicle"; prohibiting operation of motor vehicle equipped with nitrous oxide system; and further providing for shared-ride program for persons with disabilities.

HB 828 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 861. Printer's No. 2526. An Act making an appropriation to the Trustees of Drexel University, Philadelphia.

HB 829 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 862, 2406. Printer's No. 2527. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

HB 830 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 863. Printer's No. 2528. An Act making appropriations to the Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation for the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Health Professions and for continuation of pediatric services.

HB 831 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 864. Printer's No. 2529. An Act making appropriations to the Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

HB 832 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 865. Printer's No. 2530. An Act making an appropriation to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia.

HB 833 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 866. Printer's No. 2531. An Act making an appropriation to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie.

HB 834 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 867. Printer's No. 2532. An Act making an appropriation to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia.

HB 835 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 868. Printer's No. 2533. An Act making an appropriation to the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, for instruction and student aid.

HB 836 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 869. Printer's No. 2534. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the Berean Training and Industrial School at Philadelphia for operation and maintenance expenses and for payment of debt service.

HB 837 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 870. Printer's No. 2535. An Act making an appropriation to the Johnson Technical Institute of Scranton for operation and maintenance expenses.

HB 838 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 871. Printer's No. 2536. An Act making an appropriation to the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Delaware County for operation and maintenance expenses.

HB 839 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 872. Printer's No. 2537. An Act making an appropriation to the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, for the operation and maintenance of the cancer research program.

HB 840 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 873. Printer's No. 2538. An Act making an appropriation to the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, for operation and maintenance expenses and for AIDS research.

HB 841 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 874. Printer's No. 2407. An Act making an appropriation to the Central Penn Oncology Group.

HB 842 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 875. Printer's No. 2539. An Act making an appropriation to the Lancaster Cleft Palate for outpatient-inpatient treatment.

HB 843 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 876. Printer's No. 2540. An Act making an appropriation to the Burn Foundation, Philadelphia, for outpatient and inpatient treatment.

HB 844 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 877. Printer's No. 2541. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Institute, Pittsburgh, for treatment and rehabilitation of certain persons with disabling diseases.

HB 845 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 878. Printer's No. 2542. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for comprehensive patient care and general maintenance and operation of the hospital.

HB 846 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 879. An Act making an appropriation to the Beacon Lodge Camp.

HB 847 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 880. Printer's No. 2543. An Act making appropriations to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for operations and maintenance expenses and the purchase of apparatus, supplies and equipment.

HB 848 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 881. Printer's No. 2544. An Act making an appropriation to the Franklin Institute Science Museum for maintenance expenses.

HB 849 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 882. Printer's No. 2545. An Act making an appropriation to the Academy of Natural Sciences for maintenance expenses.

HB 850 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 883. Printer's No. 2546. An Act making an appropriation to the African-American Museum in Philadelphia for operating expenses.

HB 851 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 884. Printer's No. 2547. An Act making an appropriation to the Everhart Museum in Scranton for operating expenses.

HB 852 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 885. Printer's No. 2548. An Act making an appropriation to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

HB 853 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 886. Printer's No. 2549. An Act making an appropriation to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

HB 1049 Prior Printer's No. 1205. Printer's No. 1959. An Act amending the act of June 19, 1931 (P.L.589, No.202), referred to as the Barbers' License Law, further providing for licensing requirements.

HB 1509 By Representative TANGRETTI. Printer's No. 1843. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to F & L Group, Inc., an access and utility easement across certain lands situate in the Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.

HB 1539 Prior Printer's No. 1896. Printer's No. 2408. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, further providing for reports to the Secretary of Revenue; and establishing and providing for appropriation to the Emergency Energy Assistance Fund.

HB 1606 Prior Printer's No. 2149. Printer's No. 2409. An Act providing for free breast and cervical cancer screening services to certain eligible women and for the powers and duties of the Department of Health.

HB 1646 Prior Printer's Nos. 2075, 2303. Printer's No. 2433. An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a prohibition against unauthorized local government unit actions; establishing a cause of action for unauthorized enactment or enforcement of local ordinances governing normal agricultural operations; providing for duties of the Attorney General and for hearings; consolidating the Nutrient Management Act; further providing for scope, for legislative purpose, for definitions and for administration; providing for manure application; further providing for nutrient management and odor management certification; providing for odor management plans; further providing for the Nutrient Management Advisory Board, for financial assistance, for unlawful conduct, for civil penalties and for local preemption; providing for other statutes and for regulations; and making a related repeal.

HB 1788 Prior Printer's No. 2326. Printer's No. 2434. An Act amending the act of May 25, 1945 (P.L.1050, No.394), known as the Local Tax Collection Law, further providing for title of act and for installment payment of taxes; authorizing installment payment of school taxes and payment of school property tax increases to certain claimants who occupy homesteads; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Revenue.

SB 457 Prior Printer's No. 490. Printer's No. 900. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code, further providing for beneficiaries of fund not to be employed by the city; and providing for beneficiaries serving in elective office.

Weekend Doings

My apologies for not being more active this past week. I was spending some time with the family and, this weekend, like millions of other people, reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I finished it late last night [yawn]. For those who might be interested, I liked it and thought the story hung together well and there was enough humor to balance out the darker story line. Without giving away any plot lines, let me tell you that love is in the air, and in places you might not suspect. We also find out that Arthur and Molly Weasley eloped after a quick courtship. Their twin sons Fred and George turn out to be more sensible that we might have otherwise expected. One even comments that he is appreciating his mother more, now that he has to wash his own socks. As a mom, I had to love that comment.

As hinted, we do learn that Harry's mother was talented at charms, and why that is important in this part of the story, and we learn a lot about the history of Voldemort. There is a lot of psychology in this book, and I noticed a "sins of the father" subplot in the continuation of a previous generation's feud. We spend more time with Dumbledore and learn more about him as well. I found it well worth the time to read and to those who will say it is rotting our children's brain, I would reply that just about any reading is good reading, and could be the gateway to other, perhaps more classic works.

On another note, I sat through two kid's movies and, as is all too often the case, thought both were dreadful. One was the new Willy Wonka film. However, everyone else in the family thought it was better than the original and truer to the book. Since I haven't read it I couldn't say. Mr. Jane read it to the kids so they would know better than me.

I hope to be back with more of the usual political chatter soon, and there are still some bills that passed that I need to post. Stay tuned.

X-ray Glasses at HUP

In the July 2005 issue of Fast Company, p. 32, there is an interesting note on a new innovation from Siemens, augemented reality goggles that are being used to let doctors combine MRI and CT scans with real-life vision when doing certain surgical and other medical techniques. They can see images of tumors, etc. superimposed over a person's skull or other body part, to allow for more accurate and less-invasive techniques. One of the places using these new devices is the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Can flying cars be far behind?

Get’em While They’re Young

I grew up in a family of Republicans. They might have
split their ticket from time to time but they were
mostly Republicans, some vehemently so. Yet, I became
a Democrat. My feet were firmly set at a young age.
You see, while my family were Republicans, they never
talked about politics so I didn’t know their political
beliefs or how they were formed. Fortunately, or
unfortunately depending on your viewpoint, a neighbor
of my mother's was not so restrained. She had never
married and in those days that meant she had no
children. She asked me to look after her cat when she
went away and took me under her wing. She gave me
books, took me to a movie, and took me to my first
political event. We handed out flyers for a state
representative or state senate candidate. His name
was Phil, last name lost to memory, and he lost the
election to boot. But he did thank me personally.

The neighbor, whose name I have taken as a pseudonym
for this blog, was involved in the local Democratic
committee. When I was in high school one of our US
senators came to town. It must have been an election
year or else he was especially diligent as the town
was very small and not a usual stopping point. I
worked on the school paper and the neighbor finagled
an interview with the senator for me. After his
breakfast meeting, he was going to the high school for
an assembly. I rode with him and an aide in the car
and asked my questions there. He was unfailingly
polite and his staff followed up with information on
questions to flesh out what he said. They also sent
me an autographed picture. That year for Christmas
the neighbor gave me a letter opener with his
signature engraved on it. I still have both of them,
more than a quarter of a century later.

As a young girl I had met a state level elected
official who had stopped by the church I attended.
Being a bold little rascal I went up and asked if I
could shake his hand. He smiled nicely and said sure.
It was a brief encounter but stuck in my mind. I
don’t really remember what party he was in or exactly
what office he held but I remember he was kind to me.
On election night my mother and I drove up to the
local newspaper office to check the elections returns
to see if he won whatever office he was running. This
was before the Internet and late night news; the paper
posted returns in the front office window.

As an adult, I found out that my grandfather had been
invited to run for town office on the Republican
ticket but no one could be found to run for mayor so
the slate was dropped. He never spoke about that. I
wonder if the letter on my voter registration card
would be different today if he had.

And so my introduction to politics was provided by a
partisan Democrat who took advantage of car rides to
events or conversations regarding the feeding of her
cat to indoctrinate me. “Republicans look after
business; Democrats look after people. Don’t forget,”
she would say. There are other reasons why I have
retained my sense of party affiliation but the seeds
were sown there.

I am involved in community events, as is Mr. Jane, and
so our children are sometimes taken out to street
fairs and tree plantings and such. One elected
official whose family was grown borrowed them for an
afternoon as a rationale for attending a Halloween
event (I went along too). Another borrowed them to be
in a group photo on a campaign brochure. The youngest
little Jane appeared on someone else’s campaign web
site. So they are used to interacting with elected
officials and candidates. The oldest little Jane,
whose age is still in single digits told me he didn’t
know who to support in one local race because he sort
of knew both candidates. “It’s a toughy” I told him,
wanting him to come to his own conclusions. Like many
parents my husband and I took our kids to the polls
with us and let them push one or two buttons. We’ve
told them we are Democrats but that they are
encouraged to develop their own beliefs.

If my civic involvement serves no other purpose, my
time will have been well spent if my children grow up
thinking elected officials are people they can and
should interact with on a regular basis. Next to a
big fat inheritance (which looks unlikely), it’s the
best legacy I can leave them.

Legislative Pay Raises

As I expect just about everyone knows, the state legislature gave themselves a nice pay increase, tied to the federal congressional pay scale, and extended this increase to selected other state officials as well. The increase is around 16%. That’s a serious raise, especially considering that committee chairs received an extra boost, and that a car lease allowance and a per diem are also included with the job.

There are a variety of rationales for this substantial pay raise. One is that they are doing a good job and deserve it. This always annoys me. It implies that those who are not getting such substantial increases (for example, everyone in my house) are do nothing slackers. I reply with a big wet raspberry noise.

Another rationale is that this will bring in a better class of people to the job. If that means we could get rid of some of the people already on the payroll, I’m all for it. Not to pick on him or anything, but I’m pretty sure Bill Rieger’s constituents could come up someone better than him. In fact, a few people tried hard to get his job but the Democratic machine came to his aid. Corporate executives also use the “we have to pay unbelievably higher salaries to get good people” routine, and look where that has gotten us. While there are no doubt some excellent CEOs out there, we have also seen more than a few clunkers lately.

If I had to pay a lot of money to get good people for a given job, state elected and appointed officials are not where I would start. The nurses caring for me and my loved ones would be at the top. Followed by the conductor that drives the train Mr. Jane takes to and from work each day. My children’s teachers are on my top 10 list; school bus drivers not far behind. The bank clerk taking my deposit and everyone in the banking industry who deals with my personal and financial information rank fairly highly. The pay scale for these jobs has, I think, stayed steady or gone down.

I also find it alarming that there is such a disconnect between daily reality for Pennsylvania residents and our state legislature. They will now be earning roughly twice the average income of state residents. Somehow this just doesn’t seem right. It reminds me of something I read in this week’s New Yorker. The article was about professional poker players and the increase in online poker games. Here is a quote from Daniel Negreanu, the 30 year old currently ranked #1 in lifetime poker tournament earnings.

“For kids that are eighteen, nineteen years old, that are going to go to college, get a dead- end job where they make fifty or sixty thousand dollars a year, I can take that same kid, teach him how to play poker and in three months show him how to make more money than he would ever make in that dead-end job.” (“The Players,” New Yorker July 11 & 18, 2005, p. 55).

Since when is $50,000 or $60,000 a dead-end job, especially if you have two wage earners in the family? I was really floored when I read this. And I was floored again when the state legislative leaders said they were worth $80,000 or more.

If they are going to earn that much I think we ought to put a few more details into their work contract. I’d be willing to okay that raise in return for:

1) No outside employment. A full time job is a full-time job, even if you do have to reapply for it every two to four years. It should take up most of your time. If you are earning, oh, say, nearly ten times that salary as a bank director while you are working for me “full-time,” I doubt I will have your full attention. Also, all assets go into a blind trust. If they want a federal salary, let’s have federal rules.

2) More accountability. Immediate access to voting records. No more of this waiting for the House Record to show up at the law library nonsense. Also, a firm, rigorous system of reporting lobbying expenses by special interests. I want the list of financial disclosure forms to be more readily available. The rule passed earlier this year saying legislators don’t have to be in the chambers to vote but just in “the greater Harrisburg area,” has got to go. For $80,000 a year they could at least show up to vote.

3) A more transparent legislative process. Bills seem to pop up out of nowhere and there doesn’t seem to any time for discussion or questions on some of them. A full-time, well-paid legislature should be able to arrange things better.

4) Change the car lease program. No more paying a flat fee towards their car leases. Let’s bid out a legislative fleet. If someone wants to drive something jazzier let them pay for it personally. Legislators from colder regions would be eligible for more substantial vehicles but everyone else gets the same sedan. They can personalize it with antenna ornaments, floormats, hanging car deodorizers, and bobbleheads in the back window. There is no real reason for this other than pettiness on my part, and the possibility that we could get a better deal this way.

These are my thoughts, for what they are worth.

Young Philly Politics Moving to Phoenix

Just kidding.

Actually they have shifted from blogger to civic space. Check them out at their new digs: http://www.youngphillypolitics.com

It is nice to see such a well-done site moving up to the big leagues. I hope they will leave the porch light on (and maybe a few cookies in a basket out front) in case I'm ever in the neighborhood.

Congratulations on the change to Dan, Ben, and the rest of the gang!

legislative update / wed 6/29

Sorry for the delay. Here are the bills passed in the PA House and Senate on Wed. June 29th. I'm still trying to catch up with the backlog but due to computer limitations next week it may not be all done until the week after.

Standard caveats apply. See one of the previous weekly legislative updates for details.

HOUSE

HB 498 Prior Printer's No. 537. Printer's No. 2392. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for possessing instruments of crime, for false swearing and for criminal history record fees.

HB 816 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 849. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

HB 817 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 850. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.

HB 818 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 851. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 819 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 852. An Act making an appropriation from the State Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

HB 820 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 853. An Act making an appropriation from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

HB 821 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 854. An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto.

HB 822 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 855. An Act making appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005.

HB 823 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 856, 2389. Printer's No. 2569. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2005-2006, itemizing public highway projects to be constructed or acquired by the Department of Transportation, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing the incurring of debt without the approval of the electors for the purpose of financing the projects to be constructed or acquired by the Department of Transportation; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; and making appropriations.

HB 983 Prior Printer's Nos. 1118, 1960. Printer's No. 2397. An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing a film production grant program; and repealing provisions of the Tax Reform Code of 1971 relating to film production tax credits.

HB 1108 Prior Printer's Nos. 1270, 2208. Printer's No. 2390. An Act amending the act of March 1, 1988 (P.L.82, No.16), known as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, establishing the Water and Wastewater System Connection Funding Program to provide certain grants and low-interest loans; providing for transfer of certain moneys; and making editorial changes.

HB 1192 Prior Printer's Nos. 1398, 2205. Printer's No. 2394. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for adoption assistance programs and for the applicability of certain equitable distribution proceedings; further providing for alimony pendente lite, counsel fees and expenses; and making a related repeal.

HB 1235 Printer's No. 1448. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, providing for staffing levels and limitations on inmate capacity at State correctional institutions.

HB 1264 Prior Printer's No. 1490. Printer's No. 2396. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for licenses to carry firearms, for the offense of certain bullets prohibited and for the offense of solicitation of minors to traffic drugs.

HB 1377 Prior Printer's Nos. 1665, 2304. Printer's No. 2391. An Act amending the act of June 18, 1998 (P.L.655, No.85), known as the Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law, defining "water heating appliance"; and further providing for interpretation.

HB 1525 Prior Printer's No. 1858. Printer's No. 2398. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for limiting the number of retail licenses to be issued in each county, for unlawful acts and for unlawful advertising.

HB 1563 Printer's No. 1938. An Act amending the act of June 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code, further providing for composition of park or recreation boards.

HB 1580 Prior Printer's No. 1981. Printer's No. 2302. An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the regulation of Cervidae livestock operations.

HB 1745 Prior Printer's Nos. 2219, 2307, 2388, 2458. Printer's No. 2492. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to convey tracts of land and buildings, consisting of a portion of the former Laurelton Center, located in Hartley Township, Union County, Pennsylvania; authorizing the Department of Transportation to convey to Montour County two tracts of land situate in the Borough of Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania; and making a related repeal.

SB 158 By Senator EARLL. Prior Printer's Nos. 149, 649, 666. Printer's No. 704. An Act adding a certain portion of the Bayfront Parkway in the City of Erie, Erie County, to the State Highway System, and transferring to the City of Erie a certain State road.

SENATE

HB 399 Prior Printer's No. 425. Printer's No. 610. An Act amending Title 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for divorcing and divorced person and surviving spouse to resume prior name.

HB 887 Prior Printer's Nos. 1010, 1638, 1919, 2101. Printer's No. 2362. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for resident license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees.

HB 1076 Prior Printer's Nos. 1235, 1639, 2102. Printer's No. 2363. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for license and fee exemptions and for license costs and fees.

HB 1077 Prior Printer's Nos. 1236, 1640, 1866, 2103. Printer's No. 2364. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for license fee for deployed Pennsylvania National Guard members and for reserve component of the armed forces members.

SB 260 By Senators ARMSTRONG, STACK, THOMPSON, RHOADES, MUSTO, RAFFERTY, KITCHEN, ORIE and O'PAKE. Printer's No. 264. An Act joining with other states in an effort to establish an interstate compact to regulate designated insurance products.

SB 723 Prior Printer's Nos. 867, 879, 975. Printer's No. 1026. An Act amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for statement of legislative findings, for definitions, for purchase of agricultural conservation easements and for legislative report.

Legislative News

IssuesPA has new information on the recently passed state budget. Even better they have the list of legislators and how they voted (now how did they get that information, I wonder? I can't get it until months after the fact.)

Also, if you have been reading about the newly enacted pay raise for our "hard working" elected officials, which places them second only to California for the amount earned, you may want to check out the National Conference of State Legislators. They have a handy comparative chart on which states have full time legislatures and which have part time, the number of staff each has, average pay, etc. Good stuff.

legislative update for 6/27 and 6/28

This is a list of bills passed in the PA house and senate on Monday and Tuesday, June 27th and 28th. Sorry last week's updates are coming so late and in pieces but the legislature was very busy, flinging bills through left and right.

The usual caveats apply -- only bills and not resolutions are included, sponsors deleted if the list went over two lines.

I hope to have the rest of last week and perhaps this Monday done over the weekend.

HOUSE

HB Prior Printer's No. 831. Printer's No. 2111. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1974 (P.L.34, No.15), known as the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law, further providing for service allowance, change of employment, military service and contract provisions relating to municipal employees, municipal firemen and municipal police.

HB 1446 Prior Printer's Nos. 1744, 2107. Printer's No. 2337. An Act providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Aging and area agencies on aging and for annual review of care plans; requiring criminal background checks and communicable disease screenings of certain providers; prohibiting certain provider financial interests; providing for consumer telephone access; and providing for procedures for noncompliance.

HB 1578 Prior Printer's No. 1979. Printer's No. 2206. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of neglect of care-dependent person; and providing for the offense of abuse of care- dependent person.

HB 1619 By Representatives BUXTON, HERSHEY, DALEY, MARSICO, McNAUGHTON and PAYNE. Prior Printer's Nos. 2054, 2138. Printer's No. 2338. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, to Crossgates, Inc., a Pennsylvania Corporation; authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to convey tracts of land and buildings, consisting of a portion of the former Laurelton Center, located in Hartley Township, Union County, Pennsylvania; and making a related repeal.

HB 121 By Representatives ROEBUCK, KIRKLAND, KOTIK, LEDERER, McCALL, PISTELLA, THOMAS and WASHINGTON. Printer's No. 126. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for passing and overtaking streetcars.

HB 313 Prior Printer's No. 334. Printer's No. 2371. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for deterrent fences for deer, bear and elk and the payment of claims for damages by certain elk; imposing duties on the Department of Agriculture; providing for the establishment of the Elk Damage Fund; and making an appropriation.

HB 469 Prior Printer's Nos. 508, 2137. Printer's No. 2373. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, defining "unincorporated association"; and further providing for qualifications of electors at primaries, for date of application for absentee ballot, for voting by absentee electors and for canvassing of official absentee ballots.

HB 546 Prior Printer's No. 594. Printer's No. 2367. An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for creditable nonschool service, for contributions for purchase of credit for creditable nonschool service and for administrative duties of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board.

HB 564 Prior Printer's No. 637. Printer's No. 2336. An Act providing for college and university faculty and staff criminal history background investigations and self- disclosure requirements.

HB 603 By Representatives B. SMITH, STABACK and SURRA. Printer's No. 676. An Act amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further defining "enforcement officer" to include certain Pennsylvania Game Commission employees.

HB 1114 Prior Printer's No. 1321. Printer's No. 1946. An Act amending the act of December 19, 1996 (P.L.1478, No.190), entitled "An act relating to the recycling and reuse of waste tires; providing for the proper disposal of waste tires and the cleanup of stockpiled tires; authorizing investment tax credits for utilizing waste tires; providing remediation grants for the cleanup of tire piles and for pollution prevention programs for small business and households; establishing the Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program and management standards for small business hazardous waste; providing for a household hazardous waste program and for grant programs; making appropriations; and making repeals," further providing for the definition of "waste tire"; defining "recycled tire product" and "waste tire recycling facility"; and further providing for the disposal of whole waste tires, for Environmental Quality Board regulations, for waste tire registry and for remediation liens.

HB 1198 Prior Printer's No. 1404. Printer's No. 2368. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of possessing instruments of crime and for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; and providing for serious drug trafficking and violent repeat offenders not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms.

HB 1318 Prior Printer's Nos. 1566, 1967. Printer's No. 2366. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, providing for requirements relating to voter identification; further providing for affidavits of candidates and for qualifications of electors at primaries; providing for restrictions on voting by convicted felons; further providing for voting procedures, for manner of applying to vote, for canvassing of official absentee ballots and for violation of provisions relating to absentee voting.

HB 1435 Prior Printer's No. 1729. Printer's No. 2109. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the offense of computer-assisted remote harvesting of animals.

HB 1468 By Representatives RAMALEY, VEON, BIANCUCCI and LaGROTTA. Printer's No. 1786. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, to accept by donation a tract of land and any improvements thereon situate in the Borough of Ambridge, Beaver County.

HB 1504 Prior Printer's No. 1838. Printer's No. 2369. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for reduced license fees for former prisoners of war.

HB 1508 Printer's No. 1842. An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, further providing for the powers of the Department of Labor and Industry relating to State-owned buildings; and establishing the Uniform Construction Fund.

HB Prior Printer's No. 1980. Printer's No. 2370. An Act providing for certain responsibilities of county and private agencies regarding resource families.

HB 1602 By Representative DeWEESE. Prior Printer's No. 2005. Printer's No. 2306. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Basalt Trap Rock Company, a Maryland for-profit corporation, or their assigns, certain lands, situate in Morgan and Franklin Townships, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

HB 1704 Printer's No. 2166. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for drug delivery resulting in death.

HB 1731 By Representative J. TAYLOR. Prior Printer's Nos. 2198, 2284. Printer's No. 2372. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for motor vehicle liability insurance for motorcycle marshals; further providing for impoundment of certain vehicles and combinations for nonpayment of fines, for immobilization, towing and storage of vehicle for driving without operating privilege or registration and for disposition of impounded vehicles, combinations and loads; and providing for shared-ride program for persons with disabilities.



SB 584 Prior Printer's Nos. 608, 807. Printer's No. 1029. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining the offense of disarming a law enforcement officer; and providing a penalty.

SB 462 Prior Printer's Nos. 495, 707, 981, 1014, 1028. Printer's No. 1056. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for sales by Pennsylvania liquor stores, for authority to issue liquor licenses to hotels, restaurants and clubs, for sales by liquor licensees regarding Sunday sales, for sale of malt or brewed beverages by liquor licensees, for malt and brewed beverages retail licenses, for retail dispensers' restrictions on purchases and sales, for revocation and suspension of licenses, for renewal of amusement permits, for the point system for certain licensees and for the assessment of points for noncompliance; providing for renewal of permit for sales for off-premises consumption in cities of the first class; further providing for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees; and providing for hours of operation relative to manufacturers, importing distributors and distributors and for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees.

SENATE

HB 1338 By Representative HICKERNELL. Prior Printer's No. 1596. Printer's No. 2275. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, to grant and convey to the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, certain lands situate in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County.

SB 197 Prior Printer's Nos. 186, 679. Printer's No. 972. An Act amending the act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act, further providing for permit and license application requirements and for enforcement orders; and providing for repeat violations.

SB 511 Prior Printer's Nos. 629, 930, 999, 1027. Printer's No. 1053. An Act amending the act of June 29, 1996 (P.L.434, No.67), known as the Job Enhancement Act, further providing, in Family Savings Account Program, for definitions and for administration; and further providing, in technology work experience, for definitions, for approved courses, for emerging technology companies, for responsibility of approved educational institutions and for eligible interns.

SB 644 By Senator GORDNER. Prior Printer's No. 742. Printer's No. 978. An Act authorizing the Department of Transportation to convey to Montour County two tracts of land situate in the Borough of Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania.

SB 724 By Senators STOUT, MADIGAN, BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, PILEGGI, COSTA, MUSTO, WONDERLING and STACK. Printer's No. 868. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, implementing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.

SB 777 By Senator ORIE. Printer's No. 956. An Act designating the portion of State Route 28 in Etna Borough and Shaler Township, Allegheny County, as the 28th Signal Battalion Memorial Highway.

SB 778 By Senators TOMLINSON and GREENLEAF. Printer's No. 957. An Act designating State Route 132 in Bucks County as the Armed Forces and Veterans Memorial Highway.

SB 210 By Senators GREENLEAF, WONDERLING, WOZNIAK, LEMMOND, KITCHEN, LOGAN, ERICKSON, WAUGH and RAFFERTY. Prior Printer's Nos. 202, 873. Printer's No. 1002. An Act amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1200, No.202), known as the Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act, further providing for audit of certain financial reports.

African News Blog from Scotland

Now to go back to Live8. A Kenyan journalist is keeping a blog of sorts on his coverage of the G8 summit in Scotland. It is an excellent companion / counterpart to our Western news coverage.

Check it out here.

Language

Did anyone else following the Groene murder / abduction / lost child found story find this past weekend's associated press stories a little odd? The article that stuck in my mind said Shasta Groene was found "sharing a meal" with a convicted child molester. "Sharing a meal." Do you suppose she called him up and suggested they go out for chilli fries? Sharing a meal, to me, means a joint activity, a form of fellowship. You arrange to meet a friend or invite a group of friends or relatives to your house to eat. You bump into someone at the bookstore and sit down together for a pastry. You generally do not "share a meal" with someone who has held you captive against your will and forced you into sexual activity you did not want, let alone murdered most of your family.

The Inky ticks me off because it has a habit of saying men "babysit" their own children. I can provide examples if anyone wants them. One in particular said a man babysat his daughter while his wife went out. Change the gender there and re-read it. "She babysat her daughter while her husband went to the store." Say what? Parents, whether male or female, mothers or fathers, do not babysit their own children.

I'm not the only one who finds this kind of writing disturbing. For a more detailed look, check here.

Back to Joe

When something terrible happens, on a grand scale, there is always a rush to comment on on it. I tend not to, because I doubt the people involved give two hoots what I think and would rather, since I can't be of any immediate help, that I went about my business and left them alone.

It reminds me a little of a quote in Buzz Bissinger's "A Prayer for the City," attributed to Ed Rendell: "I only deal with things I can control. Everything else I watch on television."

So, back to Joe.

Here are the list of topics his website has to be voted on this week:

"Issue of the Week" 7/5/05:
Supreme Court Vacancy
Pennsylvania Budget
Valerie Plame, CIA Leak, Source Confidentiality
G8 Summit

Since I gave the Rendell quote above, let me also provide one of my favorite Hoeffel quotes. It is a little dated, and in a time when legislators call each other faggots and crackers in the PA house and senate chambers, it is almost quaint, but here you go, from the Inky, Sept. 19, 1996.

The struggle for Montgomery County's congressional seat, one of the more widely watched House elections in the country, has taken a turn toward meanness.

First, on Tuesday, came a comment from Jan Friis, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Jon D. Fox, that Fox's Democratic challenger, Joseph M. Hoeffel 3d, ought to stop complaining that his record was being misrepresented. ``Screw him,'' Friis said. ``Tell him to go to hell.''

Yesterday, seizing on that remark, Hoeffel began a day of tit-for-tat by saying at a news conference in Norristown: ``I pray that I won't go to hell, but I know that I'm going to Congress.''

Some days it seems like you can't have the one without the other [sigh]

Holiday Weekend Miscellany

While most of the blogosphere was focused on Live 8, I was swimming in the other direction. Saturday we loaded up the family and spent the day with relatives and friends hanging around their pool. Every few hours I went inside and checked CNN for an update on the Groene children and then looked at PhillyFuture to see how Albert and the crew were doing.

Like many women in American I took a few hours to stretch out on the sofa and read Janet Evanovich's latest Stephanie Plum detective novel, "Eleven on Top." It was as well-written as ever, and the local angle (they take place in Trenton, NJ) adds interest. But I think the love triangle subplot is starting to get a little tiresome (if it is possible for Ranger to get tiresome).

To get back to Live 8, I wanted to investigate the debt-relief issue. It is presented in a very simplistic way, after all, Africa is a very big continent. It is like saying we want to provide debt-relief to Europe. Your first questions is which countries, what kind of debt? But, I haven't gotten around to it, yet. Fortunately, Chris at Rowhouse Logic has. Take a look at his post (I hope I have the link right, if not, it is his July 2nd posting).

Message from On High

I was driving home from the grocery store when I looked up and saw a message in the sky. It was not divine in origin but a sign on the back of a small airplane. It said "Alan Sandals is the answer to Rick Santorum" or something like that.

weekly update, part 1

These bills were passed in the House or Senate this Friday and Saturday. There were too many passed the entire week to put them all in one posting. Thursday's list may be as long as this just by itself. More were passed on Sunday. If your legislators were not in your 4th of July parade with the excuse of being in Harrisburg to work on the budget, it was probably the truth and not an excuse to slip off to Vegas.

As usual, only bills and not resultions are included, and the list of sponsors was deleted if it ran over 2 lines.

It has become my habit to look at one or two bills descriptions just to see what sort of things are being passed. Take, for example, HB 1689, it bans any electronic or mechanical devices used to attract coyotes for hunting. Never would have guessed that from the description. HB 267 is on watershed associations. The house wording included a specific charge, with a laundry list of duties. The senate amended the bill by taking out the specific duties but leaving in the vague description. I talked with a friend who volunteers with watershed groups and she said this was a good thing as some of the duties may not be feasible in some areas.

House

HB 102 Printer's No. 95. An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, providing for impact of plat; and further providing for application for tentative approval of planned residential development.

HB 471 Prior Printer's No. 510. Printer's No. 2280. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, requiring the Department of Health to provide notice of certified primary stroke treatment hospitals; and establishing a Statewide stroke database.

HB 958 Printer's No. 1093. An Act amending the act of June 22, 2001 (P.L.374, No.24), known as the Optional Occupation Tax Elimination Act, further prohibiting occupation tax.

HB 1059 By Representatives WALKO, BIANCUCCI, GERGELY, KOTIK, PISTELLA and RUFFING. Printer's No. 1215. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of deceptive or fraudulent business practices.

HB 1408 Prior Printer's No. 1974. Printer's No. 2491. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, prescribing penalties for improper use of bond proceeds; and further providing for program of continuing professional education.

HB 1689 Printer's No. 2151. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unlawful devices and methods.

SB 386 Prior Printer's Nos. 390, 677. Printer's No. 1058. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for burglary and for criminal history record expungement.

SB 406 By Senators PIPPY, LAVALLE, KITCHEN, STOUT, COSTA, ORIE, ARMSTRONG and LOGAN. Prior Printer's Nos. 433, 1018. Printer's No. 1059.
An Act designating SR 65 in the vicinity of Leetsdale, Allegheny County, as the James E. Russo Highway; designating the bridge carrying State Route 2096 over the Youghiogheny River in the City of McKeesport, Allegheny County, as the Senator Albert V. "Bud" Belan Bridge; designating the SR 0322 bridge over the Swatara Creek between Derry and Swatara Townships in Dauphin County as the Major Richard D. Winters Bridge; designating the bridge on the portion of SR 222 southbound, crossing the Conestoga River in Lancaster County, as the AMVETS POW-MIA Memorial Bridge; designating the Sproul State Forest in Clinton County as the "Russell P. Letterman Wild Area"; and designating a section of State Route 22 in Mifflin County as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.

SB 697 By Senator STOUT. Prior Printer's Nos. 834, 875, 935, 970, 1036. Printer's No. 1060. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Basalt Trap Rock Company, a Pennsylvania company, or its assigns, certain lands, situate in Morgan and Franklin Townships, Greene County, Pennsylvania; authorizing The Department of General Services, with the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Protection, to lease to Pier 25 North Associates Limited Partnership land within the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia; and authorizing the Department of Transportation to convey to Montour County two tracts of land situate in the Borough of Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania.

SB 722 Prior Printer's Nos. 866, 901, 976. Printer's No. 1051. An Act amending the act of July 6, 1989 (P.L.169, No.32), known as the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, further providing for definition of "department," for powers and duties of the Environmental Quality Board, for interim requirements for aboveground storage tanks and underground storage tanks, for the expiration of the additional allocation and for the Underground Storage Tank Environmental Cleanup Program; and providing for investigations and closure costs.

SB 724 By Senators STOUT, MADIGAN, BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, PILEGGI, COSTA, MUSTO, WONDERLING and STACK. Printer's No. 868. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, implementing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.

HB 720 Printer's No. 811. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for exceptions to unlawful use of lights while hunting.

HB 759 Prior Printer's No. 921. Printer's No. 2453. An Act providing for the display of the American flag, Commonwealth flag or military flag by residents in a unit owners association, homeowners association or master association.

HB 824 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 857. Printer's No. 2405. A Supplement to the act of April 1, 1863 (P.L.213, No.227), entitled "An act to accept the grant of Public Lands, by the United States, to the several states, for the endowment of Agricultural Colleges," making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; and providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

HB 825 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 858. Printer's No. 2404. A Supplement to the act of July 28, 1966 (3rd Sp.Sess., P.L.87, No.3), entitled "An act providing for the establishment and operation of the University of Pittsburgh as an instrumentality of the Commonwealth to serve as a State-related university in the higher education system of the Commonwealth; providing for change of name; providing for the composition of the board of trustees; terms of trustees, and the power and duties of such trustees; authorizing appropriations in amounts to be fixed annually by the General Assembly; providing for the auditing of accounts of expenditures from said appropriations; providing for public support and capital improvements; authorizing the issuance of bonds exempt from taxation within the Commonwealth; requiring the chancellor to make an annual report of the operations of the University of Pittsburgh," making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

HB 826 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 859. Printer's No. 2403. A Supplement to the act of November 30, 1965 (P.L.843, No.355), entitled "An act providing for the establishment and operation of Temple University as an instrumentality of the Commonwealth to serve as a State- related university in the higher education system of the Commonwealth; providing for change of name; providing for the composition of the board of trustees; terms of trustees, and the power and duties of such trustees; providing for preference to Pennsylvania residents in tuition; providing for public support and capital improvements; authorizing appropriations in amounts to be fixed annually by the General Assembly; providing for the auditing of accounts of expenditures from said appropriations; authorizing the issuance of bonds exempt from taxation within the Commonwealth; requiring the President to make an annual report of the operations of Temple University," making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

HB 827 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 860. Printer's No. 2416. A Supplement to the act of July 7, 1972 (P.L.743, No.176), known as the Lincoln University-Commonwealth Act, making an appropriation for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of the appropriation; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

HB 876 Prior Printer's No. 999. Printer's No. 2460. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for program of continuing professional education; authorizing the department to directly reimburse educational support services providers; and repealing penalties for grant recipients.

HB 1057 Prior Printer's Nos. 1213, 2204. Printer's No. 2402. An Act providing for the issuance of identification cards for retired law enforcement officers; and providing for the powers and duties of law enforcement agencies and the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.

HB 1118 Printer's No. 1324. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for suspension of operating privilege.

HB 1223 Prior Printer's No. 1436. Printer's No. 2461. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for Project Link-to-Learn.

HB 1273 Prior Printer's Nos. 1517, 1614. Printer's No. 2455. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of firearms not to be carried without a license.

HB 1291 Prior Printer's Nos. 1535, 2301. Printer's No. 2459. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for background checks of prospective employees and conviction of certain offenses.

HB 1358 Prior Printer's No. 1633. Printer's No. 2463. An Act providing for the remediation of blighted properties in certain municipalities.

HB 1686 Prior Printer's No. 2131. Printer's No. 2456. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offenses of paintball guns and paintball markers, criminal mischief and sale and use of air rifles.

HB 1749 By Representatives DiGIROLAMO, CLYMER, CORRIGAN, McILHINNEY, MELIO, O'NEILL, PETRI, STEIL, WATSON and WRIGHT. Printer's No. 2239. An Act designating State Route 132 in Bucks County as the Armed Forces and Veterans Memorial Highway.

HB 1797 By Representative FLEAGLE. Printer's No. 2339. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, providing for the Board of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws; and making a related repeal.

HB 1802 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 2340, 2401. Printer's No. 2452. An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, further providing for procedures for capital budget bill and debt-authorizing legislation and for appropriation for and limitation on redevelopment assistance capital projects.

HB 1819 Printer's No. 2393. An Act providing for the establishment of the Historic Preservation Incentive Program for historic commercial and residential sites.


SB 62 Prior Printer's Nos. 68, 406, 774. Printer's No. 1050. An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for powers and duties of the Department of General Services and for application of part; and providing for electronic bidding by local government units.

SB 86 Prior Printer's Nos. 79, 665. Printer's No. 1054. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, consolidating The Support Law; further providing for property of persons liable for support expenses; further providing for disposition of complaints received; and making a repeal related to the consolidation of The Support Law.

SB 248 By Senators GORDNER, GREENLEAF, COSTA, EARLL, LEMMOND, ORIE, PICCOLA, RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, THOMPSON, KITCHEN and WONDERLING. Prior Printer's No. 240. Printer's No. 705. An Act amending the act of August 11, 1967 (P.L.205, No.69), entitled "An act to validate conveyances and other instruments which have been defectively acknowledged," extending the date for validation of certain conveyances and other instruments.

SB 511 By Senators GORDNER, RHOADES, WONDERLING, RAFFERTY, STOUT, ERICKSON, COSTA, PILEGGI, KITCHEN, ORIE, LOGAN, PIPPY and WAUGH. Prior Printer's Nos. 629, 930, 999, 1027. Printer's No. 1053. An Act amending the act of June 29, 1996 (P.L.434, No.67), known as the Job Enhancement Act, further providing, in Family Savings Account Program, for definitions and for administration; and further providing, in technology work experience, for definitions, for approved courses, for emerging technology companies, for responsibility of approved educational institutions and for eligible interns.

SB 600 By Senator D. WHITE. Prior Printer's No. 671. Printer's No. 1052. An Act authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions imposed on certain land owned by Indiana County, being conveyed by the county in return for the imposition of Project 70 restrictions on certain land being conveyed to the county by the Department of Transportation.

SB 688 By Senator EARLL. Prior Printer's Nos. 783, 874, 922, 934. Printer's No. 969. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Environmental Protection, to grant and convey to Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority certain lands situate in the City of Erie, County of Erie.

SB 721 By Senator LEMMOND. Printer's No. 865. An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, designating a portion of State Route 6 in Wyoming County as a scenic byway; and designating a certain portion of State Route 92 in Susquehanna County as a scenic byway.


Senate

HB 136 Prior Printer's Nos. 137, 1818. Printer's No. 2243. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, authorizing appropriations to watershed associations.

HB 266 Prior Printer's Nos. 289, 1819. Printer's No. 2244. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, No.581), known as The Borough Code, further providing for specific powers of borough.

HB 267 Prior Printer's Nos. 290, 1817. Printer's No. 2245. An Act amending the act of June 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code, further providing for specific powers.

HB 271 By Representative GABIG. Prior Printer's No. 294. Printer's No. 1616. An Act authorizing the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to convey a portion of a Project 70 tract of land in the Township of North Newton, Cumberland County, under certain conditions, to the Township of North Newton, a municipal corporation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and authorizing the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to convey a portion of a Project 70 tract of land in the Township of West Pennsboro, Cumberland County, under certain conditions, to the Township of West Pennsboro, a municipal corporation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

HB 279 Prior Printer's No. 302. Printer's No. 2430. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1974 (P.L.34, No.15), known as the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Law, further providing for administrative expenses.

HB 1589 By Representatives MAJOR, HERMAN, SONNEY, BAKER, HANNA, STERN, CAUSER, PICKETT, RAPP and FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1990, 2215, 2462. Printer's No. 2493. An Act amending the act of June 30, 2003 (P.L.15, No.7), known as the Medicare Hospital Service Payment Designation Act, further providing for designation of hospitals.

HB 1745 Prior Printer's Nos. 2219, 2307, 2388, 2458. Printer's No. 2492. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to convey tracts of land and buildings, consisting of a portion of the former Laurelton Center, located in Hartley Township, Union County, Pennsylvania; authorizing the Department of Transportation to convey to Montour County two tracts of land situate in the Borough of Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania; and making a related repeal.

SB 639 By Senators PILEGGI, EARLL, ERICKSON, THOMPSON, WONDERLING, PIPPY, TOMLINSON, STACK, LEMMOND, RAFFERTY, COSTA and M. WHITE. Printer's No. 737. An Act amending the act of July 7, 1947 (P.L.1368, No.542), known as the Real Estate Tax Sale Law, further providing for property subject to or exempt from claim and for content of claims entered; and providing for public record lists and for report of nonpayment of taxes.

SB 640 By Senators PILEGGI, EARLL, ERICKSON, THOMPSON, WONDERLING, PIPPY, TOMLINSON, STACK, LEMMOND, RAFFERTY, COSTA and M. WHITE. Printer's No. 738. An Act amending the act of May 16, 1923 (P.L.207, No.153), referred to as the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, providing for donation of property in lieu of taxes; further providing for claims for taxes, water rents or rates and lighting, power and sewer rates and for contents of claims; and providing for a public record of all properties against which taxes were levied and remain unpaid.

HB 129 Prior Printer's Nos. 132, 2066. Printer's No. 2435. An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for flying while impaired; and imposing penalties.

HB 157 Prior Printer's No. 157. Printer's No. 2428. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for the authorization of excise tax, for the authorization of the hotel tax and for hotel room rental tax; providing penalties for failure to timely remit hotel taxes and excise taxes imposed in certain counties of the third class to the Commonwealth; providing for a hotel room rental tax in certain third class counties; and repealing the Hotel Room Rental Tax Act.

HB 398 By Representatives HERMAN, PERZEL, DeWEESE, NAILOR, SAMUELSON and WILLIAMS. Printer's No. 386. An Act amending the act of December 10, 1968 (P.L.1158, No.365), entitled "An act creating and establishing the Legislative Data Processing Committee: providing for its membership; prescribing its powers, functions and duties; and making an appropriation," further providing for the establishment of the Legislative Data Processing Committee.

SB 565 Prior Printer's Nos. 673, 923. Printer's No. 1038. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for qualifications, eligibility and compensation for district attorneys; and making repeals.

SB 709 Prior Printer's Nos. 853, 998, 1016. Printer's No. 1039. An Act amending the act of May 25, 1945 (P.L.1050, No.394), known as the Local Tax Collection Law, further providing for installment payment of taxes; authorizing installment payment of school taxes; and providing for school district consideration of increase in tax collector compensation.