Yes on Pay Raise If..... #1

Okay, the pay raise for Pennsylvania legislators (except for the COLA, which will still kick in), judges, and some executive positions has been rescinded.

So, now that the hysteria is over, let’s have a rational discussion about the subject. First, let’s separate the issue into its separate populations. I have no qualms about a pay raise for higher level judges. I’d just like to hear the discussions about it beforehand. Cabinet positions, etc., well, let’s talk about it. Maybe.

Legislators? I wrote this past summer on the changes I would like to see enacted before a substantial raise is approved. My first condition was this:

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.

Legislative leaders say they would like to earn half of what a federal Congressional elected representative earns. According to this site, the national officials earn $158,100. Before the raise Pennsylvania legislators earned $69,648. However, they also receive not more than $650 a month for a car, up to $128 per day for expenses, and medical insurance that pays for long-term care. Add the car lease into existing salary and it goes up $7800 a year, if someone takes the largest possible amount. The per diem could also add up, depending on how many days the legislature is in session. I am not financially savvy enough to compare federal and state pensions and medical benefits.

However, please note that:

Buffeted by waves of scandal, by 1989 Congress had strictly capped outside income and banned most types of outside business relationships of its members.

Members of Congress cannot represent law clients, serve on corporate boards, or earn more than 15 percent of their government salary from any business venture. As a trade-off, salaries were raised - they are now $141,300 - and the job of federal legislator became unquestionably full time. (Rena Singer, Glen Justice and Ken Dilanian, "OTHER STATES HAVE MOVED TOWARD STRICTER ETHICS RULES," Philadelphia Inquirer March 23, 2000)

In the same article:

About 40 percent of Harrisburg lawmakers report no outside income.

Doesn’t that mean over half the state legislators did receive outside income at that time? If one of the reasons for a pay increase is the number of hours and time away from home required to do the job, well, surely it is too demanding to allow for outside income.

Again, same article:

Lawmakers must list any source of income from the previous year that
produced more than $1,300 annually, and they must list the names of businesses in which they were officer, director, employee or part owner. But they do not have to say how much they earn, what services they perform, or what their businesses sell or do.

Nor do they have to report a word about their spouses' interests. Lawyers and other professionals do not have to describe their clients or areas of specialty.

Also

Today, 83 Pennsylvania lawmakers - 33 percent of the 253 legislators in
Harrisburg - are officers or directors of private businesses. Disclosure records show that legislators have financial interests in more than a dozen types of economic activity. (Ken Dilanian, Rena Singer and Glen Justice, "A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE AT WORK, " Philadelphia Inquirer March 19, 2000)

So over half of the elected officials at that time did earn outside income, but we don’t have any idea how much or from whom. I can see a lot of room for conflict of interest here.

Some of our elected officials are indeed hardworking individuals who do devote more than a full time job to their legislative duties. But not all do. And if the legislature won’t or can’t clean up its own house (and senate), the legislature can hardly expect the public, who, on average, earn considerably less than the legislators, to open their wallets wider and say “dive on in.”

I would be willing to support a substantial increase in legislative pay in return for, among other things, making the full-time job full-time, with set limits on outside income.

(Note: If the rules have changed in the past five years, someone please let me know. This was what I could find on the subject.)

More on Higher Ed

I had hoped to include some links in my previous posting on higher education but did not get them together in time. If you are interested take a look at these:

IssuesPA is currently running several stories on higher education in the state.
CNN has a nice article on the growing problem of students starting college and not finishing. For those who take out loans, but don't complete the degree that will give them the job with the salary to pay the loans, it is a quick elevator ride to long-term debt.

For a more local view of the same problem, check out this post from my archives on the Philly statistics of those with some college but no degree. The general assembly is considering a bill, HB1706 (currently sitting in the education committee, where it was parked last June) that would ease the process of transferring credits from one school to another.

My Life as a Public Works Project

We all pay taxes for such things as roads and schools, public work projects. But we invest in other things as a society as well. If you were paying taxes between 1979 and 1982 one of the things you invested in was me, or, more particularly, my education.

Ma had always encouraged me to go to college but there were no funds to pay for it. If Pa opened his wallet on my behalf after my 9th year I am unaware of it. I was a bright young woman, with lots of promise and no money. It is a common story, one that is heard every day in America.

I was fortunate to have come of age in an earlier time, when Pell Grants were still within reach and loans were only needed to fill in the gaps. It cost the taxpayers (federal and state) a total of $5,679 to pay for my college education and living expenses, plus a work study job with total wages of $3,050. One of my duties was indexing the student newspaper from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Some of the students I read about were now senior or retired professors and I had the pleasure of making friends with some of them, much to my delight. I also had $1,390 in loans which I paid back on time and in full.

Knowing that each semester in school meant more debt I finished in three years. Then I looked for full-time jobs that provided educational benefits, even if it meant less pay, and went to graduate school part-time over several years. Now I have a nice bit of alphabet soup after my name if I choose to use it.

If any readers were paying taxes during my undergraduate years, let me express my profound and sincere gratitude. I am truly grateful. All modesty aside, let me say I think it was an excellent investment on your part, as I think any investment in anyone’s education would be. To provide an example of the healthy return on your money, I pay more in state and federal taxes each and every year now than the entire amount of the grants you gave me. If my math is good (a doubtful prospect; I have failed you here), your investment will be returned at least 30-fold by the time I retire.

I have been reading lately about proposed federal budget cuts. One of the things on the chopping block is college grant money. Every time I see this I shudder. I wonder, if I were 18 today, if I’d be able to go to college. Let me encourage any elected officials who might be reading this to please remember than an investment in someone’s college or professional training is one that is likely to be repaid many times over.

A Cuppa with Joe Hoeffel

To entertain and enlighten those readers who may be visiting here from Philly Future, I am hoping to present a few things out of the ordinary. As one of these I had a virtual coffee klatsch with Joe Hoeffel, who has served as Congressman for the 13th district, Democratic candidate for the Senate, Montgomery County Commissioner, and State Representative for the 153rd district. Regardless of all of these credentials, he was more than willing to answer a few questions.

What role do you see yourself playing in the regional or statewide political scene?

I am still very interested in public policy and politics and intend to stay actively involved. There is a large role to play for progressive Democrats in suburban, regional and state politics. Among other things, we Democrats need to reclaim the mantle of reform and must propose constructive changes in campaign finances, ethics, government contracting and legislative practices. I would like to empower Pennsylvanians with the powers of initiative and referendum.

Are there any congressional votes that you now regret?

Just one -- the vote to authorize the war in Iraq. I knew that in the 1980s Hussein had used chemical weapons against innocent civilians, and I was convinced in 2002 that it was necessary to disarm Hussein of WMD. I preferred diplomacy and multilateral action, but I was convinced we had to act. I am now convinced we were lied to by Bush and his administration. If I knew then what I know now, I would have voted no.

Your district was re-drawn significantly before the 2002 race and you were pitted against fellow Democratic congressman Bob Borski who decided not to run. What can we do to keep the shape of districts from being used politically?

We must depoliticize redistricting in Pennsylvania. The 2001 congressional redistricting was a disgrace. Many states use bipartisan processes and non-partisan commissions to limit the raw partisanship that we see in Pennsylvania. If such reform cannot or will not be enacted by the legislature, we ought to consider convening a state constitutional convention to reform redistricting and do some other progressive things, like replacing the flat state income tax with a fairer graduated system, establishing initiative and referendum, etc.

You’ve had your own website/blog, www.joehoeffelandfriends.com for about 6 months now, what has that experience been like? Is it what you expected?

It is a lot of work.

As someone who has held office at the state, county, and federal level, what is one change you would make to the electoral or campaign process, if you had the power to do so?

We must figure out how to reduce the cost of elections, by providing some free or reduced rate access to TV, radio and mail, as well as institute some public financing of campaigns.

If you were king or queen maker in 2008 what would you have the Democratic presidential nominee do or what message would you have them deliver, to do the most to ensure victory?

Telling the truth (about the state of the Union, policy positions, tough steps that must be taken) is fundamentally important, but "feeling their pain" is equally important. We need a presidential candidate who connects with people, as Bill Clinton did.

What strategy do you think the Republican nominee will take and will it be successful?

He will lie, about balancing the budget, the terror threat and his moral values.

Thanks, Joe!

The Worth of A Man (or Woman)

I recently wrote yet another blog entry on the legislative pay raise and found this in a comment someone left.

Being a good legislator requires skills in writing and interpreting the law, communicating with other citizens, helping others solve sometimes complex personal problems, communicating with the media, managing governmental staff, helping private sector leaders, and engaging in persuasive speech with many people who are experts in different fields. These skills have significant market value and are often found most readily with those who have advanced degrees.

This was written by way of justifying the rather generous increase legislators recently received and even more recently rescinded. Prior to the increase legislators received $69,647 a year, along with a per diem when in Harrisburg, a car allowance, and health benefits.

To see if, indeed, such low remuneration were likely to chase away quality candidates, I consulted the Pennsylvania Occupational Outlook Handbook. It provided this job description for “Government Chief Executives and Lawyers”

Candidates for public office do not have any established training or qualification demands although prior political experience can be beneficial. For most positions, individuals must meet the minimum age, residency and citizenship requirements.

Aspiring government officials must be able to motivate and inspire their constituents and staff. They should be able to make decisions quickly and know how to reach compromises. Energy, stamina and strong fund raising skills are vital to a successful campaign. Through their political campaign and involvement in community organizations, many candidates make a name for themselves.

Reviewing again the description at the top of this post, written in a comment to my earlier post, I looked at the average salary in 2000 of other occupations in the state, as listed in the aforementioned occupational handbook. I think police detectives would also fit the description the commenter left. Their average salary in PA is $59,450, lower than legislators. Secondary school teachers average $44,590, elementary school teachers, $47,560. Many teachers these days have graduate degrees. Librarians, who have one or more master’s degrees, average $43,790. Landscape architects, who also have graduate degrees, average $45,430. An RN averages $43,940. Experienced social workers, many of whom bring home $43,000, also often have a graduate degree. Administrative law judges averaged $58,160. Lawyers generally received an average of $83,310.

So there is certainly not a lack of well-educated people in the Commonwealth who would see a considerable leap in their income, and probably their benefits as well, even at the old (and now new) legislative salary. So why don’t we have a legislature full of police detectives, teachers, librarians, landscape architects and social workers? I have my own theories on this but would be very interested in reading yours as well.

Featured Blog!!!

Wowie Wow Wow!!! This blog has just been named as Philly Future's featured blog. I'm over the moon. Thanks for Philly Future for this honor. There is a small interview attached to the Philly Future announcement.

weekly legislative update

Friday's emails haven't come in yet but for Monday-Thursday nothing passed the PA House or Senate, although there was a lot of paper shuffling. No activity in the special session either.

None of the other usual suspects have provided any weekly updates, either.

Veterans Day

John Micek of Capitol Ideas has a wonderful post today in honor of Veteran's Day. Please read through to the bottom of the post, where he has included a heart-wrenching poem by WWI British vet, Wilfred Owen.

No, We Don't Want Your Firstborn

In today's Inky, on p. 18, in a continuation of a front page story on the legislative payraise repeal, we find this paragraph:

[Rep. Frank] LaGrotta intially voted for the raise, took it, and just last week voted to repeal it, given the public's anger. "I voted to repeal it. What else do they want from me?" a frustrated LaGrotta asked. "Do they want my firstborn child?"

You see, he's started to get emails that he was the next to go. While I don't live in Lawrence County (not even sure where it is in the state), I can take a stab at answering his question.

No, voters do not want your firstborn. Some of them are having trouble taking care of the children they have. They're lucky to get the kind of cost of living raise you get annually, let alone a nice plump raise. I'm also willing to bet that if most of them turned in expense account vouchers without receipts, in order to take the raise early, they'd be fired.

Another quote from the front page:

Rome is burning and the empire is crumbling," said State Rep. Thomas C. Petrone (D, Allegheny), who took the raise but later donated it to charities, including those for the widows of two U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. "I hate the thought that I made one mistake over 25 years that could wipe out all my good accomplishments."

I had a commuting buddy, that I would sometimes walk and talk with on part of my travels to and from work. He had a low level job at an apartment complex. I was away on another assignment for awhile and when I came back he was nowhere to be found. I asked around and found out he'd been fired. I wonder how many mistakes he made. A receptionist once told me that someone came into her building and complained that a groundskeeper had intentionally sprayed her. The receptionist called in the complaint. The supervisor she called said "Okay, we'll fire him." That was it. Not "we'll ask his side of the story" or anything. He was just fired.

A lot of people are fired every day for making no mistakes at all. Marriages dissolve because someone made one mistake over 25 years. I read the statements from these legislators and the sense of entitlement that comes through astounds me.

As for Judge Russell Nigro, who was not voted in for another 10 year term on the state Supreme Court, let me link to a posting at the Inky's blog, blinq. Here is a brief excerpt from Blinq, taken from a John Baer column:

During one week, last April 11 to 18, he [Nigro] spent $1,280 at restaurants in Philly, Ambler and Pittsburgh. This, to me, seems abusive.

In an interview, Nigro says he eats out more than others because he's not married. He says meals charged to taxpayers are for "court-related business" with other judges, lawyers or law clerks, some in fairly large groups. He says, "I don't like lawyers buying me anything."

A lot of unmarried men (and women) go home and have cold cereal for dinner, or open a can of something. Soup is popular, I hear. As for me, I go out for lunch about every 6 weeks with a group of women from work. If we spend more than $10.00 each, it's a big deal. On days that I don't pack in leftovers I buy a slice of pizza ($1.99), two tacos (about $2.00), or a mid-morning breakfast sandwich that serves as breakfast and lunch ($3.25). Sometimes I splurge and get a tuna sandwich and a bag of chips (I won't say what that costs, in case Mr. Jane reads this.) What Nigro spent on meals that one week would pay my mortgage for a month. I can understand his not wanting the lawyers to buy his lunch, but is he implying that he bought everyone else's? Split the check!!!

PA Senate Race in the New Yorker

The Nov. 14th issue of the New Yorker has a lengthy article focusing on the Santorum / Casey race. I guess since we're the 6th borough now we should get used to this kind of exposure.

Check also the article on torture, which quotes Dr. Cyril Wecht, coroner of Allegheny County an dformer president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, as saying "Mind you, I'm not a critic of the Iraqi war. But I don't think we should reduce ourselves to the insurgent's barbaric levels."

If that's not enough to whet your interest, there is an article on medical malpractice and a profile of Steve Buscemi.

Changing Landscapes

Locally we had a mixed bag. In large part the people I expected to win won, although by a smaller margin than I thought. One open position was taken by a D. One long-time incumbent lost. This was such a long shot that I hadn't gone out of my way to make nice (e.g. suck up) to the challenger. Everyone else I had tried to touch base with at least once. I hope the lapse doesn't come back to bite me.

Not long before the election I went to a candidate's forum to get a good look at everyone and listen to them talk. It was a last minute chance to get some extra schmoozing in and shake a few neglected hands. The usual suspects were there. A few new faces showed up, too, most notably a coterie of beefy young men in suits. County operatives? Surely we're too small for state operatives. Interesting. Unfortunately there's no real way to find out.

There are now more than twice as many Ds in local office than there were five years ago. While I welcome this changing landscape, I fear that even if all the local officals were Ds, I'd still run into some of the same roadblocks, the warring factions, but I'm willing to be surprised.

Waiting for Local Results

Okay, okay, we know who the new gov. of NJ is. We have some idea of the percentage of voters who want to retain Nigro and Schwartz. I keep refreshing the county's website for local results but none are forthcoming yet. [gnashing of teeth]

Update on Daylin Leach

From the Nov. 2005 Philadelphia Magazine "Flavia's Ghost," (p. 34)

Daylin Leach's joke-filled website, which got the Montco state rep into PR hot water, isn't the only place he's indulged his comedy-writing habit. For years, Democratic consultant and MSNBC pundit Flavia Colgan has relied on him to write jokes for speeches and TV appearances.

It's nice to know he has some career options, in case he finds himself with a lot of spare time in a year or so.

(previous Leach postings here and here)

Lincoln on the Supreme Court

This week's (11/07) New Yorker has an article on Lincoln. I found this passage (p. 132) timely:

He [Lincoln] appointed him [Salmon Chase] Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in December, 1864. "We cannot ask a man what he will do," Lincoln said to a Massachusetts congressman, "and if we should, and he should answer us, we should despise him for it. Therefore we must take a man whose opinions are known."

Election Day

I stopped to vote on the way to work. I like to vote early because it makes me happy for the rest of the day. My step is lighter and I'm more inclined to sing or hum under my breath. Something about voting just lifts my spirits like few other public acts can.

I had researched the candidates, read the newspaper articles and endorsements, ditto with the web. The local races can be the toughest because they get the least amount of press and keystrokes. Sometimes there's no competition. One local representative was running unopposed and I don't care for the incumbent so I left that one blank. The incumbent will win but by a smaller percentage. It is a small voice of protest but if enough people do it there can be an impact on the official's electoral future.

If you haven't voted today, please take the time to do so. Even if there are no "important" races in your area, please vote. If you don't want to vote because you don't know the issues, just stop at the polls and push one or two buttons where you think you will do the least damage, to improve the turnout. Or take a sample ballot from the representative of the party of your choice at the door and follow that.

Please vote.

Election Day Poetry

Last May I wrote a brief poem regarding election day. Although writing poetry isn't one of my strengths, I'll have another crack at it.

The SEPTA strike is over
The ground is free of snow
There's no reason not to vote
So find your polling place and go.

Missing Monday

It is the first Monday of the month and that means it is Missing Monday. This month's missing person is actually a couple, Danielle Imbo and Richard Petrone. They were last seen on Saturday, February 19, 2005 leaving Abilene (a live music and restaurant venue) at 429 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Have you seen these people:

K'Nex Connection

Every year around the holidays my living room is taken over by a roller coaster or ferris wheel made of sticks and circles. Other times of the year small robots or vehicles or planes made of the same materials zoom around the kitchen. If there are no youngsters in your house you may not be familiar with K'Nex. They are the next generation's version of Lincoln Logs and Tinkertoys. Phillyburbs has a nice history of the company, located in the Philly area. If any readers have nieces or nephews they don't know what to get for birthdays or holidays, I strongly recommend any K'Nex product. I get a big kick out of telling family and friends where the company is based.

What SEPTA Wants

The SEPTA strike is inconveniencing my household and when there are kids to be picked up by 6 p.m., it sometimes a serious inconvenience. And yet I support the SEPTA workers. Take a close look at their proposals. Two of the sticking points are medical insurance premiums and retirement presecription plan.

In today's Inky there is a description of the management and union proposals. Note these sentence in the union's proposals: "Management must agree to contribute on the same percentage basis" and "Management must contribute on the same basis."

That seems fair to me. If the workers must pay for medical insurance, management should as well.

Saturday Night Chez Jane

How did you spend your Saturday night? Mr. Jane and I were going over the literature we have received from a couple of judicial candidates and googling the PA Supreme Court's Minor Judiciary Education Board to see what their requirements are to certify magisterial district judges. It looks like judges don't HAVE to be lawyers (though personally I think that might help), at least at this level and that even lawyers have to be certified by the board. How important is it that a judge be out at community events? What, if any, kind of community support do they need? Is it bad for a judge to be unpopular? Maybe they're unpopular because they are making tough decisions. Maybe they did something right that ticked off the wrong people.

How in the heck are we supposed to figure these things out? So we've been going over the campaign literature and looking up info on the candidates and swapping information. I'm really hoping I am never before the magisterial judge (or any of my family members), but a lot of other people will be. What qualities are important here?

It's midnight. In the words of Scarlet O'Hara, "I'll think about it tomorrow."

weekly legislative update

A few things to take a look at in this week's update:

Check out the resolutions. There are some good ones, although I've no idea what a chief cornplanter is. Also look at HB2134 which limits the use of social security numbers. SB929 deals with the wording of musical performance ads. HB1361 is a little alarming and I'll have to look into it more carefully. It calls for the expiration of community Services Block Grants. I fear these may be the DCED "walking around money" grants that legislator's get for projects in their area. They are usually small, around $10,000, which can be a huge amount for a small community project, streetscapes, art projects, park beautifications, etc.


As I mentioned in the previous posting, the governor called a special legislative session to look into property tax reform.Information from that session is included here as well.Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long – three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page as well.Other weekly updates:

PA Senate GOP

PA Senate Democrats

Special Session

These bills were introduced, or referred to a committee, not voted on. The descriptions tended to be pretty much the same, with only a few variations.

Monday 4 bills referred to finance committee (House); 2 bills referred to legislation (Senate)

Tuesday 0 bills referred to finance committee (House)

Wednesday 2 bills referred to finance committee (House); HB001 was re-referred to finance, amended, and re-reported as committed to rules

Thursday 0 bills referred to committee

Friday 1 bill referred to the finance committee (House)

Regular Session

Resolutions

HR498 A Resolution recognizing the week of November 13 through 19, 2005, as "Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

HR497 A Resolution proclaiming November 14 through 18, 2005, as "American Education Week" in Pennsylvania.

HR493 A Resolution commemorating Chief Cornplanter and his contributions to Warren County and Pennsylvania.

HR368 A Resolution urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to study the effects of the 2004 wet weather events in the Little Lehigh Creek Watershed, Berks and Lehigh Counties, Pennsylvania, to reevaluate the existing flood control projects in the area and make recommendations on future flood control measures.

A Resolution designating the week of October 29 through November 4, 2005, as "Missing Persons Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

There was 1 resolution honoring fallen soldiers.

Bills

HB 2082 By Representatives ALLEN, DALLY, SAYLOR, PETRARCA, ZUG, TRUE, FEESE and ARGALL. Prior Printer's Nos. 2872, 2886. Printer's No. 3037. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, establishing appropriations limitations; and providing for the disposition of surplus funds.

HB 2137 Prior Printer's No. 2941. Printer's No. 3032. An Act amending the act of September 30, 1985 (P.L.240, No.61), known as the Turnpike Organization, Extension and Toll Road Conversion Act, further providing for collection and disposition of tolls.

HB 2134 By Representative FAIRCHILD. Prior Printer's No. 2938. Printer's No. 3030. An Act limiting the collection of Social Security numbers on State and local government forms; prohibiting health insurers from using Social Security numbers; and further providing for duties of the Department of Transportation.

HB 2054 Prior Printer's No. 2831. Printer's No. 3033. An Act amending Title 26 (Eminent Domain) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for limitations on the use of eminent domain; and making a related repeal.

HB 2019 Prior Printer's Nos. 2780, 2946. Printer's No. 3029. An Act amending Title 26 (Eminent Domain) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for abandonment of project after condemnation; and making a repeal related to abandonment of project after condemnation.

HB 1906 By Representatives STETLER, BELFANTI, ALTAGIRONE, COHEN, FRANKEL, KOTIK, MACKERETH, MANN, MARKOSEK, NICKOL, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, SHANER, SHAPIRO, SOLOBAY, STABACK and YOUNGBLOOD. Prior Printer's No. 2611. Printer's No. 3035.An Act amending Titles 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) and 54 (Names) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "official notice"; requiring the Department of State to establish a certain Internet website; further providing for advertisements by domestic business corporations, by foreign business corporations, domestic nonprofit corporations, foreign nonprofit corporations and domestic cooperative corporation ancillaries and for fictitious name registration; and making an editorial change.

HB 1413 By Representatives CALTAGIRONE, BASTIAN, CASORIO, GABIG, GEORGE, GRUITZA, JAMES, KOTIK, MELIO, S. MILLER, PRESTON, READSHAW, SOLOBAY, STERN, YOUNGBLOOD and ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1701. An Act authorizing State investment tax credits for qualified animal waste recycling facilities; further authorizing limited sales and use tax exemption; and establishing the Animal Waste Recycling Fund.

HB 280 By Representatives HALUSKA, THOMAS, ARGALL, CALTAGIRONE, DALEY, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HERSHEY, W. KELLER, McGEEHAN, PALLONE, PISTELLA, PRESTON, REED, SCAVELLO, SOLOBAY, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI and YOUNGBLOOD. Prior Printer's Nos. 303, 2454. Printer's No. 3031. 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 the sale of unused and unnecessary lands and buildings, for home education program and for consideration by General Assembly of State System of Higher Education requests to dispose of real property.

HB 105 Prior Printer's No. 97. Printer's No. 3028. An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the definition of "school district"; further providing for the definition of "State-affiliated entity"; and providing for cooperative purchase of fire, rescue and ambulance company supplies.

HB 893 Prior Printer's No. 1016. Printer's No. 2994. An Act amending the act of April 14, 1949 (P.L.482, No.98), entitled, as amended, "An act authorizing and requiring cities, boroughs, townships, municipal authorities and public utility companies engaged in the supplying of water, to shut off the supply of water for nonpayment of sewer, sewerage, or sewage treatment rentals, rates, or charges imposed by municipal authorities organized by counties of the second class, by cities of the second class, by cities of the second class A, by cities of the third class, by boroughs or by townships of the first or second class; authorizing and requiring them to supply to such authorities lists of metered water readings and flat- rate water bills and other data; authorizing them to act as billing and collecting agents for such authorities; and conferring certain powers upon the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in connection therewith," further providing for shutting off water if sewer charge not paid, for notice and for statement of defense; and requiring certain procedures to be followed in residential buildings.

HB 750 By Representatives SCAVELLO, BOYD, CAPPELLI, CREIGHTON, FAIRCHILD, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, LEACH, PALLONE, PAYNE, REICHLEY, SATHER, SCHRODER, THOMAS, TIGUE, YOUNGBLOOD and HARPER. Printer's No. 841. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for compulsory arbitration.

Senate

SB 940 By Senators WAUGH, WENGER, BRIGHTBILL, ERICKSON, FONTANA, ROBBINS, LEMMOND, PUNT, O'PAKE, ORIE, WOZNIAK, RAFFERTY, KASUNIC, MUSTO, RHOADES, ARMSTRONG, BOSCOLA and PILEGGI. Prior Printer's No. 1230. Printer's No. 1303. An Act amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund; providing for the Land Trust Reimbursement Program, for proceeds from sales by the Department of Agriculture and for grants for agricultural land conservation assistance; and making a related repeal.

SB 929 By Senators ROBBINS, M. WHITE, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, WOZNIAK, LEMMOND, PILEGGI, COSTA, RAFFERTY, D. WHITE, KITCHEN, WASHINGTON, FONTANA and MUSTO. Printer's No. 1218. An Act prohibiting the advertising and conducting of certain live musical performances or productions; providing for enforcement; and imposing a penalty.

SB 925 Printer's No. 1216. An Act amending the act of December 18, 1980 (P.L.1241, No.224), known as the Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Act, further providing for sunset provisions.

SB 862 Prior Printer's Nos. 1105, 1241, 1302. Printer's No. 1319. An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions and for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; providing for applicability of other statutes; further providing for powers and duties of board; providing for code of conduct; further providing for licensed entity application appeals from board, for license or permit application hearing process, for board minutes and records, for collection of fees and fines, for order of initial license issuance, for slot machine license application and for slot machine license application business entity requirements; providing for licensing of principals, for licensing of key employees, for recusal and disqualification of members, for alternate members, for initial applications and for code of conduct; and further providing for occupation permit application, for gross terminal revenue deductions, for transfers from the State Gaming Fund, for public official financial interests, for political influence and for enforcement.

SB 384 Prior Printer's Nos. 386, 1244, 1285. Printer's No. 1320. An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions and for administrative duties of board.

HB 1743 By Representatives MUSTIO, TURZAI, T. STEVENSON, DeLUCA, FRANKEL, MARKOSEK, PETRONE, WALKO, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, DENLINGER, FAIRCHILD, GODSHALL, HERSHEY, LEH, REED, ROHRER, TIGUE and YOUNGBLOOD. Prior Printer's Nos. 2230, 2741. Printer's No. 2944. 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 1606 Prior Printer's Nos. 2149, 2409. Printer's No. 2949. An Act establishing a program for breast and cervical cancer screening services for certain eligible women; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Health.

HB 1539 By Representatives NICKOL, CALTAGIRONE, CREIGHTON, DENLINGER, GEIST, GILLESPIE, HARRIS, JAMES, STERN, E. Z. TAYLOR, THOMAS, McILHATTAN and DALLY. Prior Printer's Nos. 1896, 2408, 3052, 3058. Printer's No. 3059. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for public official compensation; further providing for reports to the Secretary of Revenue; establishing and providing for appropriation to the Emergency Energy Assistance Fund; and making a repeal related to public official compensation.

HB 1361 Printer's No. 1636. An Act amending the act of May 16, 2002 (P.L.315, No.46), known as the Community Services Block Grant Act, further providing for the expiration of the act.

HB 515 Prior Printer's Nos. 564, 1457, 1911, 1950. Printer's No. 3036. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing, in sales and use tax, for the definition of "manufacture"; and further providing, in personal income tax, for imposition and, in corporate net income, for definitions and imposition.

SB 759 By Senators ARMSTRONG, MUSTO, M. WHITE, O'PAKE, LEMMOND, STACK, PIPPY and THOMPSON.Prior Printer's No. 918. Printer's No. 1266.An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for decree of court.

SB 595 By Senators WAUGH, BOSCOLA, THOMPSON, KITCHEN, TOMLINSON, COSTA, ORIE, O'PAKE, C. WILLIAMS, BRIGHTBILL, LEMMOND, RHOADES and BROWNE. Prior Printer's No. 615. Printer's No. 1265. An Act amending Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for qualifications of directors.

SB 583 By Senators BOSCOLA, GREENLEAF, EARLL, LAVALLE, KASUNIC, MUSTO, TOMLINSON, ERICKSON, KITCHEN, WAUGH, TARTAGLIONE, RAFFERTY and PILEGGI. Printer's No. 607. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for arson and related offenses.

HB 1579 Prior Printer's Nos. 1980, 2370, 2737, 2952. Printer's No. 2997. An Act providing for certain responsibilities of county and private agencies regarding resource families.

HB 127 Prior Printer's Nos. 130, 2212, 2951. Printer's No. 2996. An Act providing for certain rights of resource parents; and further providing for duties of county agencies and private agencies.

SB 869 Prior Printer's Nos. 1111, 1262. Printer's No. 1269. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for extension of health insurance benefits for certain military personnel who were full-time students at time of deployment.

SB 665 By Senators PILEGGI, ERICKSON, RAFFERTY, EARLL, COSTA, M. WHITE, O'PAKE, THOMPSON and WOZNIAK. Prior Printer's Nos. 793, 1238. Printer's No. 1260. An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the grant of letters of administration and for the administration of estates.

SB 235 By Senators VANCE, M. WHITE, COSTA, EARLL, KITCHEN, MADIGAN, O'PAKE, PILEGGI, PUNT, REGOLA, WAUGH, WOZNIAK and C. WILLIAMS. Prior Printer's Nos. 235, 1149. Printer's No. 1261. An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, providing for continuing nursing education.

PA House Dems Debut Ipod

The House Democrats have announced a new feature -- podcasts. The first "I on PA" has been released and is available here. I took a watch and listen on my pc and it is actually well-done. Sure it's biased, two reps talk about programs they are working on, but it isn't cheesy. The narrator is charmingly casual (either no one ever told him to take his hands out of his pockets on camera or he didn't listen or didn't care). The video is nice but just audio would be just as good.

I look forward to watching other "I on PA" broadcasts as they are available.

This week I also discovered that just about every state legislative caucus has a weekly update or overview so I'll be included links to those in my weekly legislative updates.

Fly in the Ointment?

It is wonderful news that both the PA House and the PA Senate have repealed the pay raise, not just the unvouchered expenses but the entire raise. I do believe that without the Internet and the use of it by engaged residents of the state to keep the issue in the forefront this would not have happened. And that is a wonderful thing. We need to do this more often, not just in a negative way (to repeal something) but in a positive way, to encourage legislation we want to see. I am so proud to be an American today.

There is one cloud on the horizon, though. In today's front page Inky story, note this paragraph:

But the House version may prove to be troublesome. it added a wrinkle that said if any portion of the bill is thrown out by the courts, the entire piece of legislation dies, reinstating the raises for all.

Later in the story:

Soon after the Senate bill passed, some legislators wondered whether they had just run afoul of the state constitution, which prohibits pay cuts for judges.

Take note also that the legislature is not expected back in session until Nov. 14, after the upcoming election, which includes re-election of two state supreme court judges. One question, if the bill is thrown out by the courts, won't it be by judges whose own raise is the sticking point? How will that conflict of interest be handled?

Senators and Stocks

Taking a break from the good news in PA, let's take another look at the bigger picture. Here's an astounding paragraph from the Oct. 31 issue of the New Yorker (p. 34):

Last year, Alan Ziobrowski, a professor at Georgia State, headed the first-ever systematic study of politicans as investors. Ziobrowski and his colleagues looked at six thousand stock transactions made by senators between 1993 and 1998. Over that time, senators beat the market, on average, by twelve percent annually. Since a mutual-fund manager who beats the market by two or three percent a year is considered a genius, the politicians' ability to forese the future seems practically divine. They did an especially good job of picking up stocks at just the right time; their buys were typically flat before they bought them, but beat the market by thirty percent on average, in the year after. By those standards [Bill] Frist looks like a bit of a piker.

The full article is not available freely on the web but here is the citation for those who would want to track it down:

Alan J. Ziobrowski, Ping Cheng, James W. Boyd, and Brigitte J. Ziobrowski. " Abnormal Returns from the Common Stock Investments of the U.S. Senate," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis Vol. 39, No. 4, December 2004.

Ziobrowski lead an earlier study on the real estate dealings of senators. I was afraid to look at it.

Senate Approves Repeal of Raise!!!!

Pigs are flying. The PA Senate has approved a repeal of the entire pay raise. Not just the unvouchered expenses but the whole raise. Read more here.

Unvouchered Expenses to End!!!

PoliticsPA is reporting that the state legislature will vote to put an end to the unvouchered expenses that has allowed sitting legislators to take the newly voted pay raise now instead of waiting until it legally starts in the next session. Cross your fingers and say a prayer. This would be great news!

Parties Today, Strike Tomorrow

Tomorrow I will be venturing out into the commuting nightmares I've heard so much about due to the SEPTA strike. (I support the SEPTA workers, by the way.) Today, though, I took a vacation day and spent most of it in my kids' school for Halloween parties or preparing for them. Contrary to popular belief, if you set out fruits and vegetable (along with the brownies and cookies) they will be eaten. You always read about kids not wanting their parents to be around but the little Janes (and other school kids, if they their parents are to be believed) really like it when their parents are in evidence at school events. No special skills required just show up. Amazing. I'm sure that this too will pass but I want to enjoy it while is lasts.

As a word to the wise, if anyone gets temporary insanity next year and invites more than a dozen costumed children to their house for a party some weekend in October, make sure you check weapons at the door.

weekly legislative update

Sorry this is late. When I tried to compile it over the weekend the legislative web server wasn't responding.

As I mentioned in the previous posting, the governor called a special legislative session to look into property tax reform. Information from that session is included here as well. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long – three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page as well.

These bills were introduced, or referred to a committee, not voted on. The descriptions tended to be pretty much the same, with only a few variations.

Monday 2 bills referred to finance committee; 5 to appropriations (House)
Tuesday 1 bills referred to finance committee (House)
Wednesday 5 bills referred to finance committee (House)
Thursday 2 bills referred to legislation committee (Senate)

Regular Session

Resolutions

Last week I commented on a resolution to inventory and catalog historic barns in PA. It has now passed both houses.

While most Something Day/Week/Month resolutions are passed a few days prior to the named day/week/month, but both houses passed a resolution naming February 2006 as Economic Literacy Month. A noble effort.

There were 6 resolutions honoring fallen soldiers.

Bills

House

HB 1967 By Representative McILHINNEY. Prior Printer's No. 2700. Printer's No. 2885. An Act amending the act of November 20, 2004 (P.L.886, No.121), entitled "An act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority and to Robert L. and Karen N. Doutt, Leona B. Disbrow, Louise F. Waller, Mary Schabacker, Paul D. and Mary Ann Brugger, and Ralph and Janet Toland, Sr., certain lands situate in the City of Erie, County of Erie; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Derry Township Municipal Authority a certain easement for sanitary sewer purposes, together with an existing sanitary sewer line and appurtenances, situate in Derry Township, Dauphin County; authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Summerdale Associates, L.P., certain lands situate in the Township of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland; and authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Borough of Doylestown certain lands situate in the Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County," further providing for conveyance to the Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County.

HB 1955 By Representative PYLE. Printer's No. 2669. An Act designating the bridge carrying State Route 66 over Garrett's Run and the J. Franklin Graff Bridge in Manor Township, Armstrong County, as the 1/112th Infantry Alpha Company Bridge.

Senate

SB 854 Prior Printer's No. 1101. Printer's No. 1231. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing, in personal income tax, for medical and health savings accounts; and repealing provisions relating to taxation of medical and health savings accounts.

HB 1179 Prior Printer's Nos. 1385, 1870, 2298, 2365, 2855. Printer's No. 2953. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Military Family Relief Assistance Program and the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund.

HB 1717 Prior Printer's Nos. 2174, 2572. Printer's No. 2918. An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms, for firearms not to be carried without licenses, for licenses, for loans, lending or giving of firearms, for definitions, for jurisdiction, for full faith and credit and foreign protection orders, for responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, for commencement of proceedings, for hearings and for relief; providing for return of relinquished firearms, other weapons and ammunition, for relinquishment for consignment sale or lawful transfer, for relinquishment to third party for safekeeping and for registry or database of firearm ownership; further providing for emergency relief by minor judiciary, for arrest for violation of order, for private criminal complaints for violation of order or agreement, for contempt for violation of order or agreement and for procedures and other remedies; and providing for immunity, for inability to pay and for limitation on warrantless searches.

SB 932 By Senator CONTI. Prior Printer's No. 1220. Printer's No. 1270. An Act amending the act of November 20, 2004 (P.L.886, No.121), entitled "An act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority and to Robert L. and Karen N. Doutt, Leona B. Disbrow, Louise F. Waller, Mary Schabacker, Paul D. and Mary Ann Brugger, and Ralph and Janet Toland, Sr., certain lands situate in the City of Erie, County of Erie; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Derry Township Municipal Authority a certain easement for sanitary sewer purposes, together with an existing sanitary sewer line and appurtenances, situate in Derry Township, Dauphin County; authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Summerdale Associates, L.P., certain lands situate in the Township of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland; and authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey to the Borough of Doylestown certain lands situate in the Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County," further providing for conveyance to the Borough of Doylestown, Bucks County.

HB 746 Prior Printer's Nos. 837, 1913. Printer's No. 2136. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure.

SB 4 Prior Printer's No. 842. Printer's No. 1263. An Act establishing spending limitations on the Commonwealth; providing for the disposition of surplus funds; and making a repeal.

SB 193 By Senators RAFFERTY, WONDERLING, D. WHITE, TOMLINSON, COSTA, ROBBINS, O'PAKE, PILEGGI, WOZNIAK, PICCOLA, EARLL, KASUNIC, THOMPSON, LOGAN, BOSCOLA, STACK, WAUGH, ORIE, WENGER and C. WILLIAMS. Prior Printer's No. 182. Printer's No. 1271. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, further providing for the meeting of election officers on election day.

SB 693 By Senators PILEGGI, LEMMOND, ERICKSON, EARLL, RAFFERTY, FERLO, C. WILLIAMS, D. WHITE and BOSCOLA. Printer's No. 830. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, further providing for affidavit of circulator.

SB 875 By Senators RAFFERTY, ORIE, ERICKSON, CORMAN, M. WHITE, WENGER, EARLL, PICCOLA, LEMMOND, WONDERLING, RHOADES, REGOLA, ROBBINS, JUBELIRER and BRIGHTBILL. Prior Printer's No. 1130. Printer's No. 1284. An Act amending Title 4 (Amusements) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the prohibition of emergency procurement.

SB 884 Prior Printer's No. 1169. Printer's No. 1264. A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for spending limitations on the State and for disposition of surplus funds.

More on Lewis "Scooter" Libby's Philly Connections

I ran across this article, explaining how Lewis Libby and his Philadelphia lawyer, Joseph Tate, crossed paths. They both worked at Schnader Harrison when Libby was here, and at the Dechert law firms (Libby in DC, Tate here). Interesting stuff.

My previous Libby postings are here and here.

Another Interesting Idea

Via GrassrootsPA, here is an interesting idea from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

If you like your state rep, and he/she didn't vote for the payraise and isn't taking the unvouchered expenses, don't agree to vote for them unless they promise not to vote for the current house leadership (of either party).

I like that idea. Nothing will change as long as we have the current legislative leadership. While only Perzel's constitutents can vote him out of office, he stays in his leadership position only as long as the other reps vote him in each session. Let's not. And let's kick out the Dem, too. I don't think very highly of Bill DeWeese or Mike Veon, either.

Project HOME event tonight

Please remember the Project HOME event this evening (for details click on the image on my sidebar or go to philyfuture.org). I am in motion today (Hither. Yon.) and not sure when I will get home. I would like to attend and hope to see some of my blogger buddies there.

One Tired Community Activist

October was a busy month for me, at least for my community activist persona. There were a lot of deadlines, a lot of consultants to talk to, a lot of plans to make, a lot of meetings, a lot a lot a lot. This kind of work does not have the immediacy and sizzle of the coming federal indictments (presumably for Rove, Libby, et al), the Philly city council indictments, and so on, but it is the necessary prep work for knitting the community fabric. It is tedious and always has to be paid foreward. You work on something for years and suddenly it is an overnight success.

The hardest part of it for me is the social face required. I stop by a local government office to drop something off, pick something up, or ask a question, and have a oh-so-friendly chat with an official that would just as soon I fell off the edge of the world or into a fissure in the earth. It isn't personal. I could be anybody. They probably don't remember my name as soon as I leave the room. I stop at construction sites and say "Hey, guys, how's it going?" and they smile and nod and wonder how much fun it would be to run over me with a backhoe. Again, it isn't personal. They know I'm there to check up on them or see if things are being done as Organization X or Group Y that I have been working with wants things to be done. They would rather not have the oversight and suggestions and the nagging that is sure to come if things aren't being done as they should be. I know it and they know it and yet we smile at each other and exchange pleasantries even as we are both eyeing the "must be saved" tree their machinery has just girdled and therefore killed.

Government says it wants citizen involvement and, in theory, it does, but we are always, to some extent, trouble, or at least present extra work. I know that. The official shaking my hand and telling me how wonderful my work is would rather be home with his/her family or somewhere, anywhere, else. Actually, so would I. And yet, these encounters are necessary for things to get done.

It is one of the odd dances we do in this life, and one of my least favorite. And yet, tomorrow I will be doing it again (somewhere in between the job and the family and hopefully some meals and sleep).

The New Cats

Last May I wrote an entry called "Catless," on adjusting to life without a cat and mentioned the possibility of getting another one. We adopted two kittens, sisters, not long after. I've never had two kittens at the same time and it has been fun watching them interact with each other, as well as with the kids and Mr. Jane and myself. They look quite a bit alike but have very different personalities.

When they were very small and got scared one would hide under something, the other would sneak over and hunker down between my shoes as I stood. Apparently I am viewed as a safe place. As they have gotten larger they have become more adventurous and leap on top of the bookcase and the fireplace and curl up in dresser drawers for naps. One likes to go fishing in the aquarium, something we are trying to discourage. One doesn't like to be kissed on the head the other one doesn't care.

Starting over with new kittens has given me a chance to correct a few bad habits I formed with my first cats. I used to feed the cats first thing in the morning. What this meant was that if I dozed past the first rays of sun breaking over the horizon one or both cats would come and wake me up (a cold wet nose in the ear will do it every time). With the kittens I started feeding them just before I went to bed, which means they are fairly content overnight and everyone can sleep undisturbed. If I start upstairs without feeding them one will run over and smack me on the leg as a reminder.

The previous cats lived 15-18 years each. With that as a guide, it is likely that the next time I am in the market for a cat the kids will be in college (or already graduated) and Mr. Jane and I will have retired (hopefully). It feels odd to think so far ahead and I wonder what journeys I will have with these new household creatures.

Labor Policies: Whole Foods vs. SEPTA

I saw this in the October issue of Fast Company and could not help contrasting it with the current labor woes at SEPTA:

Whole Foods nurtures democracy, putting their health plan to a company-wide vote. The outcome: satisfied workers and ultimately happy customers. On Whole Foods' heavy roster of employee-friendly policies--for instance, no executive atWhole Foods makes more than 14 times the average hourly employee's pay--nothing stands out as much as the company's employee-designed benefits plan. In 2003, the granola set's grocery chain of choice decided to put the entire package, from medical plans to vacation time, out for a companywide, 25,000-person vote. After three rounds of voting (and an 87% turnout) employees voted for a health plan that takes nothing from their paycheck and offers cash to cover out-of-pocket expenses. (Dependents get the same treatment after five years.)

The trade-off: Vision and dental care come with heftier charges, and perks like childcare reimbursement were voted down. Even in a time of spiraling health-care costs, Whole Foods is again handing over the purse strings to employees, putting the benefits plan out for another vote in February. "Happy team members make happy customers," says Walter Robb, Whole Foods' copresident. "Our job as management is simply to make that a reality."

This and That

News from all over (well, from PoliticsPA anyway, since that is where I found all this info.):

GrassrootsPA has a copy of a letter sent by Ken Davis, chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee telling the state Republican committee to knock it off already with the pay raise complaints. Davis made the news in June, 2004 when he was elected to his position by one vote (with some contention that only 656 votes should have been cast and he won with voter #657) and his opponent went court to contest the election.

Chris Cizzilla writes in a blog for the Wasington Post that Jim Gerlach is on of the country's more endangered congressmen. Good news for Lois Murphy who lost to him last time in a 51%/49% election and is taking him on again/

Congresswoman Melissa Hart gets my "dumb idea" vote of the day with her (and two other representatives') introduction of legislation "creating a program within the Center for Disease Control (CDC) dedicated to the study of the full impact media is having on children." Furthermore:

Congresswoman Hart added that research will also help parents make informed decisions on how to shield their children from potentially dangerous influences. "While the digital explosion has introduced incredible opportunities for our youth, it also presents parents with difficult challenges. Television, text and picture messaging, the Internet and video games all pose specific challenges to parents and this legislation will provide a fuller understanding of how we can best shield children from the darker side of these new technologies," said Hart.

Aren't there enough social scientists out there studying this now? And, come on, I've got small kids, it's not rocket science. You don't let them watch "Sex and the City" or "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" when they're in elementary school (or middle school, etc). You get them the "Zoo Tycoon" computer game (a fave in my house) and not the one where you shoot the hooker and take your money back. Do we need to spend more time and money on this? It's not where I want my tax dollars going.

What’s sign language for “dollop”?

I have an approachable face. Not in a “Hey, baby, what’s shakin’?” sort of way but in a “Do you know where the soup is?” sort of way. When I was single young men tried to corner me a few times but lechery was not their motivation. One asked me how to wash tennis shoes and the other, after pulling me aside, asked in sultry tones how to make a pie crust. (I told him to go to the frozen foods section of the grocery store and buy one.)

Being approachable is helpful to me at work, and it sometimes puts me in challenging situations. One evening this week I stopped at a CVS on the way home to see if they had contact paper (don’t ask). An older woman in ethnic dress rushed up to me and waggled a traveler sized bottle of Pert Shampoo Plus Conditioner in my direction. “Yah!” she said. I stood there trying to figure out what she wanted. She repeated the gesture and the word. I was still blank. She rubbed her hair with her fingers.

“Yes,” I said. “shampoo. Shampoo PLUS conditioner” and also rubbed my hair with my fingers. She nodded, happy with this. Then she held up one finger. Again, I was confused. She held up one finger again and then rubbed her hair. Aha! How many shampoos in the bottle. I flashed all my fingers at her twice.

“Many.” I said, and flashed my fingers at her again. Now she looked confused. I held out one hand and tapped a finger of the other hand in the center of my outstretched palm. Then I held a finger and thumb close together. Then I tapped my finger in my palm again. How do you sign the concept of a dollop to someone who does not speak your language? We gestured back and forth, the same gestures, a few times. I was exaggerating the number of shampoos but I wanted to express the general idea. She seemed satisfied and headed for the checkout counter.

When I left two women were trying to help the checkout clerk tell her it cost $1.06.

[update: Dang it! Does you suppose she was asking if it cost $1.00? I wish people came with instructions.]

weekly legislative update

As I mentioned in the previous posting, the governor called a special legislative session to look into property tax reform. Information from that session is included here as well. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long – three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page as well.

Special Session

These bills were introduced, not voted on. The descriptions tended to be pretty much the same, with only a few variations. If I actually looked at the full wording of the bills I would fall into a deep deep pit of big confusing words so if you are interested you will need to look them up yourself.

Monday 21 bills referred to finance committee (House)
Tuesday 3 bills referred to finance committee (House)
Friday 3 bills referred to finance committee (House)
3 bills referred to legislation committee (Senate)


Regular Session

Resolutions

A number of resolutions were pass this week, most naming a day or week or month as Something Day or week or month. There were also some resolutions honoring individual Pennsylvania soldiers who died while on duty.

Two struck me as interesting for purely personal reasons.

Serial No. 463 Printer's No. 2788. A Resolution urging the Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to take an inventory and catalog historic barns in this Commonwealth.

Serial No. 468 Printer's No. 2793. A Resolution urging PEMA to review emergency preparedness.

I like barns and have actually done some reading on the folkways that barns represent. Sometimes the ethnic settlement patterns of an area can be mapped solely by barn design. Even so, this seemed a little unusual. I hope the legislature is going to fund this effort. As it is a lot of graduate students will be driving around looking at barns. It would be nice if their gas costs were reimbursed. It would also be nice if this resulted in a nice coffeetable book on Pennsylvania’s barns, in addition to a lot of dense academic articles.

As for the second resolution I’ve pulled out, I certainly hope PEMA would do this without legislative urging. Again, I hope some money goes along with the resolution.

Bills

As you browse through here, if you do, and it is dry reading, take note of HB 893, regarding shutting off water and sewer service for nonpayment of services. I hope there are some loopholes here for special circumstances. Please also note HB 1329 on snakehead fish. I actually looked at the full text of HB 859 and this amendment takes out several paragraphs on the private use of cars that dealers later intend to sell. I didn’t understand it all but those who follow used car sales might want to review that one carefully.

House

HB 1733 By Representative J. TAYLOR. Prior Printer's No. 2200. Printer's No. 2852. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offenses of possessing instruments of crime and of aggravated assault and for criminal history record expungement.

HB 1687 Prior Printer's No. 2183. Printer's No. 2850. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing for exclusion from the sales tax.

HB 1559 Prior Printer's No. 1934. Printer's No. 2110. An Act providing for unannounced inspections of certain facilities and persons that provide child day care; and conferring powers and duties on the Department of Public Welfare.

HB 1455 By Representative WILT. Printer's No. 1753. An Act designating the intersection of State Route 18 and State Route 58 in Greenville, Mercer County, as the Joseph J. Lininger Intersection.

HB 1401 Printer's No. 1691. An Act designating a bridge on State Route 150 crossing the Beech Creek in Clinton and Centre Counties, Pennsylvania, as the Beech Creek Veterans Memorial Bridge.

HB 1320 Prior Printer's No. 1568. Printer's No. 2175. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, restricting the transport, sale, importation or release of snakehead fish.

HB 1281 By Representative HARRIS. Prior Printer's No. 1525. Printer's No. 2849. An Act designating a portion of State Route 104 in Snyder County as the Timberwolves Memorial Highway - 104th Infantry Division, United States Army.

HB 372 Prior Printer's Nos. 399, 2203. Printer's No. 2241. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code, further providing for residency requirements for vacancy appointments.

HB 11 By Representatives SEMMEL, PETRONE, LEH, TIGUE, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CORRIGAN, DALLY, GEIST, GRUCELA, GRUITZA, KOTIK, McCALL, SAINATO, SAYLOR, SOLOBAY, WILT, BUXTON, BEYER and GEORGE. Prior Printer's No. 910. Printer's No. 2400. An Act amending the act of December 19, 1988 (P.L.1262, No.156), known as the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, further providing for prize limits, for limited sales and for recordkeeping; repealing certain provisions relating to advertising; and further providing for eligible organizations' use of locations for conducting small games of chance and for separate individual prize limitations.

HB 10 By Representatives SEMMEL, PETRONE, LEH, TIGUE, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CORRIGAN, DALLY, GEIST, GRUCELA, HARHAI, KOTIK, McCALL, PALLONE, PAYNE, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SOLOBAY, WASHINGTON, WILT, BUXTON and GEORGE. Prior Printer's No. 909. Printer's No. 2399. An Act amending the act of July 10, 1981 (P.L.214, No.67), known as the Bingo Law, further providing for rules for licensing and operation.

SB 74 By Senators GREENLEAF, RAFFERTY, WONDERLING, KITCHEN, TARTAGLIONE and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's Nos. 64, 1108. Printer's No. 1150. An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for contempt for noncompliance with visitation or partial custody order and for child custody; and making conforming amendments.

HB 1069 Prior Printer's Nos. 1228, 1867, 2683. Printer's No. 2762. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for leaves of absence for certain government employees; and making a repeal relating to military leaves of absence.

HB 859 Prior Printer's Nos. 982, 2232. Printer's No. 2853. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, clarifying provisions relating to imposition of certain realty transfer taxes.

HB 816 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's No. 849. Printer's No. 2854. An Act amending the act of July 7, 2005 (P.L., No.6A), entitled "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," making an additional appropriation to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

HB 1048 By Representatives O'NEILL, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, CASORIO, CORRIGAN, CRAHALLA, DENLINGER, DERMODY, FABRIZIO, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, JAMES, McILHATTAN, PALLONE, REICHLEY, SOLOBAY, THOMAS, TIGUE, YOUNGBLOOD, SHAPIRO, GRELL, GERBER, KENNEY and PYLE. Prior Printer's No. 1204. Printer's No. 2387.
An Act amending the act of May 29, 1956 (1955 P.L.1804, No.600), referred to as the Municipal Police Pension Law, further providing for payments under existing pension plans for service increments to pensions of police officers.

HB 893 Printer's No. 1016. An Act amending the act of April 14, 1949 (P.L.482, No.98), entitled, as amended, "An act authorizing and requiring cities, boroughs, townships, municipal authorities and public utility companies engaged in the supplying of water, to shut off the supply of water for nonpayment of sewer, sewerage, or sewage treatment rentals, rates, or charges imposed by municipal authorities organized by counties of the second class, by cities of the second class, by cities of the second class A, by cities of the third class, by boroughs or by townships of the first or second class; authorizing and requiring them to supply to such authorities lists of metered water readings and flat-rate water bills and other data; authorizing them to act as billing and collecting agents for such authorities; and conferring certain powers upon the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in connection therewith," further providing for shutting off water if sewer charge not paid, for notice and for statement of defense; and requiring certain procedures to be followed in residential buildings.

HB 58 By Representatives MAHER, BROWNE, GERGELY and BEYER. Prior Printer's No. 236. Printer's No. 2674. An Act providing a bonus to Pennsylvanians who are United States Merchant Marine veterans who served during World War II; imposing certain duties on the Adjutant General; providing penalties; and making an appropriation.

Senate

SB 601 By Senators WONDERLING, CORMAN, C. WILLIAMS, BRIGHTBILL, ERICKSON, FERLO, KITCHEN, LEMMOND, MUSTO, RHOADES, ROBBINS, TOMLINSON, WAUGH, M. WHITE, WOZNIAK, GREENLEAF, GORDNER, VANCE, LAVALLE, D. WHITE, ORIE, KASUNIC, STACK, RAFFERTY, LOGAN and PIPPY. Prior Printer's Nos. 633, 896, 1142. Printer's No. 1239. An Act relating to confidentiality of Social Security numbers.

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.

Would You Want This Job?

You may or may not be aware of this but Gov. Rendell called a special legislative session on property tax relief (then the legislature promptly disappeared for a week or so).

Today they actually did something. They appointed committee chairs:

State Rep. Josh Shapiro has been appointed Democratic chairman of a newly created House subcommittee that will examine tax reform proposals during the special legislative session on property taxes.

Shapiro, D-Montgomery, will chair the Subcommittee on Property Tax Reduction, one of five new subcommittees under the House Finance Committee. Shapiro is the only freshman member of the House who will chair a subcommittee during the special session, and one of just four to receive appointments to the panels. He will also serve on the Subcommittee on Sales Tax Initiatives.

Rep. Shapiro seems like a bright fellow that we can expect to seek higher office at some point. In the meantime, from what I hear, he does well by his constituents. That's sort of what puzzles me. I mean, isn't being named committee chair here sort of like being named captain of the Titanic? Do we really expect anything to come of all this? I'm sure Shapiro knows what he is doing. He also seems to wear teflon suits. He voted against the pay raise, isn't taking the unvouchered expense money, and, unlike Greg Vitali and others, he is getting named committee chair instead of losing leadership positions. I can't keep track of the wheels within wheels of politics and the strategems employed are beyond me, but this not a job I would want. Let's hope he can turn this sow's ear into a silk purse.

A Miscellany of Links

Some interesting information I have seen recently on blogs or web sites:

America's Hometown tells us what to look for when deciding on the validity of polls.

Joe Hoeffel has continued his fight to increase the minimum wage.

Just Between Strangers brings up the sticky and intriguing concept of personal geography. When I was a kid and asked someone if they "grew up around here," they would say yes if they were anywhere within a 30 mile or so radius. Where I live now if I ask that question they will say no if they were outside a 5 miles radius. For another example, ask people what part of the country Pennsylvania is in (Mid-Atlantic, East Coast, Midwest) and see what they say. Or, what constitutes the South, the Midwest, and what should we do with those Dakotas anyway?

Anderson Cooper was a child model until someone propositioned him and he quit. In the same essay, how many words into a phone conversation with your mother are you before she becomes irritating? (My mother reads this blog so let me say that she, for one, is never irritating on the phone.)

What Does This Mean?

This noncontroversial resolution passed this week. It sounds harmless enough, even though I don't quite understand what it means, but I have a terrible feeling that the vague language allows all sorts of nefarious things to happen.

Does any out there know what this means?

A Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to allow subsequent consolidation loans.

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, Oct. 17, 2005 Adopted, Oct. 17, 2005 (194-0)

Lois Murphy in the Money

Capitol Ideas had this to say today, regarding campaign finance reports:

New Federal Campaign Finance Reports ...
... show why the 6th Congressional District rematch between Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, and Democrat Lois Murphy could be one of the hardest fought in the country next year. Murphy turned in one of the strongest showings of any Democratic House challenger during the third quarter, coming within $170 of Republican incumbent Jim Gerlach. Murphy raised $330,236 for the period that ended Sept. 30, while Gerlach brought in $330,406. But Gerlach still had a substantial advantage in cash on hand, with $912,000 compared to $350,000 for Murphy.

Be afraid, Rep. Gerlach, be very afraid.

The Inky had this to say recently:

Unlike most of those Northeastern Republicans, Gerlach has an uneven
record on environmental and energy issues. Why? It's rarely a failure to
grasp issues. But he's in a closely divided district, where he almost
lost the last election. In the bare-knuckle world of partisan politics,
that tends to make a representative more dependent on party leaders for
election-time help and thus more susceptible to arm-twisting by the
DeLays of the world.

This is also the guy who said this past July that he doesn't think his constituents know who Tom DeLay is. While that is likely to be, in part, true, it isn't something people running for office usually say. It just doesn't look good in the opponents ads. (For example: Jim Gerlach, friend of indicted Tom DeLay, and under investigation Karl Rove, thinks the voters in his district are ignorant of current events. Lois Murphy doesn't.)

The possibilities are endless.