Daylin and the Docs

Nobody fall over or anything but I have something nice to say about Daylin Leach. Regular readers will remember that I have been pretty hard on him and, I think, rightly so. However, during my recent romp through some of the spring issues of the House Journal I found this (May 11, 2005, p. 1017-1018) regarding SB69, an act providing for employer immunity from liability for disclosure of information regarding former or current employees.

Mr. Leach: Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment on this bill which was originally part of a bill I drafted called the Physicians Apology Act, which says that if there is a bad outcome in a medical case, if the physician has a discussion with the family or the person who was the subject of the bad outcome and there is a discussion of the events or even an apology for a mistake made, that conversation could not be used agains the physician at trial.

Frequently medical malpractice suits are filed out of frustration because people cannot get answers. In States that have done this, that have created a physician apology immunity, lawsuits, the filings of medical malpractice suits, have dropped 20 to 30 percent.

So I think this would be a good thing to do for Pennsylvania. However, for today I am withdrawing this amendment, Mr. Speaker, so that we can run this bill clean, and I look forward to the opportunity to have a vote on this amendment in the near future.

Thank you.

I have no idea if this legislation has been introduced in another form. It is a good idea and should be considered in some form. However, I did put together some links if anyone else is interested in reading about physician apology laws. Like Leach, my understanding is that people often do file malpractice suits just because there is no other way to find out what happened.

Here are a medical (Cohen, Jonathan R. "Toward Candor After Error: The First Medical Apology Law," Harvard Health Policy Review 5 #1 spr 2004: 21-24) and a legal article (O'Hara, Erin Ann. Apology and Thick Trust: What Spouse abusers and neligent doctors might have in common. Chicago-Kent Law Review 79-3 1055-1089 2004) . Info from Maryland, considering similar legislation. A note from a doctor's blog. Here is a newspaper article (Medical apology law may surface By Jennifer Ryan, East Valley Tribune January 8, 2005). Here (Five States Pass Medical Liability Reform Legislation By Leslie Champlin 6/9/2005 American Academy of Family Physicans News and Publications) is more info.

Best of all, here is a really long list of articles and other sources on the topic.

All this being said, I still cannot find it in my heart to think really well of Leach, so don't expect a lot of "Daylin is wonderful" posts.

A Democratic Choice for Senator

The Democratic primary for Senator is going to be interesting. It seems a foregone conclusion that Robert Casey, Jr. will win, but there are two other candidates. Chuck Pennacchio and Alan Sandals are also in the running, with considerably less name recognition and a lot less money.

Even so, it is difficult for a lot of Democrats to get all that excited about Casey. There are two particular sticking points on this -- abortion and gun control, those staples of freshman composition papers for the last twenty years. Contrary to most Democratic candidates, Casey opposes federal funding for abortions. He believes life begins at conception and must be protected. He would avoid a litmus test for judicial nominees. He would not require pharmacists to go against personal beilefs and fill prescriptions for emergency contraception. He says "Someone who's pro-life does have a corresponding obligation to help the mother and child after birth," Casey said, "Too often the issue has been framed in a more limited way." No mention of the father here. Interesting. He believes Roe v. Wade should be overturned. The sources for this information are the Inquirer articles listed at the bottom of this post. His web site provides no real information on his stance of this or other issues.

Pennacchio believes that abortion should be safe, legal and rare (where have I heard that before?). His web site goes on to say "He believes that a woman's right to have control over her reproductive choice is inviolate, and as our Senator, he will stand up to protect this fundamental Constitutional guarantee."

Alan Sandals and his campaign have crafted what I think is the most well-written and uncontroversial statement I have ever seen. Instead of taking reproductive rights as a separate issue they have carefully woven it into a statement on personal privacy and choice. He sums it up this way on his web site "Let's face it. Our personal lives are hard enough as it is. We don't need politicians butting in to tell us how to make the most difficult decisions that we wrestle with as adults. With our faith, family and friends as our guides, we can find our own way. We always have and we always will." If anyone has said it any better than that, I haven't seen it.

Sources: candidates' web sites (linked in posting); Inquirer articles: Budoff, Carrie, "Casey's clear view on abortion could muddy campaign waters," 12/18/05, p. B3; Budoff, Carie, "Unlikely allies are sizing up Casey -- His antiabortion stance keeps Democratic donors at bay, 7/03/05, p. B1; Budoff, Carrie and Thomas Fitzgerald, "Senate candidate is a minority among Decmorats -- Casey walks line between views on abortion and party support," 4/18/05, p. B1

Your Tax Dollars at Work

The House Journal for the spring months was released in October and I finally had a chance to stop at my nearest law library to look at them. It never fails to amaze me what sort of things our elected officials take up time doing. The introduction of visitors (the Cottage Cheese Queen of Podunk, as a hypothetical example), etc., and a number of annoucements that would, in other industries, be put in the company newsletter or sent around on email.

This one seemed really over the top. I deleted the names of those mentioned as they surely did not ask for this publicity. The gentleman speaking is Rep. Bill DeWeese, Democratic leader of the House.

I will be brief. As Senator [name deleted] used to refer to the connubial couch, he referred to those moments of bliss as the ineffable blandishments of conjugal extravaganzas. Just within the last few days, my chief of staff, [name deleted], got married on and behalf of the Speaker, who has generously allowed me to take the microphone, and our colleagues, unlike many of us, who are elected, [names deleted] and other senior staff people seem to have very few enemies. I could be misreading that, but nevertheless, [name deleted] has succumbed to those wonderful blandishments, and although I am certainly no expert on the quotidian travails of matrimony, I still wanted to doff my hat and say congratulations to my young chief of staff on his marriage. (Legislative Journal -- House, June 7, 2005, p. 1078)

If the workings of the state get bollixed up with a lot of hooha, this sort of stuff and this guy in particular get my vote for chief hooha-er.

Nonpolitical Rant

This evening I got out my sewing machine and made an Eagles pillow for a friend of one of the little Jane's. While I was in sewing mode I got out some flannel bought to make little Jane jammies. Cut out the new pattern. Laid out the fabric. Didn't fit, about 3" short. Looked at the fabric requirements on the back of the pattern. Checked the length of the fabric. Everything okay. Still didn't fit. Did the nose measure on the width of the fabric. Double checked with a tape measure. 42"

Now, those of you familiar with fabric will know that sewing fabric comes in 36" and 45". It's one or the other. The width is listed on the end of the bolt but the experienced eye can tell with a look. Or there's the informal nose measure. (The distance from the tips of the fingers to the nose is approximately 36". My arms are short so I turn my head sideways and that makes almost exactly 36").

I could not have been more shocked if the Easter bunny came down the chimney on Christmas. For the sports-inclined, imagine if the hockey team wore tutus. It just isn't right.

You just can't trust anything these days.

Good Service at Suncoast Video

Twice this week I've gone into a Suncoast Video store in search of the original black and white "King King" movie with Fay Wray. (It's a Christmas present for Mr. Jane -- ssshh, don't tell). In the first store I was really suprised by the level of friendly responsive service the clerk provided, not just to me but to the other customers as well. They didn't have the movie I wanted. Today on the way home I stopped in at another Suncoast Video store. Again, the clerks were friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to come out from behind the counter and walk the customers to whatever part of the store was most likely to have what they wanted. I was shocked. Waiting on middle-aged women wearing funny winter hats can't be at the top of the list of what these early twenty-somethings want to do. In a lot of stores I'm lucky to get a grunt and a general "over there" gesture. So this level of attention was pretty heady stuff. Unfortunately they didn't have the movie either, but the clerk said they were owned by the same company as Sam Goody (five stores down, on the left, he said) and they would probably have it, and he quoted me the price it would be there. Low and behold he was right on all counts. This is the place I will be going for videos and dvds in the future. I congratulate the chain on hiring good people and training them well (and presumably paying them enough to keep them).

[Lawyer note -- no one in my family works for the store and no one in my house individually owns stock in the company, though it may be in retirement or mutual funds.]

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, and have a lot to say about property tax reform.

Other weekly updates are available for this week:

PA House Democrats
PA House GOP daily updates
PA Senate Democrats
PA Senate Republicans

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 3 bills reported as committed (HB 14, 15, 16, 17)
Tuesday HB 69 and 70 referred to finance committee
Wednesday HB 1, 3, 29, 35, 68 shuffled around; SB 39 committed
Thursday HB 71 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, referred to finance
Friday HB 1 third consideration and final passage

Regular Session



Resolutions

Here are some of the resolutions that caught my eye. I’m a big proponent of financial aid for college students and am intrigued by maglev in PA.

Serial No. 537 By Representative FEESE. Printer's No. 3301. A resolution establishing a select committee to investigate alleged illegal rebating practices relating to the sale of cigarettes in this Commonwealth, to analyze the current system of enforcement of laws relating to such illegal activities and to make recommendations for the orderly and legal enforcement of laws relating to this practice.

Serial No. 538 Printer's No. 3302. A Resolution directing the Transportation Committee to conduct an investigation of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

Serial No. 539 Printer's No. 3309. A Resolution directing the Department of Environmental Protection to place a moratorium on all actions required of affected entities relating to implementation of the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy for a period of nine months from the date the adoption of this resolution.

Serial No. 541 Printer's No. 3330. A Resolution designating the month of January 2006 as "Financial Aid Awareness Month" and commending the work of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Serial No. 211 By Senators LOGAN, MADIGAN, COSTA, PIPPY, ORIE, M. WHITE and KASUNIC. Printer's No. 1426. A Resolution declaring support for a high-speed maglev industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Bills

There are a lot of veterans bills this week and bills relating to license plates. One bill that seems out of place is HB1686, which relates to paintball.

House

HB 472 Prior Printer's No. 511. Printer's No. 3293. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for a tax credit for donation of used computers; further defining "taxable income" relating to the corporate net income tax; and establishing a tax credit for telecommunication carriers that offer telecommunication services to Pennsylvania National Guard members ordered to active Federal or State service.

HB 487 Printer's No. 526. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for lawyer referral service civil immunity.

HB 544 Prior Printer's Nos. 592, 2957. Printer's No. 3292. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, further providing for the functions of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, for the functions of county boards of elections, for the functions of district election boards, for qualifications of electors at primaries, for the place and time of filing nomination papers, for objections to nomination petitions; providing for list of all nominated candidates to the public; further providing for requirements of electronic voting systems, for instruction cards and supplies, for official absentee ballot applications, for approval of absentee ballot applications, for absentee elector files, for delivering ballots, for absentee voting, for canvassing official absentee ballots, for public records, for computation of returns and for reporting; and providing for misleading mailings and for unlawful interference with voter registration.

HB 731 Prior Printer's No. 822. Printer's No. 3054. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a special registration plate for veterans and members of United States military airborne units and for military airborne parachutist and glider units.

HB 1085 Prior Printer's No. 1243. Printer's No. 3051. An Act amending the act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541), referred to as the Higher Education Scholarship Law, further providing for students eligible for State scholarship.

HB 1820 Prior Printer's No. 2422. Printer's No. 2675. An Act providing compensation to persons in active service in connection with the Persian Gulf Conflict or their beneficiaries; authorizing the incurring of indebtedness and the issue and sale of bonds by the Commonwealth for the payment of compensation contingent upon electorate approval; creating a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans' Compensation Bond Fund; imposing powers and duties on the Department of General Services; making appropriations; and making a related repeal.

HB 2139 By Representatives MAHER, GEIST, BALDWIN, J. EVANS, GOOD, HESS, PETRARCA, ROBERTS, WATSON, WILT and WRIGHT. Printer's No. 2943. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for exemption of persons, entities and vehicles from fees.

HB 2205 By Representative B. SMITH. Printer's No. 3080. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for record of license sales.

SB 358 Prior Printer's No. 420. Printer's No. 1141. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "combat zone;" and further providing for limitations in educational assistance program.

HB 1485 Printer's No. 1803. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for flags on grave markers of certain deceased service persons.

HB 1486 Prior Printer's No. 1804. Printer's No. 3231. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for markers on graves and for flags to decorate graves.

HB 1487 Prior Printer's No. 1805. Printer's No. 3232. An Act amending the act of June 11, 1935 (P.L.326, No.149), entitled "An act relating to counties of the first class; defining deceased service persons; providing for contributions by the county to the funeral expenses for such persons and their widows; providing for the erection and care of markers, headstones, and flags, and for the compilation of war records," further providing for flags, markers and headstones.

HB 1552 Prior Printer's No. 1909. Printer's No. 2273. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a special license plate for recipients of the Silver Star and Bronze Star.

HB 1604 Prior Printer's No. 2007. Printer's No. 3303. An Act providing for a Statewide adult day resource and referral system; establishing a central adult day services database; and imposing additional responsibilities upon the Department of Aging.

HB 1621 Prior Printer's No. 2056. Printer's No. 3304. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the duty of the State Veterans' Commission.

HB 1879 Prior Printer's No. 2554. Printer's No. 3056. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for special license plates for recipients of medals for military service and for exemption of persons, entities and vehicles from fees.

HB 2001 Prior Printer's Nos. 2771, 3234. Printer's No. 3310. An Act prohibiting price gouging; providing for preemption of municipal laws and ordinances; and imposing penalties.

HB 2145 Printer's No. 2968. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the pay of officers and enlisted personnel in active State service.

HB 2157 Printer's No. 2980. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for certain duty for emergencies.

HB 2282 Printer's No. 3194. 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 classes of income.

SB 869 Prior Printer's Nos. 1111, 1262, 1269. Printer's No. 1406. 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.

HB 1311 Prior Printer's No. 1559. Printer's No. 3324. An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for prohibited acts and penalties.

HB 1327 Printer's No. 1575. An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for liquefied ammonia gas, precursors and chemicals.

HB 1617 Prior Printer's Nos. 2052, 2992. Printer's No. 3326. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for child abuse education training; and further providing for approved reimbursable charges for certain school building construction projects.

HB 2202 By Representatives REICHLEY, ALLEN, BEBKO-JONES, BELFANTI, BEYER, BUNT, CALTAGIRONE, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, MANDERINO, MANN, MARKOSEK, E. Z. TAYLOR, J. TAYLOR and SIPTROTH. Printer's No. 3070. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, providing for home infusion therapy to be available to all eligible recipients and adding a definition of "home infusion therapy."

HB 2223 Prior Printer's Nos. 3097, 3235. Printer's No. 3323. An Act amending the act of December 10, 1974 (P.L.852, No.287), referred to as the Underground Utility Line Protection Law, further providing for the title of the act, for definitions, for duties of facility owners and for the duties of the One Call System; providing for liability, fees and governance of the One Call System; further providing for applicability; providing for the duties of project owners and for rights of the Auditor General; further providing for the governing board of the One Call System, for fines and penalties and for applicability to certain pipeline systems and facilities; providing for a voluntary dispute resolution process, for best efforts and for removal or tampering with a marking; further providing for expiration; and repealing provisions of the act of June 19, 2002 (P.L.421, No.61), known as the Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act, concerning the prohibition of certain liquefied petroleum gas facilities or distributors from being subject to the Underground Utility Line Protection Law.

HB 2296 Prior Printer's No. 3210. Printer's No. 3312. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for tuition credit for children and spouses of deceased soldiers and for retention of licenses of persons entering military service.

HB 2317 By Representative FEESE. Prior Printer's Nos. 3280, 3294. Printer's No. 3325. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2005-2006; itemizing public improvement projects, furniture and equipment projects, transportation assistance projects, redevelopment assistance capital projects, flood control projects, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund projects, Environmental Stewardship Fund projects and Motor License Fund projects to be constructed or acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection and 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, acquired or assisted by the Department of General Services; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; providing an exemption; and making appropriations.

SB 618 By Senators WAUGH, WENGER, SCARNATI, M. WHITE, WONDERLING, RAFFERTY, STOUT, CORMAN, LEMMOND, D. WHITE, KITCHEN, PUNT, GORDNER, THOMPSON, TOMLINSON, ROBBINS, ARMSTRONG and PICCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 682. Printer's No. 1359. An Act providing for immunity for equine owners, possessors or handlers.

SB 895 By Senators TOMLINSON, CONTI, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, GREENLEAF, PILEGGI, ERICKSON, THOMPSON, M. WHITE, BOSCOLA, LOGAN, COSTA, PUNT, WENGER, WAUGH, C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING and STACK. Prior Printer's Nos. 1176, 1372, 1377, 1403. Printer's No. 1417. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for police animals.

SB 1034 By Senators ORIE, THOMPSON, ERICKSON, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, COSTA, RHOADES, WAUGH, O'PAKE and FUMO. Printer's No. 1398. An Act amending the act of July 7, 2005 (P.L. , No.1A), increasing the State appropriation for payment of law enforcement officers' and emergency response personnel death benefits.

HB 1618 Prior Printer's Nos. 2053, 3306. Printer's No. 3334. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for participation in graduation ceremony.

HB 2090 Printer's No. 2880. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for powers of director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

SB 394 By Senators CORMAN, PUNT, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, RHOADES, BOSCOLA, KITCHEN, LOGAN, O'PAKE, TARTAGLIONE, GREENLEAF, WONDERLING and LEMMOND. Prior Printer's No. 401. Printer's No. 1400. 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.

SB 736 By Senators ROBBINS, BOSCOLA, CORMAN, EARLL, LEMMOND, ORIE, WENGER, D. WHITE, M. WHITE and WOZNIAK. Prior Printer's Nos. 889, 1307. Printer's No. 1411. An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, further providing for definitions and for regulations; and providing for applicability on certain uncertified buildings.

Senate

SB 811 By Senators THOMPSON, ROBBINS, STOUT and WOZNIAK. Prior Printer's No. 1022. Printer's No. 1234. An Act amending the act of August 31, 1971 (P.L.398, No.96), known as the County Pension Law, further providing for transfers between certain classes and for additional class options.

HB 163 Prior Printer's Nos. 163, 1968, 3118, 3260. Printer's No. 3311. An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, further providing for compensation rates.

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 1686 Prior Printer's Nos. 2131, 2456, 3116. Printer's No. 3174. 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 1690 Prior Printer's Nos. 2152, 2305, 3025. Printer's No. 3218. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unlawful devices and methods and for license requirements.

SB 358 Prior Printer's No. 420. Printer's No. 1141. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "combat zone;" and further providing for limitations in educational assistance program.

SB 656 By Senators GORDNER, PILEGGI, COSTA, WAUGH, BOSCOLA, ROBBINS, WOZNIAK, ERICKSON, C. WILLIAMS, PIPPY, PUNT, D. WHITE, M. WHITE and LEMMOND. Prior Printer's Nos. 755, 1147. Printer's No. 1405. An Act providing for dispute resolution procedures relating to residential construction defects between contractors and homeowners or members of associations.

SB 770 By Senators C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING, FUMO, WOZNIAK, O'PAKE, BOSCOLA, LOGAN and FERLO. Prior Printer's Nos. 949, 1408. Printer's No. 1416. An Act amending the act of December 16, 1999 (P.L.971, No.69), known as the Electronic Transactions Act, providing for the definition of "United States Postal Service Electronic Postmark" and for electronic postmark.

HB 1318 Prior Printer's Nos. 1566, 1967, 2366, 3022, 3307. Printer's No. 3328. 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 powers and duties of county boards, for polling places selected by county boards, for public buildings to be used where possible and portable polling places and for prohibiting polling places in buildings where malt or brewed beverages or liquors are sold; providing for polling places in other buildings; and further providing for nominations by political bodies, for affidavits of candidates, for opening of polls, posting cards of instruction and notices of penalties and voters' rights and examination of voting machines, for voting procedures, for manner of applying to vote, for date of application for absentee ballots, for canvassing of official absentee ballots and for violation of provisions relating to absentee voting.

HB 2041 Prior Printer's Nos. 2818, 3027, 3156, 3284. Printer's No. 3327. An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, further providing for the Patient Safety Authority; reestablishing the Health Care Provider Retention Program and the Health Care Provider Retention Account; establishing the Commission on the Mcare Fund; and repealing provisions relating to the Health Care Provider Retention Program and the Health Care Provider Retention Account in the Public Welfare Code.

SB 398 By Senators COSTA, PIPPY, LOGAN, MELLOW, MUSTO, LAVALLE, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, WOZNIAK, ORIE, STACK, O'PAKE, PUNT, GREENLEAF, C. WILLIAMS, KASUNIC, BOSCOLA, RHOADES, KITCHEN, FONTANA and CORMAN. Prior Printer's No. 427. Printer's No. 1404. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for life insurance.

SB 437 By Senators ORIE, WOZNIAK, STACK, RAFFERTY, KITCHEN, LAVALLE, COSTA, KASUNIC, TARTAGLIONE, MUSTO, GREENLEAF, LOGAN and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 460. Printer's No. 1306. An Act amending the act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.477, No.193), referred to as the Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits Law, extending benefits to corrections employees; and making an editorial change.

HB 477 Prior Printer's No. 516. Printer's No. 1076. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing a civil action to recover damages caused by terrorism.

HB 894 Prior Printer's Nos. 1017, 1455, 1912, 1963. Printer's No. 2133. 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 development.

HB 1826 By Representatives T. STEVENSON, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, GINGRICH, GRELL, HERMAN, KILLION, MUSTIO, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PYLE, RUBLEY, SAYLOR, THOMAS and SHAPIRO. Printer's No. 2440. An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for escrow of deposits or posting of surety bond or letter of credit.

Scenes from a PA Courtroom

We've all read probably more than we'd like about the intelligent design / evolution case recently. If you can stand one more item on it, let me recommend The New Yorker's December 5th detailed article on it (Talbot, Margaret, "Darwin in the Dock," pp. 66-77).

I'm a little behind on my New Yorker reading and haven't quite finished the article but a couple of passages really struck me. I've always admired people who write and speak well with clarity and wit. Especially those who can think of the right thing to say at the right moment. Especially because I always think of a good zinger about two hours after the conversation is over.

Take a look at these from p. 69:

Michael Behe of Lehigh University, "the leading intellectual of intelligent design" is being questioned by Eric Rothschild, lawyer for the plaintiffs.

When Rohschild added "the entire human body" to his list [of biological marvels], saying "Now, that's an amazing biological structure," Behe gazed upward dreamily and joked, "I'm thinking of examples."

"Hopefully, not mine!" Rothschild responded.

"Rest assured," came the reply.

Later, Kenneth Miller, co-author of a series of high school and college textbooks, testified on the nature of science:

"I hesitate to beg the patience of the court with this, but, being a Boston Red Sox fan, I can't rsist," Miller said. "One might say, for example, the reason the Boston Red Sox were able to come back from three games down against the New York Yankees was because God was tired of George Steinbrenner and wanted to see the Red Sox win. In my part of the country, you'd be surprised how many people think that's a perfectly reasonable explanation for what happened last year. And you know what? It might be true. But it certainly is not science...."

Why do we need tv with things like this to read?

Political News Update

Two items for your perusal:

Capitol Ideas live blogs coverage of the state legislature. Very interesting read.

I was going to closely read the Inky's article today on Sen. Fumo's proposed changes in legislative rules but A Smoke-Filled Room beat me to it. Read it here.

Jan. 5th in Harrisburg

This entry does not deal with politics but I'd like my Harrisburg and vicinity readers to please take note. There is a new ad on my side bar regarding a Jan 5th event in Harrisburg. If you are available please consider going. Various bloggers listed on PoliticsPA are being asked to highlight this event, and I am pleased to do so.

Event details:

John Stouffer has been a tireless worker for former House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Roy Cornell and the House Republican Caucus, as well as with the local ambulance service and fire company. Bundy, as he is known by friends in Cedar Cliff High school, had incredible school spirit. He was at all the games encouraging the crowds to show their support.

Now it is time for his friends to return the favor. For the last several months, John has been battling tough medical problems. He was diagnosed with Cogan's disease, which is a rare disease that affects his eyes, ears, and vascular system. There is little known about Cogan's disease and very few doctors have been able to provide him with relief. It is a constant fight. Blood clots, medicine interactions, constant pain, and loss of sensory skills. John has been putting up a good fight, but it has not been easy. The stress of being in and out of the hospital as well as mounting hospitable bills has taken its toll. At the young age of 27, he is dealing with a body that is acting more and more like a person of 65.

When asked how he's been handling everything, he said "it's been tough." "The thing I miss the most is being able to go out with my friends to a local bar, dance, and have a good time." We are going to give him just that.

Join us at Flinchy's Restaurant on January 5th for an evening of music, friends, and fun. Let's give him the opportunity to have a good time and dance. While we are at it, let's give a little back and help him with the mounting medical bills!

For more information on how you can help, please email Abby Graybill or Shanna Dishong at friendofjohnboy@gmail.com or visit http://friendsofbundy.org/.

Flinchy's Restaurant on January 5th
1833 Hummel Ave
Camp Hill, PA 17011

The Big Sort

One of the little Janes has a report due right after the holidays so off we went to the library. I came home with State and Local Government 2005-2006, edited by Kevin B. Smith. Since we are all waiting to see if the legislature was able to come up with a property tax reform plan today I've had time to peruse a few chapters. The book is a collection of articles from political science magazines aimed at state and local issues. In "Whatever Happened to Competitive Elections?" by Alan Greenblatt (from Governing, October 2004), there is a discussion the "big sort." If this is a new concept to you, as it was to me, here is a brief description, from pp. 29-30:

As much havoc as gerrymandering has caused in the current election process, some political scientists suggest that there is a less mischievous factor in the general decline of competition: natural demographic realignment. Voters, they say, are clustering together in partisan enclaves that make it difficult even for fair-minded mapmakers to draw many competitive districts.

a little later

And, while the media characterization of "Republican red" and "Democratic blue" states may be simplistic, there is evidence that within smaller geographic areas, one party or the other is increasing likely to be the dominant attraction.

Demographers are starting to refer to this phenomenon aas "the big sort," in which people move to live among like-minded individuals. It's not that liberals or conservatives ask their real estate agents for printouts of precinct voting data when they're shopping for houses, but they do make lifestyle choices that place them among people who tend to live -- and vote -- much the way they do.

Political analyst Charles cook likes to joke that Democratic candidates have trouble carrying any district that doesn't include a Starbucks.

This is an intriguing idea. However, I still favor the idea of trying to draw districts based on established boundaries, such as township or county lines, as well as trying to preserve established neighborhoods, especially in minority areas. It certainly helps various levels of government work in concert. Many of Pennsylvania's congressional districts were redrawn after the last census in strange and bizarre ways. I hope that the state will find some nonpartisan way of redrawing districts after the next census that will not result in say, Montgomery County having half a dozen or more congressional representatives, as it does now.

One bit of fascinating trivia from the Greenblatt article:

Good redistricting software and powerful databases were available during the 1990s -- and partisan gerrymanders certainly took place well before the dawn of the computer age -- but this time around, mapmakers benefited from a technological advance that at first seems trivial: high-quality color printing. The subtly shaded maps that were possible in the latest redistricing round allowed legislative staff to cycle quickly through dozens of permutations until their legislative bosses were perfectly satisfied and the gerrymanders were airtight.

Betcha the color inkjet people had no idea what they were unleashing on the electorate.

Back to the "big sort," though, I wonder if this can be maintained in a highly mobile society. How long can these enclaves be sustained before there is demographic turnover? Then I look at my street. The houses were built around 1950 and there are still a few of the original homeowners around. We moved in during one wave of turnover and there has been another since then. I don't know how most of my neighbors vote but I know that most of them do. No matter what time of the day I go vote I alway see one or two other people from my street. We have white collar and blue collar occupations but most require some training after high school, if not a college degree. Everyone I know is employed, most in jobs with benefits. Most of us with school age children had them in our 30's and are currently concerned with aging parents at the same time. All of the people I've talked to about mortgages are paying them off early or have family-based or arranged home loans and plan on staying in the house for a significant period of time. I'm confident that none of the kids on the street will be getting new cars for their 16th birthday and there won't be any limos coming around on prom night. These factors have to affect how we vote, but I'm not sure it means we all vote for the same party.

If you are interested in reading more about the Big Sort, here are some reputable looking sources:

Florida, Richard, "Creative Class War, Washington Monthly, April, 2004. (here)

Rhodes Cook Newsletter July 2005 (here, pdf file)

Noden, Merrell, "Polarization of American Politics: Myth or Reality," Princeton Dec 3-4 2004 [conference paper] (here, pdf file)

Bishop, Bill, "The Great Divide," American Statesman Sept 18, 2004 (here)

On a Cold Winter Night

It is a cold winter night. I've had my evening hot chocolate and am watching the cats, littermates, spoon together for warmth on the sofa.

If you have not done all your holiday shopping yet, you might keep these in mind. Acorn Polar Pair are the best house slippers in the world. I've had mine for over a decade and the ribbed cuff still holds them snugly, but not too tightly, on my ankle. Sturdy enough to wear out to get the paper, comfy enough to wear for hours. The hardest part is actually finding them. The manufacturer won't sell them directly to you, but provides a list of retail stores that supposedly carry them and links to online retailers that also may or may not have them. But if you can find a pair buy them.

As I was out gassing up the van this evening I took note of the bright white planet that has been hanging halfway down the horizon for a couple of months now. I think it is either Saturn or Uranus. Sometimes on the other side of the sky I can see Mars, smaller and redder. Someone in the family has developed an interest in astronomy in recent years and I've been learning all these things. It is amazing to think that all those years I had no idea what was up there in the sky.

The Smedley Log has a link to a wonderful winter poem on the nature of love.

Wishing you a warm and toasty night.

Another PA-08 Update

The Intelligencer has a nice article today on Patrick Murphy and Andy Warren and their views on the Iraq War. Quotes from a few other candidates, too.

If you want to read more, check out Murphy's plan for troop withdrawl on his web site. (As a purely personal aside, whoever created the title graphic for the plan did a great job. The studly "desert fatigues" photos makes a nice change from the "smiling lawyer in suit" photo used elsewhere on the site.)

[update -- this is now going to be my clearinghouse for Murphy posts. Interview with Patrick Murphy (here); December conference call (here); link to Air America transcript (here); reading Patrick Murphy here

More on the Pennsylvania Society

It's remarkable what people slide under your door. If you are interested in reading more on the Pennsylvania Society, you might enjoy this article from the Post-Gazette.

In it we learn the society is based in Sellersville, Bucks County. It also has these tidbits:

"I don't know what party most of the people are in and it truly does not concern me," said the society's executive director, Carol Fitzgerald. To be a member of the society, applicants must meet one of seven criteria that prove a Pennsylvania connection -- including being a graduate of a Pennsylvania college or a descendant of a native Pennsylvanian -- and pay the $200 entrance fee and the $50 annual membership fee.

and

Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, a law firm where Rendell practiced, held a Saturday night event with public relations and lobbying firm Wojdak & Associates "as a nice way to honor the governor," said Wojdak senior vice president Holly Kinser.

The Daily Local News also has a story worth reading. In it we find this information:

The 1,900 members include business leaders, politicians, lawyers, doctors and housewives from all over the state, said Carol Fitzgerald, executive director of the Pennsylvania Society. They are "ordinary people who are interested in connecting with other Pennsylvanians."

Prospective members must be proposed for membership and sponsored by two people, said Oxford native Marilyn Ware, who serves as Pennsylvania Society secretary.

They also must go through an application process, said Fitzgerald, and they must be approved by the Society council. However, she added, the primary requirements for membership are to be a resident of Pennsylvania and a person of good character.

So, in theory, anyone could apply, provided they had the money and sponsorship. If it weren't so late I would look up that Mark Twain quote on organizations that would accept him as a member.

If you want to know more and have a high tolerance for political pomp, one of the Society's events will be televised on PCN this Monday. Check here for the schedule.

My thanks to the invisible Internet friends who sent this along.

One More Time, We Don't Find This Funny

The time it is taking for some legislators to pick up on the fact that a large percentage of Pennsylvania voters do not think their recent pay raise and the repeal thereof is in the least humorous is alarming. It goes to show how out of touch some of them were with their constituents. Maybe they are spending too much time with the monied lobbyists at the Pennsylvania Society.

One poor guy who has really been picked on is a state senator from Bucks County, Joe Conti. But he really has been dancing in front of the target on the firing range. First he said he couldn't return the money he took in unvouchered expenses because he had used it to buy a new water heater. Come on, that's just asking for trouble. Of course newspaper columnists and reform organizations offered to stop by the house and disconnect it for him so it could be returned.

Now he's saying it was just a joke. Maybe he and Daylin Leach can form a comedy team. Here's a quote from today's Intelligencer:

“The reporting of my poor attempt at a joke relating to the water heater did not accurately reflect my intentions on the unvouchered expenses,” he said, referring to the method by which lawmakers accepted the interim raise.

He added: “After the repeal vote, it was my intention to pay back the money. It just took time to work out the details with the Senate Chief Clerk's office.”

But the real kicker is here:

“(It) was about much more than the money,” he wrote. “It was a response of frustration to the way we conduct our business in Harrisburg. We must reform the legislative process by opening up to more public inclusion and thoughtful deliberation.”

You think?

What is the Pennsylvania Society?

[Update: Wouldn't you know it -- I put this post together late Saturday night and Sunday morning's Inky has another story on the PA Society. Look for info from today's story at the bottom of this post]

As you may have read most of Pennsylvania's political community has fled to New York for the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend. I say most because while the bigwigs are off hobnobbing, the footsoldiers are home guarding the store. Or maybe my invitation was lost in the mail. ;)

If you have ever wondered how the tradition got started, here is some information from two Inky articles (citations at the end of the posting).

Every December for 105 years, the political establishment has moved to the neutral territory of New York for a weekend that reflects the industry it celebrates: plentiful business interests, intense competition for the attention of elected officials, and big fund-raisers. (2004)

and more here

The society was created by Pennsylvania steel, coal and oil magnates, who spent so much time in New York on business that they gathered over dinner annually to renew their ties to the state. Its membership, until recently, largely consisted of Republicans, who - in the early days, at least - convened closed-door meetings in smoke-filled rooms to select their statewide political candidates.

Since then, the annual fete has evolved into a weekend-long affair of parties and private meetings among politicians, lobbyists, business executives and lawyers from all corners of the state and Washington. It especially remains a must-attend for wanna-be office holders looking for face time with Pennsylvania's most powerful people. (2003)

It was not originally so:

The society, a nonprofit organization with a 15-member council, frowns on fund-raising events. But they appear to be a mainstay of the event(2004)

Not everyone views it benevolently:

The gluttony is not without its critics. Barry Kauffman, executive director of Pennsylvania Common Cause, a Harrisburg-based government watchdog group, said the weekend represents "a characteristic of a pervasive problem in Pennsylvania."

"We've noted the extraordinary opportunity this dinner provides for wealthy special interests to mingle with the movers and shakers in state government," Kauffman said. "It is there where a lot of candidates for state government are first floated. It is there where people find out their fund-raising viability - can they attract fat-cat money? (2003)

He has reason to worry, as you can see from these two quotes:

"We live by the philosophy that luck is when pursuit meets opportunity," said Kenneth Segarnick, counsel to New Jersey-based Brandywine Senior Care. "Coming here is the pursuit. There's a breeding ground of opportunity, and so as long as you stay and play, you'll find what you are looking for." (2003)

And, my personal favorite:

"You have to get up there and see your contributors," Perzel said. "I need the money to fuel the political engine; that's a reality today. . . . Do you think we're going to let Gov. Rendell ratchet things up and not respond?" (2004)

Update: This year's bash is being attended by over "1,000 politicans, business executives and lobbyists."

quote:

"Senate President Pro Tem Robert Jubelirer (R. Blair) defended the weekend: 'This is not class warfare -- just an opportunity to let your hair down a bit.'"

My favorite quote:

"One weekend attendee, Ken Davis, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, was shopping around his candidate for lieutenant governor, Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews. 'I don't know anyone who's been bought at Pennsylvania Society,' David Said. 'Rented maybe -- but not bought.'"

Doesn't that just restore your faith in government?


Sources:

Jordan, Lara Jakes. "Political, business bigwigs live it up - as usual - in N.Y. -
The annual Pennsylvania Society weekend offers - chances for the elite to
make merry and make deals," December 15, 2003, p. B06

Budoff, Carrie and John Sullivan, "Political networking in a N.Y. weekend - "Everybody who is anybody, and everybody who wants to - be somebody" works the Pa. Society's 3-day schmooze-athon," December 12, 2004, p. B01

Gelbert, Marcia and Carrie Budoff, "Pa. pols just can't resist N.Y. bash," December 11, 2005, p. B1

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, and have a lot to say about property tax reform.

Other weekly updates are available for this week:

PA House Democrats
PA House GOP daily updates
PA Senate Democrats
PA Senate Republicans

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 1 bills (HB 68) referred to finance committee, (House); HB 14, 15, 16, 17 shuffled
Tuesday no activity
Wednesday no activity
Thursday no activity
Friday no activity

Regular Session



Resolutions

There were 2 resolutions honoring fallen soldiers.

Bills

House

HB 194 Prior Printer's No. 202. Printer's No. 3213. An Act amending the act of December 20, 2001 (P.L.969, No.116), known as the Dormitory Sprinkler System Act, further providing for the sprinkler system program.

HB 509 Prior Printer's No. 547. Printer's No. 3215. 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 campus police powers and duties.

HB 609 Printer's No. 682. An Act providing for a loan program to assist colleges to install automatic fire suppression systems in student residences; establishing the Sprinkler Loan Fund; providing for the powers and duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development; and prescribing a penalty.

HB 659 Prior Printer's No. 752. Printer's No. 3211. 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 scattering rubbish.

HB 804 Prior Printer's No. 966. Printer's No. 3216. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unattended children in motor vehicles, for fleeing or attempting to elude police officer and for restrictions on highway and bridge use.

HB 1112 Prior Printer's No. 1319. Printer's No. 3212. An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of corrupt organizations; providing for the offense of trafficking in persons; further providing for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; and providing for sentencing for trafficking of persons and for criminal forfeiture.

SB 157 By Senators ARMSTRONG, VANCE, GORDNER, THOMPSON, PILEGGI, EARLL, COSTA, KASUNIC, ORIE, LOGAN, ROBBINS, WONDERLING, BOSCOLA, M. WHITE, WAUGH, WENGER, FUMO, PIPPY and D. WHITE. Prior Printer's Nos. 143, 708, 784, 809, 1048, 1401. Printer's No. 1413. An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, further providing for delegation of taxing powers and restrictions thereon; providing for local services taxes; repealing provisions relating to emergency and municipal services taxes and to continuation of occupational privilege taxes; and making editorial changes.

SB 712 Prior Printer's Nos. 859, 898, 1055, 1272. Printer's No. 1410. 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 348 Prior Printer's Nos. 369, 2999. Printer's No. 3229. An Act amending Titles 23 (Domestic Relations) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for multidisciplinary team; establishing the Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Response Account; providing for additional duties of the Department of Public Welfare; making an appropriation; and further providing for deposits into account.

HB 1139 By Representative J. TAYLOR. Printer's No. 1345. An Act amending the act of June 21, 1939 (P.L.626, No.294), referred to as the Second Class County Assessment Law, repealing provisions relating to triennial assessments.

HB 1348 Prior Printer's No. 1606. Printer's No. 3168. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for restitution for identity theft; and making a related repeal.

HB 1467 Prior Printer's Nos. 1785, 2559. Printer's No. 3261. An Act providing for dispute resolution procedures relating to residential construction defects between contractors and homeowners or members of associations.

HB 1607 Prior Printer's Nos. 2042, 2738. Printer's No. 3238. An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for schedules of controlled substances, for professional prescription, administration and dispensing, for prohibited acts and penalties involving ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and marijuana and for effect on local ordinances.

HB 1632 Prior Printer's No. 2017. Printer's No. 3230. An Act amending the act of July 22, 1974 (P.L.589, No.205), known as the Unfair Insurance Practices Act, further defining "abuse," "unfair methods of competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or practices."

HB 1641 Prior Printer's No. 2026. Printer's No. 3240. An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for boat and marine forfeiture, for the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, for boat, marine equipment and watercraft trailer forfeiture and for the powers and duties of the Department of Transportation.

HB 1697 Prior Printer's Nos. 2159, 2887, 3262. Printer's No. 3279. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for failure to comply with registration of sexual offenders requirements; and providing for the offense of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors resulting in injury or death, for protection of consumers from having spyware deceptively installed on their computers and for criminal and civil enforcement.

HB 1784 Prior Printer's No. 2322. Printer's No. 3239. An Act amending Titles 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and Title 44 (Law and Justice) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing, in registration of sexual offenders, for registration, for information made available on the Internet, and for the definition of "other specified offense" in DNA data and testing.

HB 1993 By Representatives GEIST and McCALL. Prior Printer's Nos. 2734, 3259. Printer's No. 3278. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for an automobile insurance discount for students who meet certain criteria; further providing for automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities; providing for restrictions on mobile phone use; further providing for unattended children in motor vehicles, for periods for requiring lighted lamps and for restrictions on highway and bridge use.

HB 2136 Prior Printer's Nos. 2940, 3057. Printer's No. 3236. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unattended children in motor vehicles, for accidents involving death or personal injury and for restrictions on highway and bridge use.

HB 2191 By Representatives KENNEY and S. H. SMITH. Printer's No. 3026. An Act creating the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Recycling Act; providing for redistribution of prescription drugs at State correctional facilities; and imposing powers and duties on the Governor's Office of Administration.

HB 2216 Printer's No. 3090. An Act providing for State funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

SB 539 By Senators PIPPY, WAUGH, VANCE, COSTA, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA and STOUT. Prior Printer's No. 572. Printer's No. 872. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of trespass on private property while hunting; and prescribing penalties.

SB 596 By Senators LAVALLE and STOUT. Printer's No. 616. 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.

SB 712 Prior Printer's Nos. 859, 898, 1055, 1272. Printer's No. 1410. 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.

Senate

HB 1057 Prior Printer's Nos. 1213, 2204, 2402, 2948. Printer's No. 3103. 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.

SB 618 By Senators WAUGH, WENGER, SCARNATI, M. WHITE, WONDERLING, RAFFERTY, STOUT, CORMAN, LEMMOND, D. WHITE, KITCHEN, PUNT, GORDNER, THOMPSON, TOMLINSON, ROBBINS, ARMSTRONG and PICCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 682. Printer's No. 1359. An Act providing for immunity for equine owners, possessors or handlers.

SB 860 By Senators WAUGH, MUSTO, M. WHITE and RAFFERTY. Printer's No. 1136. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1993 (P.L.128, No.29), known as the Plain Language Consumer Contract Act, further providing for contractual requirements.

HB 111 By Representatives MUSTIO, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, CRAHALLA, ENLINGER, J. EVANS, HENNESSEY, MANDERINO, O'NEILL, REICHLEY, SAINATO, T. STEVENSON, WASHINGTON, YOUNGBLOOD, HARPER, DALLY, RAYMOND and MELIO. Prior Printer's Nos. 103, 1393, 2742, 2995, 3217. Printer's No. 3237. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further defining "case" and "eligible entity"; providing for extension of existing license to cover additional area; and further providing for breweries, for surrender of certain licenses for benefit of licensee, for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees, for hours of operation relative to manufacturers, importing distributors and distributors and for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees.

SB 394 By Senators CORMAN, PUNT, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, RHOADES, BOSCOLA, KITCHEN, LOGAN, O'PAKE, TARTAGLIONE, GREENLEAF, WONDERLING and LEMMOND. Prior Printer's No. 401. Printer's No. 1400. 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.

SB 435 Prior Printer's No. 458. Printer's No. 1357. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, amending provisions relating to comparative negligence.

SB 895 By Senators TOMLINSON, CONTI, RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, GREENLEAF, PILEGGI, ERICKSON, THOMPSON, M. WHITE, BOSCOLA, LOGAN, COSTA, PUNT, WENGER, WAUGH, C. WILLIAMS, WONDERLING and STACK. Prior Printer's Nos. 1176, 1372, 1377. Printer's No. 1403. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for police animals.

Blog Round-Up

Trying to kill time before I have to suit up, boot up, and go out to "plug in the house," I did my morning blogroll and came up with following:

PoliticsPA raised over $8,000 in an online auction, with the winner spending the day with Flavia Colgan, including attending talk show tapings. The man with the winning bid donated the prize to two young Iraqi war vets. Proceeds go the to Boys & Girls Club, an asset to many communities including mine. Good job all around.

America's Hometown highlights a bill to deny gay and lesbian couples any family benefits. Call your state reps and senators and give your opinion on this. Personally, I think this is bad legislation, morally and legally.

Joe Hoeffel has a nice entry on needed campaign finance reform.

Attytood has an intriguing idea -- have the Pew Foundation buy the Inky and the Daily News.
If done well that would be a splendid solution to the newspapers' future.

Two new'ish blogs to watch: PennPatriot and Barnestormin.

For other news round ups visit A Smoke-Filled Room and the other blogs listed on my sidebar.

An explanation of "plugging in the house" for the curious -- in heavy snow our house tends to develop "ice dams" that force melting water into the attic and through the walls into the kitchen and dining room. Mr. J put specially designed wires on the roof that can be plugged in to melt the bottom layers of snow on the roof. Somehow this lets the upper layers melt into the gutters instead of being forced into the house. The physics of it are beyond me but if you ask a clerk in the hardware or home building supplies stores, they can explain it to you. I just plug and unplug as directed.

Friday White Out

It's a snow day!! When severe weather is forecast Mr. Jane and I will sit down and compare calendars. Whoever has the least "important" stuff gets tagged for "mom/dad" duty in case school is closed. I'm home today (whether I won or lost is a matter of opinion) with the kids, two newly spayed cats, a bunch of guppies and one crab (no, not me, a real one). The vet send home pain meds for the cats which may come in very handy later in the day.

We live on a hill and the afternoon agenda may include sledding (kids) and pulling sleds back up the hill (me). Baking will probably also show up on the to do list.

It looks like about 4 inches of snow on top of the cars, but it isn't snowing at the moment. Freezing rain was coming down earlier. It was definitely cold when I waited at the door for Mr. J to bring me the paper as he left to hike out to the train station. Always buy a house within walking distance of public transit, a grocery store and a laundramat, because you never know....

We havent' been plowed yet but the Inky delivery truck still made it through. Yippee!!

Expect more postings later as cabin fever starts to set in.

Republican Primary in 152nd?

Interesting press release on politicsPA today. Former Upper Moreland Township Commissioner Thomas P. Murt has declared his candidacy for the 152nd state house seat. Murt resigned from his township office when he was called up for service in Iraq. Tom has a long record of public service and I've heard a number of good things about him. Read more about him here, here, and here.

Sue Cornell, currently in office, was elected in 2004. She took the office earlier in 2004 after the death of her father, Rep. Roy Cornell. Read more about her here, here, and here.

Does this mean there will be a Republican primary?

Hoeffel Officially "Considering" Lt Gov Run

Others have suggested it but now it's official: Joe Hoeffel is thinking of running for lt. gov. In today's Inky:

"I am considering it," said Hoeffel, a lawyer in Philadelphia. The governor needs the best possible governing team for his second term."

Hoeffel formerly represented the 13th district (parts of Montgomery County and Philly) in Congress, and held office as a Montco County Commissioner, and state representative for the 153rd district (now held by Josh Shapiro).

Currently the governor and lt. governor run separately but a bill in the state legislator would allow the gubernatorial candidate to select a running mate. If passed it could affect the 2006 election.

[Update: selected previous Joe Hoeffel postings here, here, here, here, and here]

(More recent Hoeffel postings here)

Philly in the Dec. Fast Company

Reading through the December issue of Fast Company, I see two references to the Philly area.

A brief profile of Dondeena Bradley, director of strategic marketing for McNeil Nutritionals in Ft. Washington, is on page 32. I've never heard of McNeil Nutritionals, but apparently they are the nice people who bring us Splenda.

On page 56, we find a brief profile of Brian Roberts of Comcast. Them we've heard of.

"You Can Get Your Meds" Bill

Some of our state legislators have introduced legislation that would allow residents of Pennsylvania to fill legitimate prescriptions (those written legally), regardless of the inclinations of the pharmacist. In other words the pharmacist couldn't refuse to fill a prescription if they didn't believe in, say, contraception or psychiatric medications or little purple pills. See press releases here, here, and here.

It's bad enough that insurance companies and HMOs are interfering with our medical decisions. Now we have to worry about jumping through the pharmacist's hurdles as well.

Matthews Makes It Official

Jim Matthews, Montgomery County Commissioner, made it official today -- he is running for the GOP Lt. Gov spot. Here is his announcement. My two previous Matthews posts are here and here.

The only other officially declared Republican candidate is Greg Sahd of Lancaster County.

Rumor was that John Pippy was also interested but nothing has been said (in print or Internet that I could find) lately; too bad I liked him. The GOP continues to avoid candidates that would tempt me to cross vote.

More on Murphy

While much of Southeastern Pennsylvania is sitting
down in front of the Eagles game, I’m sipping hot
cocoa (with marshmallows) out of my “I’m not Sy
Snyder” mug and looking over my notes from tonight’s
conference call.

Tonight’s guest was Patrick Murphy, Democratic
candidate for the 8th Pennsylvania Congressional
district. Yesterday I posted an email interview with
him. This was the first time I had actually spoken to
him.

Earlier today Murphy posted his vision for bringing
our troops home from Iraq. You can read it here.

In addition, the law firm where he works, Cozen
O’Connor, has a program called Cozen soldiers to
encourage employees to write letters and send packages
to servicemen and women. The law firm picks up the
postage.

Not content to support the troops overseas, he has
also founded the Bucks County Veterans Committee to
raise money for families of those deployed. As
someone from a military family I can tell you that
mail and packages to soldiers and support personnel
far from home, and a kind word and deed to their
family stateside, does a world of good for morale.

He also touched on energy conservation and some
strategies for becoming more energy independent. This
impacts most people individually in choice of
automobile and heating costs.

His campaign is also geared toward community service.
He has developed MurphyCorps,
an opportunity for campaign volunteers to contribute to
the district in tangible ways. Each month Murphy leads
a group project. One month they cleaned up the grounds
of a YMCA. On Dec. 17th they will be volunteering on a
homebuilding project in Langhorne. All are welcome to
participate.

Murphy discussed the need for campaign finance reform.
Several million dollars will be spent in the 8th
district race and he thinks that money could be better
spent on community projects in the area.

Throughout the 50 minute call he showed the sincerity
and intelligence I have come to expect from him and
his campaign.

Any blogger reading this should seriously consider
joining in on some of these calls. Most are
coordinated by Chris at mydd; you can get his email
there and let him know you are interested. It is an
especially important opportunity for those who, like
me, have family concerns and can’t easily get out to
Drinking Liberally and other opportunities to meet
candidates.

Thanks to Murphy for participating and Chris for coordinating.

Missing Monday

This posting has appeared on Philly Future but I'm reposting it here.

The Philadelphia Police Department is reporting (PDF) that Jacqueline Finch, who is 64 years old, is missing as of 11/22/05.
Please note, Finch suffers from dementia.

If you have any information, please call Detective Hunker at the South Detectives at 215-686-3013 or 215-686-3014.

Name: Jacqueline Finch Age: 64 Years Old

Last Seen: 11/22/05 at 3:30 PM on the 1200 Block of Bonsall Street in South Philadelphia.

Description: 5'1" and 120 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Last Seen Wearing: A white hat, a pink and white jacket with a hood, black and white New Balance sneakers, and an orange sweatshirt.

An Interview with Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy, one of the "Fighting Democrats" (Iraqi War vets running for office), is challenging Republican Michael Fitzpatrick for the 8th Congressional District, Bucks County, some of Northeast Philadelphia, and a sliver of Montgomery County.

He recently took the time to answer a few email questions. His answers show intelligence, values, a quick wit, and a sense of humor. My favorite quote in the entire interview is this: When I was in Baghdad, I didn’t wear the issued wrap-around sunglasses because I wanted the Iraqis to be able to look in my eyes when I was out and about.

Here is the full interview:

The 2006 edition of CQ’s Politics in America comments that the 8th Pennsylvania congressional district has a lot small businesses but no really large industries. Is this a matter of concern?

Small businesses account for more than 90% of the job creation in the US, so I’m glad that entrepreneurs and small-business owners have found the 8th to be a good place to live the American dream. The lack of large industry is part of a nation-wide problem. Industrial jobs are being shipped overseas because of unfair trade practices. I am absolutely for free trade as long as it’s fair trade. My concern is that people like Mike Fitzpatrick have been bullied in Congress into passing legislation like CAFTA that include no worker protections or environmental protections, and have therefore put labor and working families on notice that he is not on their side.

Along those same lines, the Intelligencer recently printed a story on daily demographic changes in the greater Philadelphia area. A significantly larger number of people live in Bucks County and leave it to work elsewhere than live outside it and work there. Does this have any effect on the issues you will track or committees you would want to be on?

Absolutely. The Greater Philadelphia area, and Bucks County specifically, is where I got my start—where I started my college education at Bucks County Community College. The issue is that while many young professionals are educated in our region, they feel the economic pull to work elsewhere—the so-called Brain Drain. We need to invest in the infrastructure of job creation here in our region. That is why I salute the Governor’s efforts to address this challenge and have pledged to him that I will take this battle to Washington DC as the Representative of the 8th Congressional District.

We have all recently seen the devastating effects of flooding. Bucks County is bordered on two sides by the Delaware River and crossed by the Neshaminy, Tinicum and Mill Creeks, and is the home of Lake Galena. The Sandy Run Creek is in the Montco section of the 8th district. What needs to be done by the county and by the federal government to minimize flooding risks and to be prepared should flooding occur?

The Delaware River Basin has been weakened by irresponsible sprawl and overdevelopment, and we need to bring New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to the table to address this issue. The runoff problem is aggregating our flood mitigation plan. People talk to me all the time about the problems they’ve encountered as a result of flooding, and the government’s response has been sub-par to say the least. We all saw the kind of job that FEMA did in New Orleans, but even here in the 8th, I hear horror stories about the inadequate response that residents have gotten from FEMA and other agencies. As the next Congressman, I will hold hearings to address this exact issue and reach across the table as necessary to accomplish a responsible flood plan that will not put my constituents out in the street when the next heavy rainfall occurs. I will also stand up to those who mismanage disaster response and hold them responsible for their actions—or inactions as the case may be.

Let’s say you are elected and have taken office. A genie tells you that you can magically pass one bill and have it become law. What would it be?

I’d pass a workers’ bill of rights, guaranteeing a livable wage, quality health coverage, and pension portability.

Being single while campaigning must have some benefits – you don’t have to keep apologizing for not being home for dinner. Are there also drawbacks?

I was blessed to come from an incredibly tight family—I’m the youngest of three—and I can’t wait to start a family of my own and frankly, while the military certainly put a crunch on my personal life, I feel like I am now again putting a certain aspect of my life on hold. With that said, though, the challenges that our nation faces under this Republican administration and Congress call for action. For me, that means making some personal sacrifices, but if those sacrifices help me bring about change, it will all be worth it.

My father was a drill sergeant and I spent part of my childhood around the military. If you have the right stripes on your shoulder you can tell people to do something and they will do it without question. Will you be able to handle the wheeler/dealer aspects of Congress, the trading and persuasion?

There are some things that I’ll never compromise—for example, my belief in the fight for the working families of the 8th District. I’m not naïve enough to think that I will walk onto the floor of the House my first day start giving orders, but one thing that I learned in the military was how to quickly and accurately assess a situation, then take immediate action. I’m a pretty quick study, which is how I went from a rowhouse in the Northeast to teaching at West Point, so I believe I’ll be able to spot those legislators that truly have the American people at heart. A large legislative body, where all members are more or less equal, is an entirely different animal than a military unit, and the “rules of engagement" are different. I know in my heart that I will be able to make that transition without ever compromising my principles.

The odd section of Montgomery County that is included in the 8th district used to be known as the Greenwood Gash. During the last election I heard it referred to as the Schrader Section. If elected what will you call it?

The Patrick Pinch? It doesn’t matter to me what people call it. What matters to me is that I am able to represent all of my constituents to the best of my abilities.

Realistically speaking, what can Congress do to encourage businesses to hire more people here in the U.S. and provide them with good benefits?

There’s more health care cost than steel cost in the price of a new GM car. We need a fresh approach to solving the challenges as true partners with American businesses and working families. We need to address the healthcare crisis in America. We need to ensure that our trade practices are fair and we need to stop giving tax incentives to companies who ship jobs overseas. Every one of these issues should be addressed by our elected Representatives before it’s too late.

Every candidate talks about jobs, health care, and the environment. What are you saying that is different?

That I’ve seen first-hand the results of the Administrations disastrous policies in Iraq. I mean, if we’re going to win the War on Terror, we have to stop pursuing a foreign policy that breed terrorists, and we have to focus on eliminating the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11. We have men and women who are dying overseas because of an administration that is too arrogant to give a responsible exit strategy and timeline of when they’re coming home. Thank God we finally have courageous democrats like Jack Murtha taking a stand on our behalf.

But that’s not all I’m talking about. I do talk about jobs, healthcare and the environment because, despite what the administration wants people to believe, Americans are hurting at home. They’re working two jobs just to put food on the table. In a lot of families, the second wage-earner makes just enough to cover out-of-control health care costs. And our failure to address environmental issues like global warming is already having disastrous results. Just look at the hurricanes in the past year. Any expert will tell you that warm water feeds hurricanes, and that this year’s devastation was caused, in part, by rising ocean temperatures.

What are the most important issues Congress will be grappling with in the next few years and what could you contribute to those debates?

First and foremost, the War on Terror and how we choose to confront terrorism, both at home and abroad. I’ve lived in Germany and Bosnia, and also in Iraq, and I can tell you that this is an International struggle. In Bosnia, the United States ended the worst ethnic cleansing since World War II. We were saving the lives of Muslims. Now, many Muslims feel we are an occupying force in Iraq which has become the rallying cry and recruitment pitch for Al Qaeda. Bobby Kennedy once said that if our enemies do not want peace, then there will be none. We must be smart and strong in our posture in the world.

I am also very concerned about the erosion of constitutional rights and civil liberties over the past few years. I taught Constitutional Law at West Point, and it makes me so angry to see our elected leaders in Washington—specifically the White House and the Republican leadership in Congress—pushing policies that erode the foundation of this country. The equal protection clause of the constitution is absolute. The right to privacy is absolute. The right to assemble is absolute. Yet time and time again, the administration has supported, and the Congressional leadership has supported nominees and policies that do not follow the constitution. With my background, I can add to this debate. And I’m not afraid to take a stand for what’s right.

What are three things about you or this political race that you wish the voters in the 8th Congressional district knew?

First, how dangerous Mike Fitzpatrick really is. He’s a guy who went to school with Rick Santorum and is cut from the same political cloth. The Republicans are grooming him to be Rick’s successor, and they’re going to make sure he has the money to run an aggressive campaign. If we don’t beat him in 2006, he will quickly become so entrenched that we will never get rid of him. It should be no surprise that Fitzpatrick votes with Tom DeLay 95% of the time when DeLay increased his campaign coffers by $15,000.

Second how important it is for Democrats and progressives to come together early in order for us to win. Many people want to sit on the sidelines and watch from afar. We need people to get involved today, whether it’s donating money,writing a letter to the editor, or signing up for the MurphyCorps—a group of supporters who not only volunteer on the campaign, but volunteer in the community.

Third, I’m an outstanding singer—where’s that Genie again?

The campaigning process can be grueling, especially with the constant need to raise money. Doesn’t it become tiresome and how do you keep from becoming too cynical?

When you’re in war, you see the best and worst of people. When I was in Baghdad, I didn’t wear the issued wrap-around sunglasses because I wanted the Iraqis to be able to look in my eyes when I was out and about. That helped me earn their trust, and it helped them know that I was sincere. Campaigns far too often follow the same script, bringing out the worst in people. I’m committed to maintain a positive approach which is evident through our monthly community service projects (the aforementioned MurphyCorps) and debate on the issues. This is just too important to me to allow myself to become cynical.

How many years of your life have you actually lived in Bucks County, or had it listed as your home of record? [Interview's note, I meant the 8th District not just Bucks County and that is actually what Murphy answered -- note that he was able to figure out what I meant not what I said, and answer in a way that didn't make me look bad. This is a valuable quality in an elected official.]

Although I have only lived in Bucks County since December of 2004, the 8th District includes the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood where I was born and raised. It includes Bucks County Community College where I began my college career in 1991. It’s where I played youth hockey since grade school. And it’s where I returned when I came home from 11 years in the Army. Bucks County is where I chose to make my home, and where I plan to raise my family.

If your campaign is remembered for one thing, what would you like it to be?

Winning.

What one question didn’t I ask that you would like to answer?

How can I get involved?

Volunteer, join MurphyCorps, contribute, write letters to the editor, donate office supplies, e-mail your friends and family, sign up to help me knock on doors, phonebank, and work the polls on election day.

Oh, and my campaign manager says that home-made cookies are always welcome at campaign HQ.

Thanks to Patrick Murphy for his time and thoughtful answers.

Gerlach's Typo

US Rep. Jim Gerlach's (Republican. PA-06) re-election campaign has a few numbers problems. For one thing, they took $35,000 in excessive contributions that had to be returned. That’s sloppy but it happens.

The other problem is a bit stranger. They over-reported their income by $2.2 million. According to the campaign it was a computer and clerical error. A staffer typed in an incorrect date and information from the 2004 campaign was included in this year’s FEC filing.

My one foray into actual campaign work was in campaign finance. It was short lived, only lasting a few months, but I had to file a few reports. It is a gruesome business. While everyone else in the campaign is fixated on bringing in money the few working on campaign finance reports are trying to make sure everything is by the book. I’d see checks that weren’t signed that made it past three other people, checks signed by someone whose name wasn’t listed on the check, and so on. It wasn’t anyone else’s job to notice these things and suggesting that money be returned won’t make you any friends.

It is possible to make errors on dates when typing in data. When I did it, though, I always ended up losing money. Transpose some numbers on the date of a check and it won’t show up on the report, because it no longer falls between the specified starting and ending dates. When defining the ending date of a quarterly report I once typed in 30th and instead of 31st and all the receipts for the last day of the month at the end of the quarter disappeared. As soon as a draft copy of the report was distributed someone was on the phone saying “Where’s that MONEY???!!!!” I always had to file amendments. You can see why I resigned. You can imagine the candidate was a little relieved. The press doesn't help any here. Although reports aren't due until a certain date if one candidate (usually the better financed candidate, with the paid finance workers and the jazzy computer set up) sends political reporters a copy of their finance report the reporters are on the phone asking where the other candidate's report is, and then the unpaid volunteer on that campaign gets no sleep at all.

But I’m not sure how you can include an extra year. The software I used caught a lot of errors (except it wasn’t programmed to know which months had 30 days and which had 31). Including an extra year would have been next to impossible. But maybe the Gerlach campaign uses a different software. Usually there are a number of people tracking contributions so a number far out of line with daily or weekly updates would be noticed. They certainly were in the one campaign I worked on.

In cases like this I tend to cut a challenger or an independent some extra slack. An incumbent or someone with a lot of party support is likely to be able to have experienced people working on the campaign reports, maybe tucked away on some patronage job where they get paid for doing the work. A challenger is likely to have some doofus volunteer like me, staying up till all hours typing things in and struggling with a manual or calling tech support at one or two in the morning. Candidates with strong party backing are going to have a robust Internet connection to file their reports online. A challenger might be in their basement with dial-up.

In the eyes of the law all candidates are the same, but someone who’s been in office and presumably has access to campaign workers who have used the software and filed reports before clearly has an advantage.

Either the Gerlach campaign is far more disorganized than any incumbent should be or someone was playing fast and loose with the numbers.

Gerlach's opponent, Lois Murphy is rightly having a field day with this and other blunders he has made.

***********************
[Update -- this post is designated as the clearinghouse for my Lois Murphy posts. Read Lois Murphy in the Money (here); Bermuda Triangle -- Gerlach, Rove, Delay (here)]

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, and have a lot to say about property tax reform.

Other weekly updates are mum on any happenings last week, although the House Dems have a new podcast.

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 2 bills (HB 66 and HB 67referred to finance committee, (House);
Tuesday no activity
Wednesday no activity
Thursday no activity
Friday no activity

Regular Session

Some bills were shuffled around to committee but nothing was voted on and no resolutions introduced. There must have been a glitch in the legislative email server because I received some daily updates as many as three times. I also received a daily update for last July, whether it is just now being disseminated or if it is a repeat is a mystery I don’t have the time or energy to go back and check.

Sad News for Short Women Everywhere

Petite Sophisticate and it's taller cousin, Casual Corner, are going out of business, the entire chain. Not much is left so if you need one last sweater with sleeves that aren't too long, better get out there now.

Vince and the Inky

Philadelphia Magazine has a lengthy article on the Inky's coverage of Vince Fumo over recent years. I'm not sure I agree with their conclusions but it is interesting to read. (via PoliticsPA)

Missing Person

I've been remiss in posting about this. An elderly woman with dementia has wandered away from home in South Philly. Take a look at this and if you have seen her please contact the number provided.

The young boy listed in a previous missing notice was found. Thanks for all your help.

Casey / Pennacchio

Some good stuff out today.

Joe Hoeffel has an excellent posting on his blog today outlining his suggestions for Democratic election strategy, including his reasons why Democrats should support Bob Casey. Dragonballyee comes back with a long posting on why he is supporting Chuck Pennacchio. The two essays complement each other nicely.

Public Transit Rules

As someone who used (in pre-kid days) to keep subway maps of Chicago, DC, and London in her purse, and is now conversant with Amtrak, SEPTA, and assorted other public transit systems, I really enjoyed reading these two posts (here and here) on Clublife. The Doorman outlines his suggested rules and regulations for those riding the NYC transit system. The language is a little rough but I agree with him on most of them.

Two Tales of Good Government

Two days in a row I picked up a paper to find a story of elected officials talking with constituents, working together and trying to pass laws that would make a positive difference in the lives of some of the voters (and not just the rich ones).

In the City Paper (11/24-12/01 issue) we find the story of Philadelphia city councilman being chatted up outside the dry cleaners by a reservist who asked him to consider offering property tax relief for those called up for active duty. Read about it here.

In today's Inky we find the story of Rep. Katie True working with varying interest groups across the state to hammer out a compromise to remove weapons from those charged with protection from abuse orders. Read about it here.

I don't know enough about either of these two to say whether or not they are always such stand up officials but, at least this week, they earned their pay.