weekly legislative update (delayed)

Sorry this is a few days late. Technical problems.

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House (daily session updates)
PA Democratic House


Resolutions

Too many bills to even look at the resolutions.

Bills

HOUSE

HB 1589 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's Nos. 1970, 2107.Printer's No. 2151. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2007-2008; 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, Motor License Fund projects, State forestry bridge projects, Manufacturing Fund projects and federally funded 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, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Protection or the Department of Transportation; stating the estimated useful life of the projects; providing an exemption; providing for limitation on certain capital projects, for special provisions for certain redevelopment assistance capital projects and for preemption of local ordinances for Department of Corrections projects; and making appropriations.

HB 1631 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's Nos. 2055, 2108, 2112.Printer's No. 2150. An Act providing for the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Capital Budget for 2007-2008; itemizing projects to be assisted by the Department of Community and Economic Development, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing recurring payments for certain projects; and making appropriations.

HB 71 Prior Printer's Nos. 95, 492.Printer's No. 2163. An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, providing for notice to school district; and further providing for application for final approval.

HB 169 Prior Printer's Nos. 195, 1916.Printer's No. 2164. 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 definitions, for permitted games of chance, for prize limits, for insured games, for limited sales, for recordkeeping, for eligible organizations' use of locations for conducting small games of chance, for separate individual prize limitations and for advertising.

SB 815 Printer's No. 909. An Act amending the act of July 6, 1989 (P.L.169, No.32), known as the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, further providing for underground storage tank environmental cleanup program and for underground storage tank pollution prevention program.

HB 432 Printer's No. 500. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey to the Borough of Mansfield certain lands situate in the Borough of Mansfield, Tioga County.

HB 684 Prior Printer's Nos. 770, 1976, 2133.Printer's No. 2165. An Act providing for the establishment of an automotive fuel testing and disclosure program, for standards for automotive fuel and for inspection, sampling and testing of automotive fuel; imposing powers and conferring duties on the Department of Agriculture; establishing the Octane Testing Account; and providing for penalties.

HB 847 By Representatives CONKLIN, ROEBUCK, CALTAGIRONE, McILVAINE SMITH, THOMAS and FREEMAN. Prior Printer's No. 961.Printer's No. 1443. 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 eligibility and for qualifications; and providing for continuing professional development for school and system leaders and for Pennsylvania school leadership standards.

HB 894 Prior Printer's Nos. 1047, 1877.Printer's No. 2110. 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 referendum or public hearing required prior to construction or lease and for approved reimbursable rental for certain leases and approved reimbursable sinking fund charges on indebtedness.

HB 902 Prior Printer's No. 1054.Printer's No. 2111. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for applicability and uniformity of law and for disposition and use of liquid fuels and fuels tax.

HB 1367 By Representatives DeWEESE, McCALL, COHEN, SURRA, DERMODY, EACHUS, D. EVANS, MUNDY and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 1632.Printer's No. 2087. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care; providing for pharmaceutical and therapeutics committee; further providing for definitions, for authorization, for amount, for repayment, for regulations and for time periods; and providing for the Senior Care and Services Study Commission.

HB 1408 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's No. 1788.Printer's No. 2106. An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, further providing for appropriation for and limitation on redevelopment assistance capital projects.

HB 1529 By Representatives STURLA, DeWEESE, WHEATLEY, EACHUS, GERGELY, SURRA, D. O'BRIEN, DALEY, GALLOWAY and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 1881.Printer's No. 1991. An Act amending Title 12 (Commerce and Trade) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for film production grants; and requiring a report.

HB 1573 By Representatives SEIP, EACHUS, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, FREEMAN, HORNAMAN, MAHONEY, MUNDY, SANTONI, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, THOMAS, WANSACZ, YUDICHAK, JOSEPHS, DALEY, FABRIZIO and FRANKEL. Prior Printer's No. 1927.Printer's No. 2113. An Act establishing the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers and the Health Careers Leadership Council.

SB 86 By Senators TOMLINSON, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, RHOADES and GORDNER. Prior Printer's Nos. 120, 750.Printer's No. 1250. An Act amending the act of May 2, 1947 (P.L.143, No.62), entitled "An act regulating the sale and resale for profit and the carrying on of the business of selling or reselling tickets or other devices for admission to places of amusement; providing for the licensing of persons reselling such tickets for profit; providing for the suspension and revocation of such licenses; imposing duties on licensees and owners or operators of places of amusement; imposing powers and duties on the Department of Revenue, county treasurers, district attorneys, and the receiver of taxes, and city solicitors in cities of the first class; making disposition of moneys collected and providing penalties," further providing for reselling of tickets and for printing prices on tickets.

SB 233 By Senator KASUNIC. Prior Printer's No. 270.Printer's No. 759. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Somerset County certain lands situate in Somerset Township, Somerset County.

HB 647 Prior Printer's Nos. 706, 1528, 2104, 2109.Printer's No. 2134. An Act relating to crane operator licensure; establishing the State Board of Crane Operators; conferring powers and imposing duties relative to regulating the practice of crane operation; imposing penalties; and making an appropriation.

HB 708 Printer's No. 793. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, further providing for ranking of local government capital project loan applications.

HB 725 Printer's No. 853. An Act requiring institutions of higher education to implement alcohol policies; providing for enforcement by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; and prescribing a penalty.

HB 825 Prior Printer's Nos. 942, 1402, 2013.Printer's No. 2135. An Act amending Title 22 (Detectives and Private Police) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, amending the heading of Title 22 and 22 Pa.C.S. Ch. 3; codifying and making extensive revisions to The Private Detective Act of 1953; codifying the Lethal Weapons Training Act; further providing for the definition of "privately employed agents"; providing for the continuation of certain licenses; making an appropriation; and making related repeals.

HB 976 Printer's No. 1139. An Act amending the act of December 10, 1968 (P.L.1158, No.365), entitled "An act creating and establishing the Legislative Data Processing Committee: providing for its membership; prescribing its powers, functions and duties; and making an appropriation," directing the committee to provide limited public access to statutes in computer information systems.

HB 1196 Printer's No. 1499. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Connellsville, Fayette County, to the City of Connellsville.

HB 1556 Prior Printer's Nos. 1915, 2020.Printer's No. 2105. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, further providing for conditions subject to which policies are to be issued; and providing for health insurance coverage for certain children of insured parents.

HB 1590

SB 431 By Senator PUNT. Printer's No. 162. An Act authorizing the release of Project 70 restrictions on certain lands owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Game Commission, being conveyed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in return for the imposition of Project 70 restrictions on certain lands being conveyed to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, solely for the use of the Pennsylvania Game Commission in Adams County.

SB 797 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 889. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Small Business Advocate in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 43 Printer's No. 68. An Act amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for uniform environmental covenants.

HB 606 By Representatives WATERS, BLACKWELL, DALEY, KIRKLAND, MELIO, MICOZZIE, PALLONE, PARKER, STABACK, YOUNGBLOOD and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 672.Printer's No. 1917. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for responsible alcohol management.

HB 614 Printer's No. 680. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, establishing the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs; repealing related provisions of the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Control Act; and making editorial changes.

HB 966 Prior Printer's Nos. 1131, 1908, 2016, 2156.Printer's No. 2171. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, further providing for effect of act on existing laws; providing for the definition of "long-term care insurance"; in insurance holding companies, further providing for definitions, for acquisition of control of or merger with domestic insurer and for acquisitions involving insurers not otherwise covered; establishing the Insurance Restructuring Public Interest Review Board; providing for its powers and duties; establishing an account; further providing for coverage and limitations; providing for health care reporting; and making an inconsistent repeal.

HB 1093 Prior Printer's Nos. 1324, 1659, 1662.Printer's No. 2014. An Act establishing the Physician Retention Loan Forgiveness Program in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; and providing for powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

HB 1116 Prior Printer's No. 1345.Printer's No. 1843. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for vouchers for licenses.

HB 1120 An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "licensing board" and "professional or occupational license"; and defining the offense of impersonating the holder of a professional or occupational license.

HB 1251 By Representatives READSHAW, EACHUS, KORTZ, SIPTROTH, TANGRETTI, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1539, 1984.Printer's No. 2174. An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for physician assistants.

HB 1252 By Representatives READSHAW, EACHUS, KORTZ, SIPTROTH, TANGRETTI, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1540, 1985.Printer's No. 2175. An Act amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, further providing for physician assistants.

HB 1253 Prior Printer's Nos. 1548, 1986, 2019.Printer's No. 2176. An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, further providing for scope of practice for certified registered nurse practitioners; and providing for professional liability.

HB 1254 Prior Printer's No. 1549.Printer's No. 1994. An Act amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known as The Professional Nursing Law, providing for the definition of "clinical nurse specialist"; and providing for clinical nurse specialists.

HB 1255 Prior Printer's Nos. 1550, 1987.Printer's No. 2177. An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, further providing for nurse-midwife license.

HB 1287 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's No. 1544.Printer's No. 2172. An Act making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

HB 1295 By Representatives HANNA, BAKER, BELFANTI, CONKLIN, DENLINGER, FABRIZIO and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1600, 2125.Printer's No. 2173. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Commonwealth employees group life insurance; further providing for the State System of Higher Education and for budget implementation; providing for general budget implementation and for 2007-2008 budget implementation and restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; and making a related repeal.

HB 1420 Prior Printer's No. 1799.Printer's No. 1918. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for the definition of "distributor"; providing for the definition of "small manufacturer"; and further providing for malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for malt and brewed beverages alternating brewers' licenses, for distributors' and importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc., and for breweries.

HB 1481 Prior Printer's No. 1828.Printer's No. 1919. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, further providing for wine auction permits.

SB 580 By Senators MADIGAN, KASUNIC, ERICKSON, BAKER, RAFFERTY, M. WHITE, PIPPY, FOLMER and D. WHITE. Printer's No. 625. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, permitting use of dogs in hunting for wild turkeys.

SB 755 By Senators ERICKSON, TOMLINSON, RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, GREENLEAF, WONDERLING and STACK. Printer's No. 831. An Act amending the act of May 11, 1889 (P.L.188, No.210), entitled "A further supplement to an act, entitled 'An act to establish a board of wardens for the Port of Philadelphia, and for the regulation of pilots and pilotage, and for other purposes,' approved March twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and three, and for regulating the rates of pilotage and number of pilots," further providing for certain charges.

HB 1142 Prior Printer's Nos. 1562, 1913, 1975.Printer's No. 2015. An Act amending the act of June 26, 2001 (P.L.755, No.77), known as the Tobacco Settlement Act, further providing for definitions, for investment of fund and accounts, for use of Tobacco Settlement Fund, for health research program, for department responsibilities, for National Institutes of Health funding formula, for accountability procedures and for regional biotechnology research centers; establishing the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund Program, the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund Board and the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund; and providing for the sale or assignment of Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement Program receipts and for the issuance of Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement Program bond.

HB 1203 Prior Printer's Nos. 1668, 1995.Printer's No. 2057. An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further providing for definitions, for alternative energy portfolio standards, for portfolio requirements in other states and for interconnection standards for customer-generator facilities.

SB 791 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 883. An Act making an appropriation from the State Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the State Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

SB 792 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 884. An Act making an appropriation from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund to provide for expenses of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

SB 793 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 885. An Act making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in support of the professional licensure boards assigned thereto.

SB 794 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 886. An Act making appropriations from the Workmen's Compensation Administration Fund to the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide for the expenses of administering the Workers' Compensation Act, The Pennsylvania Occupational Disease Act and the Office of Small Business Advocate for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

SB 795 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 887. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund and from Federal augmentation funds to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

SB 796 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 888.Printer's No. 1052. An Act making an appropriation from a restricted revenue account within the General Fund to the Office of Consumer Advocate in the Office of Attorney General.


SENATE

HB 840 An Act designating the Main Street bridge on State Route 69 in the Borough of Sugar Grove, Warren County, as the AMVETS POW-MIA Memorial Bridge.
HB 917 Printer's No. 1067. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, No.581), known as The Borough Code, further providing for general powers of borough.

HB 1367 By Representatives DeWEESE, McCALL, COHEN, SURRA, DERMODY, EACHUS, D. EVANS, MUNDY and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 1632.Printer's No. 2087. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care; providing for pharmaceutical and therapeutics committee; further providing for definitions, for authorization, for amount, for repayment, for regulations and for time periods; and providing for the Senior Care and Services Study Commission.
SB 1006 By Senator EARLL. Printer's No. 1236. An Act making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

HB 496 Prior Printer's Nos. 551, 1440, 1906.Printer's No. 2086. An Act amending the act of July 10, 1984 (P.L.688, No.147), known as the Radiation Protection Act, further providing for definitions, for licensing and registration fees, for powers of Environmental Quality Board, for nuclear facility and transport fees, for creation of special funds, for response program and for transportation of radioactive materials; and making repeals.

HB 635 Printer's No. 720. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for meetings of auditors and for audit of accounts by auditors and financial report to Department of Community and Economic Development.

HB 1169 By Representatives DERMODY, DeLUCA, MARKOSEK, PETRONE, PRESTON, LEVDANSKY, DeWEESE, McCALL, FRANKEL and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 1433.Printer's No. 1535. An Act designating the bridge carrying State Route 2073 over Plum Creek between the boroughs of Oakmont and Verona in Allegheny County as the Roger F. Duffy Viaduct.

SB 468 By Senators REGOLA, ORIE, WAUGH, FOLMER, EARLL, D. WHITE, PIPPY, PUNT, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, BRUBAKER, RHOADES, BROWNE and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 513.Printer's No. 1255. A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for a limitation on the length of session.

HB 10 Prior Printer's Nos. 1768, 2103, 2157.Printer's No. 2168. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for compensation of judges, for exclusive jurisdiction of Supreme Court and for the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account; and making related repeals.

HB 369 Prior Printer's No. 433.Printer's No. 1401. An Act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), referred to as the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act, further providing for the payment of death benefits to members of emergency personnel teams.

HB 778 Prior Printer's Nos. 845, 1977, 2102.Printer's No. 2167. An Act amending Titles 30 (Fish) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for classification of offenses and penalties, for penalties for threatened and endangered species, for chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substances, for operating watercraft under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for county intermediate punishment programs.

HB 842 Prior Printer's Nos. 957, 1832, 2083.Printer's No. 2169. 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 transferred programs and classes and for program of continuing professional education and for educational assistance program; providing for distressed school districts and student attendance in other districts; in charter school provisions, further providing for enrollment; in education empowerment provisions, further providing for board of school directors; providing for superintendent power to recommend dismissal of certain management employees; and for public library funding; further providing for small district assistance; providing for basic education funding for 2006-2007 school year; and further providing for payments on account of limited English proficiency programs, for payments to intermediate units, for special education payments to school districts and for Pennsylvania accountability grants.

HB 966 Prior Printer's Nos. 1131, 1908, 2016, 2156.Printer's No. 2171. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, further providing for effect of act on existing laws; providing for the definition of "long-term care insurance"; in insurance holding companies, further providing for definitions, for acquisition of control of or merger with domestic insurer and for acquisitions involving insurers not otherwise covered; establishing the Insurance Restructuring Public Interest Review Board; providing for its powers and duties; establishing an account; further providing for coverage and limitations; providing for health care reporting; and making an inconsistent repeal.

HB 1228 Printer's No. 1513. An Act redesignating the Clarion River Bridge on Main Street in Ridgway, Elk County, as Rear Admiral Paul H. Speer Bridge.

HB 1287 HB 1287 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's No. 1544.Printer's No. 2172. An Act making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

SB 704 Prior Printer's Nos. 776, 802, 1189, 1256.Printer's No. 1272. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for State plan for regulating and licensing personal care homes, for Intra-Governmental Council on Long-Term Care and for rules and regulations for personal care homes and assisted living residences.

SB 857 By Senators ORIE, SCARNATI, PILEGGI, FOLMER, BROWNE, COSTA, D. WHITE and EARLL. Prior Printer's Nos. 1069, 1220, 1249.Printer's No. 1260. An Act amending the act of April 6, 1956 (1955 P.L.1414, No.465), known as the Second Class County Port Authority Act, further providing for audit requirements and for board members.

HB 781 Printer's No. 900. An Act redesignating the Maple Avenue Bridge on State Route 271 in the City of Johnstown, Cambria County, as the Colonel John Joseph Tominac Memorial Bridge.

HB 881 Prior Printer's No. 1035.Printer's No. 1978. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for killing game or wildlife to protect property and for provisions relating to unlawful devices and methods and for exceptions to unlawful use of lights while hunting.

SB 97 By Senators D. WHITE, ARMSTRONG, CORMAN, EARLL, PUNT, RAFFERTY, BRUBAKER, WOZNIAK, PIPPY, BROWNE, STACK, REGOLA and WONDERLING. Prior Printer's Nos. 132, 1166, 1217.Printer's No. 1275. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further defining "manufacture"; further providing, in capital stock franchise tax, for the definition of "capital stock value" and, in bank and trust company shares tax, for ascertainment of taxable amount and exclusion of United States obligations; providing for a film production tax credit and conferring powers and imposing duties upon the Department of Community and Economic Development; further providing, in neighborhood assistance tax credit, for definitions, for tax credit and for grant of tax credit; and providing for pass-through entity.

SB 455 By Senators VANCE, EARLL, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, MADIGAN, O'PAKE, ORIE, PUNT, RAFFERTY, STACK, M. WHITE, WONDERLING, CORMAN, BROWNE, KITCHEN and McILHINNEY. Prior Printer's Nos. 502, 1097, 1186, 1225.Printer's No. 1243. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76), known as The Dental Law, further providing for the definitions of "dental hygienist" and "board"; providing for the definition of "public health dental hygiene practitioner"; further providing for the general powers of the State Board of Dentistry and for radiologic procedures, education and training; and providing for the practice of public health dental hygiene practitioners.

SB 638 Prior Printer's No. 690.Printer's No. 1218. An Act establishing the Cancer Drug Repository Program for accepting donated cancer drugs and dispensing cancer drugs; and providing for the powers and duties of the State Board of Pharmacy.

SB 763 By Senators BROWNE, ORIE, BOSCOLA, WOZNIAK, FONTANA, WAUGH, TOMLINSON, COSTA, McILHINNEY, RAFFERTY, FOLMER, FERLO, WONDERLING, STACK, CORMAN, PUNT, GREENLEAF and REGOLA. Prior Printer's No. 840.Printer's No. 1219. 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.

SB 886 By Senators McILHINNEY, RAFFERTY, FERLO, ROBBINS, COSTA, O'PAKE and ORIE. Prior Printer's No. 1034.Printer's No. 1195. An Act amending the act of February 19, 1980 (P.L.15, No.9), known as the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, further prohibiting certain acts.

HB 13 Prior Printer's Nos. 38, 1439, 1447.Printer's No. 1536. An Act amending the act of February 2, 1965 (P.L.1860, No.586), entitled "An act encouraging landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting liability in connection therewith, and repealing certain acts," further providing for liability of landowners toward recreational users, persons or property for acts or acts of omission by recreational users.

HB 892 Printer's No. 1045. An Act designating a portion of State Route 74 in Perry County as the Marine Lance Corporal Jason L. Frye Memorial Highway.

SB 246 By Senators GREENLEAF, ERICKSON, O'PAKE, CORMAN, WASHINGTON, C. WILLIAMS, LOGAN, ORIE, STACK, FERLO and DINNIMAN. Prior Printer's No. 25.Printer's No. 1227. An Act prohibiting smoking in certain public places and workplaces; imposing duties upon the Department of Health; imposing penalties; preempting local regulations; and repealing a related provision of the Fire and Panic Act.

SB 466 By Senators ROBBINS, SCARNATI, O'PAKE, MADIGAN, WOZNIAK, CORMAN, LAVALLE, RHOADES, MUSTO, PUNT, WONDERLING, BOSCOLA, REGOLA, McILHINNEY, BAKER, BRUBAKER and FOLMER. Prior Printer's Nos. 511, 1093.Printer's No. 1226. An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, further providing for application and for exemptions.

SB 728 By Senators SCARNATI, M. WHITE, D. WHITE and ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1185.Printer's No. 1233. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for Commonwealth employees group life insurance; further providing, in budget implementation, for the State System of Higher Education; providing for general budget implementation and for 2007-2008 budget implementation and restrictions on appropriations for funds and accounts; and making a related repeal.

SB 811 Printer's No. 995. An Act providing for long-term living facility licensure information; and imposing duties on the Department of Aging, the Department of Health and the Department of Public Welfare

SB 913 By Senators M. WHITE, FONTANA, PICCOLA, GORDNER, ROBBINS, REGOLA, RHOADES, MADIGAN, WAUGH, BAKER, ERICKSON, WONDERLING and BROWNE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1085, 1172.Printer's No. 1234. An Act providing for environmental funds reporting and disclosure and for funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund.

SB 968 Prior Printer's Nos. 1160, 1169, 1202.Printer's No. 1235. 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, providing for reduction and prevention of health care-associated infection.

SB 972 By Senators CORMAN, MADIGAN, STOUT, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, KITCHEN, WONDERLING, RHOADES, COSTA, ROBBINS, TOMLINSON and ORIE. Prior Printer's No. 1178.Printer's No. 1196. An Act designating a portion of U.S. Route 322 in Centre County as the Thomas D. Larson Highway.

SB 961 By Senator EICHELBERGER. Prior Printer's No. 1155.Printer's No. 1168. An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, further providing for earned income tax.

Personal Observations on the ACORN Presidential Forum

Yesterday I posted my notes on the ACORN presidential forum. This afternoon I'd like to share some personal observations. Keep in mind that, as regular readers may have noticed, I am very detail oriented and often see the trees (leaves, pine needles, and bark patterns in particular) and not the forest. If you are looking for political philosophy, go somewhere else.

Sen. Hillary Clinton -- She used a lot of expansive hand gestures which I thought interesting. Of course it's hard to do that on televised debates so I wondered if she were restraining herself there or pushing herself here. We all style shift, changing our language, wording and persuasive techniques based on the people or audience we are talking to. This is a trickier proposition in the Internet age when so many things are taped and made generally available. I thought the senator did a lot of style shifting in her ACORN talk. Not that this is a bad thing but I tend to be a little less trusting of people who do this in a noticeable fashion. I've watched a few televised debates and some YouTube clips of some of the candidates. Clinton started out with a Bible verse. She references her faith sometimes in other settings but this stood out since it was the first thing she said. Of course, we were in a church, but if you are going to wear your faith on your sleeve it should be there consistently. She also said "raisin'" for "raising" several times. She was brought up in the Chicago suburbs and went to Wellesley. I doubt "raisin'" was part of her childhood or college vocabulary. It's possible she picked it up in Arkansas but in her autobiography she skimmed over that period of her life in a very cursory fashion. If you say "raisin'" only when you are in a African American Baptist church I question your qualifications for saying that word. To the best of my memory she did not drop the final "g" on gerunds and verbs during any of the debates or other places I have heard her speak. It's nit picky but I'm a nit picky person.

In her remarks she mentions Bill Gray who was the pastor at the church for many years and that Martin Luther King, Jr., gave the first sermon at the church. It shows that she did her homework. It is a pet peeve of mine but I always cringe just a little when white people are talking to African Americans and mention Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a great man and an American hero and I have no doubt she was right about him speaking there, I just think we need to widen our list of allusions to include a few other names. She also said she had followed ACORN since their first office opened in Arkansas just down the street from the governor's mansion and that she is honored to be ACORN's partner. Funny, ACORN is not included in the index of her autobiography (on my bookshelf as I type), but as I say, the Arkansas years are mentioned very briefly. Her policy remarks were nuanced and I do not question their veracity. The senator does her homework and that is a quality I admire. There is no question that she works hard on behalf of her constituents.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- I only caught part of his answer to the last question he was asked. One of the ACORN organizers sent me the URL for his opening remarks on YouTube and I have watched that as well. In the opening remarks, well, wow, is that guy animated. The sound quality is not that great so the first time I watched it; the body language came through better than the words. Try watching it with the sound down. Yowza!! However, his words were very good. He describes poverty as a weapon of mass destruction. In his last answer he says we can afford all of the programs he mentions if we re-order our priorities. That is an excellent point. I was impressed by his ability to say a few things in Spanish. Some of his ideas are revolutionary (for profit health care is over?). I do tend to find it a little tiresome when people compare apples and oranges for affect. He calls poverty a weapon of mass destruction. That's interesting but I'm not sure it is accurate. A weapon of mass destruction is usually a fast acting quick change agent. Poverty would perhaps be more like a virus, always present, though sometimes suppressed or dormant then mutating to something that spreads and causes collateral infections. But I digress here. Kucinich is interesting and worth a closer look at another time.

former Sen. John Edwards -- Let me start by saying I like Edwards and am especially fond of his wife. He seems to be aware of her popularity as one of the first things he said was that she sends her love and is doing great. He also said at the start that poverty is a moral issue. The person introducing him said he had toured the country with ACORN's president and Edwards mentioned he had met with the ACORN board. Reading people is not my strong suit but I thought he was greeted more warmly and with more familiarity and excitement (though I thought they were trying to mute this) by the ACORN people on the podium than the other speakers. One of the questioners thanked him for walking the walk as well as talking the talk. He praised ACORN's past work and said if elected president he would work with ACORN and similar groups but he didn't try to present himself as a partner or someone who was a part of their organization. I respect that. You can honor someone's work without trying to say you are one of them.

He said ending poverty is the cause of his life and not a political issue. I have read his autobiography and followed some, but not that much, of his work in North Carolina and would not dispute this statement. I don't agree with all of the promises he makes or policies he espouses but I admire his consistent passion and heard nothing in his remarks that would change my good opinion of him.

Other remarks -- The more I see of Michael Nutter the more I like him. I'm trying not to get my hopes and expectations up too much, but, oh golly, he could do some real good in Philadelphia as mayor. Rep. Chaka Fattah is a good speaker, very polished. His remark that elections are not about personalities but about programs and plans and that Nutter will be a great mayor were wonderful. Of course, elections are also about personalities, but we'll let that slide. I thought I saw Sharif Street out on the grass talking to people as I left. But I thought I saw him a week ago in the Franklin Institute with a little boy who looked about 8, so I must have Sharif Street on the brain for some reason.

In the words of Forest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.

Report from the ACORN Presidential Candidate Forum

Today was ACORN’s Presidential Forum. It was slated to last for several hours and the timing of speakers kept changing; presidential candidates’ schedules are notoriously fluid. In short, it was too much time for me to be there for all of it. Let me also add that ACORN offered me press credentials and space in the blogger area but I prefer staying in the shadows.

All candidates were asked the same questions, though not, I think, in the same order. ACORN distributed a copy of the questions but it is three single spaced pages long so I won’t reproduce it here but give the gist of the questions where they are asked. ACORN does make policy statements on the issues available. It was interesting to note that two bills sponsored by Sen. Chris Dodd, also a Democratic candidate for president, were referenced positively in the questions.

When I arrived the church was full so it was the overflow room for me. This was actually a good thing. There was plenty of room and a large screen probably gave me a better view of the candidates than I would have had in the sanctuary.

Michael Nutter, Democratic candidate for mayor of Philadelphia (and likely next mayor given past voting patterns) was speaking. He spoke well of other mayoral candidates in the primary, Rep. Chaka Fattah, Rep. Bob Brady, and State Rep. Dwight Evans. He talked about predatory lending people whose gas and heat are turned off. The sound quality was not the best at this point and many of his words were inaudible. He did say that there are three kinds of people who get gas bills, those who pay, those who can’t pay, and those who can pay but don’t. He said we have to protect those in the middle category.

Rep. Chaka Fattah spoke next. He said elections were not about personalities but programs and plans. Nutter is going to be a great mayor. We should become predatory with malice against predatory lending. There is a 52 year high in mortgage foreclosures, in part due to unfair lending practices. He has introduced legislation to create an emergency mortgage foreclosure fund. He said Council Rock School District is willing to spend $20,000 a year to educate a child but Philadelphia is only willing to spend that much to incarcerate a child. [blogger’s note: Looking through Thomas I think he may have been referring to HR 1289]

ACORN members spoke for about an hour, giving personal testimonies or discussing particular items.

Sen. Hillary Clinton arrived around 3:55. She opened with a Biblical allusion, “this is the day that the lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” [blogger’s note: Psalm 118:24, also a popular hymn]. She said she had followed ACORN since their first office opened, in Arkansas, just down the block from the governor’s mansion.

At this point a heckler began shouting something I could not hear. The minister of the church took the podium and asked that the man be escorted out and said anyone else raising their voice would also be escorted out. He said this was a house of God and people should act accordingly.

Clinton began speaking again, mentioning that Martin Luther King, Jr., gave the first sermon in this church. She is honored to be ACORN’s partner. Hurricane Katrina ripped the mask off this administration’s face. In the US no one should work full time and be below the poverty line. Uninsured people who go to the emergency room are twice as likely to die as insured people who go to the emergency room for treatment.

Q: How to ensure all people eligible for services are enrolled in those programs?

HC: will work with ACORN and related groups that reach out and enroll all eligible people in programs. After 9/11 she set up emergency Medicaid to help those who lost their jobs and insurance. When we have universal health care this will be taken care of.

Q: predatory lending, appoint governors to the Federal Reserve who put protection of our neighborhoods and assets first?

HC: We need federal legislation on predatory lending and sub-prime lending, plain language on mortgages and let states enact stronger laws. The Federal Reserve should pay more attention to the concerns of the majority of Americans. Home ownership is the American dream, unscrupulous lenders and adjustable rate mortgages are putting that at risk. Chicago did an experiment with face to face counseling before people signed mortgages. Fewer people signed after understanding the ramifications. Mortgage companies objected to this.

Q: pathway to citizenship

HC: disappointed when the Senate couldn’t overcome the GOP filibuster. We need immigration reform, to tighten our borders, punish unscrupulous employers, avoid putting a burden on our cities, and create a pathway to citizenship. Recently there have been many verbal attacks on immigrants. Is it because fewer new jobs are being created?

Q: Rebuilding America’s cities, require community impact statements, expand the production of affordable housing, funding for education, longer school days, smaller classes, universal pre-K programs.

HC: We need an urban agenda. If our cities aren’t working not much else is working. We should adopt the conference of mayors 10 point program. We need a new federal housing agenda. We should bring supermarkets back into cities. We want a diversity of rich and poor in our cities. As for education, we need universal pre-K for every 4 year old.

Q: Improving wages, income and working conditions: minimum wage, 7 paid sick days, and expanded earned income tax credit.

HC: yes yes yes, shared prosperity for everyone.

Q: rebuilding New Orleans Will you support the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007, introduced by Sens. Dodd and Landrieu?

HC: If Bush administration had hired ACORN to rebuild New Orleans it would be done by now. She has a 10 point plan and would put one person in charge of the project.

Q: protecting right to vote, mentions Sens. Dodd and Feinstein’s Ballot Integrity Act of 2007.

HC: supports initiatives. Count every vote act.

[Due to family concerns I had to leave at this point, head home, and watch the rest via live webcast. My apologies to Rep. Kucinich; I will make a point of writing about him in depth later. The Pennsylvania Progressive has some good posts on Kuchinich’s presentation.]

At home I caught part of Rep. Kucinich’s last answer or closing statements.

DK: The government tells people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and then steal their boots. We can fund universal pre-K by reducing the Pentagon budget. We need free tuition for four years at public colleges and universities. The money is there if we just change priorities. He references WPA jobs in the Depression. Healthcare for all. Medicare for all. An end to for-profit health care as we know it. Yes to community impact statements. He references the work done in Cleveland while he was mayor. He is the only person running for president who was a mayor. Closes by saying we have the power to lift up our country by human spirit and the human heart.

He also spoke in Spanish, much to the delight of the crowd.

John Edwards is introduced.

Last year Edwards toured the US with the president of ACORN to work on increasing the minimum wage.

JE: Poverty is a huge moral issue. Elizabeth sends her love and is doing great. When he is president he will raise the minimum wage to $9.50 and index it so it goes up every year without Congressional approval. Anyone working full time should not live in poverty. We still have two Americas and want to create one America. He met with ACORN’s board a while ago but didn’t need to study because their agenda is his agenda. We have to be the voice of the voiceless. [blogger’s note: This was a policy announcement for Edwards, the minimum wage increase.]

To end poverty we need to raise the minimum wage, expand the earned income tax credit to include more people, strengthen and expand laws to allow unions or organize and work. If you can join the GOP by signing a card you should be able to do the same in a union. We need to improve financial literacy and set up savings accounts for people, matching dollar for dollar. We need a national predatory lending law. We need universal health care, half of bankruptcies are due to health problems. We need access for affordable housing and to reduce the waiting time for section 8 housing. Everyone should have access to college. He and Elizabeth set up a program [missed the details of this], work 10 hours a week while in college, never hurts anyone to work but should not have crushing debt from college.

Ending poverty is the cause of his life not just a political issue. ACORN should be proud of its work in New Orleans. We need a president who wakes up every morning with a gnawing feeling in his gut about the poor.

Q: Thank you for walking the walk as well as talking the talk. Question on making people aware of programs and services available to them.

JE: It doesn’t do any good to have these programs if they aren’t used or if people don’t know about them. If elected president he will make sure resources and people are available to let people know about these programs.

Q: predatory lending / federal reserve / foreclosure education

JE: We need federal predatory lending laws, a new consumer commission to regular and monitor lenders, and a national home fund to provide help and support to those in danger of losing their homes.

Q: immigration / pathway to citizenship

JE: Immigration is high on his presidential agenda. It is a moral issue. It isn’t good for America to have first class citizens and second class workers. He does support security on the Southern border, a crack down on unscrupulous employers and we need a clear achievable path to citizenship. People here illegally should pay a fine but not an exorbitant one and learn English.

Q: rebuilding American cities, community impact statements, education – longer school days, smaller classes, pre-K, expand production of affordable housing

JE: yes on community impact statements. He is in favor of 1 million new section 8 housing vouchers, rental as well as ownership. Yes on funding for public schools. He advocates bonus pay for teachers in inner city schools.

Q: improving wages and working conditions

JE: expand EITC, get rid of marriage penalty [blogger’s note: missed a few words because of a fuzzy feed]

Q: New Orleans

JE: He would put a high level person in charge who would report to him daily on progress.

Q: protecting right to vote

JE: Will work with ACORN and similar groups. Yes, supports the Voter Registration Act. We should stop the suppression of voter registration and voting.

ACORN officials made closing remarks.

ACORN Presidential Candidates Forum

ACORN is hosting a presidential candidate's forum in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Monday July 2nd, 2007, Philadelphia will host ACORN's Presidential Candidate Forum at the Bright Hope Baptist Church at 12th St and Cecil B Moore Ave up by Temple. The event is open to the public and there is a suggested donation of $10 - call 215.765.0042 for tickets.

I will be there for at least part of it, sitting in the audience, but probably won't blog about it until I get back home.

A Few Information Resources

I've been meaning to do this for a few months now and an email buddy prodded me recently. Here are a list of resources I have found useful in putting together posts or interview questions and so on. You may also find them useful in researching matters relating to politics in the Commonwealth or in your area.

PA Uniform Crime Reports

http://ucr.psp.state.pa.us/UCR/Reporting/Monthly/Summary/MonthlySumOffenseUI.asp?rbSet=4

http://ucr.psp.state.pa.us/UCR/Reporting/Annual/AnnualSumArrestUI.asp

This is useful data to see where the state's crime hot spots are and the crime rate generally, both by annual and monthly data. Interesting stuff.

PA Occupational Outlook Handbook

http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us/gsipub/index.asp?docid=455

Is there really a nursing shortage in the state? How do legislators' salaries compare to other occupations in Pennsylvania? I didn't check to see if tattoo artists were in here but this would be the place to check for that sort of thing.

PA School Report Card

http://www.paprofiles.org/

The place to go to compare your local schools with others or the state average.

Census information

http://www.census.gov

You can enter a zip code or a congressional district or a county or any number of other geographic markers and come up with some basic demographic data.

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this past week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, will not be noted here.

PA Politicians

A mention of Gov. Rendell proposing mandatory health insurance in “Should insurance be mandatory?” by Laura McGinley (6/30)

PA Businesses

You had to know this was coming, and there will probably be more next week. “Commerce Bancorp: a target?” by Robin Sidel and David Enrich (6/30)

Other PA

Jack and Loraine Thompson bought colonial era house in Doylestown at auction. Read more in “Homes going once, going …” by Ruth Simon and Jonathan Karp (6/30)

Scranton public schools are the focus of controversy in “’Mainstreaming’ trend tests classroom goals,” by John Hechinger (6/25)

Having said in the introduction to this post that I don’t read editorials, let me add that I do sometimes. Such as “Success in Philadelphia,” on public schools (6/25)

WSJ reporter Carol Hymowitz fesses up to having been in the Pittsburgh bureau in the 1980’s. “Though now routines, bosses still stumble during layoff process,” (6/25)

The trials and tribulations of trying to figure out the unwritten company dress code is discussed with the example of a Philadelphia architectural firm in “Tips for college grads at first jobs,” by Erin White (6/26)

Philadelphia is mentioned in “Summer flying turns ugly,” by Scott McCartney (6/26)

Pennsylvania is listed among states that use “cybershame,” posting a list of those delinquent on their taxes, as reported in “Deadbeats risk cybershame,” by Tom Herman (6/27)

Other Interesting Tidbits

“Minor memos” by John Harwood points out that www.ringtones08.com will let you download politically related ring tones for your phone. (6/29)

An interesting development in some states, including our neighbor New Jersey, is outlined in “Legislators aim for big boxes: impact-study bills represent new attempt to rein in big retailers,” by Kris Hudson (6/29)

weekly legislative update delayed

A large number of bills passing the Pennsylvania House and Senate and some access problems are delaying this week's legislative update. It should be ready to go mid-week or earlier. Apologies for the delay.

Not That There's Anything Wrong WithThat...

Here are a few scattered thoughts on the presidential debate this evening. Keep in mind that I start out intently focusing on the candidates and as time passes the cats, the sound of the ac kicking on an off, and assorted other things distract me.

1) When Joe Biden mentioned that he has been tested for AIDS and that Barack Obama had as well Obama felt the need to point out that he and his wife had been tested together. (He didn't mention it but they had this done on a visit to Africa to encourage more people there to get tested). Biden then felt it necessary to say that he had been tested after having had a number of transfusions. On a personal note let me add that I had an AIDS test and these days it is often part of a standard pre-conception health check. If we want more people to get tested we need to let people have the test without feeling they have to explain why. I noted that none of the other candidates spoke up to say they also had had an AIDS test. It would have been great if all the candidates had said they had been tested with the moderator and panelists chiming in as well.

2) Was it just me or did the answers the candidates provided imply that all minority people in the US were poor, experienced with the prison system, substance abusers, poorly educated, and unprepared for parenthood? Those were the themes I heard over and over again. Did I miss it or were the importance of strong families, encouraging small business ownership, lower interest student loans for college, more mentoring programs, and an emphasis on strengthening father / child bonds not mentioned? I did hear talk of quality affordable child care and good schools. These are good things. Reforming the judicial system and needle exchange programs are also good ideas.

3) I thought Edwards, Obama, and Dodd did well but I liked them going in so it is hard to be objective.

Shapiro Legislation on Doctors Passes the PA House

Josh Shapiro (D-153) has another feather in his cap. His bill on loan forgiveness for medical students who stay in the state has passed the state house 191-9:

Shapiro’s proposal (H.B. 1093) would create a medical school loan forgiveness program for primary care doctors and ob/gyns who agree to practice in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Qualified participants would receive reimbursement for 100 percent of the total medical school loan over a 10-year period. If a participant fails to practice in Pennsylvania for the full 10 years, he or she would be required to pay back the payments from the state.

Quotes later in the press release show support from medical associations:

All across the state, members of Pennsylvania’s medical and health-care community support Shapiro's bill as a way to keep doctors in Pennsylvania and improve access to health care for Pennsylvanians.

Dr. Charles Cutler, governor of the Southeastern Region, Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Physicians said, “We commend and support Representative Shapiro’s efforts to address the crushing burden of medical school debt for young doctors and working to keep our physicians in Pennsylvania.”

James Redmond, senior vice president of legislative services for the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania explained, “Studies demonstrate that Pennsylvania needs to take steps to ensure an adequate supply of physicians as workforce levels are not sufficient to meet the increase in demand for services that will result from an aging population and a growing chronically ill population. The expansion of loan forgiveness programs is one important way we can make Pennsylvania more physician-friendly.”

The Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association is also in favor of the bill. Their letter to Shapiro read in part:

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, I want to applaud you for your recent legislation designed to attract the best and brightest medical students to our state and retain that talent in our state through a loan forgiveness program. We need creative legislation like this to address challenges the Commonwealth faces.

News Round Up

A few newsy bits before the threat of rain takes down my dsl connection.

PoliticsPA has a quick rundown on early candidates for PA treasurer in 2008. Looks to be a SEPA-centered race for the Dems.

Karl Kurtz at the National Council on State Legislatures’ The Thicket blog writes about his adventures testifying before the PA House on term limits for state legislators.

Democratic Presidential Debate This Thursday

Set aside this Thursday evening, stock up on popcorn, and call your friends. Or set your vcr or tivo. There is a Democratic presidential candidates debate this Thursday.
Details:

Airs Live June 28, 9:00-11:30 Eastern on PBS.

PBS will air live on June 28 a Democratic Presidential debate called, All American Presidential Forums. The forum moderated by Tavis Smiley marks the first time in history that a panel exclusively comprised of journalists of color will be represented in primetime. The following Democratic Presidential candidates have agreed to participate in the forum: Senator Joe Biden, Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Christopher Dodd, Senator John Edwards, Senator Mike Gravel, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Barack Obama and Governor Bill Richardson.

Tavis Smiley will be joined by Michel Martin, Ruben Navarrette, Jr. and DeWayne Wickham to ask each candidate questions that they feel are important for the upcoming election.

Earmark List from Two Bills

Earwigs? Earrings? What is that word? Oh, yes, earmarks. Drew Griffin at the blog of Anderson Cooper (of all people!) has put up links to earmarks included in two pieces of legislation. They can probably be found elsewhere but I got them from AC. He also has a link to a list of Congressional representatives and whether or not they responded to a request for a list of their priorities as far as earmark projects for their districts go. You can check for yourself on your reps. The two times I have checked the list I found different answers so I think they have changed over time, and thus won’t post information that may be fluid.

Anyway, on the earmarks in the legislation. I went through and picked out the PA people. In no particular order here is the information.


2008 Financial Services Bill

Project / Agency / Amount / Member submitting request
Ben Franklin Technology Partners / SBA / $250K / Charles Dent (R-15)

Catalyst, Eastgate HOPE VI project / DC / $81K / Chaka Fattah (D-02)

Community College of Philadelphia, Northeast Regional Center for Small Business Development / SBA / $231K / Patrick Murphy (D-08), Allyson Schwartz (D-13)

Delaware County Community College Small Business Center, Media, PA / SBA / $231K / Joe Sestak (D-07), Jim Gerlach (R-06)

Johnstown Area Regional Industries Incubator and Workforce Development Program / SBA / $231K / John Murtha (D-12)

Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation / SBA / $150K / John Peterson (R-05)

North Side Industrial Development Co., New Business – New Beginning Program / SBA / $150K / Michael Doyle (D-14)

Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism / SBA / $150K / John Peterson (R-05)

STEEED Youth Program / DC / $150K / Chaka Fattah (D-02)

The president added in a few things, none for our fair state.

The Dept of Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2008 (HR 2643)

Agency / Project / Amount / Requestor
National Park Service / Southwest Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission / $1.2M / John Murtha (D-12)

NPS / Payne Gallery, Moravian College / $150K / Charles Dent (R-15)

NPS / Philadelphia Art Museum Exterior Façade / $100K / Chaka Fattah (D-02), Bob Brady (D-01)

NPS / W. A. Young & Sons Foundry, Greene County / $150K / John Murtha (D-12)

NPS / Embassy Theatre, Burnham / $250K / John Peterson (R-05)

NPS / Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area / $1.5M / President Bush

NPS / Fort Necessity National Battlefield / $250K / John Murtha (D-12)

NPS / Flight 93 National Memorial / $5M / President Bush

EPA / New Castle, Lawrence County Planning Office for Neshannock Twp / $5K / Jason Altmire (D-04)

EPA / City of Williamsport, Lycoming Dept of Planning & Community Development for a water system for Muncy Industrial Park / $5K / Chris Carney (D-10)

EPA / Borough of Slatington for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements / $165K / Charles Dent (R-15)

EPA / City of Cressona, Cressona Borough Authroity for the Cressona Belt Filter Press / $80K / Tim Holden (D-17)

EPA / City of Hershey, Derry Twp Municipal Authority for Wastewater Treatment Facility / $83K / Tim Holden (D-17)

EPA / Yardley, Yardley Borough Sewer Authority for Wastewater Infrastructure / $500K / Patrick Murphy (D-08)

EPA / Township of Cecil, Cecil Twp Municipal Authority for the Miller’s Run Sewer System / $500K / Tim Murphy (R-18)

EPA / Borough of Stoystown, Somerset Twp Municipal Authority for Stoystown Water Project / $675K / John Murtha (D-12)

EPA / City of Lock Haven, Clinton County Municipal Authority for Sewer Pump Station Construction in Woodward Twp / $500K / John Peterson (R-05)

Anthony and the Reverend

The past few weeks my commute home has been enlivened by some beautiful singing. Anthony and the Reverend have staked out a spot in my usual train station. Last week I forked over $10 to buy one of his cd's. Some are only $5; I bought the deluxe complete set. Today Dan Rubin wrote a column ("Balancing rights of freedom to sing") for the Inky about the duo, Anthony Riley and Robby Torres. They're having some legal trouble for singing in Rittenhouse Square.

Unlike many bloggers I don't talk much (or at all) about music. Mostly because I have it on good authority that I have a tin ear. Sad to say most music just goes right past me without making much of an impression. It's nice to have the radio on sometimes, especially if its a station that plays songs I can recognize. I buy maybe 3 cds a year.

That Anthony and the Reverend stopped me long enough not just to listen but to actually part with money is kind of amazing. I don't think the cd does them justice; it probably wasn't made at the best of recording accomodations and certainly not with the kind of acoustics you can find in a train station.

In any event, I hope Anthony and the Rittenhouse residents can work things out. Oh, and if you get a chance, listen to Anthony sing.

PA in the WSJ

We’re having a lull, or else I'm missing a lot.

PA Politicians

Our officials remain very quiet.

PA Businesses

Brief mentions: Starcite a meetings management company in Philadelphia (6/18). There was another brief mention in Thursday’s paper but I’ve now lost the B section and can’t tell you what it was.

The Carlton, a Pittsburgh restaurant is this weeks “Power Table” (6/23)

Other PA

In a wonderful and terrible article about an archive of letters written to the Sanitary Commission during the Civil War, Thomas York of Allegheny is quoted as writing an anguished note asking for news of his 13 year old son who had run off to be a soldier. Annie Mecann of Jenkintown’s search for her brother and the Hospital Directory office in Philadelphia are also mentioned. (“Civil War letters shed light on pain of troop’s family,” by Ianthe Jeanne Dugan 6/22)

Several PA experts quoted this week.

A University of Pittsburgh study on caregivers cited in “Companies help employees cope with caring for parents,” by Sue Shellenbarger (6/21)

Also on the 21st in Shellenbarger’s Work & Family Mailbox, Doughas J. Matthews of Philadelphia’s Right Management and Kenneth R. Ginsburg of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are quoted.

A review of the book “Girls Gone Mild” by Wendy Shalit, Pia Catton reviewer (6/23) mentions a group of Pittsburgh girls who, in 2005 started a boycott of Abercrombie & Fitch, protesting, among other things, t-shirts with “Who needs brains when you have these” written across the front. Let’s hear it for the girls! And shame on you, A&F!

Other Interesting Tidbits

Note this paragraph from “Feeding the Watchdogs,” by David Rogers (6/22):

After devoting months to oversight hearings, House Democrats are steering millions of dollars to inspectors general and regulatory agencies they hope will be their ears and eyes – and even allies – in the executive branch.

Booze, Babes, and Asking Women to Run

Two things crossed my screen this week that seem to go together in some way.

One is an effort by the Womens Campaign Fund, called She Should Run (www.sheshouldrun.com) which asks women to nominate another woman they think should run for office. This strikes me as a grand idea as we could use more women in elected office.

The other was an article in the New York Times on changes to the social life in Albany NY now that Eliot Spitzer is governor, “In Albany life has seeped out of night life,” by Nicholas Confessore, 6/18). Apparantly new rules on lobbying and gifts have put a damper on the bars and nightlife, though coffee shops are said to be booming. (h/t Brett of Pennsyltucky Politics)

This quote in particular struck me:

Some grumble about bad apples ruining it for everybody else. Others say that Albany’s old collegiality owed a lot to lobbyists’ largesse. As one lawmaker, who wished to remain unknown, put it, “It’s funny how when you take away the free booze and take away the babes, people just aren’t as interested in hanging out.”

It seems to me that we have a greater likelihood of getting more women into office once the pathway to political power no longer has a semi-obligatory stop in the lap dance room.

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.


Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House (daily session updates)
PA Democratic House

Resolutions

The state has declared today “Jimmy Buffet Day” in the commonwealth.

Bills

HOUSE

HB 69 Printer's No. 93. An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "mounted specimen"; and further providing for buying and selling game.

HB 441 Prior Printer's No. 509.Printer's No. 1755. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for the offense of unlawful capture and electronic transmission of identifying information.

HB 496 Prior Printer's Nos. 551, 1440.Printer's No. 1906. An Act amending the act of July 10, 1984 (P.L.688, No.147), known as the Radiation Protection Act, further providing for definitions, for powers of Environmental Quality Board, for nuclear facility and transport fees, for creation of special funds, for response program and for transportation of radioactive materials; and making repeals.

HB 500 By Representatives SANTONI, BARRAR, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CURRY, FABRIZIO, GERGELY, HENNESSEY, KILLION, KOTIK, MARKOSEK, PALLONE, REICHLEY, WALKO, YOUNGBLOOD, SIPTROTH, JAMES, MURT and SOLOBAY.
Prior Printer's Nos. 555, 1845.Printer's No. 1909. An Act amending the act of December 20, 1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of 1985, providing for perfusionist licensing, qualifications, supervision and scope of practice, regulations and exemptions.

HB 501 By Representatives SANTONI, BARRAR, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CURRY, FABRIZIO, GERGELY, HENNESSEY, KILLION, KOTIK, MARKOSEK, PALLONE, REICHLEY, WALKO, YOUNGBLOOD, SIPTROTH, JAMES, MURT and SOLOBAY. Prior Printer's Nos. 556, 1846.Printer's No. 1910. An Act amending the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, providing for perfusionist licensing, qualifications, supervision and scope of practice, regulations and exemptions.

HB 1166 Prior Printer's Nos. 1430, 1477.Printer's No. 1640. An Act designating a portion of State Route 2024, known as Dreshertown Road, in Montgomery County, as the Sergeant James R. Miller Memorial Highway.

HB 795 By Representative BUXTON. Printer's No. 914. 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 a board of control.

HB 810 By Representatives BISHOP, FABRIZIO, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, KIRKLAND, KULA, MUNDY, PALLONE, SOLOBAY, THOMAS, WHEATLEY, YOUNGBLOOD, GIBBONS, K. SMITH, KORTZ, JAMES and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 928.Printer's No. 1883. An Act requiring landlords to grant medical access; providing for termination of residential leases for terminal or mental illness; and making an inconsistent repeal.

HB 917 Printer's No. 1067. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, No.581), known as The Borough Code, further providing for general powers of borough.

HB 1200 Prior Printer's No. 1661.Printer's No. 1981. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, further providing for the powers of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and for authority indebtedness.

HB 1202 Prior Printer's No. 1667.Printer's No. 1982. An Act providing for the sale of transportation fuels containing clean, renewable or alternative fuel content.


SENATE

SB 726 By Senators BROWNE, WONDERLING, GREENLEAF, BOSCOLA, M. WHITE, FOLMER, ROBBINS, TOMLINSON, WAUGH and ORIE. Prior Printer's Nos. 816, 882.Printer's No. 1170. An Act amending the act of August 24, 1963 (P.L.1175, No.497), known as the Mechanics' Lien Law of 1963, further providing for definitions, for waiver of lien by claimant, for right to limit claims to unpaid balance of contract price and for priority of lien.

SB 810 By Senator MUSTO. Printer's No. 907. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Pittston, Luzerne County, to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston.

SB 929 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1112. A Supplement to the act of April 1, 1863 (P.L.213, No.227), entitled "An act to accept the grant of Public Lands, by the United States, to the several states, for the endowment of Agricultural Colleges," making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; and providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 931 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1114. A Supplement to the act of November 30, 1965 (P.L.843, No.355), known as the Temple University--Commonwealth Act, making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 932 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1115. A Supplement to the act of July 7, 1972 (P.L.743, No.176), known as the Lincoln University-Commonwealth Act, making an appropriation for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of the appropriation; and providing a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

SB 933 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1116. An Act making an appropriation to the Trustees of Drexel University, Philadelphia.

SB 934 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1117. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

SB 935 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1118. An Act making appropriations to the Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation for the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing and Health Professions and for continuation of pediatric services.

SB 936 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1119. An Act making appropriations to the Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

SB 937 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1120. An Act making an appropriation to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia.

SB 938 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1121. An Act making an appropriation to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia.

SB 939 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1122. An Act making an appropriation to the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, for instruction and student aid.

SB 940 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1123. An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the Berean Training and Industrial School at Philadelphia for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 941 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1124. An Act making an appropriation to the Johnson Technical Institute of Scranton for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 942 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1125. An Act making an appropriation to the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Delaware County for operation and maintenance expenses.

SB 943 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1126. An Act making an appropriation to the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie.

SB 944 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1127. An Act making an appropriation to the Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, for the operation and maintenance of the cancer research program.

SB 945 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1128. An Act making an appropriation to the Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, for operation and maintenance expenses and for AIDS research.

SB 946 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1129. An Act making an appropriation to the Central Penn Oncology Group.

SB 947 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1130. An Act making an appropriation to the Lancaster Cleft Palate for outpatient-inpatient treatment.

SB 948 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1131. An Act making an appropriation to the Burn Foundation, Philadelphia, for outpatient and inpatient treatment.

SB 950 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1132. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Institute, Pittsburgh, for treatment and rehabilitation of certain persons with disabling diseases.

SB 951 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1133. An Act making an appropriation to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for comprehensive patient care and general maintenance and operation of the hospital.

SB 952 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1134. An Act making an appropriation to the Beacon Lodge Camp.

SB 953 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1135. An Act making appropriations to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for operations and maintenance expenses and the
purchase of apparatus, supplies and equipment.

SB 954 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1136. An Act making an appropriation to the Franklin Institute Science Museum for maintenance expenses.

SB 955 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1137. An Act making an appropriation to the Academy of Natural Sciences for maintenance expenses.

SB 956 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1138. An Act making an appropriation to the African-American Museum in Philadelphia for operating expenses.

SB 957 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1139. An Act making an appropriation to the Everhart Museum in Scranton for operating expenses.

SB 958 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1140. An Act making an appropriation to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

SB 959 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1141. An Act making an appropriation to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for operating expenses.

SB 612 By Senators GREENLEAF, COSTA, PILEGGI, MELLOW, FONTANA, WASHINGTON and FERLO. Printer's No. 663. An Act amending the act of January 24, 1966 (1965 P.L.1527, No.535), known as the Landscape Architects' Registration Law, further providing for application for license and qualifications and experience requirements of applicants and for continuing education.

SB 737 By Senators RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, FUMO, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, ORIE, CORMAN, RHOADES, O'PAKE, COSTA, PICCOLA, WONDERLING, GORDNER, STACK, ARMSTRONG, REGOLA, BROWNE, MUSTO, PIPPY and WASHINGTON. Prior Printer's No. 806.Printer's No. 1188. An Act amending the act of December 3, 2002 (P.L.1144, No.141), entitled "An act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages and for inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages," extending the expiration provision.

SB 846 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 975.Printer's No. 1187. An Act amending the act of July 2, 2006 (P.L. , No.2A), known as the General Appropriations Act of 2006, increasing, reducing and adding Federal and State appropriations for various Executive departments and agencies.

SB 930 By Senator ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1113. A Supplement to the act of July 28, 1966 (3rd Sp.Sess., P.L.87, No.3), known as the University of Pittsburgh--Commonwealth Act, making appropriations for carrying the same into effect; providing for a basis for payments of such appropriations, for a method of accounting for the funds appropriated and for certain fiscal information disclosure.

HB 1286 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's Nos. 1543, 1907.Printer's No. 1983. An Act to provide from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, for certain institutions and organizations, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007; to provide appropriations from the State Lottery Fund, the Energy Conservation and Assistance Fund, the Hazardous Material Response Fund, The State Stores Fund, the Milk Marketing Fund, the Home Investment Trust Fund, the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, the Tuition Payment Fund, the Banking Department Fund, the Firearm Records Check Fund, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Fund and the Tobacco Settlement Fund to the Executive Department; to provide appropriations from the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account to the Judicial Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008; to provide appropriations from the Motor License Fund for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, for the proper operation of the several departments of the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania State Police authorized to spend Motor License Fund moneys; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive Department of the Commonwealth and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007; to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds from the General Fund, the State Lottery Fund and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Fund for the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2007, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006.

SB 87 Prior Printer's No. 121.Printer's No. 1197. An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for contracting with veteran-owned businesses; and imposing duties on the Department of General Services and other Commonwealth purchasing agencies.

SB 399 SB 399 By Senators MUSTO, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, RAFFERTY, FONTANA, STACK, WASHINGTON, STOUT, COSTA, KITCHEN, FERLO, O'PAKE, BROWNE, KASUNIC, LAVALLE, WOZNIAK, DINNIMAN, HUGHES and RHOADES. Prior Printer's No. 446.Printer's No. 851. 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 accountability grants.

SB 648 By Senator D. WHITE. Prior Printer's No. 700.Printer's No. 1198. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a competitive bid process, certain lands, buildings and improvements situate in the Borough of Ligonier, Westmoreland County; and authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Connellsville, a third class city, Fayette County, to the City of Connellsville.

SB 752 By Senators ERICKSON, WONDERLING, ORIE, GREENLEAF, BRUBAKER, FOLMER, RAFFERTY, M. WHITE, LOGAN, EARLL, ROBBINS, PICCOLA, C. WILLIAMS and PILEGGI. Printer's No. 828. An Act amending the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review Act, providing for acceptable data.

Off Topic: Household Rules

There is a great list of household rules on CNN from parenting.com. We use several of them in my house, with some difference in wording. Barbara Rowley tells her children the Dept. of Labor does not allow her to do mom work after 8 p.m. I just tell my kids that I am not a mother after 9 p.m. (after 9 p.m. I am a blogger but that is another story).

Energy Legislation Updates

There is news on energy legislation, on both the state and federal level.

According to America's Hometown, Gov. Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy (HB 1200 and HB 1202) has passed the state house.

On the federal front, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13) has announced that the House Ways and Means Committee (of which she is a member) has approved Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 2776). This legislation is expected to be part of the comprehensive energy package that Speaker Nancy Pelosi will release around July 4th.

According to Schwartz's press release, H.R. 2776 would make Pennsylvania eligible for $245M in bonds. These could be used for a number of things. Some possibilities are hybrid buses for schools, the greenway along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, energy efficient buildings, and so on. Localties could decide what their own priorities might be.

A few highlights of the bill (full descriptions available as a pdf off of this Ways and Means press release) are:

I. Production Incentives
* Long-term extension and modification of renewable production tax credit.
* Long-term extension and modification of solar energy and fule cell investment tax credit.
* New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds
* Sales of electric transmission property
* Residential energy-efficient property

II. Conservation
Transportation
* Plug-in hybrid vehicle credit
* Cellulosic alcohol production credit
* Extension of biodiesel production tax credit; extension and modification of renewable diesel tax credit
* Extension and increase of alternative refueling statiosn tax credit
* Fringe benefits for bicycle commuters
* Modification of depreciation and expensing rules for certain vehicles
* Restructuring of New York Liberty Zone tax credits

Other Conservation Provisions
* Qualified energy conservation bonds
* Qualified energy efficiency assistance bonds
* Extension of energy-efficient commercial buildings
* Modification and extension of energy-efficient appliance credit
* Five-year depreciation for smart meters

III. Revenue Provisions
Denial of Oil and Gas Tax Benefits
*Denial of section 1999 benefits for income attributable to domestic production of oil, natural gas or primary products thereof
* 7-year amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures for certain major integrated oil companies
* Clarification of foreign oil and gas extraction income

Clarification of Eligibility for Certain Fuel Credit
* Clarification of eligibility for renewable diesel credit
* Clarification that fuel credits are designed to provide an incentive for United States production

IV Other Provisions
Studies
* Carbon audit of the tax code
* Comprehenvise study of biofuels

Labor Standards
* Labor standards for certain projects financed with tax credit bonds

My thanks to Rep. Schwartz's office for making so much information available. It makes my job easier.

Gov. Rendell on the PCN Call-In Program: Budget Issues

Gov Rendell on the PCN Call-In Show 6/14

These are my rough notes from watching the archived broadcast of the June 14th PCN Call-In Show with Gov. Rendell. They are rougher than usual because the governor talks very fast and uses a lot of factual data and statistics. He uses notably few filler words (umm, uh) or pauses to gather his thoughts. He just dives in and keeps going, which makes it very difficult to transcribe. To make up for any lapses on my part I have made a special effort to include links for further information on programs the governor mentions, in particular those from the state's website so I cannot guarantee that you are getting a balanced view, but you are probably getting his view.

On a personal note, the governor looked tired and a little more basset hound-ish than usual.

As always, my apologies for any errors or misrepresentations.

Host: Brian Lockman (BL); guest Governor Ed Rendell (ER)

ER: Apologize for being a little late, giving a graduation speech at Interboro High School, alma mater of host Brian Lockman. Would prefer taking as many questions as have time for. People talking about the budget. But it’s the things that are not exactly part of the buddet the most important. Energy independence fund without one additional dime of taxpayer dollars create 850M bond, no additional debt service, create tens of thousands of new jobs, Gamesa set up wind power in Bucks and Cambria Counties, created thousands of jobs in Philly. Produced 4500 new jobs for economy over 1B in capital investment. One ethanol plant in Clearfield County 250M. utility assessment fee, cost .45 /month part of overall program get 74$ rebate if ask for smart metering out of peak period, Jonas Salk fund help research universities and medical schools build capabilities to research diseases (tobacco fund being redirected) 500M bond issue, life sciences & biotech big driver for new economic jobs, help produce high paying jobs, transportation, mass transit and bridges roads and highways, solved outside of normal budget, health care, prescription for PA does 2 things, lower costs for everyone, knocks down cost of health care system, afford reasonable coverage, affordable to those not covered by health insurance today. Among more crucial things we need to do to keep PA moving forward. Unemployment rate at lowest in 30 year history, 9 of last 11 months broke record of highest level of jobs, billion dollar surplus last year, may have more this year, got to keep going in the right direction, while at the same time stabilizing our traditional industries.

Caller: oil tax, language unconstitutional under commerce clause

ER: SEPTA will raise fares. Unless this [oil tax] works, you’re going to pay more one way or the other, additional gas tax or something, in some states this is unconstitutional in others not. Exxon thinks we can do this, sent letters threatening to pull out of PA. Right now oil companies pay no state tax. Under CNI our oil companies, 7 major oil companies do biz in PA, pay less than 79M dollars, half of that paid by one. Roughly 5 or 6M each, if lower tax and let them out of CNI and only tax profits they will pay more. They ought to pay more but in Washington get tax breaks. Wisconsin doing this also, putting in criminal penalties if pass on to consumers. That’s his proposal, told legislature if they don’t like this find an adequate way to fund mass transit. Have to provide new funding for bridges roads & highwars and mass transit. Essential for quality of life and economic development and safety.

Caller: SB 704 Sen. Vance, changing regulations on personal care homes. Owns a personal care home hoping you will be able to do something about this bill, will hurt her business

ER: Fax him a note and lay out concerns on bill. Pat Vance a GOP senator one of the most thoughtful members of the senate, a nurse, great respect for her, might have done something accidentally that would harm personal care facilities.

Caller: casino gambling with no safeguards to keep loved ones from becoming degenerates. Exclusion lists and 800 numbers only help after problem starts. What about before problem starts

ER: It’s not like Pennsylvanians didn’t gamble before casinos here. If you became gambling addicted there couldn’t get into treatment programs there because not a resident of that state. If there are preventative programs please let him know. They looked around country and only saw treatment programs. Can always amend act.

Caller: five months since you promised on the air to contact inspector general on his problem.

ER: Next day send info over. Until IG investigations concluded no one is given information. If contacted will get back in touch with update.

Caller: Why does the recipient of a state grant have to wait so long for money. Are we going to be assured that casino profits going to tax prop relief

ER: Casino money earmarked for property tax relief does not go into general fund, cannot be used for anything else by law. There is a trigger amount, when reached residents will get prop tax relief. Many seniors will get rebate checks that didn’t get them before or didn’t get as much. Casinos that are open far exceeding projections for income. No doubt will exceed in amount of prop tax relief

BL: Bill DeWeese and table games

ER: way too premature. Have to assess slot machines first, how much revenue, does it cause any problems. Have to look at study what slots have produced before can even consider table games.

Going back to previous question. Sometimes reason grants take so long, send letter to group and they have to send forms in, goes through 4 or 5 offices, too slow a process, working hard to speed it up

Caller: route 80 become a toll road?

ER: does endorse it, part of overall funding problems. Under federal law can toll I-80 but funds can only be used for that road. Helps bottom line because can use funds now spent on 80 can be spent on other roads. Only have a few toll stations so local traffic not charged, mostly out of state charged. If legislature approves have it up and running by 2009.

BL: what about other interstates

ER: we can look at that but funds can only be used on those roads. Probably go one at a time. I-80 lends itself to few toll booths to avoid charging local traffic.

Caller: heard him talk about a high paying jobs, what about lower class people?

ER: thinks median wage, $41K or $42K a year is a good wage. However, increased state minimum wage. Dredging controversy – with dredging can create longshoremen and teamster jobs that pay 60-70$ / year. Want to create jobs for PhDs and MBAs but also regular people. [may have missed something here, broadcast froze]

Caller: active on lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, health care initiative, looks to be a situation where reimbursements to the hospitals get cut?

ER: point well taken, didn’t read it wrong, got timing mixed up, reimbursements from uncompensated care, not dollar for dollar, but compensated. Under plan every Pennsylvanian covered, currently 760K uncovered, so hospitals won’t need to be reimbursed because no uncompensated care. Won’t take it away immediately. Will do it in stages and only after most people covered

BL: 3 caucuses in legislature zeroed out money for education and others

ER: won’t get all of it through before summer recess. Certainly cost saving initiatives should pass. Covering all Pennsylvanians [health care initiative] maybe wait until fall. Problem with legislature: not enough to do nothing. It’s not good enough for legislature to say we aren’t going to fund any of governor’s incentives. Everything viewed as partisan. Jonas Salk fund voted down and only reason given is we didn’t want to let the governor get everything. Can’t run for governor again, not running for anything again. House Democrats working hard, passed a lot of things. But unless get support from rest of legislators. Willing to work through August to get things right.

BL: if legislature sends a budget with none of your initiatives will you veto it?

ER: yes. States that do nothing or go backwards will fail. Transportation not just a Pittsburgh and Philly problem. Underfunding transportation hurts everyone. Altoona curtailing nighttime bus service. We can’t have ordinary working people dealing with these conditions. Let’s get it right for the people of PA. As long as we have the money to pay for progress let’s invest in our future. Microsoft was three guys, $2K and look what happened.

Caller: professor in midst of contract negotiations. Current offer is zero cost of living for 4 years but tripling contributions to health care costs

ER: bargaining process is pretty skewered. Once an offer is put out there it becomes a floor. Both parties put out ridiculous offers. Only in the last few days of the negotiations that serious discussions take place. Your reporting of the facts is correct. But guarantee won’t get 4 zeroes and tripling of health care contributions in final contract. Urged schools to undertake cost saving measures and kept tuition increases down to 2%, below inflation. Got to continue to save money. Call on PHEAA to make more grant money available.

Caller: Act 47, City of Scranton in Act 47 for a number of years. (municipal recovery act, basically welfare for municipalities)

ER: some advantages for a municipality to go into act 47. Like an individual or business going into chapter 11, help reorganizating and getting act together financially. For Easton and Allentown there is something short of Act 47. For Scranton, state only takes you out of act 47 when act 47 supervisors feel municipality on stable financial ground. Wants to help mid-sized cities come back financially. So much of property owned by non-profits, universities, hospitals, etc. not taxable. Supreme Court redefined what charities non-taxable. In Philly went to non-profits and asked for a payment in lieu of taxes. Got $26M, big help. Legislature went in and passed a law taking that power away from municipalities. After budget done want pilot system where charities where CEO earns a million dollars ….. [missed]

Caller: been disenfranchised through human relations commission, file under review. What agency can he go to?

ER: State director of human relations. Send letter to him.

Caller: pre-K programs

ER: my first initiative for education was early childhood education. This year’s budget developed a program called Pre-K counts. Nothing is as important as early childhood education. Too many kids have no pre-k experience or just daycare with no educational component. Too many don’t have full time kindergarten. Classes too big. It’s like building a building, no matter how beautiful floors 5-30 are, if no strong foundation then it will crumble. Every study has shown money spent on pre-k returned [missed statistic] many fold. Write not just your legislator but others. Not many people want govt to spend no money but they write a lot of letters. Tell them pre-K is important to you.

BL: alternative energy. State still has a lot of coal in the ground.

ER: We can get that coal without contributing to global warming. Clean coal gasification plant. Takes coal waste and eventually coal itself, heats it and turns it into steam, can be used in a turbine energy, can be used as a substitute for natural gas, heat again and use as diesel fuel. Still releases carbon but can be sequestered and used.

Caller: You’re doing a fine job. Retired teacher. Haven’t had a cola in 5 years. Would you support.

ER: Sorry to say at this time I couldn’t. In 2000 legislature voted itself a 50% increase in pension. To give themselves a cover gave active state workers and teachers a retirement boost but not current retirees. That caused such an actuarial drain on pension funds. When stock market went through down time in 2002 and 2003. Hope sometime soon can do a cola for oldest retirees. But unless funds do much better those increased funds for current workers will cause problems. Pits current workers and retired workers against each other. Trying to run a pay as you go govt. You deserve it we just can’t pay for it.

Caller: As a state employee, worried about furlough with budget standoff.

ER: Eventually you will get paid retroactively, legislators also paid retroactively. No money in July and August but paid later.

Caller: I-95 and turnpike connection. House has been condemned. Not happy with offer.

ER: Is it the turnpike authority? [no, acquisition company]. You have a right to fight. [understading it that he still needs to be out of his house, he and neighbor have hired lawyer]. Have lawyer send me a summary.

Second Quarter Campaign Finance Reminder

In case you haven’t been receiving reminders from your favorite congressional representatives, the second quarter campaign finance reporting period ends June 30th. For one stop shopping visit ActBlue (www.actblue.com). They even have accounts set up for the 6th and 15th district and funds will go to whoever eventually runs. Sam Bennett, likely candidate for the 15th district, also has a page.

If you prefer to visit specific campaign sites you can donate online directly and some of these pages also provide a postal address if you’d rather send a check.

Patrick Murphy (8th district), www.murphy08.com

Allyson Schwartz (13th district), www.allysonschwartz.com

Joe Sestak (7th district), www.joesestak.com

Not from this area? ActBlue will let you donate to just about any federal or state level Democratic candidates in the state (federal candidates from all states, state level candidates from some other states).

Not a Democrat? By all means, donate to candidates from the Republican or any other party. Alas I am not bipartisan enough to provide links for them but your friend Google will help you out.

I dropped a few dollars in at least one bucket.

Website Updates

With the impending storm my dsl is sketchy at best so the posts will be short this evening. Later this week I’ll have rough notes from Gov. Rendell’s appearance on the PCN Call-In Show to talk about the budget.

In the meantime, entertain yourself with these newly renovated campaign websites.

State Rep Josh Shapiro has redesigned his campaign website. Check out www.joshshapiro.org

Congressman Patrick Murphy has a new campaign site, so update your bookmarks to www.murphy08.com. The more static URLs all seem to be taken. There is another Patrick Murphy running for congress in Massachusetts and that makes things especially tricky URL-wise.

It's Legal, But Is It Right? Part II

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13) sent out a press release noting that she and other congressional Democrats have a plan to close one particular tax loophole. According to the release:

Originally intended to help businesses buy necessary heavy-duty work vehicles, the "Hummer Tax Loophole" has for years allowed write-offs of anywhere from $100,000 to the current figure of $25,000 for the purchase of the largest, most gas-guzzling luxury SUVs, even as concerns over gas prices and dependence on oil have grown. The change would not affect legitimate business investments in trucks or vans, such as plumber and contractor trucks, farm vehicles, construction vehicles, flatbed trucks, cement mixers, and a variety of other vehicles as designated by the IRS.

Since the law's inception in 1984, the increasing size of gas-guzzling SUVs has produced several models that qualify under this law, many of which get some of the worst gas mileage and are the biggest emitters of heat-trapping pollution on the road today.

Taking advantage of that loophole was legal. I wouldn't have done it but that's one reason why I'm not rich and able to spend beaucoup bucks on political donations.

It's Legal, But Is It Right? Part I

There are plenty of things that are not against the law but general public opinion is that they are slimy things to do. There are tons of things that are not against the law that some people think are slimy but others don’t. All depends.

Take the new report out from CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) about Congressional representatives hiring relatives to work on their campaigns or PACS, or working with lobbyist relatives. It is reported on in The Politico, "Congressional relatives on the campaign trail, lobbying” by Patrick O'Connor

If you want to read the full report it is here, but be forewarned – it is something like 160 pages long.

For your reading pleasure I went through and checked for Pennsylvania congressional representatives. You will be pleased to know that, shockingly enough, representatives from the Philly area aren’t on the list. Which either means they're squeaky clean or smart enough to dodge the system well enough not to get noticed. Take your pick. [blogger's note: looking Italian has left the following comment which clarifies matters. My apologies for not reading the executive summary closely enough to note this myself: Door #3 for the Philly-area delegation: Those who don't chair, or who aren't ranking members, of any committees or subcommittees. They were excluded from the CREW evaluation.}

The three Pennsylvania folks mentioned are Paul Kanjorski (D-11), John Murtha (D-12), and Bill Shuster (R-09). As for the specifics:

Paul Kanjorski and his brother own K&K Real Estate which has charged his campaign $12,000 in rent for each of the past three elections cycles; his PAC paid his real estate company $4,500 in rent. His nephew was paid a salary for being his campaign manager. His sister-in-law is the treasurer of his PAC. Another nephew has received $30,000 in consulting fees. Between 1999 and 2002 two companies owned in part by four nephews and his daughter received $9.4 million in earmarks.

Murtha’s brother was a registered lobbyist. The brother was hired by a lobbying firm run by someone who worked for Rep. Murtha for 27 years. The brother lobbied a committee that Rep. Murtha chairs on behalf of contractors in that area. Seven of these contractors received a combined total of $2.8 million in earmarks.

Shuster’s father, a former congressman himself, and his brother are registered lobbyists. They specialize in areas affected by committees the congressman serves on. To be fair the father also specialized in those areas when he was in office himself.

A few observations: Rep. Kanjorski has a lot of nephews. On the matter of rent, I notice the amount paid in rent stayed the same. If it went up each campaign cycle I would be more concerned. Generally I’ve noticed that elected officials and campaign offices tend to be in physical locations owned by people friendly or related to them. On the matter of family serving as campaign managers or staff, I can think of two or three other elected officials in the area who have done the same. I wonder about the ever vague “consulting” jobs.

The lobbying and earmark items concern me much more. Companies owned, even in part, by relatives of elected officials should not really be receiving earmarks from the government. Lobbyists should not be lobbying relatives or elected officials on the same committees their relatives are on.

Those are the spots where I start to draw the lines. You can come to your own conclusions.