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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
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House passes Caltagirone bill to help courts, domestic violence programs
HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced the House of Representatives this week passed his legislation to generate revenue to fund the state court system, county district attorneys and domestic violence programs.
Caltagirone's bill (H.B. 1861) would impose a temporary fee increase for all court filings in the state, with the exception of traffic fees, generating an estimated $112 million for salaries of the 67 district attorneys in each of the state's counties, which the state is required to pay under statute, and various domestic violence programs. A portion of the fee would continue to augment Pennsylvania's electronic court filing system.
Additionally, the bill contains a provision that would allow the fee to be reduced in coming years if enough funds are generated for the system to meet operating costs.
Caltagirone said his bill would address potential funding shortfalls in the final version of the 2009-10 state budget.
"Without a temporary funding formula in place, our courts will shut down. The thousands of women and children who rely on programs like those offered by Berks County Women in Crisis would be left to fend for themselves," Caltagirone said.
"I realize that these are tough times economically, but ignoring funding shortfalls now will cost us even more in the long run. Desperate times call for desperate measures and my bill would sustain crucial services and maintain the state's judicial system, which is the backbone of our democracy."
The legislation also would allow the fee to be reduced in coming years if enough funds are generated for the system to meet operating costs.
The bill is currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.