|
|
GUEST COLUMN |
|
State Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks
State Rep. John T. Galloway, D-Bucks |
|
To: Guy Petroziello, Editor
Bucks County Courier
From: State Reps. Chris King and John Galloway, D-Bucks.
Subject: House Democrats Take Action on Major Issues
Please consider the following guest column written by state Reps. Chris King and John Galloway regarding the accomplishments made by the state House of Representatives.
Just over a year ago, we were members of a new class of state legislators. Elected by a public unhappy with business as usual in Harrisburg, we vowed to work to make state government more responsive to the needs and desires of our constituents.
We saw a need for a more open state government, investment in our energy future, and assistance to ensure all Pennsylvanians could see a doctor when they were sick or hurt. We have accomplished those challenges.
Within the first months of this legislative session, House Speaker Dennis O’Brien formed the reform commission to rewrite the rules of the House to allow greater public access to state government. We didn’t stop there. With the help of other freshmen lawmakers, we achieved a new open records law that takes Pennsylvania from having some of the worst open records practices in the nation to having one of the best.
The momentum to facilitate real change for the people of the Commonwealth was palpitating, and we took advantage of that momentum to address the energy crisis that is knocking on our door. In just a few short years, energy rate caps will expire and many of us could see our electric bills double or even triple. Clearly new ways of lighting and heating our homes must be found. We crafted a comprehensive package of bills known as the Energy Independence Strategy that not only addresses the pending hikes in power costs, but makes smart investments in the alternative energy industry in Pennsylvania. These are investments that not only would help to find affordable, renewable alternative energy for our residents and businesses, but also create thousands of jobs to grow our economy and make Pennsylvania a leader in this industry.
As the cost of health care rises, and the economy slows, it has become increasingly difficult for businesses to offer their employees health-care benefits. As a result, there are thousands of working Pennsylvanians without health-care coverage. This is a complicated problem with no easy solution, but also too important to ignore. We are tackling the health-care crisis head on. We amended S.B. 1137 to create PA ABC, Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care. This plan would give lower-income working individuals and businesses that employ low-wage workers the opportunity to purchase affordable, quality health insurance.
This plan gives hope to those who, right now, have no access to insurance. It would also help to lower insurance costs for everyone because it reduces the number of people forced to use the emergency room as a primary care physician, which exacerbates uncompensated care costs.
We look forward to keeping the momentum going
as there is much more work to be done. We must address our aging roads and
bridges. We must pass the Keystone Opportunity Zone legislation to help boost
economic development. And we must alleviate the property tax burden.
\###lr/2008/bfg
l:\print\Columns&Letters\ HouseAccomplishments.140
|
|