An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

Feb. 1, 2008

PASSED THE HOUSE

House unanimously passes Harkins' bill to protect Great Lakes

The state House has unanimously passed a bill (H.B. 1705) introduced by Rep. Pat Harkins, D-Erie, that would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The legislation now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Harkins said the bill would give Pennsylvania the opportunity to join a regional effort to protect the health of Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes.

"It is our duty to develop and adopt sensible water management of the Great Lakes basin," said Harkins. "The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact aims to develop an agreement among the Great Lake states and Canada for management of this vital resource."

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COMMITTEE ACTION

House committee OKs Surra school health benefits bill

The House Education Committee has approved legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk/Clearfield, that could eventually place most public school teachers and other school employees in Pennsylvania under a statewide health benefits plan. Surra's legislation (H.B. 1841) would create a Public School Employees' Benefit Board comprised of representatives from state government, local school boards and school employees. The board's first responsibility would be to study the way health benefits are currently delivered in school districts. Depending on the study results, the board would have the option of designing and implementing a statewide health benefits plan for school employees, or implementing an alternative plan to lower health benefits costs, such as encouraging best practices or helping school districts consolidate certain aspects of their current plans, such as prescriptions.

"Skyrocketing employee health-care costs are the one of the biggest – if not the biggest -- drivers of school budget increases and rising property taxes," Surra said. "Employee health benefits are also routinely the biggest point of contention during contract negotiations, and the cause of many contract impasses and teacher strikes. Addressing school employee health-care coverage is a big part of addressing school cost containment," he said. "Property tax reduction will be compromised if we don't do something to control the costs that are behind property tax increases."

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Committee sends McGeehan robo-calls bill to full House for a vote

The House State Government Committee has voted nearly unanimously to send to the full House a bill sponsored by Rep. Mike McGeehan, D-Phila., that would save Pennsylvania consumers from having to deal with unwanted automated telephone calls from political candidates, often referred to as "robo-calls." The key component of the amended legislation (H.B. 295) would expand the state's "Do Not Call" law to include automated political messages. Do Not Call empowers consumers to add their telephone numbers to a list that commercial telemarketers are prohibited from calling. 

"The intent of the legislation is to make the individual the ultimate voice in whether to accept robo-calls," said McGeehan. "My legislation and similar bills in the House and Senate to fight robo-calls have gained a great deal of bipartisan momentum in the last couple weeks, probably because of the awareness brought on by the presidential primary races. I hope we can convert that momentum on opt-out for robo-calls in time to have it in effect for the fall elections."

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Hanna resolution calling for more accurate flood maps voted out of committee

Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, said a resolution (H.R. 465) he sponsored that would urge the federal government to update flood maps more frequently was recently voted out of the state House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The resolution would request the Federal Emergency Management Agency to review and update state, county and municipal flood maps every 10 years. Flood maps help states and municipalities monitor the levels of rivers, streams, creeks and other bodies of water, and are vital in preparing for and managing flood disasters.

"FEMA is currently modernizing its maps by putting them in a digital format, but in some cases, the maps are 20 years old," Hanna said. "Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the state. We need more current maps to help state and local governments determine which areas are most vulnerable to flooding and to develop a strategy to effectively deal with flood emergencies."

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BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Yudichak bill would create public health insurance advocate

Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne, held a news conference this week to announce legislation he has introduced that would establish an Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance in Pennsylvania to help protect the rights of consumers in health insurance-related matters. House Bill 1121 would establish the office as an independent organization within the Office of Attorney General. The Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance would have the authority to represent consumers' interests on any health insurance matter before the state Department of Insurance or any other state agency or court. The advocate also would be responsible for identifying and tracking trends in the health insurance industry, recommending consumer protections, responding to consumer complaints and educating state residents about health insurance issues and practices.

"The health-care system is broken and the issues surrounding health-care insurance are complex," Yudichak said. "The special-interest groups fighting for the status quo are well-financed and well-represented. I believe it is time to empower Pennsylvania consumers and give them a strong voice in the health-care debate."

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Mann introduces legislation to increase penalties for gang activity

Rep. Jennifer L. Mann, D-Lehigh, has introduced legislation (H.B. 2111) that would amend Pennsylvania law to specifically define "criminal gang activity" and impose criminal penalties for those convicted of being engaged in such activity. The bill would include a legal definition of "criminal gang," impose stricter penalties and provide that any additional sentences imposed for violating the law would have to be served consecutively instead of concurrently. Mann, who worked on the legislation for a number of years, said it is necessary for halting the rise of gangs throughout the state.

"The rise in gang activity in Allentown and other Pennsylvania cities is an indication of the need for this legislation," Mann said. "This is an important provision that would give more leverage to law enforcement as they work to crack down on illegal gang activity." 

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Lentz introducing legislation to improve women's health care

Rep. Bryan R. Lentz, D-Delaware, announced that he has introduced legislation (H.B. 2117) that would create a state Office of Women's Health. Lentz said the office would act as a clearinghouse for information regarding women's health data, strategies, services and programs across a range of issues, including disease, menopause, mental health, pregnancy and reproductive health, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault and domestic violence, and teen pregnancy. 

"Women make up more than 50 percent of Pennsylvania's population," Lentz said. "They have unique health-care needs and concerns, and studies clearly indicate they are more susceptible to certain diseases. My legislation would create a state-level resource for women to turn to when they have questions about their health and well-being, an office that could educate women on how to improve and protect their health."

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Costa introduces bill to allow direct wine shipments to Pa. consumers 

Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, has reintroduced legislation that would allow for direct shipment of wine to Pennsylvania consumers. This legislation (H.B. 2165) would allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship their products directly to consumers as long as the wineries obtain a limited winery license and direct shipper license from the state Liquor Control Board. 

"If a consumer would like a shipment of wine from a specific Pennsylvania winery sent directly to his or her home," Costa said, "they should not be forced to go to the nearest State Store to pick it up."

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Cruz introduces legislation to relocate syringe program locations in Phila.

Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., has introduced a bill that would keep syringe-exchange programs away from schools, day-care centers and other residential locations. Cruz's bill (H.B. 2185) would require the syringe-exchange programs to keep at least 500 feet away from residential housing developments in Philadelphia, regardless of whether they already have a permit for their current location. 

"Public safety is my number-one concern, and residents should not have to worry about being stuck by discarded syringes outside their homes," Cruz said. "Needle exchange programs can help protect public health, but when they are operated in close proximity to where people live, especially children, they run the risk of endangering public health."

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Staback introduces bill to curb poaching, other game violations

Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, has introduced legislation aimed at combating the disturbing growth of poaching and other serious game law violations in Pennsylvania. The legislation (H.B. 2205) proposes increased fines, terms of imprisonment, periods of license revocation and grading of offenses for the most egregious violations of the state's game laws.

"Whether for the unethical harvesting of valuable animal parts or for what Wildlife Conservation Officers have labeled as 'thrill kills,' the malicious killing of animals not only impacts local wildlife populations, it severely tarnishes the public perception of hunting," Staback said. "In fact, in my experience, hunters are the most vocal proponents of serious consequences for any illegal taking of animals."

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Ramaley offers measure to 'go further' on school property tax reduction

Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver/Allegheny, has unveiled a plan that would go beyond slots-funded property tax relief by reserving a portion of future state budget surpluses to fund school property tax reduction. House Bill 2210 would create a Property Tax Relief Fund. In fiscal years when there is a state budget surplus, 50 percent of the surplus would be deposited into the fund. When the fund reached $100 million, the money would be distributed to school districts to be used for residential property tax reduction on top of that already being provided by slots revenues.

"This bill would provide additional property tax relief without raising or creating new taxes," Ramaley said. "Because the additional school property tax reduction would be funded by budget surpluses, it would only be given when the state could afford it. The bill makes good fiscal sense."