An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

Feb. 8, 2008

PASSED THE HOUSE

House Democrats applaud governor's commitment to working families

House Democratic leaders are embracing the priorities of Gov. Ed Rendell's 2008-09 budget proposal that would help working Pennsylvanians and stimulate the economy.

To keep families stable and able to pay their basic household bills, the governor asked the legislature to enact soon a one-time rebate of up to $400 for 475,000 low-income working families. House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans, D-Phila., introduced the legislation this week.

Rendell also asked for quick passage of an additional $750 million in funding to jumpstart $1.5 billion in community and economic development projects House Democrats support, such as: the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund, which will invest state dollars in building new facilities for health-related research projects and give hope to people waiting for medical breakthroughs; the Energy Independence Strategy to expand alternative energy and help consumers reduce their household energy costs; and Rebuilding Pennsylvania, an effort to repair the state’s aging infrastructure with more than $700 million to accelerate progress in the next three years to repair at least 1,000 bridges, all state-owned high-hazard dams, and help local governments repair their dams.

Pennsylvania's children also would see a $2 billion step toward a better school funding system, as outlined by the recent study, Costing Out the Resources Needed to Meet Pennsylvania’s Public Education Goals.

More information about the governor's budget proposal and the budget process is available here.

PASSED THE HOUSE

House passes Pashinski scrap metal theft bill 

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed his bill (H.B. 1742) that would develop a registry for scrap metal sellers and also penalize people who remove scrap metal from residential and construction sites. The measure also includes a provision that would punish people who sell rented beer kegs to scrap processors or recycling facilities instead of returning the kegs to beverage distributors.

“The theft of scrap metal has reached epidemic proportions over the past year,” Pashinski said. “There have been House members who have stopped me in the halls and on the House floor and told me that increased incidents of scrap metal thefts have occurred in their legislative districts. Many legislators from across the state have co-sponsored my bill.”

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COMMITTEE ACTION

Committee OKs bill to preserve jobs and pay for Pa. construction workers

The House Labor Relations Committee has voted to send to the full House a bill that would ensure local contractors and construction workers benefit from economic revitalization projects that are aided in part by state tax breaks. The bill's sponsor, Labor Relations Committee Chairman Robert E. Belfanti Jr., said most construction projects financed by Pennsylvania tax dollars are covered by the state’s Prevailing Wage and Separation acts. These laws ensure that contractors pay their workers fair wages and that local contractors have a reasonable opportunity to bid on state-funded projects. House Bill 2054 would apply those laws to repair and construction work done on projects in Keystone Opportunity Zones and similarly designated areas.

"Businesses that expand and improve their operations in these specially designated areas receive significant tax breaks and other benefits from the state for doing so," Belfanti said. "I want to make sure that when these businesses reap the benefits of these tax breaks, and when the community reaps the benefits of the economic development and growth that result, local contractors and construction workers also benefit."

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Bishop bill to revitalize abandoned buildings approved by House committee

The House Commerce Committee has approved legislation introduced by Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., that would create an Abandoned Business Facilities Fund in the state Department of Community and Economic Development to refurbish dilapidated structures in Pennsylvania. The legislation (H.B. 813) would also grant the courts the authority to transfer blighted properties to nonprofit organizations or to private owners within the community.

"This legislation addresses a serious problem with blighted buildings that all cities and towns face in Pennsylvania," Bishop said. "Abandoned buildings provide a haven for drug dealers and create a breeding ground for crime. Vacant buildings also reduce tax revenues and depress property values."

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Ramaley working to help those who help children 

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver/Allegheny, that would speed up state payments to counties for reimbursement of children and youth services was overwhelmingly approved by the House Judiciary Committee; its first step toward becoming law. House Bill 2127 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to make quarterly advance payments to county children and youth agencies based on approved levels of spending for the year. Currently, the department advances only half of the quarterly amount due.

"Local children and youth employees have told me that they have to wait as long as six months to be reimbursed by the welfare department for their expenses," Ramaley said. "If we establish quarterly advance payments, agencies would be better able to budget and have resources in hand to better serve our children who are in need."

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BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Gergely proposes one-year notice for school closures 

Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, is introducing legislation that would require Pennsylvania school boards to give more notice to staff, students and communities before closing high schools. Under Gergely's proposal, school boards would have to provide written notice to school staff of the decision to close a school at least one year in advance, rather than the existing 60-day notice requirement. School boards would also have to notify the state Department of Education of their decision. Additionally, school boards would be responsible for notifying the public about a school's closure through publication in local newspapers. Currently, there is no law requiring public notification.

"When a school is closing, the number one priority should be transitioning students in a way that does not affect their education," Gergely said. "Giving students, families and teachers only 60 days' time to prepare, as was the case in Duquesne, is asking too much."

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Parker to introduce 'No Child Left Alone' legislation

Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., will introduce legislation that would create a task force to determine the special needs of children with incarcerated parents. The task force would gather information as to how the state can address the issue and how to assist caregivers in meeting these children's needs. There are an estimated 1.5 million children in the United States under the age of 18 who have a parent currently incarcerated. In Pennsylvania, approximately 60 percent of incarcerated women in Pennsylvania have children 18 or younger.

"Startling as it may seem, one in five children has seen his or her mother taken into custody," Parker said. "Perhaps even more shocking is that there are few policies and protocols in place to ensure that even the most basic needs of these children are met during and immediately following this crisis."

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