An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

July 7, 2008

SIGNED INTO LAW

House Democratic leaders tout budget investments

The Commonwealth's 2008-09 budget maintains the state's commitment to education while investing in alternative energy, infrastructure and economic development programs all in the midst of a downturn in the national economy, according to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, Whip Keith McCall and Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Todd Eachus. The $28.2 billion budget grows below the 4.2 percent rate of inflation and does not raise taxes. The budget's energy plan invests $650 million in a mix of commercial and consumer efforts designed to help large companies, small businesses and homeowners take advantage of alternative energy technology. Projects will range from investments in cutting-edge research to energy-saving weatherization efforts and tax credits for alternative energy products and programs. Also, the measure includes funding for the nation's first standards for harnessing cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel as motor fuels – putting Pennsylvania farmers to work harvesting crops that will be the low-emission home-grown fuel of the future. State legislators and the governor also agreed to provide significant funding for bridge repairs, water and sewer projects, high-hazard dam improvements and other community revitalization and economic development endeavors that will create thousands of jobs.

"The House Democratic Caucus stood strong with Governor Edward G. Rendell in his commitment to fund our state's educational system by making it our priority," said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. "We ensured that our public schools can continue programs that are proven to work, including valuable pre-kindergarten classes for our earliest learners."

"The single biggest expense affecting working families today is the cost of energy and we've taken historic steps toward declaring our energy independence with these initiatives," said McCall, D-Carbon. "We're going to invest in our best and brightest and promote innovative power generation and technology created right here in the Keystone State, generating power and high-tech, high-wage jobs."

"Providing health insurance to the hundreds of thousands of working people who can't afford to get sick was, unfortunately, not part of this budget," said Eachus, D-Luzerne. "But, rest assured, the House Democratic Caucus is going to spend the summer taking this issue to the people of the state and we plan to aggressively work to deliver access to health care for all working people when we return in the fall."

-- Click here to read more on the 2008-09 Pennsylvania state budget.

Belfanti measure streamlining labor dispute process goes to governor

Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr., D-Northumberland/Montour/Columbia, said the state Senate and House have passed legislation (H.B. 306) he introduced that would streamline the appeals process in labor disputes involving public employees in Pennsylvania. The bill will lower the cost of labor disputes involving public workers in Pennsylvania and bring the appeals process for municipal public workers and teachers in line with that of state employees.

"In addition to adding an extra layer of appeals to the process – and all the costs that come with it – the current law makes public employees at the local level go through a different appeals process than those at the state level, which isn't fair and isn't necessary," Belfanti said. "By eliminating the extra level of appeal for local workers, we can streamline the process, save money and bring the appellate procedure for the Labor Relations Board in line with the appeals process that governs other state agencies."

-- Click here to read more.

Biancucci consumer protection bill becomes law

The General Assembly has passed a bill (H.B. 1167), sponsored by Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-Beaver, that protects consumers from property or casualty insurers that are failing financially. Biancucci's bill would amend state law to require a standard test of insurance companies' financial condition, known as a risk-based capital trend test. The test is already imposed on health and life insurers, but Biancucci noted that the same test will be expanded to protect consumers from casualty or property insurance companies that might otherwise hide their weak financial condition.

"Often, consumers of casualty or property insurance find out too late that their chosen insurance company cannot even fulfill its financial responsibilities," Biancucci said. "This legislation is a step toward providing greater protection for Pennsylvania consumers from irresponsible insurers and their empty promises."

-- Click here to read more.

Dermody bill to prevent child abuse deaths signed into law

Child abuse prevention is the goal of a new law the governor has signed that gives the Department of Public Welfare new tools to investigate child fatalities and serious injuries resulting from child abuse. Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, attended the bill-signing ceremony at the state Capitol; his proposal (H.B. 823) was amended into the bill that ultimately became law. The law requires DPW to review and report on each child fatality and serious injury that stems from child abuse, while creating uniform standards for county children and youth agencies reviewing and reporting on these cases. Current law does not provide specific guidelines for the review and reporting of child fatalities and near fatalities resulting from abuse.

"This new law has been a long time in coming, nearly 10 years, but it's now law and will be an important tool in child abuse prevention," Dermody said. "It will help agencies and communities through collaboration better protect children from tragic and fatal consequences caused by neglect and abuse."

-- Click here to read more.

Governor signs Solobay fire-safe cigarettes bill

Legislation crafted by Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, that could help prevent fires caused by careless smoking has been signed into law by the governor. House Bill 1612 requires all cigarettes sold in Pennsylvania to meet fire-safe standards as set by the American Society of Testing and Materials.  

"Cigarette fires kill approximately 1,000 people, injure another 3,000 and cost Americans more than $6 billion annually," said Solobay, who has served as a volunteer firefighter in Canonsburg for more than 30 years and currently serves as fire chief. "Fire-safe cigarettes go out when left unattended, so this bill will help reduce cigarette-related fires, injuries and deaths in Pennsylvania."

-- Click here to read more.

Governor signs Petrone bill to help condo associations reclaim unpaid fees

Rep. Tom Petrone, D-Allegheny, announced that the governor has signed into law a bill that would guarantee a portion of the proceeds when a condominium unit is foreclosed be used to cover unpaid condo assessments. The bill, H.B. 2295, places language back into Pennsylvania's Uniform Condominium Act that was inadvertently removed in 2004. That language ensures that condo associations can receive up to six months of any unpaid assessments when a unit is sold at judicial sale.

"This legislation will correct an error in the law that caused unnecessary headaches for condo associations," Petrone said. "Essentially, associations were entitled to a lien on unpaid property debt, but there was no language in the law allowing them to receive their payments. Under the amended act, they would be able to claim a portion of the sale proceeds to cover unpaid assessments."

-- Click here to read more.

McIlvaine Smith personal care home inspection bill becomes law

The governor has signed legislation (H.B. 1788) introduced by Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, that requires the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to post on its Web site a personal care home report each year. The bill also requires DPW to submit annual reports on inspections of personal care homes in a timely fashion to the legislature.

"Personal care homes are where some of our most vulnerable citizens are living," McIlvaine Smith said. "They and their families should have the utmost assurance that the environment is safe, clean and secure. Unfortunately, because DPW had fallen behind in inspection of these homes, the state could not give that assurance to personal care home residents."

-- Click here to read more.

PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE

Governor to sign autism insurance bill to protect children, save lives

Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, said he is pleased legislation (H.B. 1150) that would require insurance companies in Pennsylvania to cover autism services for children under 21 will be signed into law by the governor. Under the legislation, private health insurance companies will begin to help cover the costs of autism services, which currently are provided mainly under Medical Assistance. Medical Assistance will remain a safety net.

"As majority chairman of the Insurance Committee, I was proud to help shepherd this key piece of legislation through the legislative process, and today we have achieved success in our efforts to get the bill passed in the House and Senate," DeLuca said. "Under the new standards, kids with autism will continue to receive the services they need to move forward and to prevent them from slipping back."

-- Click here to read more.

Landmark miner safety legislation to become law   

The governor will sign legislation (S.B. 949) that will ensure stronger mine safety standards for Pennsylvania miners through an update of the state's nearly 50-year-old Bituminous Coal Mine Act, according to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. A key provision DeWeese fought for on behalf of miners permits a representative of the miners, selected by at least two miners, to accompany a state inspector on mine inspections, also known as "walk around rights." The representative must be employed by the mine being inspected. Other provisions require detailed examination of equipment at the beginning of each shift and throughout the shift; require fire-related safeguards and specific ventilating practices; give miners a better opportunity to escape or transport injured miners when an emergency occurs through specified track distance and transport vehicle standards; and prohibit dual compartment shafts. The distance between emergency escape shafts could be no less than 200 feet, and the distance between openings to the surface of slopes and between drifts could be no less than 50 feet.

"It has been more than 45 years since those who toil within the earth's recesses have had improvements made to the law which governs their daily safety," DeWeese said. "I have been working to make sure the hard-working miners of the Commonwealth have the best mine safety law in the nation, and I am delighted to say today's House passage gets us to that goal."

-- Click here to read more.

Legislation to continue Rx coverage for Pa. seniors to become law

Rep. Chris King, D-Bucks, said legislation he introduced and the House passed earlier this session has been amended into a Senate bill (S.B. 4) that will become law.  The legislation will guarantee that seniors currently enrolled in PACE and PACENET would remain eligible through 2010, regardless of whether the Social Security COLA pushes their income above eligibility limits for the programs.

"Thousands of Pennsylvania seniors can continue to receive the prescription coverage they rely on through PACE and PACENET," King said.

-- Click here to read more.

General Assembly passes alternative energy bill

The General Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Gerber, D-Montgomery, (H.B. 1202) that would establish per-gallon gasoline content requirements of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol based on the levels of Pennsylvania production and the establishment of sufficient transportation and distribution infrastructure. The bill will hasten the shift to clean, renewable, domestically produced fuels that will create jobs in Pennsylvania and reduce the state's dependence on foreign sources of oil. The use of both biodiesel and cellulosic (not corn) ethanol also will significantly decrease emissions of heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming. 

"These mandates will ensure Pennsylvania carries its weight in helping make America more energy independent, will result in our burning cleaner fuel, and will make Pennsylvania a leader in the emerging green energy economy," Gerber said. "With fast-rising gas prices, Pennsylvanians could also benefit from affordable, homegrown, renewable fuel sources."

-- Click here to read more.

Bill allowing out-of-state social workers to practice in Pa. to become law

Legislation authored by Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, allowing out-of-state social workers who wish to live in Pennsylvania to practice with greater ease has been passed by the General Assembly and is headed to Gov. Ed Rendell for his expected signature. Under the bill (H.B. 1693), clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors holding an out-of-state license would be able to practice in Pennsylvania. Gergely said the social workers would be required to hold a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree in social work or social welfare.

"Allowing educated professionals licensed outside of Pennsylvania to move here and practice is a very attractive prospect," Gergely said. "Providing them with a stress-free opportunity to set up shop here is the least we can do for people who devote their lives to improving the well-being of others."

-- Click here to read more.

Seip wins passage of his legislation to ban 'spot appeals' of assessments

The General Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Tim Seip that would prohibit "spot appeals" of assessments. The bill (H.B. 1438) would ban the practice, which is a growing concern across Pennsylvania, in all counties except Philadelphia and Allegheny.

"These spot appeals are initiated only because a property is sold, despite the fact that a similar or identical property nearby may continue to be taxed at a lower rate," Seip said. "Singling out individual homeowners like that is wrong."

-- Click here to read more.

Legislature approves Kessler plan to 'kick-start' biodiesel production in Pa.

The state House of Representatives has passed a proposal championed by Rep. David Kessler to increase yearly in-state production of biodiesel. The House approved Kessler's legislation by a strongly bipartisan vote of 156-43, as an amendment to a broader energy bill (Special Session S.B. 22). Kessler's proposal is part of a bipartisan budget agreement that includes a multi-year $650 million alternative-energy initiative. He has been a leading advocate in the 2007-08 session for increasing biodiesel production in Pennsylvania, having introduced his first bill on the topic last fall and negotiated with senators.

"This legislation would provide a 75-cent-per-gallon incentive for in-state production of biodiesel – if the fuel is also sold in Pennsylvania. That would maximize the benefit to the people of Pennsylvania," Kessler said. "This subsidy would be capped at $5.3 million statewide per year and would last only three years. Estimates show that our biodiesel plants would become profitable with this temporary subsidy within three years, if not before. In addition, the price of this homegrown fuel is projected to become lower than what petroleum-derived diesel costs today."

-- Click here to read more.

Parker proposal to expand business development part of budget agreement

Legislation that mirrors a proposal offered by Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Phila., that would expand business and economic development opportunities for communities across Pennsylvania passed the House as part of the state's 2008-09 budget package. As the final pieces of the budget agreement fell into place, members of the House passed the measure (S.B. 1412), which would extend and expand the life of the Keystone Opportunity Zone program, the state's tax abatement law that is a component of the state's larger economic stimulus package and Rebuild PA initiative.

"The economy is one of the major issues on the minds of Pennsylvanians as we continue to fight through a weak national economy," Parker said. "Here in Pennsylvania, we have been able to weather much of the storm, mainly because of innovative and successful initiatives like KOZ. In order to protect the progress we have made, and keep the Commonwealth moving forward, we needed to expand programs that are working and invest in our communities."

-- Click here to read more.

PASSED THE HOUSE

House passes Curry bill regarding regulations for small hospices 

The House of Representatives has unanimously passed Rep. Lawrence Curry's bill (H.B. 2629) that would authorize the Pennsylvania Department of Health to create license regulations for small residential hospices. House Bill 2629 would require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to develop regulations that define a "small residential hospice" as a facility licensed for 22 or fewer beds (larger institutions would be required to meet the institutional health-care facility standards); and, subject to the approval of the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, permit a small residential hospice facility to comply with the National Fire Protection Association 101 standards for residential and boarding care rather than the health-care facility standards.

"Small, freestanding residential hospices are homes that serve individuals who have elected hospice care but for whom dying at home is not possible due to lack of a suitable home or family support," said Curry, D-Montgomery/Phila. "Regulating them as personal care homes is unsatisfactory to both the facility operators and the regulators, and limits the ability of the hospice to provide inpatient care and be reimbursed appropriately for the services they provide."

-- Click here to read more.

Costa mutual aid bill unanimously passes House

Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, announced that the state House has unanimously passed legislation he introduced that would create a mutual aid committee that would oversee a statewide prevention and emergency response system. House Bill 2112 would set up a system of intrastate mutual aid among participating local governments in Pennsylvania. The system would include state, regional and local officials, as well as emergency responders, and would allow local officials and responders to request assistance from others in the system when an emergency or disaster is beyond the scope of local officials or responders to address.  

"Currently there is no network or system in place whereby different local governments or emergency responders are able to respond to disasters in a coordinated manner," Costa said. "Some areas have created their own mutual agreements, but as a whole, a master framework is lacking."

-- Click here to read more.

House passes Pallone's community-based health-care bill

The House has passed a bill (H.B. 2625) introduced by Rep. John Pallone that would establish an Access to Community-based Care and Extended Safety-net Services program, or ACCESS, to help facilitate access to health care and address health-care issues for the uninsured and underinsured. House Bill 2625 would develop plans to assure low-income people and families have access to a continuum of health-care services on a county basis. It would also help counties and community-based health-care providers establish eligibility criteria for such programs.

"This bill would empower county governments and county health departments, including public officials, health-care providers, community health activists and others, to create a partnership resulting in better access to health care," said Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong. "Improving access to health care is a major step in improving the quality of life for our uninsured and underinsured citizens."

-- Click here to read more.

Eachus bill to expand access to high-speed Internet service passes

Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, said the House has unanimously passed his legislation (H.B. 1490) that would help improve access to high-speed Internet to areas of the Commonwealth without services, most notably rural areas and inner-city neighborhoods. The bill would help guarantee that companies would be able to offer access to hospitals, schools, emergency services and libraries, and help foster economic development by making sure broadband access would be available wherever the customer demands it. The legislation would bring together Internet service providers, the workers who install the lines and systems and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to create a map of current service and a long-term plan to offer service to underserved areas, including an annual progress report to the legislature.

"In the twenty-first century it's impossible for schools, businesses and the average person to compete without access to fast, reliable Internet service," Eachus said. "Unfortunately, some areas of our state are being left behind when it comes to access to high-speed Internet services, and my legislation creates a reasonable, comprehensive plan of action to get service where it is needed and provide state oversight of the process."

-- Click here to read more.

House passes Walko bill that would tackle blight

The House of Representatives has passed a bill (H.B. 2188) authored by Rep. Don Walko, D-Allegheny, that would give common pleas judges more authority to tackle the problem of abandoned and blighted properties. Under the bill, a common pleas judge could appoint a conservator to bring blighted buildings into municipal code compliance if the building has not been legally occupied for the previous 12 months; it has not been actively marketed for 60 days before the petition was filed; the building is not subject to an existing foreclosure action; and the current owner fails to present sufficient evidence that he or she acquired the property in the previous six months.

"One abandoned or blighted property can be a drag on an entire block or neighborhood," Walko said. "My bill would make it easier to address this problem when the owners can't or won't do it. This legislation would apply if a building is in violation of municipal code requirements or has been declared a public nuisance."

-- Click here to read more.

House passes DeLuca bill to better regulate health insurance rate increases

The House of Representatives has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, that would give the state Insurance Department greater power to reject proposed health insurance rate increases. Deluca said his legislation (H.B. 2642) would give the state Insurance Department the authority to reject rate increase proposals from health insurers if the increases are due to unacceptable factors such as costs related to avoidable health-care-associated infections or injuries.

"I introduced this bill to get health-care costs under control for consumers and employers, and to give insurers a stronger incentive to hold health-care providers accountable for the quality of care," said DeLuca, chairman of the House Insurance Committee.

-- Click here to read more.

Thomas REAL ID legislation passes the House

Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, chairman of the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, said his legislation (H.B. 2537) to help protect Pennsylvania residents from the costly and burdensome federal mandates outlined in the federal Real ID Act has passed the House, 197-0. House Bill 2537 would allow Pennsylvania to join nine other states in refusing to certify Real ID and allow the governor and state attorney general to challenge Real ID's implementation in court.

"I'm pleased that my colleagues recognize the need to protect Pennsylvania residents from these unfunded federal mandates," Thomas said. "We cannot and will not implement Real ID without receiving appropriate federal funds."

-- Click here to read more.

Caltagirone firefighter workers' compensation bill passes House

Legislation introduced by Rep. Thomas Caltagirone that would provide workers' compensation coverage to firefighters who develop lung cancer has been passed by the state House of Representatives. The bill (H.B. 1768) would include in the state Workers' Compensation Act provisions to make lung cancer an occupational disease for firefighters.

"For years, firefighters have been forced to file suit to prove their cancer was caused by firefighting and to get assistance paying for their medical care," Caltagirone said. "My goal is simply to make sure they are covered under the workers' compensation law. It is the least we can do for people who do so much to protect the public."

-- Click here to read more.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Levdansky measure would eliminate school property taxes for all Pennsylvanians

School property taxes would be eliminated in 2010 under legislation sponsored by Rep. David Levdansky that was approved by the House Finance Committee he chairs. He also added another of his proposals to the bill (H.B.1600) in committee, which would freeze millage rates set by school districts in January 2009. He explained that once the rates are frozen, the bill would give the state legislature 15 months to implement a permanent method to eliminate school property taxes. In the meantime, the measure would transfer funds from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, to cover any allowable increases approved by local school boards in 2009.

"My bill provides the ultimate in school property tax relief – it eliminates the tax entirely; freezing millage rates next year will halt any tax increases before school property taxes would be eliminated in 2010," said Levdansky, D-Allegheny/Washington. "My legislation gives the General Assembly until 2010 to decide how to provide adequate and stable funding for our public schools that is fair and does not unduly burden senior citizens and working families."

-- Click here to read more.

Game Commission board reorganization bill voted out of House Game and Fisheries Committee

Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, said a bill he introduced that would reorganize the Pennsylvania Game Commission's board of directors was recently voted out of the House Game and Fisheries Committee. House Bill 2381 would prohibit former or current Game Commission employees or deputy conservation officers from serving on the board. It would also require the board to take into account the possible social, economic and recreational impact of its decisions.

"Outside interests have begun to dictate the board's decisions on hunting regulations and the management of state game lands," Hanna said. "Sportsmen and women have grown increasingly disappointed with the lack of other factors considered when making decisions."

-- Click here to read more.

Siptroth littering bill voted out of committee

Rep. John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike, announced that his legislation (H.B. 1319) to institute stiffer penalties for littering has been voted out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. Under the bill, the minimum fine for a first offense would be $750. That $700 increase would be used to assist the litter board with anti-littering initiatives. The maximum fine for trash dumping would be $1,000 or imprisonment for no more than 90 days, or both. The measure also would call for anyone prosecuted for a second offense to face a fine of between $1,000 and $1,700, and/or prison or community service for one year.

"As former member of the Monroe County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and a lifelong resident of Monroe County, I have spent a considerable amount of quality time in our beautiful landscape and woodlands," Siptroth said. "Unfortunately, I have also noticed a steady increase in illegal trash dumping and irresponsible littering over the past few years, a crime that must be punished, and will be if my bill becomes law."

-- Click here to read more.

BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Kortz plans to introduce ban on human waste fertilizer

Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Allegheny, is planning to introduce legislation to ban the use of any form of human waste as agricultural fertilizer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes the risk that untreated or improperly treated human waste can present to consumers, Kortz said. It has cited that human bio-solids can be a microbial hazard containing several notable contaminants such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella and Cryptosporidium.

"While our state's Department of Environmental Protection has already enacted strict regulations governing the use of this waste, the recent recall of certain types of tomatoes should serve as an opportunity to re-examine what is allowed as legal fertilizer so crops are less likely to become contaminated," Kortz said. "While the FDA and the DEP's regulations and restrictions serve to protect the public, I feel the safest approach is to ban the use of this type of fertilization all together."

-- Click here to read more.

Pallone bills address state police service fee, disbursement of fines

Rep. John Pallone has introduced legislation that would require larger municipalities with no police force to help pay the cost of having Pennsylvania State Police provide law enforcement in their jurisdictions. House Bill 2563 would require municipalities with a population of more than 10,000 to pay $100 per resident to the state for law enforcement services provided by the state police. A second bill introduced by Pallone would use state police fines to help municipalities that support their own police force. Under H.B. 2683, half of revenue from all fines collected as the result of a state police action would be paid to those municipalities that provide their own local police services.

 "There are approximately 21 communities in Pennsylvania with populations of 10,000 or more that depend entirely on the state police for local law enforcement," said Pallone, D-Westmoreland/Armstrong. "By charging those municipalities for those state police services, we could generate approximately $40 million, which could be used to hire 4,000 additional state troopers, increasing public safety for all Pennsylvania residents."

-- Click here to read more.

Mahoney plans bill to consolidate school districts for taxpayer savings

Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette, plans to introduce legislation that would save tax dollars by allowing residents to approve the consolidation of small school districts into countywide school districts in Pennsylvania. The proposal by Mahoney would allow county commissioners to place a referendum on the ballot asking residents if they support consolidating small school districts into a single, countywide school district for purposes of administration and taxing. The consolidation process could begin if at least two-thirds of voters approved the referendum.

"Pennsylvania voters in small school districts should have a say in whether they want real tax reform and my legislation would save tax dollars by lowering operational costs in smaller school districts," Mahoney said.

-- Click here to read more.

Gibbons bill prevents premature sewer fees

Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Lawrence/Beaver/Butler, recently introduced legislation (H.B. 2693) that would prevent municipalities and authorities from imposing sewer-related fees on property owners before their property is physically connected to the sanitary sewer system and fully operational.

"A number of our local communities are involved in various infrastructure and sanitary sewer projects," Gibbons said. "During these production phases, many property owners have been assessed repeated monthly fees for the new sanitary sewer system before ever being connected. Property owners feel that is unfair."

-- Click here to read more.

Solobay introduces legislation to help people save on sales taxes

Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, has introduced legislation that would clarify the amount of the purchase price that is subject to Pennsylvania sales tax on items that are purchased on discount or with a coupon. House Bill 2682 would mandate that the state sales tax only be imposed on the purchase price after a discount or coupon is applied.

"In this time of rising energy prices and economic uncertainty, this legislation would return much-needed dollars to the pockets of hard-working Pennsylvanians," Solobay said.