An update of recent legislative activity by Pennsylvania House Democrats

 Nov. 21st, 2008

House Democratic Caucus chooses leaders for 2009-10 legislative session

The 104-member House Democratic Caucus has elected its slate of leaders for the 2009-10 legislative session.

The leadership team will include:

-- House Speaker-designate Keith McCall, 122^nd District, Carbon County

-- House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, 116^th District, Luzerne County

-- House Majority Whip Bill DeWeese, 50^th District, Greene/Fayette/Washington counties

-- House Majority Caucus Chairman Mark Cohen, 202^nd District, Philadelphia

-- House Majority Caucus Secretary Jennifer Mann, 132^nd District, Lehigh County

-- House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, 96^th District, Lancaster County

-- House Majority Caucus Administrator Ron Buxton, 103^rd District, Dauphin County

-- House Majority Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans, 203^rd District, Philadelphia

"While our new leadership team comes from all corners of the state, we share a common goal: to stand up for working families and fight for the issues that matter most to the people of this great Commonwealth," McCall said. "We plan to continue to expand upon the record of achievement we started in the last session: improving access to health care, investing in job creation, rebuilding our infrastructure and fighting to lower energy costs."

"This team is going to hit the ground running and get right to work in January," Eachus said. "The people sent us here because they trusted our vision and our leadership in these tough economic times, and we're going to do everything we can to reward that trust and help make a better Pennsylvania for us all."

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SIGNED INTO LAW

Cohen measure aiding local police departments signed into law

A measure introduced by Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., to get police officers back on the street more quickly following military deployment has been signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell. Cohen's bill (Act 105 of 2008) allows police officers whose certifications have expired while they are on military duty to return to work until they can take their recertification tests.

"It's a matter of public safety," Cohen said. "These officers are well-trained and can do more for their community by performing their jobs than by waiting for in-service training or a certification test to be offered. We also have a responsibility to protect the employment rights of our military service members."

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PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE

House sends Costa commercial driver's license bill to governor

Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, announced that his legislation waiving commercial driver's license tests for men and women with commercial driving experience in the military has unanimously passed and has been sent to the governor. House Bill 347 would require the state Department of Transportation to waive the skills test for commercial driver's license applicants who are active or reserve members of the armed forces, or recently discharged veterans, and who hold a valid Class 2, 3 or 4 driver's license issued by any of the military branches or have at least two years experience working in commercial-type vehicles as a part of their military job.

"This is a bill that aims to improve work opportunities for returning veterans," Costa said. "Men and women are giving up their time to serve their country, and when they come back, why should we put them through the expense and aggravation of taking a state CDL skills test when they already qualify and meet the federal standards? This bill would simplify these people's lives by allowing the state to issue these licenses upon application, saving time and money in the process."

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Walko anti-blight bill heads to governor

The House and Senate have 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, several types of people and organizations would be able to file petitions with common pleas court to appoint a conservator to bring a blighted building into municipal code compliance if these conditions applied: 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 failed to present sufficient evidence that he or she acquired the property in the previous six months.

"Even one abandoned or blighted property can drag down an entire block or neighborhood. My legislation would make it easier to use the courts 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," said Walko, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts.

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BILL INTRODUCTIONS

Smith proposes 'green' roof tax credit legislation

Rep. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would provide a state tax credit to encourage more Pennsylvanians to build so-called "green" roofs. As opposed to traditional home roofing material, a green roof is composed of vegetation and soil planted on a waterproof membrane. Smith said green roofs lower energy costs due to the insulation they provide buildings and homes, as well as a range of environmental benefits. According to Smith, green roofs reduce demand on sewage systems by absorbing rainwater while they also absorb air and noise pollution and cut down on urban heat. Smith's legislation (H.B. 2835) would create a state Personal Income Tax credit as an incentive for people or small businesses to build green roofs. Tax credits would cover up to 25 percent of the costs incurred to build and maintain a green roof, up to a maximum $100,000 per year, for up to six years.

"We in state government must continue to provide leadership in the move toward energy independence and environmental stewardship," Smith said. "My legislation would offer another significant financial incentive to people and businesses here that take the initiative to go green."

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Kessler introducing mortgage reform bills

Rep. David Kessler, D-Berks, is introducing two bills in the House to prevent mortgage fraud and protect homeowners. One of the bills would prohibit mortgage brokers or originators from being the exclusive recipient of communications to consumers. The other bill would protect mortgage company employees who report illegal activities or take part in investigations, hearings or inquiries. 

"Recent mortgage fraud cases in Berks County have had a devastating impact on hundreds of area homeowners," Kessler said. "We have to do all we can to ensure that this never happens again here or anywhere else in Pennsylvania."

-- Click here to read more.