Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats
 

 May 1, 2009

 

House Democrats introduce governor's budget as basis for discussions

House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans has introduced Gov. Edward G. Rendell's budget proposal as the basis for crafting a new state spending plan, a decision that comes even as Pennsylvania's revenue projections worsen. Rendell's approach - including a combination of cuts and revenue increases - protects Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens even in a time of financial crisis.

"We have been educating the public about the state's finances since November," Evans said. "Now it's time to move the process forward and introducing legislation is the next step. I have said all along there is no single solution to this problem and my position hasn't changed. The governor has given us a blueprint that will help shape the debate as we craft the 2009-10 budget. No matter how bad the numbers get, the goal of the Democratic Caucus will be to protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable citizens including children, the disabled and the elderly."

Since Nov. 19, 2008, the House Appropriations Committee has:

• Held 42 public hearings on the budget in Harrisburg, which included, for the second year in a row, testimony from citizens.
• Held six subcommittee hearings statewide.
• Had one hearing for members to testify.
• Held two public educational hearings, one on the state of the economy and one on the state's debt capacity.
• Hosted six budget forums across Pennsylvania.
• Had at least two dozen town hall meetings done by members.
• Hosted two cyber town hall meetings.
• Implemented a more interactive Web site.

Evans said members of the House and Senate leadership, who have been meeting regularly since January 6, will continue to negotiate the budget in the hopes of reaching a compromise plan which both chambers can pass by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

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PASSED THE HOUSE

House passes Markosek teen driving bill  

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill this week introduced by House Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Joseph Markosek that would impose stricter driving standards for teenagers in an effort to reduce vehicular accidents and fatalities involving junior licensees. The legislation (H.B. 67) would prohibit learner's permit holders or junior driver's licenses from using interactive wireless communications devices while driving; require an additional 15 hours of practical driving experience for learner's permit holders under 18; restrict junior drivers to transporting no more than one passenger younger than 18, except siblings or relatives; require PennDOT to compile and publish an annual statistics on the use of wireless devices contributing to auto accidents; and make failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense for drivers and front seat passengers under 18.

"Enactment of this bill would give new drivers more time to learn while also removing the various distractions that could pose a threat to the safety of those in the vehicle, as well as others sharing the road with the new drivers," said Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland. "I believe it is essential to establish safe driving practices early on before bad habits settle in. Most importantly, it would help prevent vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for young people."

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House passes Kessler mortgage reform bills

The House of Representatives this week passed two mortgage reform bills introduced by state Rep. David Kessler, D-Berks. One of Kessler's bills (H.B. 986) would ensure that consumers are informed of the terms of their mortgage, and prevent brokers from withholding information about interest rates, fees or monthly payments. Kessler's second bill (H.B. 985) would help to prevent fraud by protecting mortgage broker and mortgage company employees who report a violation of any law or take part in an investigation, hearing or inquiry. 

"By expanding these protections, we would create a banking system that we can trust in and hopefully could be used to expose future banking problems," Kessler said. "I am hopeful we can get these reforms to the governor's desk so they can become law this year."

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White bill to ban automated ticket buying goes to head of the line

The state House this week unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, that would protect Pennsylvania consumers from being victimized by automated ticket-buying software.  The bill (H.B. 464) would prohibit the use of computer software to bypass online ticket sale protection systems. The bypass allows a mass purchaser to buy tickets faster than the general public can access them. These software programs snap up hundreds of tickets instantly, selling out venues and shutting out individuals actually standing in line to buy tickets, or who are attempting to purchase tickets online for their own use. The software users then market the tickets to the public at inflated prices.

"This is a grossly unfair practice," White said. "I have heard from many people who have been unable to purchase tickets to an event, even minutes after tickets went on sale, because the event is already sold out due to these bulk ticket-buying programs. In many cases, the only recourse is to purchase scalped tickets at exorbitant prices."

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COMMITTEE ACTION

House committee approves Lentz bill targeting unfair employer practices

The House Labor Relations Committee this week approved a bill (H.B. 400) that would penalize employers who misclassify their workers to avoid paying taxes and workers' compensation premiums, according to the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Bryan R. Lentz, D-Delaware. Lentz said employers who misclassify their workers as independent contractors not only avoid paying their fair share of taxes, they also deprive their employees of workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, overtime and other benefits they are due.

"The practice of misclassifying employees as independent contractors is not only a tax-evasion strategy, but also cheats workers and law-abiding employers that pay taxes," Lentz said. "To continue to allow unscrupulous employers to avoid responsibility to their workers is to allow them to gain a competitive advantage over the vast majority of employers who do play by the rules and treat their employees fairly."

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House committee approves Lentz Taser bill

The state House Judiciary Committee this week approved state Rep. Bryan Lentz's bill (H.B. 412) that would allow police officers to use the newest and most up-to-date Tasers, which are now equipped with audio and video recorders. State law authorizes police officers to use electronic incapacitation devices, but an existing wiretapping statute bars officers from using these devices if they are capable of recording audio or video.

"The use of these Tasers with the recording capability protects police officers and the public at large in a variety of ways," Lentz said. "To have the capability to record an incident can be vital to a case where justifiable force was used by an officer but challenged in court. Maintaining a record of the events will allow for careful review and determination of whether the use of a Taser was reasonable and appropriate."

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Senate committee approves Pashinski dental assistant bill

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee has approved a bill he introduced that would broaden the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants in Pennsylvania, and add an expanded function dental assistant to the state dental board. Pashinski's legislation (H.B. 602) would improve access to dental care for patients by allowing expanded function dental assistants to perform more duties in the dental office.

"I am pleased that members of the Senate committee approved my bill that would expand the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants so they would be able to assist in dental procedures," Pashinski said. "As the law now stands, certain dental procedures are only performed by dental hygienists."

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Bill to prevent parental child abduction closer to House vote

Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin announced that legislation he introduced aimed at preventing parental child abduction in Pennsylvania has been approved by the House Judiciary Committee unanimously. House Bill 90 would create guidelines based on the federal Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act for courts in Pennsylvania to follow in custody disputes that involve a parent or guardian deemed at risk of abducting a child. In cases where a court believes there is a risk of abduction, a parent could petition it to impose a number of anti-abduction measures, including restricting travel when the child is with the other parent, restricting access to a child by the other parent, and requiring the other parent to surrender any passport or visa held for the child.

"Parental child abduction is a tragic reality in the United States and across the world, and there are too few resources available to parents who are impacted by this crime," Conklin said.

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Drucker bill to encourage 'green' building for schools advances

State Rep. Paul Drucker, D-Chester/Montgomery, said his legislation (H.B. 689) to provide incentives for school districts to construct cleaner and more efficient schools has been approved by the House Education Committee. House Bill 689 would exclude any items or features of a new school building that contributes to its meeting green standards from the total cost calculation of the building used to determine if voter approval for construction is needed.

"In many cases, the savings realized over the 30- to 40-year lifespan of a green school are many times the initial cost of green projects," Drucker said. "This bill will eliminate a roadblock for school districts to choose green buildings."

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Kula pharmacist bill focus of House hearing

The House Professional Licensure Committee held a public hearing this week on state Rep. Deberah Kula's legislation that would expand the role of pharmacists in the state's health-care system. Kula's bill (H.B. 1041) would allow pharmacists to practice drug therapy management beyond what is permitted under current law. Kula said this would allow more patients to benefit from the quality services pharmacists are trained to provide, ultimately improving access to health care while cutting costs.

"We have qualified pharmacists who are prepared, capable, experienced and, most importantly, willing to help address a significant part of our health-care crisis," said Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland. "These pharmacists are well-positioned not only to accept the additional responsibility of collaborating in patient care, but also to make a real difference in improving the overall outcomes of our health-care system."