Recent legislative activity by PA House Democrats

Oct. 4, 2009

 

 

PASSED THE HOUSE

 

House Democrats pass revenue legislation that funds vital programs, protects volunteer and veterans groups

 

Speaker of the House Keith R. McCall, D-Carbon, House Majority Leader Todd A. Eachus, D-Luzerne, and House Appropriation Committee Chairman Dwight Evans, D-Phila., said a vote in the state House over the weekend for legislation that would eliminate Pennsylvania's $3.2 billion budget shortfall is a major step toward ending the state's 95-day budget impasse.

 

"Our members listened to the people of their districts, and House Democratic leadership has listened to our members, and the result is this proposal that reflects the true will of the people," McCall said. "We didn't believe that balancing the budget on the back of the local American Legion or the volunteer fire company was the right thing to do, and we also didn't believe that raising taxes on the local community theater would solve the problem."

 

"Make no mistake, this is not a celebration, but we were not going to vote for a budget plan at the expense of core Democratic values," Eachus said. "It became clear that we are in a different moment economically and in this crisis it is unacceptable that we are the only state left that doesn't tax cigars and smokeless tobacco, and unacceptable to give a free pass to big oil and gas companies without allowing the taxpayer to share in the boom of Marcellus Shale."

 

"We are disappointed that the state budget is now 95 days late and we accept our share of the responsibility for this impasse," Evans said. "But this is an important step in the process. The Senate has continually called on the House to send over a revenue package with no broad-based tax increase, and this legislation meets that requirement while setting a solid spend number of $27.945 billion."

 

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House passes Caltagirone bill to help courts, domestic violence programs

 

State Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced the House of Representatives has passed his legislation to generate revenue to fund the state court system, county district attorneys and domestic violence programs. Caltagirone's bill (H.B. 1861) would impose a temporary fee increase for all court filings in the state, with the exception of traffic fees, generating an estimated $112 million for salaries of the 67 district attorneys in each of the state's counties, which the state is required to pay under statute, and various domestic violence programs. A portion of the fee would continue to augment Pennsylvania's electronic court filing system.

 

"Without a temporary funding formula in place, our courts will shut down. The thousands of women and children who rely on programs like those offered by Berks County Women in Crisis would be left to fend for themselves," Caltagirone said.

 

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Rep. George: House approves extension of Military Family Relief

 

State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-Clearfield, said the state House of Representatives has unanimously passed his legislation that would enable Pennsylvanians to support the Military Family Relief Assistance Program through their state income tax refunds. The program, administered by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, helps Pennsylvania military personnel and their families with grants of up to $2,500 annually to provide food, shelter and other necessities in times of hardship.

 

"While Pennsylvania struggles to find common ground on a state budget, thousands of Pennsylvanians continue to put their lives on the line in defense of our nation," George said. "Approval of my House Bill 1531 would mean Pennsylvanians can support this last-chance safety net for military families through 2015."

 

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Drucker resolution to create legislative appointment initiative program at Valley Forge Military College adopted by state House

 

State Rep. Paul Drucker, D-Chester/Montgomery, said that his resolution (H.R. 424) to create a legislative appointment initiative program at Valley Forge Military College was adopted by the state House today. Under the program, every Pennsylvania state senator and state representative would be authorized to appoint one qualified student to the freshman class of Valley Forge each year. The resolution would also designate Valley Forge Military College as the official military college of Pennsylvania.

 

"I am pleased that my colleagues in the House voted in favor of adopting this resolution," Drucker said. "This program could help hundreds of Pennsylvania students realize the dream of higher education at no cost to their families or taxpayers."

 

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COMMITTEE ACTION

 

Table games bill goes to full House for vote 

 

The House Gaming Oversight Committee has approved legislation that would permit table games like poker and blackjack at Pennsylvania's 14 licensed slot-gaming facilities. Committee Chairman Dante Santoni, D-Berks, said the committee amended and approved S.B. 711, which also addresses a number of reforms to Pennsylvania's gaming industry. The bill is a component of the revenue package necessary to fund the 2009-10 budget that state lawmakers are working to complete. Pennsylvania's current budget deficit is estimated at $3.2 billion.

 

"Adding table games to our current slot casino establishments is something casino patrons want and what the state needs to help close the massive budget shortfall we are facing," Santoni said. "State residents should reasonably expect the legislature to look at all potential options available to help create jobs, make Pennsylvania more attractive to those who visit our casinos and raise revenues for the state."

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Senate panel approves Goodman bill to help Schuylkill County build pre-release center

 

The Senate State Government Committee has approved state Rep. Neal P. Goodman's bill (H.B. 792) that would authorize the sale of state land to Schuylkill County to build a prison pre-release center. The legislation would enable the county to move forward with the construction of a pre-release center, which is needed to relieve overcrowding in the county prison and to provide more extensive rehabilitation services to help offenders become law-abiding citizens. Consultants have determined the pre-release center to be the most cost-effective means to relieve overcrowding, noting that the alternatives of expanding the existing prison or building a new prison could cost $14 million and $25 million, respectively.

 

"The Senate State Government Committee held a public hearing on the bill in early August," said Goodman, D-Schuylkill. "I am pleased that, following this hearing, the committee unanimously approved this legislation."

 

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Committee approves Murphy proposal to help homeowners

 

The House Urban Affairs Committee has unanimously approved legislation proposed by Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-Lackawanna, that would improve real estate tax collection in second-class cities in Pennsylvania. Murphy's bill (H.B. 1942) would require Scranton, the Scranton School District and Lackawanna County to issue separate real estate tax bills. Murphy said his legislation would also require second-class cities, including Scranton, to offer an installment payment option for taxes and fees related to delinquent real estate taxes.

 

"This legislation would help avoid taxpayer confusion while also helping homeowners keep their homes while paying delinquent real estate taxes," Murphy said. "In this time of economic uncertainty, I believe we ought to take reasonable action to ease the financial burden on our homeowners and taxpayers."

 

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