IN THE NEWS

 

House Democratic Policy Committee explores how NEPA is being affected by budget cuts

 

The House Democratic Policy Committee recently held a public hearing in Scranton to examine the challenges that state budget cuts have created for northeastern Pennsylvania schools and human service agencies, committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said. The hearing was requested and co-chaired by state Reps. Ken Smith and Kevin Murphy, both D-Lackawanna.

 

"This summer the Policy Committee has been exploring the impact that budget cuts have had on communities across the state. Today's testifiers added more perspective on how school districts as well as human services organizations in northeast Pennsylvania have managed the reduction in their appropriations," Sturla said. "Representatives Smith and Murphy have been strong advocates for their communities and I applaud them for continuing the budget dialogue with their residents."

 

"Today's testifiers painted a grim picture of the challenges they've encountered as a result of cuts in their allocations from the state," Smith said. "The state has an obligation to provide adequate funding for public education and programs for our most vulnerable residents. The 2011-12 budget is placing a heavy burden on local and county governments to meet the needs of our citizens."

 

Murphy added, "The budget that passed without a single Democratic vote in June is unconscionable. At a time when the governor called for 'shared sacrifice,' allowing big business and natural gas companies to escape without paying their fair share flies in the face of logic and disrespects the taxpayers across the Commonwealth and here in Scranton. Today's testifiers demonstrated what the cuts truly mean to Pennsylvanians."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

House Democratic Policy Committee considers Marcellus Shale

 

The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing in Harrisburg recently to look at the impact drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation is having on Pennsylvania, Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said. The hearing was one of several the Policy Committee has held since the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission released its report last month. This summer the group has traveled across the Commonwealth investigating the various effects the burgeoning natural gas industry has had on the state and gathered public feedback.

 

"Natural gas drilling has affected Pennsylvania's regions in different ways," Sturla said. "The notion that unless there is a drill in your neighborhood you're not feeling the industry's effect is erroneous on many levels. The Policy Committee has taken a balanced approach to examining the way Marcellus Shale is shaping the Commonwealth's environment, economy and infrastructure by presenting all sides of the discussion. These hearings have gone a long way toward expanding the conversation and educating lawmakers, municipal leaders and the public on this issue."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

House Democratic Policy Committee explores impact of gas drilling in northeastern Pa. communities

 

Legislators on the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from testifiers at a public hearing at Wilkes University regarding the impact that drilling in the Marcellus Shale is having on northeastern Pennsylvania, said Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The hearing was requested and co-chaired by state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne.

 

"Many northeast Pennsylvanians have seen the effects of natural gas drilling on their communities; whether it's their drinking water, local roadway conditions or increased traffic in their emergency rooms," Sturla said. "Today's hearing provided a balance between the environmental and the industry perspectives. I thank Representative Pashinski for inviting the committee to Wilkes-Barre to examine this important issue."

 

“We must carefully craft policies that encourage the lucrative industry to create jobs and help our local economy while also ensuring that our water is protected and our beautiful landscape is defended for future generations," Pashinski said.

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

Democratic Policy Committee hears testimony on palliative care

 

The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from experts on palliative care and pain management during a public hearing recently at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, who requested the hearing and served as co-chairman, plans on introducing legislation to expand access to pain management and palliative care for all individuals, but particularly young people.

 

“As the federal government grapples with health care reform, it is important for all consumers to understand the range of treatment options and their availability,” Sturla said. “I applaud Representative Frankel for choosing to hold this hearing in Philadelphia, where several experts on palliative care could provide information on the uses and importance on this kind of the treatment for the chronically ill.”

 

"A patient’s body must not be the battleground in a war fought between disease and medicine," added Frankel. "Palliative care recognizes the way illness can affect a whole person, as well as their family. All patients, but particularly children, should have the option to seek relief from suffering as they and their families make crucial decisions about treatment."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

HDPC hears testimony on cell phone warning labels in Philadelphia

 

Members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard testimony this week about health dangers stemming from cell phone usage at a public hearing at Drexel University, committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said. State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Phila., requested the hearing and served as co-chair. The hearing looked specifically at legislation Brown has introduced, House Bill 1408, which would require warning labels on cell phones to alert consumers of potential health dangers of microwave radiation.

 

"At times technological gadgets are developed so fast and are disseminated with such demand there is little time to investigate the consequences of long-term usage," Sturla said. "Representative Lowery Brown has been a strong advocate for the health of her community from ensuring healthy food options are in local markets to investigating evidence of cancer risks derived from cell phones. I applaud her for her determination to ensure these topics are examined."

 

Lowery Brown added, "It is critical that consumers have all the relevant information regarding the products they use as a part of their everyday life before determining if the product is right for them and their families. There is mounting evidence that the long-term usage of devices like cell phones may have an impact on health and today's Policy Committee hearing allowed for an informed dialogue on the issue to begin."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

Democratic Policy Committee looks at state cemetery regulations

 

The House Democratic Policy Committee examined the impact regulations are having on cemetery maintenance at a public hearing at Drexel University this week, said committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. Specifically at issue is the condition of Mount Moriah Cemetery in the southwest Philadelphia legislative district of Rep. Ron Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., who requested and co-chaired the hearing. Waters said the historic cemetery can serve as a case study of whether cemetery regulations can be improved.  

 

"Examples of community treasures that are not being adequately preserved like Mount Moriah Cemetery in Representative Waters' district exist all over the state," Sturla said. "It is important to determine who is responsible for maintaining these unique facilities to ensure they are available for generations to come."

 

"Mount Moriah is the final resting place of many notable Philadelphians and decorated soldiers. We need to ensure that their graves are both maintained and accessible for future generations to visit," Waters said. "Today’s Policy Committee hearing was important in investigating who is responsible for these duties and how interested parties can cooperate in guaranteeing the future of Mount Moriah and other similar cemeteries."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

SIGNED INTO LAW

 

Mann: synthetic marijuana, bath salts now banned in Pa.  

 

State Rep. Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, said that as of Aug. 22, the possession and sale of so called “fake” drugs like synthetic marijuana, bath salts and salvia are now against the law in Pennsylvania thanks to a law she helped pass earlier this year. Under the law the first offense for delivery or possession with the intent to deliver carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Simple possession of the drug carries a penalty of up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine.

 

"These poisons are called ‘fake drugs,’ but the danger they present to young people and the burden the use of these ‘fake’ drugs puts on our police departments and hospitals is all too real,” Mann said. “As of today we’re giving our police officers the tools they need to get these drugs off the street and out of retail stores.”

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

BILL INTRODUCTIONS

 

Daley legislation to save tax dollars 

 

State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Fayette/Washington, is drafting legislation that would ensure the cost of tax-delinquent properties does not fall on taxpayers in the county. Daley's bill would ensure that a county or a county tax claim bureau couldn't be held liable for claims for damages against properties that are subject to tax sales.

 

"When a property goes up for tax sale, the county tax claim bureau becomes the trustee. The county and its agents are not the owner of record, yet in many cases, if there is an incident that involves the property, the county could be held responsible for paying for the claim," Daley said. "This means that taxpayer dollars are being spent to pay to the county’s insurance carrier that is paying for the claim. In a nutshell, everyone in the county becomes responsible for liabilities such as personal injury from, or fires at tax-delinquent properties. This certainly is not fair to taxpayers. The person who should be responsible is the owner whose name appears on the deed."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

Reps. Brendan Boyle, Kevin Boyle announce measure to help emergency natural gas responders

 

"This young man lost his life while working to protect the public from harm," Brendan Boyle said. "This explosion is a clear reminder of the dangers gas workers face every day they report to work. Today, we can honor Mark Keeley by giving natural gas workers and their families better protections in the event of a tragedy."

 

"Natural gas workers put their lives on the line every day to protect us from danger," Kevin Boyle said. "In this case, Mark Keeley was my constituent and I am going to fight to see that his sacrifice is not forgotten. His family deserves all of our gratitude and support."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

DeLuca may introduce legislation to end Highmark/UPMC dispute

 

After hearing testimony at a House Insurance Committee hearing in August, state Rep. Anthony DeLuca said he believes legislation may be necessary to break the stalled contract negotiations between Highmark Inc. and UPMC and ensure that western Pennsylvania residents continue to have affordable access to the health care provider’s 2,700 doctors and 20 hospitals. The contract between Highmark, which covers about 3 million people in western Pennsylvania, and UPMC, expires June 30. If the health care giants cannot come to terms, Highmark members would pay out-of-network rates for UPMC services. Those rates are four to five times more costly, and Pennsylvania Deputy Insurance Commissioner Randy Rohrbach said they are unaffordable.

 

"I plan on taking testimony from today back to Harrisburg to craft legislation so millions of western Pennsylvanians will no longer be caught in the middle of this dispute," said DeLuca, Democratic chairman of the Insurance Committee. "We have to take action now, before residents are left with no coverage or incredibly expensive health care bills."

 

-- Read more here.

 

 

Briggs: Back to school legislation roundup

 

State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, said that as kids start back to school, he is renewing his efforts to enact several bills designed to protect children. Briggs said he will continue to push for better concussion management in youth sports with his proposed Safety in Youth Sports Act (H.B. 200/S.B. 200).

 

"We all know that concussions are nothing to shake off, and we need to make sure we do everything we can to protect our student athletes from serious injury," Briggs said. "I have been working hard on this legislation since my first year in the state House and it has come a long way from where we started. Thanks to bipartisan support, we are now one step closer to passing this bill into law."

 

Briggs said he also has introduced the proposed Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Act (H.B. 1795), which will require that school districts develop, expand or improve a comprehensive school physical activity program that must include at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for every child every regular school day. In addition, Briggs has introduced legislation to address the bullying epidemic in schools (H.B 1805).

 

-- Read more here.