An update of recent legislative activity by
Pennsylvania House Democrats

April 13, 2007

 

House committee OKs sale of Pa. wines at farmers' markets

 

Legislation (H.B. 896) introduced by state Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, that would allow Pennsylvania wines to be sold at farmers' markets was unanimously approved by the House Liquor Control Committee this week.

 

In addition to selling from their wineries, Pennsylvania winemakers may also have up to five retail outlets and may sell at festivals. However, farmers' markets currently are not included as off-site retail outlets approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

 

"Every type of product that is grown or processed within the Commonwealth has been allowed to be sold at our farmers' markets, except wine -- even though wine is a big part of Pennsylvania agriculture," Solobay said. "My bill, which has received wide bipartisan support, would expand the off-site retail outlets for wineries to include farmers' markets."

 

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Hearings focus on Roebuck-Evans teacher recruitment and retention bills

 

The House Education Committee this week took testimony in Philadelphia on legislation introduced by Reps. James Roebuck and Dwight Evans, both D-Phila., that would help school districts in Pennsylvania recruit and retain quality teachers.

 

The legislative package (H.B.s 919, 921, 922, 923 and 924) includes measures that would target loan forgiveness to math, reading, computer science, science and special education teachers who serve in low-income urban and rural public schools; award one-time signing bonuses to first-year teachers who fill vacancies in critical shortage positions; establish an Urban Educators Recruitment Program to provide scholarships to college students who commit to teach for at least five years in urban schools with teacher shortages; create a program to provide tuition grants to African-American males training to be public elementary school teachers; establish a second Governor's School for Teaching in Philadelphia to provide professional development for educators; and create a Beginning Educator Support and Training program for new teachers in economically disadvantaged school districts with high turnover rates for beginning educators.

 

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Taylor bill would increase
dual enrollment funds for students

 

Rep. Rick Taylor, D-Montgomery, has introduced legislation that would increase funding for a state program that helps students enroll in and earn credit for college-level courses while they are still in high school.

 

The bill (H.B. 932) would increase funding for the state's Dual Enrollment Program by $2 million, for a total of $10 million. The additional funding would allow school districts to enroll more low-income students in college-level courses.

 

"The best way to break the cycle of poverty is education," Taylor said. "Allowing students from low-income families and schools to take college-level classes gives them a head start on a higher education, saves on tuition by letting them earn college credits while still in high school, and helps them gain admission to the college of their choice." 

 

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Bennington bill would place Pa. laws online

 

Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation (H.B. 976) that would require all of Pennsylvania's laws to be available to the public online for free.

 

People seeking comprehensive access to Pennsylvania's consolidated statutes and stand-alone laws must often subscribe to costly Web-based subscription services or purchase the state's complete set of statutes for more than $1,000.

 

"As we continue to examine ways to foster a more open and transparent government, I believe it is important that we ensure the general public has free online access to our state laws," Bennington said.  

 

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Sturla introduces legislative package
to strengthen child abuse laws

 

Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has introduced a legislative package that would strengthen the state's child abuse laws.

 

Sturla's proposals would require county agencies to inform child-care facilities and schools when a child-abuse report has been filed involving an employee (H.B. 1022); require schools to immediately implement a plan of supervision or alternative placement for an employee who has had a child-abuse report made against him (H.B. 1023); and treat child abuse that occurs in school the same under state law as child abuse that occurs outside of school (H.B. 1024). A fourth measure combines all three proposals in one bill (H.B. 1026).

 

"The goal of my legislative package is to protect children in Pennsylvania by streamlining the child abuse laws," Sturla said. "For example, the current definitions of child abuse and abuse of students are not aligned. Furthermore, while schools are prohibited by law from hiring applicants who have committed child abuse, the school may not be aware when an employee is under investigation for child abuse. My legislation would resolve these problems and toughen our laws."

 

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James bills would combat racial profiling

 

Rep. Harold James has introduced bills aimed at eliminating racial profiling by municipal and state police in Pennsylvania.

 

One bill (H.B. 1039) would require the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission to provide municipal police with training in the prevention of racial profiling. Another bill (H.B. 1041) would require the commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police to have troopers undergo training in the prevention of racial profiling in traffic stops. A third bill (H.B. 1040) would require a person's race or ethnicity to be listed on his or her driver's license to prevent police officers and state troopers from having to inquire about race during traffic stops.

 

"Racial profiling is a problem across the country," James said. "But I believe by training our law enforcement officers in how to prevent profiling of this nature, and by taking race out of the equation during the traffic stop itself, we can maintain safety while employing fair and just enforcement tactics."

 

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Cohen introduces plan to strengthen
local police departments

 

Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has introduced a plan to get police officers back on the job more quickly after an injury or service in the armed forces. 

Many officers returning from military service or an injury are ineligible to rejoin the police force because they have missed mandatory training or continuing education. Cohen's bill (H.B. 1044) would allow these law enforcement officers to resume their jobs anyway, provide they complete the next available training or exams that are offered.

 

"This decertification only hurts Pennsylvania's communities," Cohen said. "In a time when police coverage is vital to keeping our towns and neighborhoods safe, we can't afford to eliminate officers who have been performing their duty overseas, or those who were injured while serving their community at home."

 

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Caltagirone pushes for slot machines in licensed clubs

 

Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, is introducing legislation that would allow nonprofit social clubs licensed under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code to operate slot machines.

 

Under the legislation, a club would be required to obtain a Category 4 license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Authorized clubs would be required to pay a $100 fee for the license, and would be allowed to operate up to five slot machines on the licensed facility's premises. The maximum prize available from any of these slot machines would be limited to $1,000.

 

"This legislation would be a tremendous help for the local nonprofit clubs that raise money for firefighting equipment, little leagues and scholarships," Caltagirone said. "These clubs are facing hard financial times with 238 having closed already, and since gambling is here to stay in Pennsylvania, it should benefit these clubs that help us all."

 

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