An update of recent legislative activity by
Pennsylvania House Democrats

June 8, 2007

 

Legislation aimed at ending exploitation of adults passes House

 

A bill introduced by Rep. Harold James, D-Phila., which would protect older Pennsylvanians from exploitation, passed the House of Representatives this week. The legislation (H.B. 161) would expand the definition of exploitation to include conduct or action against an elderly person or elderly person's resources by someone acting as the person's power of attorney.

 

"Often, seniors enlist a power of attorney in case of emergencies or to protect their interests," James said. "However, some people with poor intentions look at the seniors they're supposed to protect as easy targets to victimize."

 

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Markosek bill would restructure Pa. Quality Improvement Act

 

Rep. Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland, introduced legislation that passed the House of Representatives this week, which would revitalize the Pennsylvania Quality Improvement Act of 1992 by renaming and restructuring the award. The bill (H.B. 284) would rename the program the Keystone Alliance for Performance Excellence Award and create a new advisory council to review guidelines and maintain the integrity of the awards process.

 

 

"The original Pennsylvania Quality Improvement Act was a good program," Markosek said. "It established awards for industries and businesses that demonstrated improvements in operations and quality, and in turn translated those improvements into cost-effectiveness, productivity and profit. This legislation would reinvigorate that award and make it meaningful again."

 

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House passes Surra bill halving game commissioner terms

 

The House of Representatives has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk/Clearfield, that would reduce the term of state game commissioners from eight years to four years. Under the legislation (H.B. 1214), current commissioners would serve the remainder of their eight-year terms, but future game commissioners would be appointed for terms lasting just four years. Commissioners could serve a second, four-year term, but would have to be reappointed by the governor and reconfirmed by the state Senate.

 

"While the Game Commission is an independent agency, it still has a responsibility to be accountable and responsive to the people, particularly the sportsmen and women that it serves," Surra said. "Four-year terms for commissioners instead of the current eight years would make this much more likely."

 

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Leach continues fight for compassionate care of rape victims

 

Legislation introduced by Rep. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, that would implement a statewide protocol for the standardized care of rape victims was voted out of the Health and Human Services Committee this week and will go before the full House of Representatives for consideration. The legislation (H.B. 288) would ensure that rape victims who visit emergency rooms are provided comprehensive care including emergency contraception, offered consultation with a rape crisis counselor and provided accurate, easy-to-understand educational materials.

 

"To me it is outrageous that a health-care provider would neglect to tell a woman who is sexually assaulted how to prevent a possible pregnancy due to that assault," Leach said. "This legislation would require a standard of care that is uniform throughout the state so the traumatic event a rape victim endures would not include guessing about treatment resources available to them in various hospitals. Time is of the essence for rape victims since emergency contraception loses 50 percent of its effectiveness if not taken within 12 hours."

 

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DePasquale code enforcement bill moves out of House committee

 

Legislation introduced by Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, that would encourage municipalities to hire additional code enforcement officers by subsidizing their salaries was approved by the House Local Government Committee this week. The bill (H.B. 982) would provide a grant of 25 percent of the salary of each additional officer hired for a period up to three years and be administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

 

"This program will provide a significant boost to the development and revitalization of many of our cities throughout Pennsylvania," DePasquale said. "As communities begin to refurbish and rebuild their downtowns and main streets across the Commonwealth, having the ability to hire additional code enforcement officers would better ensure that homes, buildings and other structures are safe and fit for the public."

 

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Freeman Appalachian Trail bill advances to full House

 

Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, this week announced progress on his legislation that would require municipalities that border the Appalachian Trail to enact zoning and other land-use ordinances as part of their responsibility to protect the trail. Freeman's bill (H.B. 1281) was approved by the House Local Government Committee and is now headed to the House floor for consideration.

 

"The legislature enacted legislation back in 1978 calling upon municipalities that border the Appalachian Trail to preserve the natural scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the trail, but there was no requirement for them to pass land-use ordinances to enforce that," Freeman said. "My legislation will have these bordering municipalities put in place zoning and other land-use measures necessary to preserve those values."

 

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Table games would lead to deeper property tax cuts

 

Realizing the potential impact of millions of dollars in additional revenue to lower school property taxes and the creation of tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese will introduce legislation to allow expanded gaming opportunities in Pennsylvania. DeWeese's proposal would permit table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette at the state's 14 slots facilities authorized by Act 71 of 2004. 

 

"Expanding gaming means more revenue to lower property taxes, more well-paying jobs at casinos and surrounding businesses, and more tourism and related economic development dollars," DeWeese said. "I suggest the appropriate committees - Gaming Oversight, Tourism and Recreational Development, Finance -- take a long, hard look at this plan during the 2007-08 session and I think it will be clear that this is a smart investment in Pennsylvania's future."

 

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Shapiro bill would help Pa. attract and keep doctors

 

Legislation has been introduced by Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, that would strengthen Pennsylvania's health-care system by encouraging more doctors to practice medicine in the Commonwealth. The proposal (H.B. 1093) would create a medical school loan forgiveness program for doctors who agree to practice in Pennsylvania for 10 years. Qualified participants would receive forgiveness on 10 percent of their total medical school loan debt each year for 10 years. If a participant failed to practice in Pennsylvania for the full 10 years, he or she would be required to pay back the forgiveness payments from the state.     

 

"While the percentage of resident physicians in Pennsylvania has increased over the last 10 years, the percentage of residents remaining in the state to practice after completing their training has decreased significantly over the same period," Shapiro said. "With the growing demand for health care in the state, coupled with a large number of physicians retiring in the next decade, we are facing a crisis that needs to be addressed now. Providing incentives for doctors to practice in Pennsylvania is vital to our health-care system in Pennsylvania."

 

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Cohen bill would let employees know if they are being monitored

 

Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has introduced a bill that would require employers to notify workers when their computer use is subject to monitoring by the employer. The legislation (H.B. 1425) would also prohibit video or audio monitoring of employees in employee dressing rooms unless authorized by a court order.

 

"It is unfair for an employer to subject workers to indiscriminate disciplinary action without first informing them of computer usage policies," Cohen said. "My bill would require employers to be up front about their expectations of what is appropriate and inappropriate usage."

 

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Grucela legislation would help substitute teachers

 

Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would encourage students to explore the teaching profession and help school districts fill vacant substitute teacher openings. The bill (H.B. 1494) would allow school districts to approve short-term, interim teaching permits for substitute teachers. Any college student who accumulated 60 credits would be allowed to substitute in a school district after all background checks are completed and school board approval is received.

 

"Especially during this time of year, schools have difficulty finding substitute teachers and this would provide an opportunity for college students majoring in education to see firsthand whether this is the profession they want to continue to pursue," Grucela said. "Non-education majors also would have a chance to see if they want to become a teacher. If they are won over, you have the makings of a good teacher."

 

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Grucela legislation would designate state music and dance

 

Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation (H.B. 1495) that would designate the polka as the Official Folk Music and the American square dance as the Official Folk Dance of Pennsylvania.

 

"The legislation would give Pennsylvania an official folk music and dance that truly express the diversity of the cultures that make our state such a wonderful place to live in," Grucela said. "These are traditions which are ingrained in the lives of many Pennsylvanians, young and old, and they are a fun way to celebrate."

 

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Vitali reintroduces Gubernatorial Public Financing Act

 

Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware, has reintroduced legislation that would limit individual campaign contributions and provide public financing in races for Pennsylvania governor and lieutenant governor, as well as limit campaign spending for candidates who accept public financing for their campaigns. Under the bill, (H.B. 1497) contributions to candidates for governor and lieutenant governor from individuals, groups and political action committees would be capped at $5,000 in the primary election campaign and $5,000 in the general election campaign. In addition, candidates could choose to receive public financing for their campaigns in return for agreeing to voluntary campaign spending limits of $22.5 million. Those receiving public financing would receive a two-to-one match, meaning for every $1 raised, a candidate would receive $2 in public financing, up to $14.5 million.

 

"Pennsylvania remains one of just a handful of states that have not enacted meaningful campaign finance legislation," Vitali said. "This bill would be an important first step in reforming Pennsylvania's campaign finance system and reducing the influence of special interest money in our elections."

 

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DePasquale legislation would help small businesses afford health insurance

 

Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, has introduced legislation that would permit small businesses to pool together to purchase group health insurance at reduced rates. The measure could provide thousands of workers in Pennsylvania with access to affordable health-care coverage. The only current alternative for small businesses is to join a business association or similar group and pay dues and fees for services they do not necessarily need or want solely to receive group insurance rates.

 

"Small businesses lack the purchasing power that larger employers have when it comes to negotiating health insurance plans for their employees," DePasquale said. "As a result, they often are given little choice in plan coverage and are forced to accept steep insurance rates which they and their employees simply cannot afford."

 

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Caltagirone pushes for reduced legislature

 

Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, is reintroducing legislation that would reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature. The proposal would cut the number of Senate districts to 26 and the number of House districts to 103. Currently, under the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Commonwealth is divided into 50 Senate districts and 203 House districts.

 

"My proposal would deliver substantial savings for taxpayers," Caltagirone said. "Reducing the legislature will simplify our government, making it more efficient all the way around."

 

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Taylor bill would preserve Willow Grove for military use

 

Rep. Rick Taylor, D-Montgomery, announced that he will introduce a bill that would prohibit the use of the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base for either commercial passenger or cargo flight service. Legislation recently passed by Congress directs the Navy to turn the air station over to the Air Force for use by the Pennsylvania National Guard and other state and federal agencies as a multi-use facility centering on homeland security and emergency preparedness operations, and Gov. Ed Rendell has declared that Willow Grove will continue to serve the region as a national security and emergency preparedness hub. Without putting the policy into state law, however, a future governor could eliminate the restriction on commercial use.

 

"My neighbors don't want to see a loaded 747 landing in their backyard," Taylor said. "I have spoken with the governor. He is sincere in his commitment to not allow Willow Grove to become a hub for commercial air passenger and cargo operations, but he can't speak for future administrations."

 

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Petrone plan would support transportation with sporting event fee

 

Rep. Thomas Petrone, D-Allegheny, has proposed a plan that would help fill Pennsylvania's transportation funding gap by imposing a small fee on tickets purchased for athletic events. The fee would amount to 10 percent of the price of any athletic event ticket sold in Pennsylvania, from high school sporting events to professional athletics. Petrone said the fee would be justified to help pay for the roads, bridges and transit systems patrons use to get to sporting events.

 

"This is a reasonable alternative to raising the gas tax or a state turnpike privatization plan that would probably result in massive toll hikes," Petrone said. "It's a step in the right direction to ease the financial burden of transportation issues, but the legislature must add other appropriate measures in order to fix the funding gap we are now facing."

 

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DePasquale legislation to help cities crack down on unpaid parking tickets

 

Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, has introduced legislation that would help municipalities that are having difficulty collecting parking fines and fees from residents who habitually ignore parking citations and fail to pay their parking tickets. The bill would extend a provision in state law that allows PennDOT to suspend vehicle registration plates for Philadelphians who have six or more unpaid parking tickets to other municipalities in the state.

 

"There are many people in Pennsylvania who habitually and knowingly ignore parking tickets because the consequences are minor," DePasquale said. "Cities throughout the Commonwealth, not just Philadelphia, are finding it difficult to enforce parking citations and I think its only right to expand this law statewide."

 

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