An update of recent legislative activity by
Pennsylvania House Democrats

June 15, 2007

 

House Democrats move Prescription for Pennsylvania forward

 

House Democratic leaders, bill sponsors and supporters held a news conference this week in Harrisburg to discuss key components of the governor's Prescription for Pennsylvania health-care package. House Democratic lawmakers have introduced or will soon introduce the legislation necessary to enact the program, which is designed to increase access for all Pennsylvanians to affordable health care while lowering costs and increasing safety in Pennsylvania's health-care industry.

 

"During the past few months, the House Democratic Caucus has done its homework on the health-care issue. Chairmen Tony DeLuca, Frank Oliver, Mike Sturla and Todd Eachus have been to every corner of the Commonwealth getting public input. Freshmen and senior members alike have heard testimony from everyone involved in this issue," said House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. "Today, we renew our commitment as we announce the introduction of legislation that embodies the many components of Governor Edward G. Rendell's Prescription for Pennsylvania that have a broad consensus."

 

Click here for more details about the Prescription for Pennsylvania legislation and bill sponsors.

 

 

House passes Solobay bill adding 'Pennsylvania' to state flag

 

The state House has passed legislation introduced by Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, legislation that would add the name "Pennsylvania" to the official state flag. The legislation (H.B. 179) would call for the word "Pennsylvania" to be embroidered in gold above the state's coat of arms on newly manufactured Pennsylvania flags. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

 

"State flags are a way to celebrate our heritage and what makes us unique from other states," said Solobay, D-Washington. "They serve as a rallying point and show our love of the place we call home. By adding 'Pennsylvania' to our state flag, we would ensure that everyone who sees it knows that the banner of blue and gold represents this great Commonwealth."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Freeman bill promoting alternative to sprawl passes House

 

Legislation introduced by Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, that would promote traditional neighborhood development as an alternative to sprawl was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives this week and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The legislation (H.B. 1280) would make it easier for municipalities to use a new zoning strategy known as Traditional Neighborhood Development to encourage multiple-use development in more compact areas rather than sprawl development into open space and farmland. 

 

"Traditional Neighborhood Development is an excellent alternative to the type of sprawl development that consumes vast amounts of farmland and creates traffic congestion nightmares," Freeman said. "TNDs are a more compact form of development that use less land, are pedestrian-friendly and provide for a mix of uses and housing options that foster a greater sense of community than conventional suburban developments. A TND creates an actual village or neighborhood rather than a subdivision." 

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Markosek legislation would set up traffic tip line for motorists

 

The House Transportation Committee has unanimously approved legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland, that would help motorists avoid congested roads and get to their destination safely. The legislation (H.B. 885) would give Pennsylvania the authority to set up a "511" number that motorists could call for instant access to information about highway and traffic conditions nationwide.

 

"This would allow motorists to avoid situations where roads are closed for indefinite periods of time, allowing them to continue their travel safely and in a timely manner," Markosek said. "It also would help prevent traffic backups that could potentially hinder emergency responders from reaching an urgent situation quickly."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

House Committee endorses alternative energy incentives

 

Legislation introduced by Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, as part of the state's Energy Independence Strategy, cleared a major hurdle with approval this week by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The bill (H.B. 1200) would encourage energy independence by allowing the Pennsylvania Economic Development Authority to offer tax credits, grants and loans, and other incentives to alternative-energy and energy-efficient companies.

 

"By investing in alternative energy and moving away from our dependence on foreign oil, we have an opportunity to create jobs, build our economy and protect our environment and national security interests, as well as strengthen the energy industry and add cost savings for consumers," DePasquale said. "With the support we have seen from economic development officials, business leaders and now state lawmakers, it is obvious that we are ready to move forward with this agenda and finally implement policies that will encourage energy independence."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Hornaman energy bill approved by House committee

 

Legislation introduced by Rep. John Hornaman, D-Erie, as part of the governor's Energy Independence Strategy for Pennsylvania has been reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The bill (H.B. 1203) would increase the Commonwealth's use of clean energy by requiring electrical suppliers to speed up their transition to alternative energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power. It would also reward customers who produce a portion of their own electric power and return it to the grid, establish alternative-energy credit trading incentives and rules for expanding local power sources, and boost oversight to ensure compliance with clean- and alternative-energy requirements.

 

"These initiatives would help to make Pennsylvania an energy and economic powerhouse," Hornaman said. "The goal is to build a homegrown energy industry that provides cleaner power and high-tech jobs statewide while reducing our reliance of foreign sources of energy."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Mann legislation would benefit veterans working for state, schools

 

Rep. Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, has introduced legislation that would benefit veterans who served in the U.S. military prior to being employed by the state or a school in Pennsylvania. Currently, state and school employees are able to purchase retirement credit for their prior military service, but that service is credited at a lower rate than regular state or school service. The legislation (H.B. 1103) would raise the credit rate for military service to the same rate as state and school service -- 2.5 percent.

 

"This legislation would correct a grave inequality in our state employees' benefit system," Mann said. "The men and women who have sacrificed and served our country deserve to be equally compensated for their military service."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Mann legislation would lower Pa. compulsory school age from 8 to 6

 

Rep. Jennifer Mann, D-Lehigh, has reintroduced legislation (H.B. 1143) that would lower Pennsylvania's compulsory school age from 8 to 6. Under current law, parents are not held responsible for ensuring children under 8 attend school. The legislation would require children to attend school as soon as they turn 6.  

 

"This legislation would give all of our children the opportunity to thrive," Mann said. "Many studies have shown that school attendance at a young age advances the social and academic development of kids."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Smith unveils 'green' building legislation

 

Rep. Matt Smith, D-Allegheny, has introduced two bills that would increase the number of environmentally friendly "green" buildings in Pennsylvania. The first bill (H.B. 1204) would require all buildings constructed or renovated with state funds to meet environmental standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The second bill (H.B. 1205) would provide a tax credit for residential or commercial construction or renovations that meet the standards.

 

"These bills establish a financial incentive for entrepreneurs and business owners to take responsibility for the types of buildings they own, and to contribute to the health of our environment for future generations," Smith said.

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Frankel introduces statewide anti-discrimination bill

 

Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill (H.B. 1400) that would protect people who live or work in Pennsylvania from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in employment, housing or credit. Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act already bans discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, a non-job related handicap or disability or the use of a guide or support animal due to a person being blind, deaf or having a physical handicap.

 

"A majority of Americans now live in one of the 20 states that ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation," Frankel said. "Nearly 40 percent of Americans live in one of the 12 states that ban discrimination based on gender identity. It is time for Pennsylvanians to have those same protections." 

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Rep. White introduces legislation to lower car insurance premiums

 

Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Beaver/Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would prohibit insurance companies from using a person's credit score to determine how much of a premium he or she has to pay for automobile coverage. The bill (H.B. 1410) would prohibit insurance companies from using a credit score or other information contained in a credit report to cancel, issue, renew, impose a fee on or apply a rating factor to an automobile insurance policy.

 

"Even people with no blemishes on their driving record could end up paying a higher premium because of the way insurance companies are computing their insurance scores," White said. "And the worst part is that most people don't even know that their credit histories affect their insurance premiums because insurers are not required to disclose their scores or explain how they were computed."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Frankel bill would end tobacco subsidy by closing tax loophole

 

Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that could raise an estimated $77 million per year by eliminating a tax loophole that he believes amounts to a subsidy for big tobacco. The legislation (H.B.1476) would end Pennsylvania's tax exemption for cigars, pipe tobacco and smokeless tobacco and begin taxing them at a rate similar to cigarettes.

 

"We are the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco at all, and it's time to end this loophole for all three of these categories of tobacco products," Frankel said. "Pennsylvania essentially provides a huge, indefensible tobacco subsidy with a direct impact on the state budget of $77 million per year - about $6 for every resident. This loophole also creates a much larger indirect impact through unnecessary health-care costs borne by government, private employers, individuals and families."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Foster parents could gain voice under proposed Shimkus bill

 

Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, has introduced a bill that would give foster parents a say in court decisions about their foster child's future. House Bill 1511 would allow foster parents to submit a written report about a child in their care to the court before the child's permanency hearings. Permanency hearings are held every six months to determine whether a child should return to his or her natural parents, remain in foster care or be put up for adoption.

 

"Many times, foster parents know these children better than anyone else," Shimkus said. "Their experiences with the children are more revealing than anything a social worker or an attorney could provide to the court, so it's only fitting that foster parents should have a say in these children's future."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Cohen bill would require fire extinguishers in commercial vehicles

 

Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Phila., has introduced legislation (H.B. 1513) that would require all commercial vehicles to carry a portable fire extinguisher on board. Federal regulation used to require fire extinguishers on all trucks and commercial vehicles; however small trucks are now exempt.

 

"This is a simple measure to save lives," Cohen said. "A person in a small truck is more than twice as likely to die in a vehicle fire as a person in a car fire. Carrying an extinguisher can save lives in such accidents."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

McGeehan bill would restrict signs on state property

 

Rep. Michael McGeehan, D-Phila., has introduced legislation that would prohibit people from placing signs on state property, including state roads, bridges and buildings. Violators would be subject to a $25 fine for each sign. The bill (H.B. 1519) is aimed primarily at reducing the number of candidate signs that are posted on roadways during political campaigns.

 

"Too many candidates and campaigns do not police themselves with respect to cleaning up what they've created," McGeehan said. "Signs left a long our state highways increase the difficulty and cost of maintaining roadways and too often remain an eyesore and a trash problem long after political campaigns are over."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Sturla introduces legislation to attract more film business to Pa.

 

Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, has introduced legislation that would help to attract more film production to Pennsylvania by providing a film production tax credit and expanding the state's Film Production Grant Program. One bill (H.B. 1528) would provide a film production tax credit of up to 25 percent of production expenses for films with a budget over $2 million. The credit would only apply to production expenses incurred in Pennsylvania. The other bill (H.B. 1529) would support the growing independent film industry by increasing the state's Film Production Grant Program by 50 percent, from $10 million to $15 million, and using the additional $5 million to provide tax credits to film productions with a budget of less than $2 million.

 

"With $80 million being spent in the state last year on filmmaking, I believe we could increase that amount significantly with the aid of my film tax credit bills," Sturla said. "The exact amount available for these credits will be negotiated in the state budget."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

James introduces bills to investigate racial profiling in traffic stops

 

Rep. Harold James, D-Phila., has introduced a pair of bills aimed at investigating and ending traffic stops based on racial profiling. The first bill, (H.B. 1539) would require Pennsylvania's attorney general to collect and study information on traffic stops. The second bill (H.B. 1540) would prohibit traffic stops solely on the basis of race and authorize the attorney general to investigate all claims of racial profiling and report his findings to the General Assembly.

 

"Racial profiling is a problem across the country, and I believe we owe it to the citizens of Pennsylvania to investigate records of traffic stops to ensure the problem does not occur in the Commonwealth," James said. "The bottom line is that the citizens of Pennsylvania need to know that their representatives realize racial profiling is wrong and are working to end the problem."

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

Gerber announces plan to protect Pa. taxpayers from fraud

 

Rep. Michael Gerber, D-Montgomery, will introduce anti-fraud legislation to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers. The bill would allow whistleblowers who discover fraud or theft involving state money to sue those responsible to recover the funds. The legislation would also make Pennsylvania eligible for a federal anti-fraud incentive program and punish wrongdoers with significant damages and civil penalties.  

 

"With my legislation, we could seriously cut the amount of money lost to fraud and create a new source of revenue by encouraging good citizens to blow the whistle on those who are ripping off taxpayer dollars," Gerber said.

 

-- Click here to read more.

 

 

McIlvaine Smith working to save local recycling programs

 

Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, will introduce legislation aimed at saving many local recycling programs that are at risk because of a state court ruling. Many counties in Pennsylvania charge waste haulers an administrative fee on the trash they collect. The fee helps to pay for county recycling, household hazardous waste collection and other programs. But in 2005, Commonwealth Court ruled that the General Assembly had not given counties specific authority to collect such a fee. The proposed legislation would remedy that situation by allowing counties and municipal authorities created by counties for the purpose of operating recycling programs to collect a reasonable administrative fee from waste haulers.

 

"Recycling is working in Pennsylvania, but local communities may be forced to dump their recycling programs if they can't get enough green to keep them out of the red," McIlvaine Smith said. "By allowing our local governments to collect a reasonable fee, we would eliminate the danger of these programs being cut due to lack of money."

 

-- Click here to read more.