The House Democratic Policy Committee, which includes rank-and-file members, standing committee minority chairmen, and the leadership team, creates the House Democratic Caucus's Policy Agenda. For the 2009-2010 legislative session, the Policy Agenda was Investing In Pennsylvanians' Future. The agenda was successful in enacting 77 laws and passing 132 bills in the House that the Senate failed to concur. For the 2011-2012 legislative session, the House Democratic Caucus must now aim to protect the gains made last session while also continuing to push for a better future. Here are the seven priority areas and guiding principles for this session's Policy Agenda:

2011-2012 Policy Agenda:
Protecting Pennsylvanians While Advancing A Better Future

JOBS / Economic Development

We support family-sustaining Pennsylvania jobs and Pennsylvania businesses that strengthen our communities while protecting our natural resources and citizens.

EDUCATION / Training

We support continued, accountable, results-oriented investments in all of our citizens from early childhood education to high schools and colleges that prepare Pennsylvanians to compete in a global economy while lessening the burden of local property tax increases.

COMMUNITIES / Safety

We support working together in our communities by rehabilitating our neighborhoods with smart growth and strengthening police, fire and emergency services while preserving Pennsylvanians' culture for generations to come.

ENVIRONMENT / Energy

We support clean energy, businesses and infrastructure that protect our natural resources, water, air and land while strengthening our communities to become good stewards of Pennsylvania for future generations.

INFRASTRUCTURE / Transportation

We support investments in modernizing and maintaining our infrastructure that allows Pennsylvanians to productively compete in a global economy.

HEALTH CARE / Wellness

We support guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care for working Pennsylvanians, children, seniors and those with special needs, regardless of pre-existing conditions.

GOVERNANCE / Fiscal Policy

We support transparent, open, accountable, government operations, free from undue corporate and outside influences, and a fair fiscal policy that protects working families and local businesses from unwarranted tax increases while ensuring that out-of-state corporate interests pay their fair share.