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June 25, 2007

Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

"It's a proposal that lives within the rate of inflation. It's a proposal that has no tax increases, no gimmicks. And it's certainly one that we believe the House and the Governor should support."

-- Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) on Senate passage of a state spending plan that cuts $344 million from the administration's proposal. 

Preview

HEALTH CARE, SMOKING BAN ON SENATE AGENDA

IN ADDITION TO CONTINUING WORK on the state budget and related issues, the Senate next week could take up several measures designed to improve health care and long-term care.

Senate Bill 968, sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), would establish the roles of health care facilities and state government in reducing the incidence of health care-associated infection, and Senate Bill 811, sponsored by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), would require the creation of a web site with licensing and certification information on nursing homes, personal care homes and domiciliary care homes. 

The Senate could also vote on Senate Bill 246, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), which would establish the Clean Indoor Air Act by prohibiting smoking in public places.

On Tuesday, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana), will hold a public hearing on competition in the Pennsylvania health care market. This hearing is part of ongoing Senate Republican efforts to make quality health care more affordable.

Review

SENATE VOTES TO SLASH BUDGET SPENDING, HOLD LINE ON TAXES

THE SENATE ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED a 2007-08 state budget plan that reduces spending by $344 million from the governor's proposed budget, holding the line on taxes and meeting Pennsylvania's core budget needs. 

The $27 billion budget includes a modest 2.7 percent increase in spending over the current fiscal year without any of the new or increased taxes proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell. 

As amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Gib Armstrong (R-Lancaster), House Bill 1286 meets the objectives set by Senate Republicans for the budget. 

"Our caucus has consistently advocated for a budget that meets Pennsylvania's real needs with no tax increases for this year or next, and with spending growth limits close to the cost of living. Today, the Senate advanced – with strong bipartisan support – a budget proposal that meets those goals. This is a responsible budget, but it also includes many tough choices. Several line items which have traditionally been funded are reduced or eliminated." said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware). 

(For more on the Senate budget plan, please see In the Spotlight, below.)

- Sen. Gib Armstrong (R-Lancaster)
- Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)
 - Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia)
- Sen. James Rhoades (R-Schuylkill)
 

SENATE APPROVES LEGISLATION TO ENSURE STATE REGULATIONS ARE BASED ON RELIABLE DATA 

LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY SEN. TED ERICKSON (R-DELAWARE) to help ensure that state regulations are based on reliable data and sound science was unanimously approved Wednesday by the Senate. 

Senate Bill 752, the Data Quality Act, would expand the scope of review by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to include the examination of the quality of data, studies, reports and information underlying state regulation being implemented.

The burden of justification would be on the regulatory agency to demonstrate that the regulation is based upon empirical, replicable and testable information. If the agency does not, or cannot, it would be grounds for disapproval of the proposed regulation. Any state agency seeking to implement a regulation would have the responsibility to provide to the IRRC a sufficient description of any data upon which regulation is based as well as a detailed explanation of how the data was obtained and why the data is acceptable.

"Regulations are a necessary part of governing, but if you're a citizen or employer trying to navigate a maze of rules that don't seem to make sense, it can be maddening. Senate Bill 752 is designed to alleviate that and make the process more open and fair," said Senator Erickson.  Senate Bill 752 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
 

SENATE PASSES SEN. TOMLINSON'S BILL PROMOTING VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES 

THE SENATE APPROVED LEGISLATION WEDNESDAY that would encourage state agencies to contract with veteran-owned businesses.

Senate Bill 87, sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks), would require the Department of General Services to head the effort, and would set an annual contracting goal of not less than 5 percent for businesses owned by veterans. 

The legislation is an outgrowth of a successful program, VETWORK YOUR BUSINESS, which was launched in 2005 in Philadelphia.  It provides veteran owned businesses with the training and contacts necessary to access large private sector companies for contract opportunities. 

Senator Tomlinson said: "Senate Bill 87 would take this concept and apply it to state contracting to ensure that veterans are aware of the business opportunities that are available to them with Commonwealth agencies. This legislation will give veterans access to valuable business resources, tools, contacts, and networks that will help them to grow and succeed."

Senate Bill 87 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. 

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING EXAMINES SCHOOL SAFETY ISSUES 

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JAMES RHOADES (R-SCHUYLKILL) on Wednesday emphasized the need for school officials to properly implement state laws regarding the safety and security of public schools. 

The committee held a public hearing on a survey the state Auditor General conducted on the issue earlier this year. The survey found that while most school districts have safe school plans in place, many of those plans are not effectively communicated or implemented. Auditor General Jack Wagner also testified that 25 percent of school districts do not have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with local law enforcement agencies for handling acts of violence and outlining emergency response procedures. 

Senator Rhoades said: "There is nothing more important than ensuring the safety and security of Pennsylvania's public schools. This survey shows that the strong school safety laws we currently have on the books are not being implemented properly in all of our public schools. That needs to change." 

The Senate has already taken action to strengthen school security during this legislative session. Senate Bill 112, sponsored by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), would impose penalties on school officials who do not properly implement the safe schools law. The legislation was approved by the Education Committee in March and passed the Senate on April 23 by a vote of 48-1. Senate Bill 112 is awaiting action in the House Education Committee.

 

COMMITTEE ACTS TO BOOST FUNDRAISERS FOR FIRE COMPANIES, OTHER NONPROFITS 

TWO MEASURES THAT WILL HELP VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES and other nonprofit organizations raise funds were approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh). 

Senate Bill 845, sponsored by Senator Browne, would raise the prize limit for any one game from $500 to $1,000. The legislation would also replace the $5,000 weekly prize limit with a $20,000 weekly cash value prize limit. Payouts of less than $26 would not count toward the weekly prize limit. The legislation also includes a new provision that allows for progressive games to be conducted with a maximum cash value of $5,000. 

Senator Browne said: "Many charitable and nonprofit organizations, such as volunteer fire companies and community groups, use small games of chance as fundraising tools. We have not increased the maximum payouts in some time and we have not permitted progressive games. The changes in my legislation are intended to help groups raise funds that support the organization's mission and are used for the benefit of the community." 

The committee also approved Senate Bill 978, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon), which would change the licensing of bingo associations from annual licenses to biennial. It also increases the daily prize limit from $4,000 to $8,000 and would allow more than one licensed association to lease the same premises for the conducting of bingo.
 - Senator Folmer

In the Spotlight

While reducing overall spending, House Bill 1286, as amended by the Senate, restores $105.7 million in funding that Governor Rendell cut from a variety of important programs and services in his proposed budget. The funding includes support for epilepsy services, lupus treatment, trauma center certification, emergency care research, agricultural research, and self-employment assistance.

The Senate plan also increases basic education funding by 3.5 percent, bringing state support to $4.95 billion in 2007-08. Special education funding would increase by 3 percent, up to a total of just over $1 billion. 

State System of Higher Education universities will see a 3.5 percent increase, as will community colleges. Pennsylvania's state-related universities (Penn State, Temple, Pittsburgh and Lincoln) will receive an additional 2 percent each.
 

Fast Facts

Questions or Comments?

Contact the Senate Republican Communications Office or call 717-787-6725.

 

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