PA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE REVIEW - January 4, 2013

A state legislative update from the PA House Democratic Caucus THE LATEST... Democratic leader welcomes new members; sets Democratic priorities for 2013-14 During swearing-in ceremonies at the state Capitol Jan. 1, House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody welcomed 19 new Democratic members to begin their service to their constituents in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and invited both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to work together during the 2013-14 session to improve Pennsylvania, its economy and the health and prosperity of its residents. "We will do well to remember that we are one House with one mission – to best serve the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Dermody said. "The events of this week in Washington offer a very real lesson of what is at stake when government does not perform at its best." Dermody also laid out the agenda of House Democrats for the coming legislative session: "We believe in making smart investments that raise the standard of living of all Pennsylvanians, and contribute to the growth of businesses and other institutions that supply jobs for working people…We need to understand that our workers, our families and our children are our top priority. Then, let us make sure that workers' jobs and benefits are protected, children's schools are adequately staffed, and quality health care remains available, affordable and accessible to all Pennsylvanians." For the first time since 1991, the first Tuesday of the two-year legislative session – when the Pennsylvania Constitution requires the General Assembly to meet and swear in its members – fell on New Year’s Day. You can watch Democratic Leader Dermody’s House Floor remarks here. 2013-14 House Democratic committee chairmen announced The following will serve as Democratic chairmen of the House of Representatives’ standing committees for the 2013-14 legislative session. The committees study each bill and determine which proposals will go to the full House. They conduct public hearings on key issues, allowing the public and interested groups to have a say in the legislative process, and they serve as a resource for members and others. They also have legislative oversight over various state departments, boards and agencies. Aging and Older Adult Services: Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Lehigh/Northampton Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Armstrong/Westmoreland Children and Youth: Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Philadelphia Commerce: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, D-Philadelphia Consumer Affairs: Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Fayette/Washington Education: Rep. James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia Environmental Resources and Energy: Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware Finance: Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne Game and Fisheries: Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Cambria Gaming Oversight: Rep. Rosita Youngblood, D-Philadelphia Health: Rep. Flo Fabrizio, D-Erie Human Services: Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Philadelphia Insurance: Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny Judiciary: Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks Labor and Industry: Rep. Bill Keller, D-Philadelphia Liquor Control: Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny Local Government: Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton Professional Licensure: Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Allegheny State Government: Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia Tourism and Recreational Development: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-Delaware Transportation: Rep. Michael P. McGeehan, D-Philadelphia Urban Affairs: Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Fayette/Westmoreland Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness: Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Beaver/Lawrence Some House Democrats question Corbett flip-flop on NCAA sanctions While expressing support for efforts to reduce the harsh sanctions imposed by the NCAA on Penn State as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal, several Democrats in the state House this week said they have concerns about the timing of Gov. Tom Corbett’s lawsuit. The lawmakers agree that the NCAA sanctions could hurt current and future students, the university, the State College community and Pennsylvania’s economy far more than the individuals responsible for the child sexual abuse scandal that took place. However, they say the governor’s decision to sue now, when he initially expressed support for the NCAA sanctions and the Freeh report they were based on, is confusing. "For more than five months the governor supported the NCAA sanctions," said state Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington. "As attorney general he waited years to take Jerry Sandusky off the streets and now as governor and a Penn State trustee he’s wasted months before standing up for this world-class university. State Attorney General-elect Kathleen Kane should deal with this after she is sworn in on January 15." "I support the concept of Governor Corbett’s lawsuit against the NCAA to try to get these draconian penalties removed," said state Rep. Frank Farina, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, "but I question why he is now fighting the sanctions, when, last July, he said part of the corrective process for Penn State was to, quote: ‘…accept the serious penalties imposed today by the NCAA on Penn State University and its football program.’" State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, questioned the governor’s decision not to include Attorney General-elect Kathleen Kane in discussions about the lawsuit before he pursued it. "I’m glad he’s finally joining us," Conklin said, "but I’m bewildered by the fact that he was for it before he was against it." Ravenstahl wants carbon monoxide detectors in all Pa. schools State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl plans to introduce legislation that would require all Pennsylvania schools that have heating systems or appliances powered by fossil fuels to install carbon monoxide detectors. "A recent incident at an Atlanta school where dozens of students and adults were sickened by carbon monoxide should be a wake-up call about the dangers of this gas," said Ravenstahl, D-Allegheny. "Carbon monoxide detectors can help protect the health and safety of children and school employees." Pennsylvania law does not require schools to install carbon monoxide detectors. Only two states, Connecticut and Maryland, require carbon monoxide detectors in their schools. Ravenstahl said his legislation would apply to both public and private schools. Ravenstahl said CO detectors could have prevented the Dec. 3 incident at Finch Elementary School in Atlanta. A potentially deadly build-up of the gas sent 42 students and seven adults to hospitals and forced 500 people to evacuate the building. Four children reported passing out at the school, according to news reports. The gas build-up was caused by two maintenance workers who failed to reopen a valve on a furnace, according to news reports.. The school since has installed CO detectors. Ravenstahl said he is particularly sensitive to the dangers of carbon monoxide because two of his relatives died after being poisoned by the gas in 2009. Conklin unveils legislation to reform PSU Board of Trustees At a State College news conference recently, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, unveiled a multi-bill package designed to increase accountability and transparency among the Pennsylvania State University's Board of Trustees. Conklin said his proposed reforms are prompted by recommendations issued by state Auditor General Jack Wagner in the wake of the conviction and sentencing of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. "This is about increasing accountability and transparency within a public university," Conklin said. "These are comprehensive and overarching reforms that we have been diligently working on." This process began during the last legislative session and I will work with my colleagues in the new legislative session to get these reforms to the governor's desk." Proposed reforms include: Prohibiting the president of the university from serving as a voting member of the board, an officer of the board or on any executive committees, standing committees or subcommittees of the board; making the governor and the secretaries of Education, Agriculture and Conservation and Natural Resources ex-officio members of the board; prohibiting anyone who has served as governor or in the capacity of a statewide row office from serving on the board until four years after their term has ended; requiring the board to elect officers annually; requiring trustees to comply with the state's Ethics Act, including the financial disclosure provisions; reducing trustee term limits to nine years and establishing three-year terms; and reducing the overall size of the board of trustees to 22 members.

January 4, 2013   IN THE NEWS Gaming benefits continue to grow for PA taxpayers Volunteer orgs get delay on new reporting requirements PA on track for year-end surplus Mental health cuts have made hard job harder Government DID help build that Transportation failure raises fares Transparency issues continue for governor GOP's Electoral College plan is no fix Privatizing liqour hasn't lowered price Transportation still tops priority list Corbett budget drives up property taxes Corbett faces challenges on lottery scheme Who is Camelot Group? Corbett cut $$ for mental health care New method to 'rig' elections? Why the rush to privatize lottery? Corbett keeps pushing lottery giveaway Reality of healthcare budget cuts Transparency? More efforts to stop giveaway of lottery Lottery already making record profits Too many questions; few answers The big-money fix was in Seniors stand against lottery privatization Corbett ripped for his hypocrisy Big $$ for consultants in lottery scheme Treasurer: Not so fast on private lottery As health bills rise, Corbett does nothing Gov gets personal hiding public info Urgency of PA's transportation crisis DPW should not be political football More voter suppression from PA GOP Transportation plan delays costing PA Legislature should have say in lottery plan ------------- Follow the House Democratic Caucus on Social Media:

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