PA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE REVIEW - March 22, 2013

A state legislative update from the PA House Democratic Caucus THE LATEST... Republicans pass anti-consumer bill over strong Democratic opposition Every Democratic legislator in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted against a liquor privatization scheme offered this week that will end up increasing confusion and costing consumers more money. Democratic Leader Frank Dermody said the Republican-authored bill (H.B. 790) would result in huge job losses, higher liquor prices, decreased product selection, and greater problems for law enforcement in combating underage drinking. “This liquor bill reveals the misplaced priorities of the Republican majority and the governor,” Dermody said. “At a time when unemployment is rising in Pennsylvania, they are pushing a bill that would put 5,000 more people out of work and would favor large private liquor sellers at the expense of consumers and small businesses.” READ MORE HERE. VISIT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS' YOUTUBE PAGE TO WATCH MORE LEGISLATORS ARGUE FOR A LIQUOR SYSTEM FOCUSED ON CONSUMERS AND CONVENIENCE, NOT CONFUSION AND CORPORATE PROFITS. Property reassessment reform coming to Pennsylvania A bipartisan trio of legislators lauded Senate Bill 66’s passage through the state legislature, which will make sweeping reforms to the way property reassessments are conducted in Pennsylvania. State Reps. Jesse White, Brandon Neuman and Rick Saccone said the bill passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday 196-0 and is headed to the governor’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law. The bill unanimously passed the state Senate 49-0 on Jan. 29. Largely based on bills authored by White, Neuman and Saccone – and on the House Task Force on Property Valuation and Reassessment created under their legislation – the bill would standardize reassessment processes that wildly vary among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, and that often lead to dramatic property tax increases for home and business owners. READ MORE HERE. Harhai bill would guarantee family centers funding Hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2011 budget scenario that threatened to wipe out their funding, state Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Westmoreland/Fayette, said he plans to introduce a bill that would guarantee a minimum $15.3 million state appropriation for operating family centers. Harhai said these centers – such as the one operated by Monessen School District in collaboration with Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc. – provide an invaluable service to students, parents and the community. “I have personally seen their effectiveness in improving lives,” Harhai said. “Geared toward aiding students whose problems prohibit them from being in a regular classroom, facilities like the one in Monessen use a family-centered approach that includes emphasis on parenting skills, nutrition, health and recreational exercise.” READ MORE HERE. DeLuca measure would protect students from exposure to drugs At a Capitol news conference this week, state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Allegheny, unveiled his most recent legislative effort to improve the safety and well-being of students throughout the commonwealth. DeLuca discussed the details of his H.B. 810 which would require pre-employment drug screening for all prospective employees of public and private schools, intermediate units and area vocational technical schools. “This straightforward piece of legislation would ensure that prospective employees are healthy, alert and productive, a reasonable expectation of those responsible for the safety and well-being of children,” DeLuca explained. READ MORE HERE. WATCH VIDEO HERE. Child abuse reporting bill provides safeguards from discrimination State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., announced the House Children and Youth Committee has unanimously voted in favor of legislation that would protect child abuse reporters from facing workplace discrimination. House Bill 429 would expand protection from legally defined mandated reporters to those who may not be clearly identified as a mandated reporter by law. Any one person who suspects child abuse and makes a good faith report would be protected from being penalized via compensation, advancement or any other privileges of employment. The bill would entitle anyone unlawfully terminated to receive compensation including, but not limited to, reinstatement of employment with retroactive pay. “We must encourage those who witness abuse to come forward. Often times these people find it difficult to come forward if they fear their jobs and livelihood are on the line,” Bishop explained. “This is just one more way to protect children and those who are willing to do the right thing and stand up for victims of abuse.” READ MORE HERE. Youngblood: Pa. should expand 'Safe Haven' law to further protect newborns State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood, D-Phila., announced this week her plans to introduce legislation that would expand the state's Newborn Protection Act, better known as the Pennsylvania Safe Haven Law. Specifically, the proposal, which Youngblood plans to introduce next week, would allow police stations to serve as safe havens in Pennsylvania. Police officers would then be directed to take the infant to the nearest hospital in order for the newborn to receive immediate care and attention. Youngblood said she was contacted by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services last year when a new mother, unable to care for her newborn child, left her infant with Philadelphia police officers, thinking she was doing the right thing and abiding by the state's Safe Haven Law. Although the Police Commissioner's Office did not press any charges against the mother, city officials concluded that the law only allows a newborn, up to 28 days old, to be dropped off at a hospital. READ MORE HERE. Thomas seeks traffic court reforms State Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, D-Phila., has introduced legislation that would reform Philadelphia Traffic Court by altering the composition of the court from its current seven-judge makeup to a court presided over by a president judge and six masters. Thomas hopes this legislation will address the challenges facing Traffic Court which has recently been plagued with numerous charges of judicial misconduct.             “I am as angry as the state Supreme Court and others about the state of affairs at Traffic Court under both Democrat and Republican administrations,” explained Thomas. “Traffic Court sees a high volume of cases annually and is one of the minor courts in the First Judicial District.  However, it is not presided over by lawyers, but by individuals who are elected and can pass a qualifying exam. Under current law, there are no educational requirements to serve as a traffic court judge. One needs only to be 21 years of age, live in Philadelphia and mount a successful campaign to secure the position that wields some degree of authority.” READ MORE HERE. Davis takes wraps off measure banning political gifts State Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, has introduced legislation that would prohibit public officials and candidates in Pennsylvania from accepting any gift valued at more than $50. “My gift ban legislation, House Bill 855, is not new,” Davis said. “However, recent reports highlight the need for such a ban, and Pennsylvanians are disgusted by such unseemly perks to public servants.” Davis said her measure also would prohibit any form of hospitality, including transportation and lodging, whose market value or combined value exceeds $500 a year. READ MORE HERE. Dermody comments on chaotic liquor legislation House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody commented on Monday’s meeting of the Liquor Control Committee, which advanced legislation (H.B. 790) that would greatly complicate Pennsylvania’s system of selling liquor. “People want convenience. This legislation delivers chaos,” Dermody said. “The members of the committee raised many questions about the bill and the substantial changes made to it today, but they did not get many answers. Having just received the extremely complex amendment three days ago, legislators are honestly confused about what they were asked to add to the bill today.” READ MORE HERE. McGeehan, Rozzi amendments would expose child sexual abuse, perpetrators Saying the net effect would be exposing child sexual abuse and its hidden perpetrators, state Reps. Michael P. McGeehan, D-Phila., and Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, this week rallied support for their amendments to establish a window for filing civil lawsuits in cases where that ability has legally expired. McGeehan and Rozzi said many child predators and the institutions that protected them have escaped detection and justice over the years simply because the statute of limitations blocks legal action against them. They said their amendments to H.B. 342 would remove that roadblock. McGeehan’s Amendment 188 would open a two-year window for victims to file civil charges in cases where the statute of limitations has expired – and would suspend the sovereign immunity that protects school and government officials from prosecution in such cases. READ MORE HERE. WATCH VIDEO HERE AND HERE It's time to move forward with PSU Board of Trustees reforms State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, is urging legislative action on his multi-bill package designed to increase accountability and transparency among the Pennsylvania State University's Board of Trustees. Conklin said this follows news of the recent recommendations by the board's committee on governance to remove the voting power of the university president and Pennsylvania's governor, a key provision also included in Conklin's legislation. "This is a step in the right direction," Conklin said. "Discussions are moving forward and that's encouraging news.” READ MORE HERE.

March 22, 2013 HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS PA House votes to privatize liquor stores Beer sellers fear competition in PA’s newly liberated market Corbett can claim PA House liquor vote, but shouldn't strut just yet Liquor privatization bill passes in PA House PA House approves liquor privatization bill PA House passes HB 790, the liquor privatization bill Midstate GOP lawmakers vote for liquor privatization; Rep. Kim votes no State lawmakers pass legislation that could standardize reassessments across PA Luzerne County-owned Moon Lake Park looks to reopen every day PA House nears vote on liquor privatization Fight over UPMC's tax status will pass to new Pittsburgh mayor Look-alike nicotine products that could harm children Liquor privatization bill appears headed to PA House today PA House to vote today on privatizing liquor sales PA House ready to vote on liquor privatization bill Authority awards $12.5 million in gambling funds to finance 37 projects throughout Luzerne County Drone command center coming to Montgomery County Proposal to merge PA game and fish and boat commissions Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corp. to learn if gaming grant application to restore historic mosque will be approved PA lawmakers add 119 amendments to liquor bill Rep. Conklin claims Penn State wants to stall trustee reform Agencies dispute legislative report on flaws at PA charter schools Rep. Roebuck touts his legislationto generate $365 million for public schools without raising taxes Law that created charter schools need to be overhauled PA House liquor committee approves sale of state store system PA liquor privatization bill en route to House for a vote PA House set to debate privatizing state stores PA Turnpike crackdown coming Legislation to overhaul PA's child-abuse reporting system is on fast track PA House committee makes big changes to PLCB bill Liquor privatization bill clears PA House committee Liquor privatization sent to PA House floor Rep. Thomas makes bid to salvage Philadelphia Traffic Court PA Senate panel focuses on reforms to Penn State governance Rep. Roebuck to release report on abuses found in probe of charters Reps. Painter, Paul Costa say Corbett liquor plan would hurt small businesses Foreign trade zone designation at airport in Cambria County would bring wine, jobs Legislation requiring municipalities using state police services to pay yearly fee is a sound idea Democratic Pittsburgh mayoral hopefuls crowd in for debate PA Legislature should pass charter and cyber charter school reform bill Court says law giving counties permission to abolish jury commissioner positions violated PA constitution Former Rep. Melton, a cofounder of the PA Legislative Black Caucus, dies at 69 Resolution would designate March as 'Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month Bills would mandate minimum number of RNs-to-patient ratio ------------- Follow the House Democratic Caucus on Social Media:

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