PA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE REVIEW - April 5, 2013

A state legislative update from the PA House Democratic Caucus THE LATEST... State education funding and school safety examined at public hearing The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from school administrators, teachers and child advocates at a public hearing at University of Scranton April 4 regarding the state’s education funding and school safety issues, Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said. State Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-Lackawanna, requested the hearing and served as co-chairman. The hearing looked at the impact of education funding cuts to local schools as well as school safety issues. Haggerty has introduced H.B. 196, which would provide funding for public school resource officers in elementary schools. “We have an obligation to educate our kids, and providing an environment where they feel safe can aid in their learning,” Sturla said. “Representative Haggerty is taking a comprehensive look at Pennsylvania’s education system and ways we can maximize our investment in our children.” READ MORE HERE. Democratic Policy Committee examines transportation funding options The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from state transportation officials at a public hearing April 3 to examine options to resolve Pennsylvania’s transportation funding crisis, said committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. State Rep. Frank Farina, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, requested the hearing and served as co-chairman. At the hearing transportation experts and local business leaders provided testimony regarding the regional economic impacts of critical investments in transportation and infrastructure. "It is undeniable that Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure needs an overhaul. Its current condition is adding to traffic congestion, higher vehicle maintenance costs, declining economic competitiveness and is endangering public safety," Sturla said. "Representative Farina has been leading the charge to ensure that any investment made in our infrastructure is adequate to restore the Commonwealth’s roads and bridges." READ MORE HERE. Democratic Policy Committee assesses liquor privatization proposal Members of the House Democratic Policy Committee explored details of a plan to privatize the state’s wine and spirits stores at a public hearing at Marywood University on April 2, said committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. State Rep. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, requested the hearing and served as co-chairman. The hearing examined the impact on price, availability and social costs associated with privatization in other states, as well as the potential bearing on Pennsylvania stakeholders under H.B. 790, a plan that passed the House last week and is awaiting consideration in the state Senate. House Bill 790 was only made public for a week, and never received a public hearing before it was voted on. If the Senate acts on the legislation, it is expected to be sent back to the House in amended form. READ MORE HERE. Democratic Policy Committee explores availability of mental health funding The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from state and community mental health stakeholders at a public hearing March 28 to examine the availability of funding for mental health services in Pennsylvania, said committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., requested the hearing and served as co-chairman. The hearing centered on state funding allocated for mental health services in Pennsylvania, and the availability of those services. “One of the most surprising elements of the governor’s budget address was his failure to mention mental health even once,” Sturla said. “Following the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, I expected funding for mental health care to take a prime place in the budget discussion. Representative Kinsey has ensured this issue is not ignored, and I applaud his commitment to this issue.” READ MORE HERE. Matzie urges attorney general, auditor general to take action on no-bid contracts State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, sent a letter recently to Attorney General Kathleen Kane and Auditor General Eugene DePasquale questioning the legitimacy of a no-bid contracted awarded to NICUSA Inc. by Gov. Tom Corbett. "A contract, worth potentially hundreds of millions of dollars, was awarded to this company to build and maintain websites for the Commonwealth," said Matzie. The Office of Administration had previously claimed that there were “no other vendors” providing similar services, a claim Matzie rejects. READ MORE HERE. Democratic Policy Committee reviews liquor privatization plan Members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from drug abuse prevention and policy experts and labor leaders at a public hearing in Abington March 27 regarding the potential social impact of a liquor privatization plan that passed the state House, Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, said. State Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Montgomery, requested the hearing and served as co-chairwoman, Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, Democratic chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, also attended. The hearing looked at the impact on price, availability and social costs associated with privatization in other states, as well as the potential bearing on Pennsylvania stakeholders under H.B. 790, a plan that passed the House last week without having a public hearing. The bill now heads to the Senate. If the Senate acts, it is expected to be amended and returned to the House. READ MORE HERE. Gainey seeks more transit funding through cigar, smokeless tobacco tax State Rep. Ed Gainey, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would provide $44 million for mass transit, roads and bridges through a new state tax on the wholesale price of cigars and smokeless tobacco.                                                  "Just about everywhere in the United States, people pay a state excise tax when they buy cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, or loose tobacco. Pennsylvania is one of only two states [the other is Florida] to exempt cigars from taxation and we are the only state not to tax smokeless tobacco," Gainey said. Compared to the 33 states that tax based on wholesale price, the proposed tax rate of 25 percent in Gainey's bill would fall in the middle for cigars (tied for 17th) and smokeless tobacco (tied for 15th). READ MORE HERE. Kim introduces bill to eliminate COLAs State Rep. Patty Kim, D-Dauphin, is sponsoring legislation with Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, that would eliminate automatic cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, for various public officials. "The median household income of a Pennsylvania family is $51,000," Kim said. "That's the figure I'm working on increasing, not the annual salaries of public officials. As an elected official, the people of Pennsylvania are my first priority." The bill (H.B. 1035) would apply to members of the General Assembly, the governor and lieutenant governor, those elected to the state row offices, and secretaries of state agencies. Various judges, including Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and district justices, also would be included under the measure. READ MORE HERE. House Democratic Policy Committee explores issues with state's long-term care services The House Democratic Policy Committee heard from long-term caregivers, administrators and advocates during a roundtable discussion March 26 in Bala Cynwyd to look at the delivery and efficiency of long-term care services in Pennsylvania, said Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. State Rep. Pam DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila., requested the meeting and served as moderator. The roundtable was an opportunity for lawmakers and long-term care stakeholders to discuss inefficiencies created by state law, state regulation and unfunded state mandates pertaining to long-term care services for older Pennsylvanians. “Pennsylvania has one of the largest senior populations in the nation, and we need to ensure our state has a strong foundation of services for those residents who require long-term care options,” Sturla said. “Representative DeLissio’s expertise on this issue has made her a leader in evaluating the existing long-term care structure and continuing the dialogue in Harrisburg.” READ MORE HERE. Minimum wage hike proposed by Cohen State Rep. Mark Cohen has reintroduced legislation that would increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania from $7.15 to $9 per hour. House Bill 1057 would raise the state's minimum wage to $9 an hour and provide subsequent annual cost-of-living increases indexed to the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland area, beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Cohen said his legislation parallels President Barack Obama’s recent announcement calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage to $9. Eighteen states have passed minimum wage rates above the federal minimum of $7.25. READ MORE HERE. Kula welcomes student support for nicotine-ban bill. As part of her revived effort to ban addictive nicotine products on school grounds, state Rep. Deberah L. Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland, said she welcomed a recent show of support by students from four Fayette County school districts. Students from the Albert Gallatin Area, Brownsville Area, Uniontown Area and Laurel Highlands school districts presented Kula with certificates of appreciation for H.B. 284, her legislation that would put nicotine-based products on par with tobacco as threats to student health. Certificates were also received from Frazier School District, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School, Connellsville Area School District, and Fayette County Career and Technical Institute. Kula's bill would make it a summary offense, punishable with a fine of up to $50, to possess nicotine products marketed as candy, mints and gum on school property. The money would go to the school district. READ MORE HERE. HDPC looks at funding for transportation projects in Pa. Members of the House Democratic Policy Committee heard from transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, SEPTA General Manager Joe Casey, and business and labor leaders at a public hearing at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 25 regarding the availability of funding for Commonwealth transportation projects. State Reps. Cherelle Parker, chairwoman of the Philadelphia Delegation, and Michael McGeehan, Democratic chairman of the House Transportation Committee, both D-Phila., requested the hearing and served as co-chairs. The hearing addressed Pennsylvania’s transportation funding issue and the regional economic impacts of critical investments in transportation and infrastructure. “The Department of Transportation has received high marks for safety and accountability from the state’s foremost transportation experts,” said state Rep. Mike Sturla, chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee. “But the problem remains that PennDOT is operating with less than the needed funds to repair Pennsylvania’s ailing transportation infrastructure. Representatives McGeehan and Parker were instrumental in bringing today’s testifiers together to further the dialogue among the Commonwealth’s stakeholders.” READ MORE HERE. Sabatina supports Orie Melvin resignation State Rep. John Sabatina, D-Phila., stated that he supports and appreciates the resignation of state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Justice Orie Melvin submitted her resignation March 25. She has been suspended from the court and was convicted in February of public corruption charges including conspiracy, theft of services and misapplication of government funds. As the Democratic and Republican chairmen of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Sabatina and Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland, prepared, circulated and introduced a resolution calling for an article of impeachment for the convicted justice. READ MORE HERE. Neuman: Resignation is right move for convicted state Supreme Court justice State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington County, said convicted Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin’s resignation, announced March 25 but effective May 1, is a welcomed announcement and the proper action for Pennsylvania. “I would like to have seen Justice Orie Melvin resign immediately, but this is welcomed news for the commonwealth,” said Neuman, who filed H.R. 173 seeking the justice’s impeachment. “Pennsylvania deserves a full complement of Supreme Court justices, and her resignation allows us to move forward.” Orie Melvin was suspended from the court when she was charged last May. She faces sentencing May 7 on six counts of using her judicial staff and the Senate staff of her sister, former state Sen. Jane Orie, to work on her unsuccessful 2003 campaign for Supreme Court and her successful run in 2009 for the court. READ MORE HERE. Freeman bill would give municipalities more flexibility and resources to maintain parks State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, has introduced a bill that would give municipalities greater flexibility to target recreation fees to benefit all of the residents of the community. Municipalities receive recreation fees from new development, but under current law, that money only can be used for building a park in that development, usually resulting in an underutilized pocket park. Freeman's bill would permit municipalities to use the money to operate, maintain or expand any recreational facilities within the municipality. "Parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities are important to our quality of life," Freeman said. "They promote green space in the community, safeguard the environment and give people of all ages a place for exercise and recreation. READ MORE HERE.

April 5, 2013 HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN THE NEWS DCNR holds closed-door meeting on proposed gas drilling in Loyalsock State Forest Will Medicaid reimbursements solve financial problems at county-run nursing home? Scranton City Council head presses legislators to help the financially struggling city Sequester slashes Luzerne County Head Start funding Pa. lawmaker introduces bill toughening penalties for notaries PA residents and businesses will pay fees for using online state government services Westmoreland County to lose millions with closing of SCI-Greensburg Poor condition of I-81 discussed at legislative hearing PA House-approved liquor bill would shorten 'dry' vote timetable for grocery store licenses SB 46 aims to keep predators out of schools DCNR hearings on natural gas drilling in Loyalsock State Forest for invitees only SEIU labor union sues PA to block merging rural health centers SEIU labor union files suit against Corbett over health center closings PA House Democrats keep discussion flowing on liquor privatization Altoona Mirror doesn't appreciate Rep. Benninghoff's attempt at humor during opening of SCI-Benner Township Rep. Mary Jo Daley to sit on PA House select school safety committee Democratic lawmakers hear from liquor privatization foes Glad that regionalization efforts are taking root with public safety services in Luzerne County Liquor privatization will not get to finish line without a fight Rep. Christiana blasts Beaver County for lack of transparency Rep. Krieger pushes for transparency in litigation tied to religious liberties in public places Rep. Conklin yet another Democrat for governor? Reading Eagle says no-bid contract leaves Corbett administration open to criticism Videos attacking Rep. Toohil stir state police probe PA House panel to hold hearing in Scranton to get residents' input on liquor privatization Health policy experts say now's time to end warfare between UPMC and Highmark PA House lawmakers will not pursue impeachment probe of Orie Melvin Corbett's policy on gas taxes called into question during public hearing in Philadelphia Schuylkill County students talk about county's future Mandatory sentencing said to be filling PA jails Should Philadelphia Traffic Court be abolished or reformed? More than 200 rally to keep six-day mail delivery HB 683 would make it a crime to record activities on farms without permission Democratic lawmakers vote against liquor privatization bill Rep. Painter voices support for Pottstown KOZ deal Easton breaks ground on new City Hall PA House privatization vote threat to liquor monopoly Lobbying money flows in liquor privatization debate DEP Secretary Krancer to resign April 15 Witnesses make case for eliminating Philadelphia Traffic Court ------------- Follow the House Democratic Caucus on Social Media:

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