Day: September 30, 2010

Delco GOP Senators Aye On Subcontractor Extinction Act

The Republican-controlled state senate, yesterday, voted 34-13 to approve HB 400  a.k.a. the Construction Workplace Misclassification a.k.a. the Subcontractor Extinction Act. The bill returns to the House to resolve some language issues.

Of the 19 Democrats in the body, the only one not voting for it was Barry Stout of the 46th District who did not vote. Fifteen out of 30 Republicans voted for the bill including the ones representing Delaware County — Ted Erickson of the 26th District and Domenic Pileggi of the 9th District. Not voting was Chuck McIlhinney of the 10th District.

The 45th District seat is vacant.

The bill  requires independent contractors doing construction work to be treated as employees by those who hire them with regard to requirements for workman’s compensation and unemployment insurance contributions.

Republican David Argall of the 29th District voted for the bill in committee but against it on the floor.

The bill was strongly supported by the trade unions and opposed by by the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Pennsylvania Builders Association and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry.

The bill was introduced in the House by Delaware County’s Bryan Lentz (D-161 ) who is the Democrat’s candidate to replace Joe Sestak as congressman from the 7th District. His Republican opponent is former U.S. attorney and Delaware County District Attorney Pat Meehan.

NRA Picks Dem, GOA Picks Lou

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed its third Democrat in Pennsylvania congressional contests. The pick announced Wednesday was embattled incumbent Paul Kanjorski who is considered to be behind GOP challenger Lou Barletta, Hazleton’s popular mayor, in the 11th District race.

“As a member of Congress, Kanjorski has demonstrated his commitment to our Second Amendment rights by voting for legislation to allow permit holders to carry and transport firearms for self-defense in national parks and wildlife refuges, as well as voting for legislation to restore self-defense rights in our nation’s capital.” the NRA-PVF said. “He signed the pro-gun congressional amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting our individual right to keep and bear arms in the Heller case and signed the pro-gun congressional amicus brief that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that protects all Americans in the McDonald case.  Kanjorski also cosponsored legislation to force much-needed reform at the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
“In addition, Kanjorski voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prevents attempts to bankrupt the American gun industry through bogus lawsuits, and signed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder opposing the reenactment of the failed Clinton gun ban.  He also voted for the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act that prohibits gun confiscation during states of emergency as happened after Hurricane Katrina.”

Barletta, however, also considered to be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment  has the endorsement of the Gun Owner of America Political Victory Fund.

“Lou’s opponent, Paul Kanjorski, likes to play both sides of the fence on
the gun issue,” the GOA endorsement statement said.  “He will cast an occasional pro-gun vote so he can go
back to the district and try to convince voters that he is pro-gun, but
he votes for the Pelosi agenda most of the time.”

The NRA has also endorsed Democrat incumbents Chris Carney in the 10th District and Jason Altmire in the 4th District. The GOA has not yet announced endorsements in those races.