Category: Pennsylvania Legislation

Laws proposed or passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature

Act 75 Bans Triple Dipping

Gov. Tom Corbett has turned HB 421 into Act 75 of 2013 ending the practice of “triple dipping” by state government retirees who return to work  and then collect unemployment benefits, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).  Act 75 Bans Triple Dipping

In the past three years of the Obama recession, more than 600 state retirees have temporarily returned to work  only to leave and start collection unemployment. They have collected $2 million in benefits while simultaneously receiving a state pension, says Cox.

“Passing House Bill 421 is another example of the Legislature’s efforts to reform the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation system to ensure the system is benefiting only those who truly qualify,” said Cox.

Act 75 Bans Triple Dipping
 

Bills Made Law Oct. 25

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has these bills into law reports the Pennsylvania House Republican blog.

House Bill 493 – Amends Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, changing the definition of a capital project and reducing the size of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The bill also establishes process by which RACP projects are approved by the Governor’s Budget Office. The bill reduces the RACP debt ceiling from  $4.05 billion to $3.45 billion.

House Bill 1481– Amends the Insurance Company Law, bringing Pennsylvania’s insurance laws fully into compliance with the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act and requiring insurers to maintain a risk management framework and complete an Own Risk Solvency Assessment to prospectively asses the risks associated with an insurer’s business plan.

House Bill 1483 – Amends the Portable Electronics Insurance Act, permitting an insurer to terminate a customer’s enrollment under a portable electronics insurance policy upon 30 days’ notice for nonpayment of a premium and requiring an insurer to provide at least 60 days’ notice to vendor policyholders and insured customers when terminating or altering a portable electronics insurance policy.

Senate Bill 379 – Enacting the Benevolent Gesture Medical Professional Liability Act, prohibiting benevolent gestures made by professionals from being admitted as evidence of liability in a subsequent medical malpractice proceeding.

GOP Destroying Tax Vote Looms

SB 1, aka “The Transportation Bill” aka “The Income Destroyer Bill” aka “The Republican Suicide Bill” may be voted on by the Pennsylvania State House this week, reports Teri Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association.

The bill calls for a 30 cent per gallon tax hike on gasoline, among other things. It was approved by the Senate in June but tabled when those crazy Tea Party types in the House put up a fuss. Well, it looks like it’s now time for round two and the establishment “Hey, It’s Not My Money” Republicans seem to think they can make enough of a deal with the “IT’S MY MONEY, GIMME, GIMME, GIMME” Democrats to overcome the Tea Partyers.

Gov. Tom “I Need No Stinkin’ Second Term” Corbet has promised to sign it.

“Just so you know, Governor Tom Corbett and a majority of the PA Senate  refuse to call a gas tax increase of roughly $.30 a gallon a ‘tax.’  Just substitute the euphemism ‘revenue’ for the word ‘tax’ and allow them to take you to the cleaners,” said Ms. Adams.

She notes that the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry also supports the bill as parts of the state’s infrastructure is indesperate need of repair.

“But State Representative Stephen Barrar (R-160) informs us that the $2.5 billion Transportation Bill is laden with pork for bike trails and other parks and recreation spending,” said said. “Representative Barrar suggests that while bridge repair is necessary, the additional spending is not.”

Also, the citizen cannot afford a 30 cent per gallon gas tax hike.

Ms. Adams and her association suggest Governor Corbett and the PA Assembly cut spending elsewhere in the budget or pass the Liquor Privatization Bill and use the fees generated from the sale of liquor licenses to cover the cost of repairing the bridges.

“Why is it that our Governor and State Senators always look to our wallets as the solution to their funding problems.  Do they not understand that our wallets are empty?” She said. “Do our elected officials not know how to prioritize budgetary matters?”

She asks that citizens call House Majority Leader Mike Turzai at 717-772-9943 and tell him to table SB1–the Gas Tax Bill!

“Then call your State Representative and tell him/her to VOTE NO on SB1 if and when it comes up for a vote,” she said.

To find your legislator and/or legislator contact information, visit here.

Ms. Adams thanked  Dom Giordano and Rep. Barrar for bringing this critical issue to light.

GOP Destroying Tax Vote

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Protecting 911 Callers

Protecting 911 Callers — The House approved a measure to protect the privacy of individuals who dial 911, reports state Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

HB 1041 gives an exemption from the state’s Right-to-Know law for records containing identifying information to an individual calling a 911 center unless a court rules it would be in the public’s interest to disclose the information. The bill is designed to protect the identity of a caller to prevent cases of retribution against informants and to ensure the public has a sense of safety and privacy when reporting a crime or other emergency.

House Bill 1041 now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Protecting 911 Callers

Corbett Has Debt Reduction Bill

Pennsylvania Gov.  Tom Corbett has been given a bill reducing the RACP debt ceiling and the state parks remain open. He’s a better man than Obama it seems.

Continuing its commitment to fiscal responsibility, the House sent to the governor a measure to curtail the level of public debt for projects funded by the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

RACP provides grants to local communities for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic and historical improvement projects. The funding may be used for the design and construction of facilities that are economic development projects which generate substantial increases in employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity.

House Bill 493 will immediately reduce the RACP debt ceiling from the current $4.05 billion to $3.45 billion. The bill does not eliminate the economic development grant program, but redefines it to make it more financially viable.

Decreasing the Commonwealth’s debt load and reforming RACP is an important step in bringing integrity and transparency to the way Pennsylvania does business.

House Stiffens Child Luring Law

The Pennsylvania House recently approved a measure to increase the penalties for luring a young child into a motor vehicle or structure, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

House Bill 1594, which he co-sponsored, would make the crime of luring a child a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Currently, the offense is graded as a first-degree misdemeanor with a fine of $10,000.

House Bill 1594 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

 

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Basic Ed Funding Study Sought

Legislation has been introduced to examine the basic education funding formula for kindergarten through 12th-grade education in Pennsylvania, according to State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

“House Bill 1738, which I have co-sponsored, would establish a commission to study and make recommendations for a new formula for distributing state funding for basic education, operating in a similar manner as the Special Education Funding Commission created under Act 3 of 2013,” said Cox

This commission would be comprised of members from the House and Senate, along with representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the executive branch. The overall goal would be to develop a formula that takes into account each school district’s market value/personal income aid ratio, equalized millage rate, geographic price differences, enrollment levels, local support and other factors.

The bill is in the House Education Committee.

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Marking Fire Prevention Month

The Pennsylvania House has approved a resolution recognizing Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month, which is October, and National Fire Prevention Week, which is the week in which Oct. 9 falls, State Rep. Jim Cox reports.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires in 2011, resulting in 2,520 civilian deaths and nearly $7 billion in damages.

To ensure proper fire safety, officials suggest practicing these things:

–Have working smoke detectors on every level of the home that are tested monthly and kept free of dust. Batteries should be changed at least once a year.

–Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas. Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell. Have them professionally repaired or replaced.

–Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Get out first, and then call for help.

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Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled — House Bill 1538, the bill that would allow counties, municipal governments and school districts
to opt out of Pennsylvania’s onerous prevailing wage requirements, was tabled, yesterday, Oct. 1. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled

A spokeswoman for State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12), one of the more responsible political figures in Harrisburg, says the bill is not dead however.

The prevailing wage law, which requires labor cost to be be paid at a
rate set by the state for most public construction projects,  adds 20 percent to the cost of these projects according to Commonwealth Foundation.

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Bill Tabled by House

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses

HB 1718 would create a database of online courses in Pennsylvania

Legislation was introduced last week to create a clearinghouse of online courses for students in public schools, nonpublic schools and home education programs, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). The bill seeks to offer greater course choice, enrich educational opportunities and offer a more customized learning experience for Pennsylvania students.

House Bill 1718, the Online Education Initiative, would make the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)  establish a database of online courses available to public schools in the Commonwealth. Sixth through 12th graders would have the chance to choose courses selected by their school district.

The bill ensures school districts have maximum flexibility to develop their own courses, contract with online course providers and/or use courses available on the clearinghouse.

The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee for consideration.

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses

HB 1718 Pushes Online Courses