Category: Pennsylvania Legislation

Laws proposed or passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick Chops

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick ChopsWell it is happening. After the GOP shot itself in the foot, yesterday, with the Pennsylvania House vote to push through a massive gasoline tax hike, the old media that had been screaming about the need to save our transportation infrastructure is now using words like “Hosed” in headlines while pointing out that Pennsylvanians are likely going to have the highest gas prices in the nation.

Pennsylvania’s House, Senate and governor’s office are all controlled by Republicans. While just about every Democrat was behind this cruel increase, their fingerprints are not on it. Once again Lucy has pulled the football from Charlie Brown.

The only upside is that the Tea Party “Republicans” — and we can leave that word in quotes as  party membership to us is a means to an end not a religion — are on record as being the only vocal opponents to this action.

The Independence Hall Tea Party Association — the first (only?) Tea Party group to endorse Mitt Romney; the group that has bent over backwards, usually wisely, to defend Republicans under fire from the grassroots — has announced it is withholding support from Gov. Corbett in his upcoming re-election.

“Governor Tom Corbett, obviously, twisted the arms of Republican State Representatives in order pass this disastrous piece of legislation,” said Association President Teri Adams.  “Instead of cutting funds from other areas of the budget to pay for needed bridge and road repairs around the state, the Governor and his minions decided to sock it to the taxpayers.”

Yes, Tom, you are hosed. I’m thinking about switching my registration this primary in the hope of getting at least a quasi-sane Democrat to replace you because you are going to be replaced. Of course, doing so means I lose my chance to primary my state rep so one must give it some thought.

Corbett Gas Tax Makes Media Lick Chops

 

Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

The Pennsylvania consumer took a wicked shot to the gut yesterday, Nov. 19, when an amendment by State Rep. Nick Micozzie (R-163) caused the State House to switch directions and pass  a $2.3 billion transportation bill that will raise the state gas tax and other motor vehicle cost such as vehicle registration fees. Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

The bill uncaps the oil franchise tax will will raise the price at the pump 28 cents over five years albeit the Delaware County Daily Times is reporting that the Micozzie amendment ends the 12 cent retail pump tax that would ease the pain to a 16 cent hike.

Miccozie amendment also raises the limit for the prevailing wage mandate from $25,000 to $100,000, an almost trivial reform despite the ire of the union demonstrators picketing his in Clifton Heights and Upper Darby yesterday.  The new standard would have only affected 17 jobs in the state last year, mostly municipal projects in rural areas. The prevailing wage mandate adds about 20 percent to the cost of construction projects.  It should be noted that the $25,000 limit had not been changed since the law was passed in 1961. With inflation, $25,000 then would be about $180,000 today.

Thanks for little, Nick.

The plan calls for spending $1.65 billion on highways and bridges, $497 million on mass transit and $144 million on “multi-modal” transportation.

The entire Delaware County contingent voted for the bill — except for Steve Barrar (R-160). Thank you, Steve.

The bill, SB1,  now goes back to the Senate — which passed the original 45-5 on June 5 — to consider the House changes. After they approve it again, it will be signed by Gov. Corbett who has made this monstrosity his signature legislation.

Here’s a final thought if the spending was going to be primarily funded by a 28 cent gas tax hike and  Miccozie’s amendment cuts this by 12 cents by ending the retail pump tax as the Daily Times reported, where is the money going to come from to fund this project the scope of which does not seem to have changed?

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Corbett Gas Tax Passes House

 

House Saves Pennsylvania

The GOP-controlled Pennsylvania House, yesterday, Nov. 18,  rejected, 103-98, a $2.3 billion “transportation” bill that would have given the state the highest gasoline tax in the nation.

The 103 compassionate legislators who killed it understood that the citizens of this state are hurting and just can’t have any more taken from them whether it be from taxes or mandates or just general crony capitalist greed.

It would have also increased other things such as vehicle registration fees and turnpike tolls.

The plan was strongly supported by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and the Republican-controlled Senate. There was no Democrat opposition to it. The only bulwark against it was the Republicans in the House. It held.

Thank you.

The plan called for spending $1.65 billion on highways and bridges, $497 million on mass transit and $144 million on “multi-modal” transportation.

It should be noted that most if not all the money would have gone to those with connections whether it be prevailing-wage construction work to protected unions or those working for government authorities such as at SEPTA.

Are our highways and bridges really in that bad shape? Well, here’s a thought: vote on each bridge and highway project individually. Sure, it would be more work but it’s not as though our legislators are being paid pocket change.

For those who cry crisis and claim to be supporters of the public good here’s another thought: Demand that these jobs be exempted from the prevailing wage requirements mandate that hikes the cost of construction by 20 percent on the average. Granted, that concerning the highway work federal reform would be required as well but it would be nice to see this start being discussed as proof that those we elect to represent us actually do so — and understand the issue.

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Lobbyist Reform Passes House

The Pennsylvania House, Nov. 13, voted 197-5 for a bill increasing the penalty for violations of the law governing lobbyist and requiring the creation of a “fully accessible system to accommodate the use of computerized filings”

The nays were Angel Cruz (D-180),  Louise Williams Bishop (D-192), J.P. Miranda (D-197) all of whom represent parts of Philadelphia; Jake Wheatley (D-19), whose district is in Pittsburgh and Bernie O’Neill (R-29) of Bucks County. What’s up with that Bernie?

Anyway, that’s five names who you can chalk up as having failed a very basic litmus test for corruption. Remember them.

House Bill 744 would increase the  penalty that may be imposed by the Ethics Commission said State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129), rising   maximum fine to $10,000 from  $2,000; and the maximum ban from lobbying for economic consideration  to 10 years from five.

In addition, the bill increases the criminal misdemeanor grading for various
offenses and increasing the maximum fine to $100,000 from  $25,000.

The bill would also increase the maximum administrative penalty that may be imposed for negligent failure to report under the lobbying disclosure law from $50 per late day to $50 per late day for the first 10 days and $250 per late day after the first 10 late days.

The bill goes to the Senate for consideration.

Lobbyist Reform Passes House

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129) reports that House Bill 112, which would make it a crime for a sports official, volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association to commit acts of sexual assault against children, is now before the Senate.

The House passed it 197-0.

“There is no current provision of law that specifically addresses sexual misconduct with a child by a person who has the influence and access that a sports official or person performing charitable services has,” says Cox.

Well, that certainly seems to be a rather glaring oversight in our law.

The third-degree felony would be applied when that person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a child who is participating in a sports program of the nonprofit or for-profit association, Cox said. The penalty would hold a maximum of seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine.

For the record, sexual assault of a child whether it be by a sports official, volunteer etc. is a pretty serious existing crime and we have no idea as to how this bill would make children any safer. Still, there is no way we would vote against it if we were in the House.

Sports Official Sex Abuse HB 112

New Hunting Law Protects Landowners

New Hunting Law Protects LandownersAs the Pennsylvania hunting seasons get into full swing, the Commonwealth has a new law ensuring that property owners are not held responsible for hunting violations committed by those who are granted permission to hunt on their land, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

The old law could be interpreted to mean landowners could be held liable for the actions of hunters who committed violations of hunting law on their property.

The House amended the bill to protect against liability unless the landowners aid, abet, assist, attempt or conspire in the commission of any unlawful act committed on their land.

New Hunting Law Protects Landowners

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