Category: Pennsylvania Legislation

Laws proposed or passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature

Common Core Subject Of Feb. 12 Hearing

Common Core Answers Common Core Subject Of Feb. 12 Hearing
Answers from a Common Core English test.

Joanne Yurchak has informed us that the Pennsylvania House Education Committee will hold a hearing regarding standards and testing — the underlying subject being Common Core — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., tomorrow, Feb. 12.

It will be in Room G-50 in the Irvis Office Building, 450 Commonwealth Ave., Harrisburg, Pa 17120.

Scheduled to testify include representatives from the Pennsylvania School Board Association, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the very pro Common Core Pennsylvania Business Council, the State Superintendent’s Association, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Education, along with Common Core opponents Anita Hoge, Cheryl Boise and Ryan Bannister.

Common Core Subject Of Feb. 12 Hearing

Springfield High School Project Funding

Here’s a thought about funding the proposed Springfield High School project regardless of the option picked: treat it holistically.  Springfield High School Project Funding

Consider other savings in the school budget to be part of funding for the new (or repaired) school.

Ending the prevailing wage mandate would cost the district nothing and still save money. School Director Doug Carney, Feb. 4, said he did not feel the savings would be that much concerning the high school project. Suppose, however, it was just a mere $100,000. Or even $10,000. One suspects if the district could get $100,000 (or $10,000) for naming rights to a classroom — one of the out-of-the-box suggestions being considered for funding — the district would be very happy.

One is pretty confident that if the proposed money-raising foundation got a $10,000 donation, the district would be happy.

And that’s not even considering savings in other projects — school, municipal or county — ending the prevailing wage mandate would garner. All tax dollars at all levels ultimately come from the same source, after all, whether it be via a purchase, a property or a paycheck.

So a strong public push to end this mandate would be perfectly logical in the context of building the high school project.

For what it’s worth, Commonwealth Foundation pegs the cost of the prevailing wage mandate at 20 percent for public projects.

Let’s consider the mandate for school districts (and counties and townships) to pay for advertisements in newspapers of general circulation when announcing meetings and seeking bids and such. The cost statewide was $26 million in 2006. This is just a straw on the back of the Springfield taxpayer but one less straw is one less straw.

It would cost nothing for the school board — and the township commissioners and County Council — to pass a resolution calling for its end.

The most damning thing about this mandate is that it actually inhibits good government. Changing the mandate to one where public notices are placed on a searchable government website would make the process far more transparent than the status quo besides being a lot cheaper.

And then let’s get the teachers involved in the matter. Would they be willing to forgo a salary increase in their next contract to help pay for the project? If a resident surviving on Social Security or who has just seen his unemployment expire asks them to, does that mean the resident is anti-child?

Just a thought.

Springfield High School Project Funding

New Child Protection Laws In Effect In Pa

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has launched a new website, KeepKidsSafe.pa.gov to explain the changes in Pennsylvania’s child protection laws that took effect Dec. 31.

“The site includes basic information on recognizing and reporting child abuse, changes to the Child Protective Services Law, and online ChildLine clearances with links to the applicable background check clearances and requirements,” said State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

It should be noted that most organizations directly involved with services for children already have their own stringent background check clearance policies in place. The new law sets minimum requirements, but nothing in this law prohibits organizations from establishing or continuing even more stringent internal policies, Cox said.

Anyone with suspicions that a child is being abused should call the department’s statewide ChildLine hotline at 1-800-932-0313, Cox said.

New Child Protection Laws In Effect In Pa

New Child Protection Laws In Effect In Pa

Mary’s Law May Be Up For Vote

The Delaware County Patriots report that Mary’s Law, which would require that public-sector unions collect their own political money may be brought up for a vote before  Tom Wolf is inducted as Pennsylvania governor on Jan. 20.

The new — and more conservative —  legislature convened on Jan. 6 and it is in the realm of possibility that it can pass legislation that would be signed by outgoing Gov. Tom Corbett.

It should be noted that Mary’s Law is rather mild and the state would still collect the “fair-share” portion of union dues which is money used for collective bargaining purposes, grievances and arbitration.

Mary’s Law is named for Mary Trometter, a college professor whose husband received a letter from two teachers’ unions urging him to join his wife in voting for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tom Wolf in the Nov. 4 election.

You can read about it here.

The Patriots ask those who believe in this mild reform to contact their state legislators. It can be done very simply at this link provided by Commonwealth Foundation

Mary's Law May Be Up For Vote

Mary’s Law May Be Up For Vote

2013-14 Legislative Session Ends

The 2013-14 legislative session has come to a close with 4,068 bills introduced in the House and Senate this session, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). Of that number, 337 became law.

Legislation included two enacted, on-time, balanced budgets; business and regulatory reforms to encourage private-sector job creation and economic development; transportation funding reform to ensure the future viability Pennsylvania’s infrastructure; numerous education reforms designed to put students first; and government reforms including a vote to reduce the size of the legislature.

“While there is significant work yet to be done on a variety of important issues during the upcoming session, the Republican Caucus has made great strides toward making Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and raise a family,” Cox said.

A  synopsis of enacted legislation from the session can be found here.

2013-14 Legislative Session Ends

2013-14 Legislative Session Ends

Mary’s Law Looms In Pa

The excellent Commonwealth Foundation is pushing a proposed Pennsylvania law called “Mary’s Law” which would end taxpayer-funded collection of political money.

Mary is a college professor in Williamsport and a 20-year member of the PSEA. This fall, Mary’s husband received a letter from the PSEA asking him to “Please join Mary in voting for Tom Wolf.”

Mary never gave permission for her name to be used to solicit votes from her family. Neither did she agree with the politician the PSEA was pushing.

To add final insult to injury, it was Mary’s union dues that were spent on that political mailing – not a voluntary PAC contribution, but dues.

Mary’s Law is new legislation that will soon be introduced by State Senators John Eichelberger and Gene Yaw—along with 10 other senators, among them the President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader. It would end the taxpayer-funded collection of political money.

Mary’s story represents why we need this law. But it’s not just for Mary, notes Commonwealth Foundation. It’s for all teachers whose dues have been used for politics they don’t agree with. And for all taxpayers who fund the collection of this blatantly political money.

Public resources should never be used for politics. Click here to write your lawmakers about this critical issue.

Mary's Law Looms In Pa

Mary’s Law Looms In Pa

Act 139 Now In Effect In Pa

State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129) reports that Act 139 of 2014 is now in effect.

The law  enables first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters and all emergency medical service personnel, to administer naloxone to those experiencing an opioid overdose. It also allows friends or family members with a person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related overdose to receive a prescription for naloxone and administer it.

The law also offers Good Samaritan and other immunity protections from criminal prosecution for drug possession as well as from civil liability for those responding to and reporting an opioid overdose.

Act 139 Now In Effect In Pa

Act 139 Now In Effect In Pa

Act 194 Makes Trade Schools EITC Eligible

Pennsylvania House Bill 91, was signed into law as Act 194 of 2014 on Oct. 31 by Gov. Tom Corbett.

The new law gives public career and technical schools eligibility to participate in two nationally acclaimed tax credit programs, the state Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

The EITC and OSTC programs allow eligible businesses that contribute to scholarship organizations affiliated with public or private schools to receive a tax credit equal to 75 percent of its contribution, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. The OSTC program targets students residing within the boundaries of low-achieving schools.

“Many of Pennsylvania’s 82 career and technical schools have limited options to receive scholarship donations,” said Cox. “This new law makes them eligible to take part in these popular tax credit programs that will improve the educational experience for students on a technical career path.”

Act 194 Makes Trade Schools EITC Eligible

Act 194 Makes Trade Schools EITC Eligible

Unions Fund GOP State Senators

Pennsylvania Independent  reports that state senators Pat Browne (R-16), John Rafferty (R-44) and Tommy Tomlinson (R-6) received a massive union cash dump shortly before yesterday’s (Nov. 4) election with Browne getting $37,000 from 10 groups including $10,000 from the PSEA (public school teachers) and  $500 from 1776 PAC UFCW (state stores); Rafferty getting $7,000 broken down as $5,000 from the PSEA, $1,000 from the Professional Firefighters Association PAC and $1,000 from Steamfitters Local 420; and Tomlinson getting $22,000 from seven groups including $10,000 from PA SEIU (government workers) and $1,000 from 1776 PAC UFCW.

It’s a pretty good bet that this trio will vote with Democrats in opposing legislation such as selling the state stores, effective pension reform and making education more effective but less burdensome on the average Joe and Jill.

Hat tip Keystone Report

Unions Fund GOP State Senators

Unions Fund GOP State Senators

 

HB 803 Awaits Corbett’s Signature

The Pennsylvania General Assembly presented HB 803 to Gov. Tom Corbett for his expected signature on Oct. 23.

The bill  allows schools to be  proactive in preventing allergic reactions in students, said State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

The legislation requires that  schools  may keep a supply of epi-pens, on the condition that they are in a secure location.

The bill also requires the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide staff with  training for the administration of this medicine in emergencies

The bill also provides civil immunity to those who administer this injection in good faith.

 

HB 803 Awaits Corbett's Signature

HB 803 Awaits Corbett’s Signature