Senate News Brief
A preview of what's ahead in the Senate and a review of recent legislative
action.
2013
“The reapportionment process began in 2011, and over the past two years has
been extremely open and transparent with numerous public hearings. The process
was extended, in part, due to the fact that significant effort was made to
solicit and respond to legitimate concerns.” - Senate President Pro Tempore
Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 5/13/13
"About a year ago it came to my attention that retired state employees who
are hired back as annuitants are able to collect unemployment on top of their
pension and additional salary for the temporary work. The past three years 638
state annuitants collected $2.77 million in unemployment benefits. It only makes
sense to close this loophole." - Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland)
News Brief 5/6/13
"Our roads and bridges continue to crumble, our mass transit systems lack
the funds needed to meet continued demand, and our railways, airports and ports
struggle to be economic generators for the 21st Century. We simply cannot
continue to ignore these pressing needs, which are directly related to public
safety and economic development." - Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 4/29/13
“The reforms
and the changes proposed in this bill are important and they are long overdue.
Pennsylvania’s special education funding formula system is ineffective in
ensuring that state money is adequately and equitability distributed.” - Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh)
News Brief 4/15/13
"There is widespread interest in seeing locally produced
natural gas used locally to benefit our area businesses and homeowners." - Sen. Gene Yaw
(R-Lycoming) News
Brief 4/8/13
"The number one issue in Pennsylvania right now
is jobs, and most jobs are created by small and medium-sized businesses. The
fastest way to break up a successful small business is to impose a tax when the
owner dies and tries to transfer that business to his family." - Senate Majority Leader Dominic
Pileggi (R-Delaware) News
Brief 3/18/13
"After 9/11, we figured out that we could neither physically or
financially guard every possible target or point of vulnerability against every
contingency. As a nation, we determined how to stretch security to protect
against the most likely threats. In the case of schools, the system is
fragmented among many state agencies, so our focus must be directed toward
coordination and communication to eliminate redundancies and ensure dollars are
not being wasted." - Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)
News Brief 2/19/13
"Today marks
the beginning of the Commonwealth's annual appropriations process. The
governor's budget address lays out his framework for how the Commonwealth will
meet the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget. Beginning Tuesday,
February 19th and continuing through March 6th, the Senate Appropriations
Committee will hold public hearings to thoroughly review each facet of the
governor's proposal." - Senate
Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre)
News Brief 2/11/13
"The committee will be free to
examine all issues surrounding cases of violence from firearm issues to bullying
and mental health. I believe this committee will provide meaningful direction
and help the legislature address many of the complex issues surrounding mass
shootings." - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 2/4/13
"There are
non-monetary steps that the state can take to help school districts with costs,
including reviewing state special ed class size requirements and assisting with
alternative dispute resolution options that lower legal costs. The shrinking of
mental health services due to human service funding cuts is also hurting our
school districts, and something that needs to be considered as we enter the
process of passing a state budget." - Sen. Ted
Erickson (R-Delaware)
News Brief 1/28/13
"Pennsylvania's
economy has been stagnant and the revenues coming in have not been as strong as
they should be. We have a lot of tough fiscal decisions to make. We've had a
couple of tough budgets in a row and unfortunately we are going to have to face
it again. We have to live within our means and accept the fiscal reality facing
state government." - Sen. Scott
Hutchinson (R-Venango)
News Brief 1/22/13
2012
"This trust is not intended to support programs that are funded by existing revenues – such as our veterans' homes. Instead, it will allow us to do more to help the extensive outreach efforts that the veterans' groups and the department have underway."
- Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)
News Brief
10/15/12
"This
legislation does not require the state or SSHE to lease or sell any property
rights. It simply provides a new opportunity to generate revenue, while helping
students, supporting Pennsylvania's environmental protection efforts and
boosting our state economy through the creation of new jobs." - Sen. Don
White (R-Indiana)
News Brief
10/1/12
"I remain committed to the same basic principles that
I used as my guide as a state representative. I believe in transparency and the
public's right to know what is going on in state government and exactly how
their tax money is being spent." - Senator Randy Vulakovich
(R-Allegheny) News Brief
9/24/12
"We are setting
a course for putting Pennsylvania's fiscally distressed school districts back on
a track to recovery, but more importantly, we are establishing a long-term
solution, not just a short-term bailout." Senate
Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin)
News Brief 6/25/12
"We are reaching a critical time when the force is seeing many retirements, and we need
to make certain that we have troopers trained and ready to take their place in
protecting our communities – many of which rely solely on the State Police for
law enforcement." Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 6/18/12
"Throughout the redistricting process, my primary concern has been that residents in every area of the Commonwealth are fairly represented and that district lines are based on accurate population fluctuations. I commend Judge McEwen, Senator Pileggi and House commission members for supporting a Senate map that is balanced and well within the parameters set forth in the Constitution." Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 6/11/12
"Charlie will be remembered for numerous accomplishments, including
helping community organizations, reforming elder laws to protect the dignity of
senior citizens, and championing living will legislation. He was a dedicated
public servant, a true friend and a delight to have served with." - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 6/4/12
"This budget is sustainable and balanced. It reflects a less than 2
percent increase over last year, and is still smaller than the budget passed in
2008." - Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Jake Corman (R-Centre)
News Brief 5/21/12
"Senate Bill 1296 ensures employment contracts for
school superintendents receive greater public scrutiny by requiring the details
of the contract to be made public. Under the new process included in the bill,
both superintendents and school boards will also know upfront what the
expectations are for the job and the consequences of terminating a contract
prematurely." - Senate Education Committee
Chairman Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin)
News Brief 5/7/12
"This issue is of such vital importance to our free society that the legislature must ensure
Pennsylvania citizens have the opportunity to make their voices heard." -
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 4/2/12
"Our service men and women are often forced to leave their
jobs in order to serve our country. It is only fitting that we provide them with
the assistance to grow their businesses when they return home." - Sen.
Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks)
News Brief 3/26/12
"This is a simple, common-sense measure to protect the integrity of the voting process, the
very foundation of democracy." - Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)
News Brief 3/12/12
"By moving to this more efficient infrastructure funding plan,
customers will avoid costly rate cases and receive better, more reliable
service. Our utilities will save money and avoid expensive delays, expediting
critical projects and saving consumers money." - Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee Chairman
Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks)
News Brief 2/6/12
"There are many different views and disagreements over policy about the gas drilling in the
Marcellus Shale. But there is at least one thing on which there is a broad
consensus – the necessity of being prepared to react and respond when something
goes wrong." - Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Management
Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)
News Brief 1/23/12
"We have
all recognized the need to make government more accountable and efficient.
The public expects it and our economic conditions require it." - Senate
President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 1/17/12
2011
"In recent years,
the federal government and 26 other states – including our neighboring states of
Maryland, New Jersey, and Ohio – have improved their DNA collection and testing
policies. Pennsylvania has not. This bill updates our law to ensure that
Pennsylvania investigators have access to the most efficient scientific tools to
fight crime." - Senate
Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)
News Brief 12/12/11
"Through a reasonable and
well-thought-out impact fee on shale companies, we can manage this tremendous
resource in a way that improves our economy, creates new jobs and opportunities
for our residents and protects our quality of life.” - Senate President Pro Tempore
Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) News Brief
12/5/11
"Texting is one
of the most dangerous distracted driving activities that motorists engage in.
When you text, you have to take your eyes off the road, you aren't paying
attention, and the consequences can be deadly." - Sen. Tommy
Tomlinson (R-Bucks)
News Brief
11/14/11
"Members in the House have consistently said that they would consider a
school choice bill if one is referred to their chamber. It's now time to seize
that opportunity. I'm hopeful the Governor will vigorously engage on Senate Bill
1 and my colleagues in the House will move this legislation to his desk in a
dramatic fashion." - Senate
Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin)
News Brief 10/31/11
"The state will have to invest at least an additional $2
billion annually to meet our transportation infrastructure needs, and the cost
to repair our infrastructure grows with each passing year. We can't continue to
ignore these pressing challenges, which are directly related to public safety
and economic development." - Senate Appropriations
Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre)
News Brief 10/24/11
"There was one
case where $4 million in state money went to a $2 million project and because it
went to prevailing wage, it increased the price of that project by close to $2
million – it essentially threw away $2 million in state funds." - Sen.
Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster)
News Brief
10/17/11
"I am surprised and appalled that taxpayer dollars were
used to pay for these things." - Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland)
News Brief 10/4/11
"We have a
bipartisan commitment to helping our residents and local officials get back on
their feet. There is widespread damage so we need to have a good plan in place
to jumpstart our recovery effort." - Sen. Lisa
Baker (R-Luzerne) News Brief
9/26/11
"There is no question that our current winner-take-all
system for choosing electors does not reflect the diversity of
Pennsylvania." - Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)
News Brief 9/19/11
"Approximately 45,000 unemployed Pennsylvanians who currently qualify for
federal extended benefits would have been dropped from the unemployment
rolls, so I am extremely pleased we reached agreement." -
Senate
Labor and Industry Committee Chairman John Gordner (R-Columbia)
News Brief 6/20/11
"Under the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states have the
authority to prohibit certain abortion coverage in these health plans and we
intend to exercise that power." - Sen. Don White (R-Indiana)
News Brief 6/13/11
"Underage drinking is a serious matter, and we don't want to give minors a free pass. But if kids are in trouble and
need medical attention, we don't want to discourage those who can help
them from seeking assistance." -
Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 6/6/11
"I hope we can get this bill to the governor's desk very soon. It's imperative that we be
proactive to stop the spread of these dangerous drugs." - Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver)
News Brief
5/23/11
"This is a critical piece of legislation to protect victims of sexual violence. I hope
that the House of Representatives will finally send this bill to the
governor's desk." - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 5/9/11
"For too long the General
Assembly has carried an amount of taxpayer money in a reserve account that
exceeds the necessary total. It is my belief that this legislation
institutes the appropriate balance needed to continue operations in case of
a budget impasse." - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 5/2/11
"An important element of proper oversight is monitoring the growing network of
gas pipelines. Transporting the gas requires extensive
infrastructure. Federal regulations set standards for siting, construction,
and maintenance, but some public entity has to oversee and enforce those
standards." - Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)
News Brief 4/11/11
"The cost drivers in our budget are medical
assistance, prisons and pension obligations, all of which are growing far
greater than the rate of inflation and our revenues. Therefore, everything
else in the budget continues to get squeezed." - Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake
Corman (R-Centre) News
Brief 4/4/11
"If we get through this budget without tax increases, and with
responsible spending, we can set our state up to be a leader in this nation for
decades to come." - Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
News Brief 3/14/11
"I am eager to continue working with my colleagues in both chambers of
the Legislature and the Corbett Administration to bring this transformative
change and competition to our schools once and for all. It has been over a
decade since this issue was last publicly debated and addressed in
Pennsylvania, and our families shouldn't have to wait any longer for this
opportunity." -
Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin)
News Brief 3/7/11
"The Governor took the appropriate action in repealing
the policy. As I outlined in my letter to Governor Rendell last November, the
policy was irresponsible, and could potentially cost Pennsylvania taxpayers tens
of millions of dollars from the impairment of existing contracts." - Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chair Mary Jo White (R-Venango)
News Brief 2/28/11
"This bill isn't the answer to all of our state's transportation and infrastructure problems,
but it is a positive and proactive step we can take now to start addressing those concerns."
- Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery)
News Brief 2/14/11
"We cannot allow children to remain trapped by their zip code and their
income in a failing school." - Senate Education Committee Chairman
Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin)
News Brief 2/1/11
"As
we turn this new page in history, Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley and I seek to chart a new course for Pennsylvania.
Together, we are dedicated to leadership that is responsive to fiscal
realities, leadership that takes on financial burdens rather than
passing those burdens to the next generation, and leadership that can
see beyond today's turbulence and into tomorrow's tranquility." -
Gov. Tom Corbett
News Brief 1/24/11
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