September 19, 2011
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Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

"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) on his proposal designed to more fairly allocate Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes in presidential elections.

Preview

Senate Kicks Off Fall Voting Session

The Senate returned to voting session on Monday, with a full fall agenda that is expected to feature Marcellus Shale, School Choice and other priority issues.

Among the bills that could be considered this week are Senate Bill 162, the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), and Senate Bill 361, vital statistics disclosure, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer).

Tuesday: Status of Gaming, Wrongful Convictions, Fish License Flexibility

On Tuesday, the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie), will hold a public hearing on the economic impact and status of the Pennsylvania gaming industry, along with an overview of the Pennsylvania Statewide Gaming Market Assessment Report. (9:30 a.m. Room 8 E-B)

The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), will hold a public hearing with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regarding fish license flexibility. (10 a.m. N. Office Bldg. Hearing Room 1)

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), will hold a public hearing on the issue of wrongful convictions, and consider Senate Bill 733, Senate Bill 883 and Senate Bill 1167. (11:30 a.m. Room 8 E-B)

Library Code Reform, Highmark/UPMC Dispute

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 1225, reform of the Library Code. (10:30 a.m. N. Office Bldg. Hearing Room 1)

On Thursday, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana), will hold a public hearing on the contract dispute between Highmark and UPMC, and Highmark's proposed acquisition of West Penn Allegheny Hospital. (1 p.m.  Erie Insurance Auditorium, Erie)

Review

Senators Unveil Bipartisan Flood Relief Package

Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia), Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) joined a bipartisan group of senators today to unveil a comprehensive legislative package in response to the devastating effects of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

The seven-piece package combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding and tax breaks for affected areas

Senator Gordner said: "Our goal is to provide financial assistance to communities affected by flooding and provide the resources to ensure that the recovery effort will take place as quickly as possible. We've all toured our flooded communities and we have seen how hard-hit they have been by these storms."

For details of the package, please see Fast Facts below.

Pileggi Unveils Proposal to More Fairly Allocate Electoral College Votes

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) announced legislation designed to more fairly allocate Pennsylvania's Electoral College votes in presidential elections.

In 2012, Pennsylvania will have 20 electoral votes, one for each of the 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the two U.S. Senators who represent the Commonwealth. Under Senator Pileggi's proposal, two presidential electors would be chosen based on the statewide vote. The other 18 would be chosen based on the vote for president in each Congressional district.

Gov. Tom Corbett and leaders in the state House of Representatives have expressed support for the legislation. Currently, Maine and Nebraska utilize a district-based system.

Senator Pileggi said: "This proposal will more fairly align Pennsylvania's electoral college votes with the results of the popular vote. It will also make individual votes across the state more important, giving voters a more significant say in presidential elections."

Appropriations Committee Begins Hearings on Higher Education Issues

The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), began a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities.

The September 12 hearing was held at the University of Pittsburgh, one of Pennsylvania's four state-related universities, meaning that it receives state funds but is independently operated. It shares this status with the Pennsylvania State University, which hosted a September 7 hearing, Temple University and Lincoln University.

The committee heard testimony from university officials on a variety of topics, including the impact of the state budget on the university's operation. The next hearings will be held October 12 at Temple University and October 13 at Lincoln University. 

Senate Aging and Youth Committee Examines Long-Term Care Issues

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), held a public hearing September 7 in Beaver County on long-term care in Pennsylvania.

Senator Ward, Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) and other committee members heard testimony from state Aging Secretary Brian Duke, as well as representatives of Area Agencies on Aging, adult day services, homecare agencies and others.

Senator Ward said: "Thanks to advances in medicine and health care, Pennsylvanians are living longer. It is important that individuals, families and policymakers keep up with such progress and plan for long-term care that strives for independence, with comfort and dignity."

For more on the hearing, please see In the Spotlight, below. 

Independent Fiscal Office's First Director Named

Matthew J. Knittel, a senior financial economist with the U.S. Department of Treasury, was selected to serve as the first director of Pennsylvania's new Independent Fiscal Office.

Knittel, 43, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University, where he also earned an M.A. in Economics. He earned two bachelor's degrees, in economics and business administration, from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

The non-partisan Independent Fiscal Office will develop revenue estimates and have access to the same financial information as the Governor's Budget Office. It is also responsible for developing performance standards for executive-level programs and departments.

In the Spotlight

Aging Secretary Duke noted that Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in the number of people age 60 and older, and by the year 2020, one in four state residents will be over the age of 60. He said that in November the department will begin working with long-term care providers and others to create a four-year plan to serve older Pennsylvanians and people living with disabilities.

According to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, the bulk of Pennsylvania's long-term care system is spent on nursing homes – about $3.5 billion compared to in-home services, which account for $386 million.

It was noted that difficult economic circumstances will require difficult choices, as Medical Assistance long term care and health care in general will continue to drive much of the Commonwealth's budget into fiscal year 2012-13 and beyond.

The role of Pennsylvania's 526 Senior Centers was also discussed. The centers often serve as an entry point into the long term care system.

The need for long-term care is not limited to seniors. There are more than 260 Adult Day Services centers across Pennsylvania serving 11,300 Pennsylvanians under age 60 who are not capable of full-time independent living.

Fast Facts