Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

TUES: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TERM LIMITS, DRILLING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired by Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie), will hold a joint public hearing Tuesday with the House Finance Committee on Economic Development and Fiscal Accountability legislation, including Senate Bill 1279, sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh). (9 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Bldg.) 

The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), will hold a public hearing on legislative term limits. The committee will discuss Senate Bill 1304, sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair). (9:30 a.m., Senate Majority Caucus Room) 

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), will hold a public hearing to review emergency response plans and natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. (10 a.m., Room 8E-B East Wing) 

WED: HEARINGS CONTINUE ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), continues a series of public hearings on transportation funding issues Wednesday.

In the opening hearing, the panel heard from PennDOT Secretary Alan Biehler, who talked about projects that are being planned and others that are on hold because of funding issues. In the second hearing, the committee heard suggestions from those in the private sector on how to make the best use of tax dollars and find innovative new ways to meet growing needs. (9 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Bldg.)

Senate Approves Study to Modernize 50-Year-Old Library Code

Pennsylvania will soon begin work on a comprehensive review of the 50-year-old law governing library services in the state.

The Senate approved a resolution introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) calling for the study, which is due by November 30.

Pennsylvania's Library Code, which governs the operation of public libraries in the state, was enacted in 1961. The study called for in Senate Resolution 343 is designed to find ways in which the law should be modernized, making it easier for libraries to meet the expectations and demands of their visitors.

According to the Pennsylvania Library Association, visits to the state's 474 public libraries were up 11 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, circulation of books and videos was up 9 percent, and in-library computer use was up 19 percent.

Senator Pileggi said: "As we continue to face an extended recession, more and more people are visiting their local libraries, Our public libraries are an incredible resource for people looking for a job, for students doing school work, and for families looking for inexpensive entertainment options."

For more on Pennsylvania public libraries, please see Fast Facts, below.

Senate Passes Legislation to Honor Fallen State Police Troopers

The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) that would designate I-84 from Lackawanna County to the PA/New York state line as the "Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway."  

The designation honors PA State Police officers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the safety and security of the Commonwealth.  

Senate Bill 1320 is supported by both the PA State Police and the PA State Troopers Association.  

Senator Baker said: "The 93 troopers who gave their lives for the protection of the Commonwealth deserve to be officially honored and remembered for their service. The designation of I-84 as the 'Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway' is a way we can publicly recognize their sacrifice and extend our thanks and appreciation to the surviving members of their families."     

Senate Approves Bill to Give Local Communities a Share of Air Pollution Fines 

When a company is fined by the state for violating Pennsylvania's Clean Air Act, local communities would get a share of that money for environmental projects under legislation approved unanimously by the Senate. 

Under Senate Bill 1250, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), one quarter of any fine above $50,000 would be available to the municipality in which the violation occurred. Once notified by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that funds are available, a municipality will have 180 days to submit a project proposal for DEP's review and approval. 

SB 1250 would also require DEP to notify the municipality in which a violation occurs within five business days after the penalty is final. 

Senator Pileggi said: "Under current law, all collected fines go to Harrisburg. But the impact of the violation that led to the fine is felt most heavily at the local level. This bill will fix that imbalance by sending 25 percent of the fines to local projects designed to reduce air pollution, to improve parks and trails, or to create open space." 

Bill to Audit Methadone Treatment Costs Approved by Committee

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs was approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).

Senate Resolution 348 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to report on methadone treatment and transportation costs as well as average length of methadone maintenance. The measure was approved unanimously.

The state Medical Assistance Transportation Program provides transportation to individuals who are receiving methadone treatments by either reimbursing those with private vehicles at a rate of 25 cents per mile or by providing rides in vans and taxis with little accountability regarding the most cost-effective mode of transportation to the clinic.

Senator Ward said: "Taxpayers spend more than $40 million in medical assistance costs for methadone treatment, in addition to covering the high cost of transporting individuals to methadone clinics. In areas such as the one I represent, the cost can be up to $1,600 per week for just one person. This audit is the first step in evaluating and reining in those costs."

Sen. Tomlinson's Childhood Immunization Bill Approved by Committee 

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) to increase public awareness of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice's influenza recommendations for vaccines in children was approved by the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).

Under Senate Bill 1171, the Department of Health would be required to review and improve current immunization activities and education efforts, work with appropriate state agencies and licensed child care facilities to ensure that information on the benefits of yearly immunization is distributed annually. The department would be required to work with health care professionals and public health organizations to develop plans for expanding outreach, and explore the use of schools and alternative venues to administer influenza vaccines to children in a timely manner. 

Additionally, the legislation would allow the Department of Health to offer school-based influenza vaccine programs.  To the degree that products are available through federal vaccine programs and state-funded programs, the Department shall offer a variety of delivery methods, including traditional shots and needle-free delivery methods.   

Senator Tomlinson said: "This legislation will allow providers, especially school nurses, the option to choose what type of delivery method works for them and young children.  It is important to make sure that our children are receiving the best preventative care possible."

Sen. Ward Unveils "Jennifer's Law" in Wake of Westmoreland County Murder

Sen. Kim Ward (R- Westmoreland) unveiled her proposed "Jennifer's Law" named after a Westmoreland County woman who was tortured and murdered.

Three men and three women have been charged in connection with the torture and stabbing death of Jennifer Daugherty, a woman with intellectual disabilities, in Greensburg earlier this year. Authorities say the crimes took place over nearly three days, with none of the defendants, acquaintances of Jennifer’s, contacting police.

Senator Ward’s legislation would require the reporting of the violent crime to law enforcement officials immediately.  Failure to report the crime would be a misdemeanor of the third degree. 

Senator Ward said: "It is heartbreaking to think of what Jennifer went through, and the fact that one phone call to police might have put an end to these cruel crimes. Sometimes society has to compel people to do the right thing. This legislation is aimed at preventing further tragedies."

For more on the proposed legislation, please see In the Spotlight, below.

Jennifer Daugherty's family was on hand as Senator Ward announced legislation that would establish a legal obligation for witnesses of a violent crime to contact law enforcement. The individual would not be required to immediately report it if it would place the person in immediate physical harm.

Senator Ward also expressed her concern that housing shelters are not screening guests for criminal backgrounds. Jennifer met some of the defendants at a homeless shelter. One of the defendants in the case had a Protection from Abuse order against him.

Jennifer’s sister, Joy Burkholder, said: "Over the course of 30-plus hours, six people had the opportunity to help my sister and nobody did. Legally they didn’t have to. It seems wrong to me that you can be a spectator during a murder and not be responsible to intervene in any way. I know my sister is not coming back and we accept this. However, this law could and will save lives."

Senator Ward said: "Since 1973, 11 states have enacted statutes requiring some form of aid or assistance when witnessing a violent crime. By making Pennsylvania the 12th state, we can make a statement in Jennifer’s memory. We can say, 'The world may be cold, but we do not live in a heartless society. We do not look on while evil is perpetrated. We are better than that.'"