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Senator Scott Hutchinson

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to send you my Session Wrap Up e-newsletter. This e-newsletter features events and legislative activities from the session week of June 28, 2015.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatorscotthutchinson.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my office, please go to my web page and click the "contact" button. Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail.

Sincerely,

Scott


Senate Approves Fiscally Responsible State Budget

The Senate approved a Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget plan on Tuesday that provides increased state support for education and other key services and programs without adding to the tax burden of Pennsylvania families.

House Bill 1192 is a balanced budget that includes no new taxes or tax increases and $370 million in new money for education. It also includes fundamental changes to the state’s pension and liquor systems.

The budget contains:

  • $30.1 billion in total state spending.
  • $100 million in new state dollars for basic education that is combined with reforms to the basic education funding formula and improvements in accountability.
  • $20 million for special education.
  • $30 million for early education, including Pre-K Counts and Head Start.
  • $300 million in savings for the state and school districts to pay for capital improvements.
  • $50 million across the board for higher education.
  • $2.8 million to address avian flu.
  • Expanding community-based services for seniors to help keep them in their homes and communities.
  • Structural reform to the pension system, which is the primary cost driver for the state and school districts.
  • $200 million in additional revenues through liquor reforms.

Governor Wolf’s veto of the budget is not a surprise, but it is disappointing.

House Bill 1192 recognizes the economic reality in Pennsylvania and allocates the state’s financial resources in a fiscally responsible manner that provides essential support for key programs and services. It met the Governor’s request for more money for schools by providing $370 million in new dollars for education in Pennsylvania.

And, it accomplished this without a tax increase.

I joined with the majority of my colleagues in the Senate and House who simply could not support the massive tax increases and expansion of government that the Governor requested. We believe that it is improper to ask working families to assume a greater tax burden simply to support the Administration’s request for a massive increase in state spending.

Public Pension Reform Measure Sent to the Governor

A measure addressing increasing public pension costs received final legislative approval on Tuesday and was sent to the Governor.

Senate Bill 1 restructures the state’s two public employee pension systems – the State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System – in order to make them viable in the long term.

The features of Senate Bill 1 include:

  • All new state and public school employees will be enrolled in a mandatory, 401k-type Defined Contribution Plan similar to those used in the private sector.
  • Members of the General Assembly, upon election or re-election, will be enrolled in the same Defined Contribution Plan as new state and public school employees.
  • No changes to current retiree benefits.

Public pension reform must be a priority for Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1 is an essential package of reforms needed to prevent a further mortgaging of the Commonwealth’s future. The move toward defined contribution plans for future public employees better reflects the options offered to private sector employees and puts Pennsylvania back on track for a sustainable future.

Liquor Privatization Bill Approved by the Senate

A historic plan to privatize sales of wine and liquor received final legislative approval on Tuesday and was sent to the Governor.

House Bill 466 amends the Liquor Code to divest the Commonwealth’s wholesale and retail wine and spirits system. The bill provides for the closure of State Stores, wholesale permits for importers, wine and liquor to-go sales in grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and beer distributors, as well as educational assistance for displaced employees.

This moves Pennsylvania beyond the outdated legacy of the Prohibition Era. Pennsylvanians have made it abundantly clear that they want to get the Commonwealth out of the business of alcohol sales. This bill respects the will of the people and provides a responsible transition period that helps the employees that will be affected by the change.

Bill Setting Penalties for False Claim of Veteran Status Goes to Governor

The Senate concurred Monday on House amendments to a bill that protects the integrity of the “veteran” driver’s license designation process. Senate Bill 42 now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.

Under the measure those who falsely claim to be a veteran on their Pennsylvania driver’s license application would be subject to a summary offense with a $300 fine and possible imprisonment of between 30 and 90 days for those who fail to pay the fine. A state law enacted in 2012 allows veterans to self-certify their status subject to verification by state military officials. 

Other bills sent to the Governor this week include:

House Bill 73, which requires that providers of counseling services to sexually violent predators notify the district attorney of the county and the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in the county and municipality where the provider is located that the provider is counseling sexually violent predators.

House Bill 140, which would permit a carpool or vanpool operated by a private operator to be considered a ridesharing arrangement.

House Bill 157, which ensures that a veteran’s military education and training are given strong consideration for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for professional credentials.

House Bill 164, which amends the Crimes Code section on cruelty to animals by adding a new subsection on possession of animal fighting paraphernalia.

House Bill 221, which amends the continuing education requirements for police officers and magisterial district judges regarding training on recognition and techniques to be used when interacting with individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.

House Bill 229, which creates the offense of cyber harassment of a child in the Crimes Code section on harassment.

House Bill 272, which makes several changes to the Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act.

Senate Bill 330, which expedites the process for dealing with blighted properties.

Senate Bill 655, which is the Fiscal Code component of the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget.

House Bill 762, which includes the Public School Code component of the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget.

House Bill 972, which amends the Insurance Company Law concerning the delivery of individual insurance policies and annuities.

House Bill 1276, which clarifies certain requirements pertaining to criminal history background certifications for employees and volunteers.

Senate Approves Measure to Assist Under-Performing Schools

Schools with the lowest academic performance will be given additional tools to help turn themselves around, under a bill passed by the Senate on Monday.

Known as The Educational Opportunity and Accountability Act, Senate Bill 6 allows districts to plan and adopt turnaround models for school improvement or contract with outside educational providers to deliver services. 

Schools that continue to remain in the lowest-performing tier for years could be transferred to a new statewide entity called the Achievement School District (ASD).  The ASD could manage the school directly or contract with other educational organizations to help close the achievement gap.

Senate Bill 6 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Bill Offering Greater Access to Oral Chemotherapy Drugs Sent to House

The Senate approved legislation on Sunday that would allow cancer patients to select their best treatment option, including oral chemotherapy.

Senate Bill 536 would require health insurers to provide coverage for orally administered chemotherapy on a basis that is at least as favorable as an insured’s co-pay, coinsurance or deductibles as they are for intravenous or injected chemotherapy treatment.

Because oral chemotherapy is typically covered as part of the prescription drug benefit, patients who choose this option in consultation with their doctor often experience significantly different out-of-pocket costs based on how their treatment is administered.

Senate Bill 536 now goes to the House for its consideration.

Other bills approved by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives this week include:

Senate Bill 533, which establishes a uniform procedure for the disposition of contraband left in the possession of probation and parole agencies.  

Senate Bill 566, which provides additional funding for the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund.

Senate Bill 748, which eliminates the mandatory escort of super-sized loads by the Pennsylvania State Police and allows the use of certified pilot escorts.

Senate Bill 756, which eliminates the sunset provisions of the Commonwealth’s First Industries Program.

Senate Bill 862, which amends the School Code to coordinate with child abuse clearance changes made in the Child Protective Services Law.

Senate Bill 871, which amends the First Class Township Code to allow for small gifts to recognize the service or passing of township officials, employees or volunteers.

Senate Bill 887, which protects highway workers, first emergency responders and others from careless and reckless drivers traveling in work zones.

Senate Bill 928, which increases the minimum financial responsibility requirements for use of a motor vehicle.


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