Last week was a busy week for the Legislature. After years of debating, the General Assembly passed Marcellus Shale legislation, which was sent to the Governor and signed into law on Feb. 13. House Bill 1950 (HB 1950) is a complex bill that covers many aspects of the industry. Marcellus Shale is a deep geologic formation that underlies 54 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Pennsylvania ranks No. 15 among the states in natural gas production; however, it is the only major state with fossil fuel deposits that did not have a severance tax or impact fee. In fact, all 14 states with a greater natural …

I have received many letters, e-mails and calls lately on a piece of legislation that would require all Pennsylvanians to show photo identification to vote. Although this may seem like a good idea at first glance, a more in depth look at House Bill 934 (HB 934) proves that this is unnecessary for our Commonwealth.  Currently, Pennsylvanians are only required to show identification when voting in a polling place for the first time. Some examples of acceptable ID include a current utility bill, a paycheck or bank statement, a gun permit, or a driver’s license, as long as these items have the …

As we start 2012, many individuals receiving unemployment compensation are uncertain what their future holds. The economy is gradually showing positive signs of a recovery and the unemployment rate is slowly decreasing. Extending unemployment benefits has been a contentious issue for Congress over the past several years, most recently in December. Still, unemployed Americans received good news that Congress has extended emergency unemployment for 60 days. However, Pennsylvania’s General Assembly must act for the unemployed to receive this federal extension.  Pennsylvania provides an …

As many of you have probably already heard, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has once again not only threatened to reduce service hours and routes by 35 percent but also increase fare rates come Sept. 2. Although ridership is up, this would make it the largest cut in the agency’s 48-year history, affecting every user of the system in some way.  The Port Authority is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, who are appointed by the Allegheny County government. The tax payers are responsible for much of the authority’s income since it comes from county, state and federal sources. …

Last week, I asked for your thoughts on three alternatives I proposed to the current property assessment system. Thank you to everyone that weighed in with their opinions. The majority of respondents believe the best choice is to eliminate property taxes and allow local governments and school districts to shift to a sales and/or income tax. While I believe this alternative is better than the current system, of the three options I presented, this would be the most difficult to achieve.  First, elected officials in counties where reassessments are not an issue would be hesitant to support a tax…

It has often been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That statement perfectly explains the ongoing, court-ordered, reassessment fiasco taking place in Allegheny County. The current process is unworkable, burdensome, expensive and inaccurate. Earlier this week, I wrote Judge R. Stanton Wettick, Jr. and asked him to delay the implementation of the 2012 reassessed property values until the General Assembly can craft a statewide solution.  On Tuesday afternoon, Judge Wettick announced he would rule on Thursday, Jan. 12…

Last week, under a court order, Allegheny County’s Office of Property Assessments mailed new property tax values to property owners in the city of Pittsburgh and Mt. Oliver. Allowing court-ordered reassessments to occur while neighboring counties have gone 30 to 40 years without a reassessment is unfair, burdensome and bad policy. When the General Assembly reconvenes later this month in Harrisburg, I will again be calling on Senate leadership to move Senate Bill 1280 (SB 1280) for a vote. The bill provides for a temporary moratorium on all court-ordered reassessments until such time that the …

Last week, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark announced their physician contract, which was set to expire on June 30, 2012, would be extended for one year. Under this agreement, Highmark customers will be able to access UPMC hospitals and physicians at in-network rates through June 30, 2013. While this news provides some temporary relief to the millions of customers affected by this ongoing dispute, it does not mean a long-term agreement is on the horizon. Once this new agreement expires, consumers could still be faced with unaffordable out-of-network costs and a …

Over the past few months, I have been asked time and time again why the state cannot force the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark to enter into another contract.  Individuals are concerned about not only the cost of their health care, but even more importantly, what it will mean to their access to health care and the doctors and facilities that they choose. Quite simply, the role of the government in the regulation of business is very limited.  The Commonwealth cannot force two private companies into a contract.  While there is a broad grant of power to Congress under…

As I write this, the Senate is currently in its last scheduled session week of 2011.  There are many bills on a wide variety of issues that are still being deliberated, but very few of them will be voted on before the end of the calendar year.  Following is a quick summary of several bills that the Senate is considering this week – they are also bills that constituents have expressed an interest in:  Senate Resolution 250 (SR 250) establishes a bi-cameral, bi-partisan Task Force on Child Protection.  The group will review current laws and procedures relating to the reporting of child abuse …

I, and my colleagues in the General Assembly, continue to work on liquor issues in an effort to help consumers by providing for greater access while encouraging the creation of businesses.  This week, the Senate continued to move forward on changes to the Liquor Code that would create a Limited Distillery License.  House Bill 242 (HB 242), which was voted out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, would allow distilleries producing under 100,000 gallons of spirits to sell distilled spirits to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (LCB), other licensees and the general public.  Additionally, …

Last week, I introduced legislation, Senate Bill 1347 (SB 1347), that would require employers to post and provide written notification to employees of their potential eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  The EITC is a federal tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families.  SB 1347 is aimed at raising awareness of this program so those who are eligible for this tax credit claim and receive it.  If you make less than $49,000 annually you should inquire as to your eligibility. It is important to raise awareness about the EITC as this is the time …

As I wrote last week, Senate Bill 549 (SB 549), my legislation that would change the requirements and process for reporting and investigating child abuse by school employees has received a great deal of attention in light of the charges against Jerry Sandusky and the two Penn State officials.  There are two questions I am asked continuously asked by the media:  How would SB 549 have changed what happened in Penn State? And, why hasn’t the bill been acted upon? I can answer the first question – If SB 549 had been law, the incident witnessed by the graduate assistant would have been reported …

You can’t turn on the news, or open a newspaper today, without hearing about the state Attorney General’s charges against former and current employees of Penn State University related to the sexual abuse of children.  The charges and the events behind the charges are shocking and disturbing. And as much as we would like to go back and change what happened, we cannot. No matter what action we take today or tomorrow, we cannot change what happened to these children. We send our thoughts and prayer to the victims and their families. We can act, however, and take steps to provide additional …

This past week, the Senate passed legislation banning texting while driving.  Senate Bill 314 (SB 314) now goes to the Governor for his signature. I supported the legislation. SB 314 prohibits drivers from engaging in text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle.  This includes using a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, or portable or mobile computer while driving to send, read, or write a message.  This will be considered a primary offense meaning a driver can be pulled over even if no other violation has occurred.  Drivers who violate the law will be …

This past week, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) was put before the full Senate for a vote.  It passed on Oct. 26, by a vote of 27-22.  I voted no. SB 1, as amended, contains three main components – an increase in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, reforms to cyber and charter school provisions and the creation of a school voucher program. I have been a supporter of EITC since my election and am in favor of that portion of the bill. I also believe that the reforms to cyber and charter schools are a step in the right direction and that there are further steps that will be taken to address the funding…

This past week I participated in a news conference in Harrisburg to discuss legislation that would help preserve access to health care for millions of people in western Pennsylvania.  This is a direct result of the stalemate that continues between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark. Legislators on both sides of the aisle are urging UPMC and Highmark to break the stalemate and do the right thing for those who rely on the companies for their health care needs. The priority should be on what’s best for the public. It’s easy to get caught up in the business aspect of …

There is probably no other issue that I have received more e-mails, telephone calls, faxes or letters on than school choice and education reform. They literally number in the thousands and, please be assured, that I have noted each and every one of them—and the positions, concerns and general comments that I have received. This past week, there were several more things thrown into the mix and so I expect that the communications I receive will begin anew. As you are likely aware, Gov. Tom Corbett outlined his agenda on this issue on Oct. 11. His proposal includes authorizing opportunity …

This past week, Governor Tom Corbett unveiled his plan for an impact fee on Pennsylvania drillers. Essentially, the plan would charge a first-year fee of $40,000 per well, which would gradually be reduced to $10,000 after four years.  Counties, not the state, would implement and collect the fee—and could set the rate at any level, setting up, perhaps, 67 different rates across the commonwealth. The bulk of the revenues, 75 percent, would remain with the county and local government, with the remaining 25 percent being returned to the state. State revenues would be used for road, bridge, rail …

Last week’s News & Views outlined the PA Works Now proposal and highlighted my belief, as well as that of many of my colleagues, that creating jobs and improving our economy should be our number one priority this fall in Harrisburg.  I remain committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that creating and retaining good-paying jobs is part of any discussion that we have at the state level – and pledge to work with my colleagues to accomplish that this fall in Harrisburg.  That being said, there are two issues that are of great importance to my constituents and that we have the …