September 15, 2008

Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

"I think the most important issue that we need to try to reach agreement on is the issue of dealing with the rate spikes that will come when the caps on electric rates expire and how we mitigate those potential spikes. That is, to me, the issue that will impact Pennsylvanians most directly and most broadly."

-- Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) on the fall legislative agenda.

 

Preview

ENERGY: ELECTRIC RATES, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY MEASURES

The Senate is expected to take up legislation this fall addressing the coming expiration of caps on electricity rates in Pennsylvania. Provisions include rate cap mitigation, demand-side management, and procurement.

The Senate is also expected to take up an amendment to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, sponsored by Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York).  Special Session Senate Bill 25 corrects the exclusion of resources which were intended to be included with the passage of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004.

FURTHER GOVERNMENT REFORMS ON SENATE AGENDA 

Senate Republicans will continue their push to implement state government reforms when the Senate returns to voting session tomorrow. 

Among the measures are increased penalties for government officials who violate the state “Sunshine Law,” the posting of government salary information on the Internet, and several other measures aimed at making government more transparent.  Gambling law and prison reforms are expected to come up for votes as well. (For more on reform measures, pending and enacted, please see In the Spotlight and Fast Facts, below.)
Senator Scarnati Audio Sen. Scarnati

Review

SEN. PICCOLA INTRODUCES LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING BUDGET TIMELINES

Legislation that would establish a more definitive timeline for all future state budgets was introduced by Senate State Government Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin).

Under Senate Bill 1542 and Senate Bill 1543, the House of Representatives would be required to pass a General Appropriations bill by June 1, and the Senate would be required to pass the same bill in some form by June 15.  If necessary, no later than June 20, a special Conference Committee consisting of six representatives and six senators would be created in accordance with the rules of the House and the Senate to deliberate on the General Appropriations bill. 

A final General Appropriations bill would then be presented to the governor no later than June 30.  If any of the deadlines are not met, the daily pay for each member of the offending chamber, or chambers, would be docked until appropriate action is taken.

Similar bills were introduced in the House by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), and the lawmakers are hopeful they will be fast-tracked through committee to give lawmakers the ability to enact this much-needed legislation during the fall session.

JOINT SENATE HEARING FOCUSES ON MUNICIPAL PENSIONS

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny), and the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), held a joint public hearing September 8 on municipal pensions.

Pennsylvania has more municipal pension plans than any other state, with more than 3,100.

Senator Pippy said: "The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee spent the last year examining Act 47, the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, and the tools necessary for municipalities to attain fiscal stability. Municipal pensions and the burden they place on municipalities are an important part of this review, and I look forward to working with Senator Browne and his committee on this issue."

Senator Browne said: "This is an important issue facing municipalities, and this joint hearing gave Senate Finance and Urban Affairs and Housing Committee members a chance to discuss the challenge of growing pension obligations, as well as possible solutions to protect taxpayers."

SUMMIT DISCUSSES BIOFUELS AND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) and Vice Chairman Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) participated in the Chesapeake Bay Biofuels Summit on September 4.

Experts discussed biofuels in relationship to a cleaner Chesapeake Bay, its role in improving national and energy security, and the role the Chesapeake Bay Region can play in the development of biofuels.

In the Spotlight

One of the state Senate’s first official acts of the 2007-08 legislative session was to adopt reform measures that change the way the chamber conducts business.

All roll call votes are posted on the Internet no later than 24 hours after a vote and committee votes on bills are posted within 48 hours of the vote. This allows citizens to read the bills that are being voted on, and see how senators are voting. And to prevent late-night votes, session is now limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The new rules are part of an ongoing commitment to make state government more open and accountable to citizens. Another implemented reform: the complete transcript of every Senate debate is posted online within 45 days. Also, citizens can now search and review state contracts online, and see who is lobbying the Legislature and the Governor’s Office on which issues.

Senate Republicans worked to strengthen and expand Pennsylvania’s Open Records Law and end "lame duck" sessions, and are pushing to make spending records and all state salaries open to the public.

Fast Facts

SENATE REFORM BILLS ON FALL AGENDA

  • Senate Bill 467 – Increases the penalty for government officials who violate the state Sunshine Law. Sponsored by Sen. Gib Armstrong (R-Lancaster)

  • Senate Bill 729 – Requires the state to post salary information for state employees on an official website. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware)

  • Senate Bill 903 – Prohibits any state agency from contracting with outside individuals or firms to do consulting work, unless the contract is reviewed by the Attorney General or is opened up to public competitive bidding. Sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny)

  • Senate Bill 986 – Prohibits any Commonwealth agency, including the legislature and the courts, from paying a bonus to any of its employees. Sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger (R-Blair)

  • Senate Bill 1015 – Requires all paid advertising by state government to bear the following disclaimer: “Paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars.” Sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) 

  • Senate Bill 1201 – Stricter controls on use of Commonwealth aircraft, with information posted on a public website. Sponsored by Sen. Gib Armstrong (R-Lancaster)

  • Senate Bill 1499 -- Restricting the use of state vehicles and requiring detailed mileage logs. Sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon)  

Questions or Comments?

Contact the Senate Republican Communications Office or call 717-787-6725.

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