Welcome to "Mike's Memo," an update on what's happening in the 48th Legislative District, the State Capitol, and the progress on my "Promise to Pennsylvania," a pledge to advance government reforms, enact meaningful lawsuit abuse reform, eliminate wasteful state spending, and cut taxes. If you haven't done so already, please take a few moments to visit my website at www.senatorfolmer.com to learn more about issues that may affect you and your family.

Week of June 21, 2010

Summer is Here!

This morning at 7:28 a.m., Summer 2010 arrived. If only we had a state budget to celebrate! Fortunately, the Senate moved a number of budget bills (including House Bill 2279, the General Fund budget and House Bill 2289, the Capital Budget) into position should there be an agreement on a 2010 – 2011 state spending plan.  Talks with the Governor and the House continue.

Vehicle Accountability Bill Passes Senate

I’m pleased my Senate Bill 104, providing for stronger accountability in the use of state vehicles by state employees, unanimously passed the full Senate.  As amended, Senate Bill 104 would require:

• All state vehicles – including Cabinet officials and row officers – to have an official blue state license plate
• Posting the names of state employees having the privilege of using a state-owned vehicle on both their agency’s website and the Department of General Services’ website (along with the title and year of the vehicle)

Law enforcement personnel with arrest powers and undercover officers would be exempted from these requirements.  SB 104 goes to the House for consideration.

REAL ID Measure Also Passes Senate

My Senate Bill 621, which would release Pennsylvania from complying with the mandates of the federal REAL ID Act, also unanimously passed the Senate.  REAL ID as approved by Congress in 2005 requires applicants for a driver’s license to produce four forms of identification, including a birth certificate, a Social Security card, another form of ID, and/or a utility bill.  PennDOT would be required to store copies of this information both electronically and in paper form so it can be added to a  national database.  I consider this both an intrusion on Constitutional rights and individual privacy (not to mention the danger of having this information stored in one place).  Also, compliance costs for the Commonwealth could reach $100 Million to $120 Million with annual maintenance costs of $40 - $50 Million.  Fifteen other states (including Alaska, Maine, Georgia, Minnesota, and Oklahoma) have already opted out of REAL ID.  A number of other states have protested REAL ID through non-binding resolutions. 

Other Bills Passed by the Senate

The full Senate also unanimously passed a number of other measures, including:

• Senate Bill 954:  allowing approved private schools for the deaf and blind to apply for emergency teaching permits to fill vacancies
• Senate Bill 1057:  adding “mobility vehicles” (those designed to transport people with disabilities) to the Board of Vehicles Act
• Senate Resolution 228:  establishing ethical rules of conduct for Senators and staff
• Senate Resolution 344:  directing the Joint State Government Commission to study issues regarding the Philadelphia criminal justice system

The Senate also confirmed James Cawley for another term on the Public Utility Commission and confirmed John Coleman to a first term as PUC Commissioner.

For more information on these issues or other legislative and state topics, or if you are unable to open the bill links, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website at www.legis.state.pa.us.

Please feel free to contact me at any time on state-related issues that are of concern to you.  I may be reached through e-mail at mfolmer@pasen.gov, my website, or any one of my offices.

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