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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 August 2, 2010
Senate Committee Meetings
While the Senate is not in Session until Monday,
September 20, Senate Committees continue to meet, including:
- Transportation: Wednesday, August 4 (transportation funding/SEPTA) and
Wednesday, August 18 (rails/ports)
- State Government: campaign finance reform (Senate Bills 576 and 1269)
Click here for a complete and up-to-date list of Senate Committee meetings,
times, dates, and locations.
High Risk Pools
A number of states have begun accepting applications for
the new federally funded high-risk health insurance pools. High Risk Pools are
state-created, non-profit associations used by many other states to help fill
gaps in insurance by providing coverage to those who are denied health insurance
for medical reasons. The Governor is seeking (without legislation) $160 Million
in federal moneys to cover about 5,600 Pennsylvanians between now and 2014 when
the new federal health care mandates go into effect. I proposed an independent,
self-sustaining, self-supporting High Risk Pool in
Senate Bill 507. Although passed by the full Senate (49 – 1, Senator
Ferlo), the combination of federal requirements and amendments to SB 507 make it
unlikely those who were promised coverage will ever see it. It's just not
possible to cover more people, expand benefits, and lower premiums at the same
time.
Review of Proposed Regulations
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) is
reviewing and taking public comments on a number of regulations proposed by
various state agencies, including:
- Department of Agriculture: dog law regulations for commercial kennels (withdrawn but
anticipated to be resubmitted shortly)
- Department of Education: "Common Core Standards"
Click here for a list of all regulations awaiting IRRC review.
Pennsylvania Competitiveness
NBC News recently ran a story ranking the top states for
business competitiveness based upon the cost of business, workforce, quality of
life, economy, transportation, technology and innovation, education, business
friendliness, access to capital, and cost of living. For 2010 Pennsylvania
ranked 20th overall (up from #33 in 2009)
- #40: cost of business (#41 in 2009)
- #42: workforce (#43 in 2009)
- #25: quality of life (#26)
- #15: economy (37)
- #16: transportation (15)
- # 6: technology and innovation (8)
- # 4: education (6)
- #32: business friendliness (36)
- #11: access to capital (7)
- #30: cost of living (27)
Click here to review additional details
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 listed below.
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Offices
170 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-5708
Fax: 717-787-3455
TTY: 800-364-1581
101 Municipal Building
400 South 8th Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-274-6735
Fax: 717-274-7702
Toll Free: 1-877-222-1897 509 W. Penn Avenue
Suite 10
Robesonia, PA 19551
Phone: 610-693-3200
Fax: 610-693-3212 Email:
mfolmer@pasen.gov
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