Mike's Memo

Welcome to a new year of "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 April 14, 2008

"Housekeeping" Appropriations Pass Senate

The Senate passed a number of “housekeeping” bills that provide funding for various state agencies and offices. I was forced to oppose two of these bills (Senate Bill 1345 and Senate Bill 1347) since they exceeded the spending limits of my "Taxpayer Protection Act" (Senate Bill 707). If Senate Bill 707 were law today, state spending for 2008 – 2009 would be limited to 3.29% maximum (nearly $900 Million more). Here are the “Preferred Appropriations” bills, what they fund, the Senate approved budget amounts, and the increases from last year:

• SB 1344 (State Employees Retirement Fund): $27,348,000 (2.94%). Passed unanimously;
• SB 1345 (Public School Employees Retirement Fund): $42,297,000 (3.64%). Passed 48 – 1 (I was the lone “no” vote);
• SB 1346 (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs): $42,862,000 (3.01%). Passed unanimously;
• SB 1347 (Workers Compensation Administration Fund): $76,549,000 (20.44%). Passed 48 – 1 (I was the lone “no” vote);


• SB 1348 (Public Utility Commission): $52,162,000 (1.32%). Passed unanimously;
• SB 1349 (Office of the Consumer Advocate): $5,205,000 (2.68%). Passed unanimously, and;
• SB 1351 (Small Business Advocate): $1,020,000 (2.72%). Passed unanimously.

Strengthening Eligibility Requirements for Public Benefits

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 9 (39 – 10), which would require proof of citizenship for public benefits. There have been questions whether illegal aliens, who do not pay taxes, have been receiving taxpayer financed benefits. Senate Bill 9 would strengthen eligibility requirements by requiring applicants to provide proper identification and sign an affidavit stating that he or she is a US citizen, a legal permanent resident, or is otherwise lawfully present under federal law. The following are the forms of identification that would be required if the bill becomes law:

• A valid driver’s license or identification card issued by PennDOT;
• A valid identification card issued by any other Commonwealth agency;
• A valid identification card issued by the US government, another state, or Canada;
• A valid US passport;
• A valid US armed forces ID card, or;
• A valid form of identification listed by the Attorney General.

Click here to see how members of the Senate voted.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment Passes Senate

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 822 (33 – 17), which would amend Pennsylvania’s Constitution to change the succession of the Lieutenant Governor by allowing a Lieutenant Governor who assumes the governorship to name a new Lieutenant Governor upon confirmation by a majority vote of the Senate. The goal of this change is to address questions that arose when former Governor Tom Ridge resigned to become the head of the US Department of Homeland Security and Lieutenant Governor Mark Schweiker became Governor and former Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer became Lieutenant Governor while retaining his Senate seat. In order to make this constitutional change, it must pass the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and then both the Senate and the House would need to pass identical legislation again next Session and then the measure would have to be approved by the voters in a Primary or General Election. Click here to see how members of the Senate voted.

Click here to see how members of the Senate voted.

For more information on these issues, and information on other legislative and state topics, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website at www.legis.state.pa.us.  If you are unable to open the bill links, please feel free to go directly to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.

As always, please feel free to contact me on any state-related matter that may be of concern to you. I can be reached through e-mail, mfolmer@pasen.gov,or at any one of my district offices.