Mike's Memo

Week of December 8, 2008 

Senate Republican Leadership Team Finalized, Committee Chairs Appointed

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati last week appointed two additional members to the Senate Republican leadership team for 2009 – 2010.  Senator John Pippy (37th Senatorial District) will serve as Senate Policy Committee Chair and Senator Pat Browne (16th Senatorial District) will serve as Majority Caucus Administrator. The complete 2009-2010 Senate leadership team is: 

• President Pro Tempore - Joseph B. Scarnati, III
• Majority Leader - Dominic Pileggi
• Majority Whip - Jane Clare Orie
• Majority Caucus Chair - Michael L. Waugh
• Majority Caucus Secretary - Robert D. Robbins
• Majority Caucus Administrator - Pat Browne
• Majority Appropriations Chair - Jake Corman
• Senate Policy Committee Chair - John Pippy

     I look forward to working with this leadership team in the weeks and months ahead. For more information about these leaders and details of their respective duties, click here. 

Last week Senator Scarnati also announced Senate Republican committee chairmanships for the 2009-2010 legislative Session. I was pleased to be appointed Chairman of the Senate Communications & Technology Committee.  Other appointments include Senator Jeff Piccola as Education Committee Chair and Senator Charles McIlhinney, State Government. Click here for a complete list of Committee Chair assignments for the 2009-2010 Session.

Senate Leaders to Return Cost of Living Raise

Senate President Pro Tempore, Joe Scarnati, and other members of the Republican Leadership team announced last week that they would not accept the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and will return the money each month to where it rightfully belongs, to the state Treasury, and back in the hands of taxpayers.  Senator Pileggi also said he will personally introduce a bill to officially suspend the COLA for legislators.                                                

As you may be aware, I have returned my portion of COLA - $132.55 – to the Treasury each month since taking office in 2007. I applaud Senate leaders for this step, and look forward to advancing other reform and cost-saving measures in this new session.

2009 House Session Days

The House of Representatives recently released scheduled session days for the first six months of 2009. With the exception of a few January dates, House Session dates mirror those in the Senate.

January:    6, 26, 27, and 28

February:  2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11

March:      9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, and 31

April:         1, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29

May:         4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13

June:        1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, and 30 

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.