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 August 17, 2009

Senate sends bills to Governor

The Senate unanimously passed a number of bills which now go to the Governor for signature:

Senate Bill 240, replaces the Emergency Medical Services Act with the Emergency Medical Services System Act (with updates and codifications)

Senate Bill 563, amends the Mechanics Lien Law to allow contractors and subcontractors to waive rights to file claims against residential properties.

Senate approves additional budget bills

The Senate also unanimously approved bills which authorized the Governor to pay the state workforce not covered under Senate Bill 850. The measures include appropriations for the Public School Retirement System (PSERS) and State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS); Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs; Workers’ Compensation/Occupational Disease administration and the Office of Small Business Advocate; Public Utility Commission (PUC); Consumer Advocate; and Office of Small Business Advocate.

Another bill allocated $58.9 million for gaming functions, including $31.6 million for administration of the Gaming Control Board, $16.6 million for state police enforcement, $9.7 million to Department of Revenue-related programs, and $914,000 to the Office of the Attorney General. This appropriation is 5.8 percent less than the Governor’s original budget proposal and 7.5 percent less than the House-passed plan.

Senate sends bills to House

The full Senate unanimously passed a number of bills that will now go to the House of Representatives.  They include:

Senate Bill 168, amends the Borough Code relating to contracts for the purchase of electricity

House Bill 39, makes it a summary offense to crop, trim, or cut off any part of a dog’s ear; debark a dog; cut off the tail of a dog; surgically birth a dog; or cut off the dewclaw of a dog (except by veterinarians using anesthesia).

State economic competitive index released

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a non-partisan, membership organization of state legislators, recently released its 2009 index of state economic competitiveness.  Pennsylvania rankings are listed below. Note: PI = Personal Income

For more information, visit ALEC.

Folmer fans on Facebook

On Facebook? Then become a “fan” of my page and get real-time updates and information on what is happening in Harrisburg and the 48th District. Simply search “State Senator Mike Folmer” on Facebook or visit www.senatorfolmer.com.

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. You may also want to visit "News for Constituents," a comprehensive look into various issues affecting Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.

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.