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 September 28, 2009

Governor Signs Bills into Law

The Governor signed a number of bills into law, including:

• Senate Bill 366, Act 39 of 2009 – removes the right to bail for capital offenses, life imprisonment, or cases where only imprisonment will protect public safety;

• Senate Bill 574, Act 40 – requires a special fishing permit for waters flowing into Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay;

• Senate Bill 921, Act 41 – amends the Board of Vehicles Act relating to certain dealerships;

• Senate Bill 925, Act 45 – transfers authority for the training of massage therapists from the Board of Private Licensed Schools to the State Board of Massage Therapy; and

• House Bill 222, Act 42 – provides for restitution for identity theft.

Senate Session Days

The full Senate will be in Session this week, hopefully to pass a state budget for 2009 – 2010:

3 p.m., Tuesday, September 29, Wednesday, September 30, and Thursday, October 1

11a.m., Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3.

You can watch Senate Session live by visiting my website, www.senatorfolmer.com and clicking on "Live Senate Feed."

Senate Sends Bills to House

A number of bills were passed by the full Senate last week, including House Bill 1531, amendments to the Tax Code, which would establish a tax amnesty program for 2009 – 2010. The program is expected to raise approximately $63 million in previously uncollected taxes. Senator Browne was the only no vote on the bill.

Senate Readies Bills for Further Action

The Senate also positioned a number of bills for further action, including my Senate Bill 211, which would increase the weekly prize limits for small games of chance from $5,000 to $20,000. I believe this increase is necessary to help volunteer and nonprofit groups (American Legions, civic and fraternal organizations, fire companies, VFWs, and others) with their fundraising needs.

Other bills acted upon include the "non-preferred" appropriations bills, which require a two-thirds majority of the full Senate. Those bills include funding for:

• State-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln), other colleges and universities (including the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, Drexel, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Salus University, University of the Arts, Johnson Technical Institute of Scranton, and Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades); and

• Health care facilities (including Fox Chase Institute for Cancer Research, Wistar Institute, Central Penn Oncology Group, Lancaster Cleft Palate clinic, Philadelphia Burn Foundation, The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation for the Colleges of Medicine, Pubic Health, Nursing and Health Professions, and the Beacon Lodge Camp).

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.