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 January 4, 2010

General Assembly Returns to Session

The General Assembly, in accordance with Article II, Section 4 of Pennsylvania’s Constitution, convenes at noon tomorrow, January 5, the first Tuesday of the New Year.  This will begin the second year of the two-year 2009 – 2010 Session.

Governor Signs Bills into Law

The Governor recently signed a number of measures into law, including:

• House Bill 1418, Act 53 of 2009 – The 2009 – 2010 Capital Budget, which authorizes the Commonwealth to borrow $1,682,000,000 during the current fiscal year.  Given the amount of previous borrowing and the annual estimated debt service on this borrowing ($134,968,000), I was the lone no vote in the Senate.  The bill passed the House 137-59.
• Senate Bill 47, Act 54 of 2009 –   Amendments to the Public Welfare Code.  The bill unanimously passed the House, and passed the Senate 46 – 3 (Senators Dinniman, Kitchen, and Tartaglione were no votes.)

2008 – 2009 Legislative Audit Released

Representative Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, recently announced the Audit for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as prepared by Ernst & Young, LLC, is available to the public by visiting www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.

Sportsmen's Advisory Committee Scheduled

The next meeting of my Sportsmen's Advisory Committee will be Thursday, January 28, at 7 p.m., at the Palmyra Sportsmen's Association, 410 Sportsman Road and Plum Street, Annville.  The featured speaker will be Carl Roe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. RSVP not necessary, but is appreciated to Beth Williams by Friday, January 21. In case of inclement weather, visit senatorfolmer.com or listen to WLBR 1270.

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.