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 25, 2010

Senate Returns to Session

The full Senate returns to voting Session this week (January 25, 26, and 27) and the first two weeks of February (1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10).  On Tuesday, February, 9, the Governor will deliver his budget address to a joint session of the legislature. The address can be viewed through my website, by clicking on “Live Senate Feed.” Click here for copies of the daily Senate Calendar.

Public Hearing Scheduled on Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange

The Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform recently unveiled a plan to establish a Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange (PHIX). There are a number of concerns surrounding this plan so, as Chairman of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, I have scheduled a public hearing on the issue. The hearing will feature Ann Torregrossa, Director of the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform and Phil Magistro, Deputy Director of Implementation, who will review the plan and discuss its possible implementation. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 27, in Room 8E-B, East Wing, Main Capitol.

Committee News

With the Senate in Session this week, there are a number of committee meetings, including: 

State Government 
Tuesday, January 26, 12:30 p.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing; consideration of my Senate Bill 104, accountability in the use of state vehicles, and my Senate Bill 109, Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act.

Urban Affairs & Housing
Thursday, January 21, 11 a.m., Riverstone Inn, Towanda 

Finance
Wednesday, January 27, 9 a.m., Room 8-EA, East Wing; public hearing on public pension issues. 

Environmental Resources & Energy
Wednesday, January 27, 9 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building; public hearing on Marcellus Shale natural gas wastewater treatment issues. 

For a complete list of Senate committee meeting times, dates, and locations, click here.

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. 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.