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 March 15, 2010

Senate Returns to Session

With the conclusion of the Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings, the full Senate returned to voting Session on March 8, and unanimously passed a number of measures, including:

• Senate Bill 260 – increased authority to the Attorney General to prosecute child sexual abuse that may cross county or state lines;
• Senate Bill 766 - statutorily establishes the popular "Science in Motion Program," an initiative the Governor has not included in a number of his previous budgets;
• Senate Bill 916 - extends the deadline for the controller of Counties of the Second Class to file annual reports;
• Senate Bill 1077 - changes to Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction code relating to log walls;
• Senate Resolution 215 - directs the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to study the potential costs of complying with the agriculture source nutrient reduction goals of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy;
• House Bill 1533 - extends the sunset date of the “Military Family Relief Assistance Program.” The program helps military personnel and their families with grants. The measure is headed to the Governor for signature; and
• House Bill 416 - makes it an offense to pretend to hold a professional license.

Committee News

Communications & Technology

Wednesday, March 17, 10 a.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing - Public hearing and consideration of Senate Bill 964 (alternative identification for hunting and fishing licenses), Senate Bill 1147 (electronic hunting and fishing licenses), and Senate Resolution 260 (designating April 20 as "Pennsylvania Health Care Information Technology Awareness Day")

Wednesday, March 24, 9 a.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing - The Communications & Technology Committee and the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a joint hearing on the 911 emergency response system and its funding. The hearing may include a discussion of House Bill 1789, relating to prepaid wireless services, which was recently passed by the House.

Finance

Wednesday, March 17, 9 a.m., Room 8E-A, East Wing - Public hearing on Pennsylvania's public pensions.

Urban Affairs & Housing

Thursday, March 18, 11 a.m., Cora Services, 8540 Verree Road, Philadelphia - Public hearing on urban modernization.

Table Games Hearing

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will hold a public hearing Wednesday,

March 24, at 10a.m., in the East Hanover Township (Dauphin County) Municipal Building,

8848 Jonestown Road, Grantville, to receive public comments on Penn National Hollywood Casino’s application to conduct table games.  For those wishing to present oral or written testimony, contact the PGCB by noon, Monday, March 22. Written comments may be mailed to: PA Gaming Control Board, Attention: Board Secretary, P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106 or faxed to 717-346-8350. Written comments must be postmarked by March 22.

Town Hall Meeting Scheduled

There have been a number of questions surrounding the Wernersville Community Corrections Center, and to address these issues, Representative Jim Cox and I will be host a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 25, at 6 p.m., at the Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 4891 West Penn Avenue, Sinking Spring.  If you plan to attend the meeting, please call Representative Cox’s office at (610) 670-0139 or register online.

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.