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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 29, 2010
Senate Sends Legislation to House
The full Senate unanimously approved various bills,
including:
Bills Signed Into Law
The Governor signed the following bills into law:
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Senate Bill 206 (Act 13 of 2010) - prohibits school districts from prohibiting the
wearing of official military uniforms authorized by the federal government;
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Senate Bill 237 (Act 14) - makes certain information under the Insurance
Company Law privileged and confidential;
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Senate Bill 297 (Act 15) - requires certain reports for drilling Marcellus Shale;
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Senate Bill 605 (Act 11) - extends the definition of robbery to include
verbal or written attempts to rob banks, trusts, and/or credit unions;
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House Bill 416 (Act 12) - makes it illegal to pretend to hold a professional or occupational license; and
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House Bill 1533 (Act 9) - extends the sunset date of the "Military Family
Relief Assistance" program, which helps military personnel and their families with grants.
Senate Sends Bills to House
This week the full Senate unanimously passed
Senate Bill 109, my "Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act," which
would require "Paid for with Pennsylvania Taxpayer Dollars" for paid media
advertising underwritten by tax dollars. The Senate also passed a number of
other bills, which now require House action, including:
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Senate Bill 5 - provides for the establishment of health clinics
(part of the Senate Republican HealthNET PA health care plan);
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Senate Bill 87 – authorizes resident tuition rates for active military
personnel, spouses, or dependents;
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Senate Bill 825 - allows military personnel to pursue degrees under
requirements that were in place prior to their military leave of absence;
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Senate Bill 990 - changes the licensing requirements for professional
counselors;
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Senate Bills 1019,
1020,
10211022 - establishes procedures for removing Township of the First Class officials,
Town Council members, Township of the Second Class officials, and Borough
officials, respectively, who are not performing their duties;
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Senate Bill 1200 - authorizes Pennsylvania's joining the Interstate Wildlife
Violator Compact to crack down on poachers and other violators of game laws here or in other states;
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Senate Resolution 243 - authorizes the Joint State Government Commission to
study high-performing, low-cost school districts (to complement the "Costing Out
Study"). The bill passed by a vote of
42 – 7; and
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Senate Resolution 277 - establishes temporary Senate rules for passing the
2010 – 2011 state budget.
911 Hearing
The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness
Committee and the Senate Communications & Technology Committee held a joint
hearing on local 911 services and
House Bill 1789, which would change how the $1 fee for 911 services is
applied to prepaid wireless cards.
Click here for more information on the joint hearing.
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.
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