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 April 12, 2010

Senate Returns to Session

The full Senate returns to Session today, Monday, April 12, and will be in Tuesday, April 13; Wednesday, April 14; Monday, April 19; Tuesday, April 20; and Wednesday, April 21.  You can watch a live video feed whenever the Senate is in Session by visiting my website.

March Tax Revenues Fall Short

State tax revenues for the month of March indicate Pennsylvania is facing a revenue shortfall upwards of $1 billion for the 2009 – 2010 Fiscal Year that ends June 30.  A 2010 – 2011 spending plan passed last month by the House of Representatives (House Bill 2279), assumed a year-end shortfall of $525 million. This makes the Senate’s job of passing a truly balanced budget much more difficult.

PHIX Request for Proposals Released

The Governor's Office of Health Care Reform recently released Request for Proposals (RFP) for the proposed Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange (PHIX).  The RFP fulfills the goal and intent of my Senate Bill 8, which seeks openness and accountability should Pennsylvania move forward with the proposed Exchange. The exchange is envisioned to be an electronic highway to allow sharing of patient health records.

Health Care Mandate Exemption Introduced

I have proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1312, to exempt Pennsylvanians from the mandates of the recently passed federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." The bill, modeled after Virginia law, would prohibit the federal government from forcing Pennsylvanians to purchase government-mandated health insurance.  Without this exemption, Pennsylvanians will face federal penalties for failure to obtain qualifying health care coverage, which can reach upwards of $750/year ($2,250 per family) or two percent of the household income, whichever is greater.

Apprenticeship Legislation Introduced

I have also introduced legislation, Senate Bill 1295, to update Pennsylvania's Registered Apprenticeship program. The bill would bring the Commonwealth’s program into compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor's 2008 regulations for apprenticeship programs.  Pennsylvania has until December 29, 2010, to comply with the federal new rules, or the state's authority for registered apprenticeship programs will revert to the federal government.

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.