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 19, 2010

Senate Sends Measures to Governor
The House and Senate unanimously approved a number of bills, which now go to the Governor for action:

• Senate Bill 126 - adds prohibited substances in the manufacture of methamphetamine;
• House Bill 485 - defines the offense of operating a methamphetamine laboratory; and
• House Bill 602 - amends the Dental Law to expand the functions dental assistants can perform.

The full Senate also unanimously confirmed Dan Hassell as Secretary of Revenue and John Quigley as Secretary of the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

Senate Sends Bills to House
The full Senate also unanimously passed a number of other bills which now go to the House for action:

• Senate Bill 1059 and Senate Bill 1060 - clarifies township managers of the First and Second Class serve at the pleasure of the board of commissioners and supervisors, respectively;
• Senate Bill 1061 - clarifies town managers serve at the pleasure of the council;
• Senate Bill 1062 - clarifies borough managers serve at the pleasure of borough council; and
• Senate Bill 1063 - establishes the office of city administrator/manager in Cities of the Third Class.

Citizen Input Sought
The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission seeks input on ways to reduce the costs of state government.  Cost-cutting ideas can by submitted by emailing  cuttingcosts@pasen.gov

Town Hall Meeting Scheduled
My next town hall meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, April 26, at the Tulpehocken Area School District Office, 27 Rehrersburg Road, Bethel. Please plan to join me.

Committee News
High Risk Pool Reported from Committee
Senate Bill 507, my proposal to establish a High Risk Pool for Pennsylvania, was amended and unanimously reported from the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee. The bill was subsequently re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where additional amendments are expected.  A state High Risk Pool is a key element of both my “Healthy Pennsylvania” health care plan and “HealthNet Pennsylvania,” a plan of the Senate Republican Caucus.

Labor and Industry
Although I did not serve in the General Assembly when Act 45 of 1999 (requirement for Pennsylvania to adopt the latest International Construction Codes) was passed, requirements of the law continue to raise concerns throughout the state. Senate Bill 1249, which would add state-affiliated entities, state-owned buildings, and state related institutions to the Pennsylvania Construction Code, and House Bill 1196, give local boards of appeal the power to waive Uniform Construction Code requirements, were unanimously reported from the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.

The Committee also reported out House Bill 9, which would extend health and pension benefits to crew leaders of the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps.  Given the impending pension spike facing Pennsylvania, I was forced to oppose this measure. The vote was 9-2.

State Government
The committee unanimously reported House Bill 687 (amends Procurement Code relating to energy-saving contracts) and House Bill 1187, a measure which would establish new regulations for boxing and professional wrestling agents.

Education
The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 982, a bill to establish a funding formula for state chartered schools for the deaf and blind as well as approved private schools.

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.