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WEEK IN REVIEW

September 27, 2013

News for the Weeks of September 23

Legislative News

Transportation Funding Reform at Critical Point: Your Assistance is Critical SB 1, the comprehensive transportation funding reform bill, which would enable both the state and

local government to provide a safe and reliable transportation system for years to come, has reached

a critical point. Recent reports indicate that a vote may occur in the House in the next few weeks, but

without your support and communication with your state representative, the vote may not be

successful, which would leave our commonwealth with rapidly deteriorating roads and a guarantee

that weight restricted and closed bridges will become the new normal.

What does SB 1 mean for your township? It would modestly increase user fees to provide an

additional $200 million annually in liquid fuels funding after full implementation, which would

increase each township’s annual allocation by at least 60 percent and allow these fees to adjust

with the frequent changes in the wholesale price of gas to provide for future growth in these fees, as

has happened historically. Without change, liquid fuels funding will decrease or at least remain

stagnant due to increased vehicle fuel efficiency, while the cost of materials to maintain our roads

becomes increasingly volatile.

Other benefits for townships include replacing the source for $30 million in liquid fuels funding that

municipalities received beginning in 2007, which will reduce the debt obligations of the

Pennsylvania Turnpike and reduce the need for future fare increases. An additional $20 million

annually is included for dirt and gravel roads, as well as an estimated $8 million for low-volume

roads. Counties would be able to levy a $5 registration fee for road and bridge projects and

municipalities could benefit from these funds.

In addition, a new bridge bundling program would make the current bridge process more efficient

and allow participating municipalities to receive replacement bridges at no cost. Finally, a new

traffic signal corridor program would work to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow in chosen

corridors by authorizing PennDOT to pay for upgraded signals that would continue to be maintained

by the municipalities.

There are some who are calling for limited new funding to address only bridges impacted by recent

weight restrictions. However, these bills do not address the transportation crisis in Pennsylvania.

Grassroots Lobbying Network

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Without addressing our entire interconnected transportation system: state and local roads and

bridges, as well as mass transit, the current funding will erode with higher fuel efficiency, leading to

increased numbers of deteriorating roadways and bridges and create an economic climate that drives

away new and expanded businesses and growth that depends on a reliable, efficient transportation

system.

Please contact your House member today and urge them to support SB 1. This extremely

important proposal will strategically invest in our entire transportation system, at a minimal

cost to all users, and allow for economic growth.

Committee Approves Opt-Out Bill, Holds Prevailing Wage Hearing This week, the House Labor and Industry Committee met and reported out HB 1538 (PN 2053),

which would amend the Prevailing Wage Act to authorize local governments to pass a resolution or

ordinance to opt-out of coverage and compliance with this act. The bill now goes before the House

for consideration, where it is unclear when it may be considered.

The committee also held a hearing this week in Williamsport to hear about local officials experience

with the prevailing wage. Tim Horner, supervisor with Chapman Township, Clinton County and

PSATS First Vice President, commented that, “the cost to overlay his township’s roads has increased

by 20 percent under the current law.” Horner also stressed that we need the compliance threshold

increased from $25,000 to $189,000 with an annual cost of living adjustment.

Eichelberger Announces Act 111 Reform Legislation On Wednesday, Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair), Senator Richard Alloway (R-Franklin),

Representative Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), business leaders and municipal officials held a press

conference calling for changes to Act 111 of 1968, the state law governing uniform binding

arbitration. Legislation will be introduced in the near future.

William McLaughlin, Council President for the Borough of Chambersburg, explained how a recent

ruling by an arbitrator on a fire service contract will cause an increase in property taxes by as much

as 46.5 percent over the next three years. “Considering volunteer firefighters make up the bulk of

fire responses in Chambersburg, this flies in the face of common sense and is just the latest example

of why a flawed, 45 year old low needs to be reformed,” McLaughlin stated.

Eichelberger, who is the prime sponsor of legislation which would reform Act 111, said “My

legislation would amend Act 111 for the first time in nearly a half century. It would inject fairness

into the process by balancing the influence of the arbitration board, opening proceedings to the very

public expected to foot the bill, splitting the cost of the neutral arbitrator equally between employer

and union, and requiring that arbitration decisions are based on factors relevant to each community,

including their ability pay.”

House Names Three New Committee Chairs On Tuesday, House Speaker Sam Smith announced three new committee chair appointments:

Representative Nicholas Micozzie (R-Delaware) will chair the House Transportation Committee,

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State House Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon) will oversee the House Gaming Oversight

Committee, and Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford) will take over the House Insurance Committee.

More News From Around The State

State Treasurer Joins Race For Governor According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, State Treasurer Rob McCord jumped into the Pennsylvania

governor’s race this week, offering himself as a Democrat with business credentials who would

reverse cuts that Gov. Corbett has made in public education and other institutions vital to the middle

class. Click here to read the Inquirer article.

Pa Jobless Rate Increased To 7.7 Percent According to Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the state unemployment rate increased to 7.7 percent in

August, the first time the jobless rate had increased since January, despite a gain of 11,300 jobs that

signaled employers are continuing to hire. Economists called the data released from the U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics a mixed report that did not foreshadow a downturn in the state’s economy. Click

here to read the Tribune Review article.

Capitol All-Stars Softball Game

Join PCN, Pennsylvania Legislative Services, and your State Representatives and Senators on

Monday, September 30 for the Capitol All-Stars Softball Game at Metro Bank Park, home of the

Harrisburg Senators. The jointly-sponsored initiative to fight hunger and donate proceeds from the

game to Feeding Pennsylvania and Hunger-Free Pennsylvania features Pennsylvania state

legislators, Republicans and Democrats, divided into East and West teams, to celebrate Hunger

Action Month. If you’re looking for some entertainment from our lawmakers, it will only cost you a

$5 donation at the gate or 5 non-perishable food items. Game starts at 5:30PM.

* * * Looking for this week’s issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin? Click here.* *

Legislation Action

The township-related legislation below saw action this week in the Pennsylvania General Assembly:

Local government unit roofing projects — SB 813 (PN 852) would amend Title 62 of the

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes create a special procurement process for all local government

roofing projects, which would include the preparation of plans by a design professional with a valid

license; requirements for how the local government may indicate desired products; required

disclosure by professional consultants, manufacturer, contractor or vendor bidding on the contract;

specific advertising procedures for any required prebid meetings; and special advertising

requirements for all local government roofing projects. In addition, the bill would prohibit

cooperative purchasing of roofing projects.

Action: First consideration in the Senate.

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Status: Before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Well construction standards — HB 343 (PN 2004) would authorize the Environmental Quality

Board to establish uniform standards for water well construction and decommissioned abandoned

wells. The bill would authorize municipalities to retain preexisting ordinances relating to water well

construction that are consistent with the EQB standards. The legislation would prohibit the

Department from taxing or metering and charging fees for private water well usage.

Action: Reported as committed from the House Rules Committee.

Status: Before the House.

Standby charges for volunteer fire companies — HB 202 (PN 2360) would amend Title 66 of the

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes permit volunteer fire companies, nonprofit rescue squads, and

nonprofit ambulance services that own or rent structures equipped with an automatic fire protection

system to pay a reduced rate of 25% of the cost of service for the utility service. The remaining 75%

will be subsidized by the public utility’s residential and commercial rate payers.

Action: Reported as amended by the House Consumer Affairs Committee; first consideration in the

House.

Status: Before the House.

Unemployment benefits — HB 421 (PN 2369) would create a general prohibition on eligibility for

benefits for individuals who voluntarily leave employment to prevent a reduction in their pension

benefits.

Action: Reported as amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; amended on third

consideration in the Senate.

Status: Before the Senate.

Rewrite of the Third Class City Code — SB 497 (PN 1293) would update and re-enact the Third

Class City Code.

Action: Second consideration in the Senate.

Status: Before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Creation of Stormwater Authorities —HB 821 (PN 2032) would amend Title 53 (Municipalities

Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to authorize municipal authorities to undertake

stormwater planning, management, and implementation as determined by the incorporating local

government’s articles of incorporation for the authority. Existing authorities operating stormwater

controls as part of a combined sewer system, sanitary sewer system, or flood control project may

continue to operate those projects. Note: this bill is identical to Act 68 of 2013.

Action: Reported as committed from the House Rules Committee.

Status: Before the House.

Liquid Fuels Municipal Allocation — HB 1416 (PN 1848) would amend the Liquid Fuels

Municipal Allocation law to change the date for municipal distributions from April 1 to March 1.

Note: this bill is identical to Act 42 of 2013.

Action: Reported as committed from the House Rules Committee.

Status: Before the House.

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Optional Property Tax Elimination Act — HB 1189 (PN 2355) would allow a school district to

implement an additional earned income tax, mercantile tax, or business privilege tax with the

additional revenues used solely for the reduction or elimination of school district property taxes.

Revenues generated be used to reduce the school district millage rate.

Action: Reported as amended from the House Finance Committee, first consideration in the House.

Status: Before the House.

Liquor Code — HB 1477 (PN 2162) would allow limited winery licensees to own and operate a

restaurant or hotel license anywhere in the Commonwealth. The current law allows limited winery

licensees to obtain a restaurant or hotel license for the same premises.

Action: Re-reported as committed from the House Rules Committee.

Status: Before the House Rules Committee.

Capitol Calendar

Legislative Committee Meetings for the week of September 30:

Monday 9/30/13

Committee for School Safety

11:30 a.m., Room B31 Main Capitol Voting meeting being held pursuant to: HR 53 Day, Resolution re school safety.

Joint Legislative Conservation Committee

12:00 p.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building Environmental Issues Forum with presentation by Dr. David J. Nowak, PhD for the USDA Forest

Service’s Northern Research Station on the i-Tree program, a suite of software tools helping users

assess & manage urban tree populations.

House Finance

12:15 p.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building To consider: HB 1513 Dunbar, Amends Local Tax Enabling Act re powers.

House Appropriations

Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol Agenda TBA.

TUESDAY - 10/1/13

House State Government

9:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

To consider: HB 744 Cutler, Amends Title 65 re lobbying activities; HB 530 Clymer, Act re U.S.

made flags.

House Consumer Affairs

9:15 a.m., Room B31 Main Capitol

To consider: SB 607 Browne, Act re carbon monoxide alarms.

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House Education

9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

To consider: HB 1411 Christiana, Act re SchoolWATCH act; HB 1718 Aument, Amends Public

Education Code re online education.

House Game and Fisheries

9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing To consider: HB 681 Haluska, Amends Title 30 re waterways patrolmen; HB 1144 Haluska,

Amends Title 34 re definitions of crossbow; HB 1584 Causer, Amends Titles 30 & 34 re

conservation officers; SB 648 Alloway, Richard Amends Title 34 re liability for actions.

House Judiciary

10:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building To consider: HB 207 Godshall, Amends Title 20 re autopsies; HB 1053 Grell, Amends Title 42 re

board of law examiners; HB 1296 Sabatina, Amends Title 18 re home invasion; HB 1357 Heffley,

Amends Titles 18 & 75 re impersonation.

Senate Judiciary

11:30 a.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing Confirmation hearing on Edward L. Burke, Leslie M. Grey, and Lloyd A. White to the PA Board of

Probation and Parole.

To consider: SB 28 Browne, PAmends Titles 18, 23 & 42 re assault; SB 894 Alloway, Amends Title

42 re criminal history; SB 1024 Rafferty, Amends Titles 18 & 42 re arson increased penalties; HB

79 Harper, Act re retirement of judges; HB 164 Stephens, Amends Title 18 re cruelty to animals;

HB 1337 Toohil, Amends Title 42 re Access to Justice Act.

House Appropriations

Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol

Agenda TBA.

WEDNESDAY - 10/2/13

House Education

9:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

Public hearing on: HB 1512 Bloom, Amends Public School Code re teacher preparation; HB 1623

Emrick, Amends Pub School Code re Teacher Prep Programs.

House Environmental Resources and Energy

9:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing To consider: HR 425 Miller, Resolution re 25 years successful recycling; HB 1672 Miller, Act re

state agency green tech implementation.

House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness

9:15 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

To consider: HB 1285 Cutler, Amends Admin Code re Geospatial Coordination Board; HB 1632

Knowles, Act re emergency service organizations employment rights; HB 1706 Baker, amends Title

35 re assistance to volunteer EMS.

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Joint Legislative Budget & Finance Committee

9:30 a.m., Hearing Room 3, North Office Building Meeting to release the following reports: (1) PA Health Care Cost Containment Council

performance evaluation, (2) performance audit of the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund,

and (3) performance audit of the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

Senate Communications and Technology

9:30 a.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing To consider: SB 24 Vulakovich, Amends Title 23 re Statewide central register; SB 26 Yudichak,

Amends Title 23 re Statewide toll-free number.

House Labor and Industry

10:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing

Agenda TBA.

House Local Government

10:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

To consider: HB 1529 Harper, Amends Second class Township Code re ordinances; HB 1530

Harper, Amends First Class Township Code re ordinances; HB 1617 Daley, Peter Amends Local

Tax Collection Law; HR 168 Caltagirone, Resolution re municipal police department study. To re-

refer: HB 1644 Taylor, Amends Title 53 re municipal. authority powers.

House Appropriations

Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol Agenda TBA.

House Health

Off the Floor, Room G-50, Irvis Office Building To consider: HB 1656 Corbin, Act re repealing consent for breast disease; SB 358 Mensch, Bob Act

re notification of breast density.

Senate Education

1:00 p.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building

Public hearing on: SB 1000 Scarnati, Amends Public School Code re community college.

THURSDAY - 10/3/13

House Consumer Affairs

1:00 p.m., Monongahela Fire Company, 451 Main Street, Monongahela Public hearing to discuss the potential retirement of two First Energy coal-fired power plants in

Western PA and the impact such closures would have on the reliability of the electrical power grid.

2013 Session Days for the Pennsylvania General Assembly: The General Assembly is scheduled for session on the following days:

September: 30

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October: 1, 2, 15, 16, 17 (House only, non-voting), 21, 22, 23

November: 12, 13, 18, 19, 20

December: 3 (Senate only), 4 (Senate only), 9, 10, 11, 16 (House only), 17 (House only), 18

(House only, non-voting)

Content in this review contributed by Pennsylvania Legislative Services.

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