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August 2011 Dear Friend, This is the latest installment of my E-Harrisburg Update, which is intended to provide information on state programs, legislation and events to my constituents throughout the 16th Senatorial District. I hope you find this E-Harrisburg Update useful and informative. If you know someone else who might want to receive it, please have them visit my website at www.senatorbrowne.com to sign up. If you would like to be removed from this list, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom. I look forward to hearing from you and value any feedback you may have. Best wishes, Senator Pat Browne Governor Signs PennWatch Act Following approval by both the Senate and House of Representatives, Governor Tom Corbett signed into law a measure, which is a companion to legislation (Senate Bill 105) introduced by Senator Pat Browne (R-16), to expand the public's access to state spending records. House Bill 15 (Act 18 of 2011), introduced by Representative Jim Christiana (R-15) and also known as the Pennsylvania Web Accountability and Transparency (PennWatch) Act, directs the Governor's Office of Administration to create and maintain a searchable budget database-driven website that the public can access by the end of 2012. "This proposal is a follow-up to government reform measures already approved by the General Assembly and the rules adopted by the Senate. We have taken major steps to improve the way we disclose information to the residents of the Commonwealth," Senator Browne said. "I believe the searchable database created by this legislation will provide transparency to state spending and is another important and essential move in our efforts to increase accountability in state government." Under the provisions of HB 15, the "PennWatch" website will provide annual appropriation information and funding action or expenditure information for all Commonwealth agencies. The website will identify vendors, the amount of funds they received, and the state agency initiating the funding action or expenditure. The legislation also requires:
America On Wheels featured on "The Browne Report"
Senator Pat Browne's recent visit to America on Wheels, Allentown's premier transportation museum, is featured during this month's installment of "The Browne Report" television show. Senator Browne toured a special exhibit featuring 100 years of Chevrolet and talked with state Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker. Senator Browne's visit concluded with a special presentation of a decommissioned ambulance to a local non-profit organization that deals with medically fragile children. Legislation Approved by State Legislature and Signed by Governor New Budget Cuts Spending by $1.1 billion First the first time in nine years, Pennsylvania has an on-time state budget that cuts state spending by $1.1 billion. The Senate thoroughly reviewed every program, every department and every area of state spending to ensure that the financial resources of the Commonwealth are invested wisely and prudently. We identified several areas in the Department of Public Welfare and Department of Corrections where increased efficiency would provide significant savings. As part of the fine tuning process, we increased basic education spending by more than $250 million from Governor Corbett's request. The budget also provided substantial increases in funding for higher education over the Governor's original request. Giving Residents More Control over School Tax Hikes Legislation giving voters more control over school tax increases was approved by the General Assembly as part of the bills associated with the new state budget and signed into law by the Governor. Senate Bill 330 (Act 25 of 2011) dramatically reduces the list of exemptions that school districts can use to increase taxes over a set level without voter approval. Act 1 of 2006 requires a voter referendum in cases where a school district wants a property tax increase that exceeds the rate of the consumer price index. There have been 14 voter referendums since then and only one received approval. At the same time, school districts have applied for more than 1,600 exemptions from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and only a handful of those claims were denied. "Honor and Remember Flag" to Get State Recognition Legislation to provide a lasting tribute to Pennsylvania's fallen military heroes received final legislative approval on June 22 and was signed into law on June 30 by the Governor as Act 19 of 2011. House Bill 385 enacts the Honor and Remember Flag Act to adopt the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth's emblem of the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in the line of duty. The bill also directs the Department of General Services to place the Honor and Remember Flag in Soldiers' Grove. The Honor and Remember Flag has been endorsed by the American Gold Mothers Inc., the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, the Fleet Reserve Association, the Air Force Security Forces Association and the Naval Reserve Association. Governor Signs Bath Salts Bill into Law Governor Tom Corbett signed legislation banning synthetic drugs – particularly a combination of chemicals commonly known as "bath salts" – on June 23. Senate Bill 1006, which is now Act 7 of 2011, adds Salvia Divinorum, Salvinorin A, Divinorin A, synthetic marijuana and synthetic cocaine/heroin to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. They mimic the effects of powerful drugs and can have life threatening consequences for users. The law becomes effective in 60 days. Firefighter Cancer Bill Sent to Governor The Legislature approved House Bill 797, legislation designating cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters, and sent the bill to Governor Tom Corbett for his signature. Under the bill, firefighters can receive workers' compensation if they develop cancer and can establish direct exposure to certain carcinogens at fire or hazmat incidents. To be eligible for workers' compensation, the firefighter would have to have participated in continuous firefighting duty for four or more years and have successfully passed a cancer-free physical exam prior to asserting the claim or engaging in firefighting duties. A similar measure was vetoed in 2010 by Governor Rendell. Governor Corbett has said he will sign the measure. Dial Before You Dig If your list of summer projects includes planting trees and shrubs, building a deck, or other home improvements, the Pennsylvania One Call System has a message for you – Dial Before You Dig. Pennsylvania homeowners and businesses are living and operating on land peppered with a complex infrastructure of pipelines, wires and cables that serve your neighborhood and beyond. Prevent personal harm, service disruptions, repair costs, and fines by dialing 8-1-1 to notify the PA One Call System before you begin those projects. Be prepared to
provide necessary details which, in turn, will allow you to conduct your
projects three to ten business days from the date of the call. Excavators,
facility owners, designers, project owners, and emergency responders can consult
the PA One Call System
User's Guide to guarantee proper compliance with the law. |
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