Welcome to "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 June 28, 2010

Happy Fourth of July!
Next Sunday marks the 234th birthday of the United States.  If only we had a state budget to celebrate!  Talks with the Governor and the House continue.  A key hang-up is whether $850 Million in federal (Medicaid) dollars will actually be forthcoming.  Most indications say it will not.  However, the Governor insists on counting these funds, which is a concern to me as Article VIII, Section 13 of Pennsylvania’s Constitution requires the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget:  "Operating budget appropriations made by the General Assembly shall not exceed the actual and estimated revenues and surplus available in the same fiscal year." 

Bills Signed Into Law
The Governor signed a number of measures into law, including:

• House Bill 1641 (Act 32 of 2010):  requires circulating nurses in operating rooms
• House Bill 1720 (Act 33):  adds "organized retail theft" to the Crimes Code
• House Bill 48, making a number of Liquor Code changes, was also sent to the Governor for action. 

Senate Sends Bills to House
The full Senate unanimously passed a number of measures to the House for additional consideration, including:

• Senate Bill 929:  requires publishers to provide schools with information on textbooks and supplemental materials, including price
• Senate Bill 1250:  requires 25% of any fine imposed by DEP under the Air Pollution and Control Act be shared with the municipality where the violation(s) occurred
• Senate Bill 1328:  limits service contracts offered by automobile manufacturers and dealers
• House Bill 687:  amends the Procurement Code to allow governmental units to enter into guaranteed energy savings contracts with qualified providers 

The Senate also passed Senate Resolution 343 calling for a study and review of the Library Code for modernization. 

Committee Actions

• The Senate Urban Affairs & Housing Committee reported out (10 – 1) House Bill 60, which would establish the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Program to be administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency using Sallie Mae and Freddie Mac as models.  I was unable to support House Bill 60 as it does not specify how the costs of this new program would be covered
• The Senate Communications & Technology Committee, which I chair, held a public hearing on the Pennsylvania Research & Education Network (PennREN), which is receiving $99.7 Million in federal stimulus moneys and will be administered by the Keystone Initiative for Education & Research (KINBER).  Additional hearing(s) are planned.  Testimony from the June 17th hearing is posted on my website.

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.

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.

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