|
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 August 16, 2010
Senate Committee Meetings
A number of Senate Committees are meeting, including:
-
Transportation: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 18th (Hearing Room No. 1,
North Office Building) – public hearing on rail and ports
- State
Government: 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 17th (Allegheny College, 520 North
Main Street, Meadville) – campaign finance reform (Senate
Bill 576 and
Senate Bill 1269)
Click here for a complete and up-to-date list of Senate Committee meetings,
times, dates, and locations.
Dog Law Regulations
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) will
also be meeting to review a variety of proposed regulations, including proposed
dog law regulations being recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of
Agriculture: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 19th (1st Floor Conference Room, 333
Market Street, Harrisburg).
Click here for a list of all regulations awaiting IRRC review.
Continuing Questions on Proposed Network
In June, 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 is to be
administered by the Keystone Initiative for Education & Research (KINBER). As I
have continuing questions, I sent a
follow up letter to gather additional
information. Given the lack of answers in
KINBER’s response, I have
scheduled another hearing on this initiative: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday,
September 22 (Room 8E-B, East Wing). Further information will follow prior
to the hearing.
PA Fair Care Launched
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recently announced a
new program to provide health care for uninsured adults with pre-existing
conditions.
PA Fair Care will be administered through a
contract with Highmark Blue Shield and promised benefits are to include
preventive care, physician services, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, mental
health services, and prescriptions. Applications may be completed online at
www.PAFairCare.com.
As the Rendell Administration chose to launch this new
program without legislative authorization (such as my
Senate Bill 507 establishing a High Risk Pool), I am concerned applications
will far exceed resources (which are coming through the federal stimulus
package). As I have said throughout the health care debate, there will never be
enough money to fulfill the many promises being made about the new federal
health care law. This is demonstrated by the dire actuarial warnings for both
Medicare and Social Security, which predict insolvency in the years ahead.
PennDOT Applications
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has begun to
implement changes in procedures for paperwork processed through legislative
offices. These changes include:
- Legislative
offices can no longer process paperwork from a notary under contract to PennDOT
- Any service
that collects a fee over and above PennDOT’s fees, including messenger services,
cannot be processed through our office.
- Legislative
offices can no longer process MV-1 (title and registration for a new vehicle) or
MV-4ST (transfer of existing title to new owner), however, we can process
rejected paperwork by sending the corrected work back to PennDOT.
- Legislative
offices CAN renew individual licenses and registrations
- Legislative
offices CAN give you information on your driving or vehicle records
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 listed below.
Was this message forwarded to you? Visit
my website if
you would like to receive your own copy of "Mike's Memo."
If you no longer wish to receive "Mike's Memo,"
e-mail mtribioli@pasen.gov. Please allow 1-2 issues for removal to
take effect.
|
Offices
170 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-5708
Fax: 717-787-3455
TTY: 800-364-1581
101 Municipal Building
400 South 8th Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-274-6735
Fax: 717-274-7702
Toll Free: 1-877-222-1897 509 W. Penn Avenue
Suite 10
Robesonia, PA 19551
Phone: 610-693-3200
Fax: 610-693-3212 Email:
mfolmer@pasen.gov
 |
