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 28, 2008

Below is an update of legislation I have introduced since taking office:

SB 707, Taxpayer Protection Act:  reported from the Senate Finance Committee, re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee
SB 709, Elective Assessors in Townships of the Second Class: unanimously passed Senate, currently in the House Appropriations Committee
SB 805, Assessment of Educational Assistance Program: passed the Senate 43 – 2, now in the House Education Committee
SB 978, Bingo Law and companion bill to SB 845, Small Games of Chance:  reported from Senate Finance Committee, re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee
SB 1015, Taxpayer Funded Advertising Transparency Act:  In the Senate State Government Committee
SB 1107, Child Custody Arrangements During Military Deployment:  awaiting action in the Senate
SB 1220, Exempting Pennsylvania from the federal REAL ID Act:  in the Senate Communications & Technology Committee
SB 1290, Citizen’s Constitutional Convention:  in the Senate State Government Committee
SB 1292, Tax Me More” Fund:  in the Senate Finance Committee 

Policy Committee Hearing

On Wednesday, April 30, the Senate Republican Policy Committee will hold a hearing on the issue of health care, and I hope to discuss elements of my “Healthy Pennsylvania” plan, which includes:

SB 1181, Sunset Health Care Mandates: currently in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
SB 1182, Promote Health Savings Accounts:  in the Senate Finance Committee
SB 1189, Tax deductions/credits for those who pay for health care:  in Senate Finance Committee
SB 1190, Increase competition among health insurers:  in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
SB 1191, Establish a High Risk Pool:  in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
SB 1193, Establish a means test for Medicaid:  in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee
SB 1194, Establish a means test for CHIP:  in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
SB 1195, Establish a means test for adultBasic::  in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
SB 1196, Phase Out MCARE:  in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee 

Digital TV (2009)

Beginning February 17, 2009, most television stations will be broadcasting in digital-only format.  This means that many current (analog) TVs will need cable, another video service, or a special digital-to-analog converter to display signals.  If you are a cable subscriber, or you purchase satellite or another subscription service, you do not have to do anything.  Your cable company will make sure the signal going to your home will work with whatever set is connected to cable.  If you don't subscribe to cable or satellite service, but you have a TV with a "digital tuner," you do not have to do anything.  However, if your analog TV receives broadcasts through an antenna, such as “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna, you will have to:

• Connect the analog TV to a cable or satellite service, OR
• Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box for each analog television, OR
• Purchase a new digital television

For more information, call 1-888-DTV-2009 or visit www.dtvtransition.org, www.getreadyfordigitaltv.com, or www.dtv.gov. 

Gulf War Veterans’ Bonus Applications Forms

In 2006 Pennsylvania voters approved a referendum authorizing bonus payments to members and former members of the Armed Forces who served in the Persian Gulf Conflict (August 15, 1990 through August 30, 1991) and who were Pennsylvania residents at the time of service.

Our office has a limited number of applications, both the PG-1 Short form and the PG-1 Long form. PG-1 Short forms are for veterans applying on their own behalf. PG-1 Long forms are for surviving family members, or anyone applying on behalf of a veteran who has been determined to be incompetent. Applications can also be downloaded at: www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us, or by calling the Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Program toll free number, 1-866-458-9182.

Upon completion, applications should be mailed to:

Persian Gulf Veterans Benefit Program
PO Box 1109
Harrisburg, PA  17108-1109

Veterans may also contact the toll-free number above to inquire about the status of their application.

For more information on these issues, and information on other legislative and state topics, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website at www.legis.state.pa.us.  If you are unable to open the bill links, please feel free to go directly to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.

As always, please feel free to contact me on any state-related matter that may be of concern to you. I can be reached through e-mail, mfolmer@pasen.gov,or at any one of my district offices.