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 September 29, 2008

Dog Law Readied for Senate Action

House Bill 2525, long awaited proposed amendments to Pennsylvania's Dog Law, was passed by the House September 17 and promptly considered by the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, on which I serve. Although touted by proponents as a much needed measure to address so-called "puppy mills," the bill as passed by the State House, went well beyond these facilities. Although I support the goals of House Bill 2525 to protect dogs, I had questions about the bill and the process used to pass it. My main concerns were:

• Requiring people to post bonds in order to exercise their rights of appeal;
• Giving the Agriculture Department broad powers to obtain search warrants;
• Punishing people who refuse to give dog officers entry to their properties; and
• Empowering the Agriculture Secretary to impose penalties under this law

Amendments to address these concerns were offered in Committee, resulting in my support of the bill. The bill could possibly be voted on by the full Senate the week of October 6.

No Action on Constitutional Convention Bills

The full Senate did not take any action on any of the three bills calling for a State Constitutional Convention. These measures were previously reported from the Senate State Government Committee:

• Senate Bill 291 (Ferlo): limited to Articles II (The Legislature), III (Legislation), and V (Judiciary) of the current Constitution
• Senate Bill 1296 (Piccola): limited to Articles II, III, IV (The Executive), and V
• Senate Bill 1290 (Folmer): a "Citizens' Constitutional Convention" addressing all Articles of the current Constitution except Article I (Declaration of Rights)

Advertising Transparency Bill Awaits House Action

Although the House State Government Committee amended and reported my Senate Bill 1015 to the full House for consideration, it was subsequently re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it is awaiting further consideration. The purpose of this measure, "The Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act" is to ensure that taxpayers know how some of their money is spent on advertising by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Auditor General, the State Treasurer, State Departments, offices, boards, authorities, commissions, the Legislature, and the Courts.  Senate Bill 1015 attempts to fulfill this goal by requiring that Commonwealth advertising include a simple statement: "Paid for with Pennsylvania tax dollars."

Military Child Custody Bill Also Awaits House Action

The House Judiciary Committee recently amended and reported my Senate Bill 1107 to the full House for consideration. However, this measure was also subsequently re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee where additional amendments may be considered. Senate Bill 1107 would freeze child custody arrangements for service people who are deployed overseas until they return from their military duty.

Lebanon Area Town Hall Meeting Scheduled

7 p.m., Thursday, October 2, Ono Fire Hall, 10805 Jonestown Road. Learn more

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.