Mike's Memo

Governor signs bill into law

The Governor signed House Bill 39 in law as Act 38 of 2009.  The measure makes it a summary offense to crop, trim, or cut off any part of a dog’s ear; debark a dog; cut off the tail of a dog; surgically birth a dog; or cut off the dewclaw of a dog (except by veterinarians using anesthesia). 

Senate readies bills to send to governor

The full Senate unanimously approved a number of bills that are now ready for the governor’s signature:

• Senate Bill 366, allows for the denial of bail for those sentenced to life in prison or for other reasons to protect the public’s safety;
• Senate Bill 574, requires a special fishing permit for waters that flow into the tributaries of Lake Erie;
• Senate Bill 921, amends the Board of Vehicles Act; and
• House Bill 222, amends the Crimes Code to provide for restitution for identity theft. 

Senate sends bills to House

The full Senate passed a number of bills that will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration:

• Senate Bill 369, amends the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to include survivors of law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty to also receive benefits (passed unanimously);
• Senate Bill 1047, amends the Rail Freight and Improvement Act (passed unanimously); and
• House Bill 1828, changes in the Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act, which includes allowing the City of Philadelphia to “temporarily” (for five years) increase its Sales Tax from 7 percent to 8 percent and also dedicates a portion of the City of Pittsburgh’s 37.5 percent parking tax to meet its pension obligations.  The tax increase and other concerns forced me to oppose this measure, which passed 38 – 9. 

State Board of Education Approves Graduation Exams

The State Board of Education recently voted 14 – 2 to approve regulations to establish statewide end-of-course testing and voluntary use of Keystone Exams.  This action comes after the Senate Education Committee approved (10 – 1) Senate Resolution 156 that also endorses these exams.  I was the only ‘no’ vote on SR 156 when it was considered by the Education Committee.  The next stop for these regulations is the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). 

Town hall meeting scheduled

Wednesday, September 2 - North Cornwall Township town hall meeting

This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions about state government. The meeting is hosted by North Cornwall Township and Heritage Commons, and will be held at the Township Building, 320 South 18th Street, Lebanon. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.  

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. You may also want to visit "News for Constituents", a comprehensive look into various issues affecting Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.

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.