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 November 16, 2009

Waiting on the House

Although the House of Representatives was in last week and scheduled to be in this week, they have not yet voted on the remaining budget-related bills, including non-preferred (legislation providing state money to charitable and or educational institutions not under the control of the Commonwealth) appropriations (Senate Bills 1036 – 1040 and 1093 – 1108) and table games (Senate Bill 1033), which I opposed.  The Senate is scheduled to be in session December 1, 2, 15 and 16. The session schedule the first half of 2010 includes: 

January: 5, 25, 26, and 27
February: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 (budget hearings February 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, and 25);
March: 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 (budget hearings March 1-4);
April: 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21;
May: 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, and 26; and
June: 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30.

Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct

I am pleased to join Senate leaders of both parties in introducing new Senate rules of ethical conduct, which include:

• No Senate employee may conduct any campaign activity on Senate work time;
• No campaign activity may be conducted in a Senate office or with Senate resources;
• The solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions on Senate work time or with Senate resources is prohibited;
• No Senate employee may serve as an officer on a campaign committee or a campaign finance committee on behalf of any Senator or Senate candidate;
• No Senate employee may be required to perform campaign activities or to make campaign contributions;
• No Senate employee may be required to perform any non-work-related task;
• Senate mailing lists and email lists may only be used for legislative purposes, and cannot be sold or given to any other entity, including campaigns;
• Senate employees who are responsible for taking or recommending official actions are required to file Financial Interest Statements with the Secretary of the Senate;
• No Senate-funded newsletter may be sent within 60 days of an election; and
• Annual training shall be provided to all senators and all Senate employees related to the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct, the Ethics Act, and the Lobbyist Disclosure Act

Any alleged violations of the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct would first be investigated by the Secretary of the Senate. If a more detailed investigation is warranted and the subject of the report is a Senator, the matter will be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Official Conduct. If the subject of the report is an employee, an independent party will conduct the investigation.

Sanctions for violations by an employee can range from a warning to termination of employment, depending on the circumstances. Sanctions for violations by a Senator can range from a warning to requiring restitution and any other sanction provided for under the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Hearing on Auditor General’s Procurement Audit

The Senate Communications & Technology Committee, which I chair, will hold a series of public hearings on Auditor General Jack Wagner’s audit of state procurement contracts.  The first hearing will be with the Auditor General on Tuesday, December 1, at 10 a.m. Information on other hearings will be shared once details are finalized.

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.