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 January 19, 2010

Public Hearing Scheduled on Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange

The Governor's Office of Health Care Reform recently unveiled a plan to establish a Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange (PHIX). There are a number of concerns surrounding this plan, so as Chairman of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, I have scheduled a public hearing on the issue. The hearing will feature Ann Torregrossa, Director of the Governor's Office of Health Care Reform and Phil Magistro, Deputy Director of Implementation, who will review the plan and discuss its possible implementation. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 27, in Room 8E-B, East Wing, Main Capitol.  

Committee News

While the full Senate will not return to Session until January 25, there are a number of Committee meetings, including: 

Education

• Thursday, January 21, 11 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building, Harrisburg
• Friday, January 22, noon, Pittsburgh Milliones University Prep School (grades 6 – 12), 3117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh.  Both hearings are on Senator Piccola's Education Empowerment plan. 

Urban Affairs & Housing
Thursday, January 21, 11 a.m., Riverstone Inn, Towanda 

Environmental Resources & Energy
Wednesday, January 27, 9 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building; public hearing on Marcellus Shale natural gas wastewater treatment issues. 

Finance
Wednesday, January 27, 9 a.m., Room 8-EA, East Wing; public hearing on public pension issues. 

Sportsmen's Advisory Committee Scheduled

The next meeting of my Sportsmen's Advisory Committee will be Thursday, January 28, at 7 p.m., at the Palmyra Sportsmen's Association, 410 Sportsman Road and Plum Street, Annville.  The featured speaker will be Carl Roe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. RSVP not necessary, but is appreciated to Beth Williams by Friday, January 22. In case of inclement weather, visit senatorfolmer.com or listen to WLBR 1270.

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.