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 February 22, 2010

Progress on the “Promise to Pennsylvania”

As many of you may know, when I took office in 2007, I signed the "Promise to Pennsylvania," a pledge to advocate the principles upon which the state was founded and to restore trust between the citizens of Pennsylvania and their government. This "Promise" calls for legislative and political reform, tax and spending reform, and legal and labor reform.  Here is an update on the progress of my proposal:

• Senate Bill 7 – the "Taxpayer Protection Act" which would limit state spending to population growth and inflation. Currently in the Senate Finance Committee;
• Senate Bill 104 – accountability for state's 16,637 vehicle fleet. The bill was reported from the Senate State Government Committee, and currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Senate Bill 109 – the "Taxpayer Funded Advertising Transparency Act" which would require "paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars" on state ads. Reported from Senate State Government Committee, currently in Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Senate Bill 252 – "Voters' Choice Act" to eliminate ballot hurdles for minor parties and independents. Currently in the Senate State Government Committee;
• Senate Bill 340 – Citizens' Constitutional Convention to allow citizen delegates to consider reforms, such as  initiative and referendum, term limits, redistricting, etc. Currently in the Senate State Government Committee;
• Senate Bill 394 – "Tax Me More Fund" to allow those who say we don't tax or spend enough to make voluntary contributions to the state. Currently in the Senate Finance Committee; and
• Senate Resolution 51 – calls on Congress to respect state sovereignty by following the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution:  "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." The Senate tabled or postponed the Bill.

Other Legislative Initiatives

I am also continuing to pursue a number of other legislative initiatives, including:

• Senate Bill 211, an increase to the weekly limits of small games of chance from $5,000 to at least $20,000. Bill was reported from the Senate Finance Committee and currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Senate Bill 382, provide for the banking of umbilical cord blood for research. Currently in the Senate Public Health & Welfare Committee;
• Senate Bill 384, update the powers and duties of police at military installations. Currently in the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee;
• Senate Bill 392, eliminate jury commissioners in Counties of the 5th Class. Currently in the Senate Local Government Committee;
• Senate Bill 501 – SB 511 - "Healthy Pennsylvania" legislation that would use consumer-driven/market-driven initiatives to reduce health care costs while maintaining quality. Legislation is in various Senate Committees;
• Senate Bill 621 - exempt Pennsylvania from the costly mandates of federal "Real ID" Bill was reported from Senate Communications & Technology Committee. Currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee;
• Senate Bill 776 - promote bicycle safety. Currently in the Senate Transportation Committee;
• Senate Bill 784 - promote energy efficiency in state-owned buildings. Currently in the Senate State Government Committee; and
• Senate Resolution 61 - opposition to the federal "card check" proposal. Currently in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee.

Appropriations Committee Hearings

The full Senate continues to be in recess while the Senate Appropriations Committee conducts hearings on the Governor's proposed 2010 – 2011 budget. Click here to view a hearing schedule.

Deer management Report Released

The Legislative Budget & Finance Committee recently completed its evaluation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s deer management program.

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.