HARRISBURG --- Senate Bill 5, the Senate's version of a 2002-2003 spending plan, left the Senate floor a more responsible document than it arrived, thanks to a series of Democratic amendments addressing school funding equity, prescription drug insurance for senior citizens, health care initiatives, grants for volunteer firefighters and protection for children with disabilities.

The most significant of the amendments funnels $424 million from computer contracts for state agencies and Community and Economic Development grants into basic education. Under the amended budget, school districts would receive a 13.02 percent increase in basic education funding, rather than the governor's proposed 1 percent. Of that funding, 41 percent would be used to offset property taxes. Due to a Republican amendment to the measure, Philadelphia would receive no increase in basic funding over last year. For that reason, several Democrats joined the Republican leadership in voting against the amendment, which was adopted 37-12.

Other Democratic amendments, which were adopted with only a handful of Republicans in opposition, would extend a moratorium on Social Security COLAs affecting PACE eligibility, continue support for children with disabilities and their families, reinstate the volunteer firefighter grant program, and make higher education affordable and accessible to more students.

Philadelphia Democrats also voted against passage of the amended $21 billion budget bill, which was approved 43-7.

The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

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The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 411, which amends the Municipalities Planning Code to incorporate "no-impact, home-based businesses." These businesses are located in homes but involve no extra customer, client, patient, or delivery traffic. The bill was re-referred to the House, where it was signed on May 1.

The Senate voted 48-2 to approve Senate Bill 1413, which amends the Right to Farming Act to prohibit local regulations from unfairly discriminating against agricultural operations. The bill also outlines legal remedies for those who believe their rights under this act have been violated. The measure was submitted to the House.

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 824, which would allow counties to pay election workers more money. Under the bill, the maximum allowable pay for judges of elections would double to $200. Election inspectors’ maximum pay would increase from $130 to $195. The maximum pay for clerks and machine operators would go from $95 to $195.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1358, making appropriations from the Professional Licensure Augmentation Account and from restricted revenue accounts within the General Fund to the Department of State for use by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, passed unanimously. The bill has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

The Senate unanimously concurred in House amendments, as amended, to Senate Bill 1007, that changed the Acupuncture Registration Act to eliminate the requirement that acupuncturists practice only under the general supervision of a physician, and to establish other regulations. The House re-concurred and signed the bill, which has been sent to the governor.

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