|
Senate of Pennsylvania
SENATE DEMOCRATIC WRAP-UP FOR
THE WEEK OF |
|
This week, the state Senate voted unanimously to support a proposal to supplement the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with up to $25 million in state funds. House Bill 1539 would provide for up to one mill of the utilities’ gross receipts tax to be appropriated from the General Fund to a special fund for emergency energy assistance. Gov. Rendell could then use these funds to expand the LIHEAP program. Because state tax revenues have exceeded projections for this fiscal year, this proposal would not negatively impact the General Fund and other state programs. Senate Democrats, who have prodded Republicans to supplement LIHEAP for years, have estimated that an additional $25 million might help an additional 60,000 Pennsylvanians keep their heat on. Twenty-five other states already supplement LIHEAP with state funds, and Pennsylvania is the only cold-weather state that has not done so. In this year’s budget request, President Bush only asked for $2.0 billion for LIHEAP, but some researchers estimate that colder temperatures and higher energy prices will necessitate an additional $3.1 billion appropriated for LIHEAP nationwide. The bill has been referred to the House Rules committee. * * * The state Senate voted 31-18 this week to approve House Bill 2082, which would enact spending limits for the General Assembly through statute. Appropriations from the General Fund would not be able to grow faster than an inflation index established in this bill. The bill would provide for exceptions to the spending limit if the president declares a federal emergency or if the state legislature makes a supermajority vote. In years when tax revenues exceed spending limits, those excess funds would be divided between a reserve fund and taxpayer refunds. The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee.
* * * By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 798, which would make the Judicial Code consistent with the constitution provision that denies bail for those charged with a capital offense; an offense punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment; or situations where the safety of any person in the community cannot be assured. The bill now goes to the House * * * By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved House Bill 1400, which would add “intentionally causing a complainant to come into contact with seminal fluid, urine or feces for the purpose of arousing sexual desire” to the state’s indecent assault law. The bill was enacted as Act 76 of 2005. * * * By a unanimous vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 178, which would amend the Crimes Victims Act to make identity theft victims eligible for crime victim services. The bill would also expand the membership of the Victims’ Services Advisory Committee from nine to 11, and have at least one member represent the interests of identity theft victims. The bill is now in the House Judiciary Committee.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 995 with a 44-4 vote. The bill would remove certain requirements for snowmobile and ATV operators and add a section dealing with special event passes. The bill now goes to the House. * * * With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed Senate Bill 999. This bill would amend Act 98 of 2004 to include the standards adopted by the Voting Standards Development Board under Section 204 of the Election Code. This would pertain to all primary, municipal, special and general elections in 2006 and 2007. The bill now goes to the House. * * * The state Senate this week took action to protect the privacy of cell-phone users. Senate Bill 713 would require consumers to opt-in for listing in any cellular phone provider’s directory. Also, customers would not be charged for having an unlisted cell phone number. The Senate voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 713, and it now heads to the House. * * * The Senate unanimously approved an amended version of House Bill 1049, which would amend the Barber’s License Law to allow the owner of a barber shop to designate either a barber-manager or another licensee to be in charge of the barber shop. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee.
# # #
|