Author: admin

A report on the Legislative Session Week of May 13, 2013

Community-based health clinics bill goes to Governor

In an effort to extend access to health care to more Pennsylvanians, the Senate concurred Tuesday on House amendments to legislation I co-sponsored that will develop and expand community-based health care clinics. Senate Bill 5 creates the Community-Based Health Care Program in the Department of Health to provide grants to community-based health care clinics. SB 5 now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.

Community-based health care clinics provide the uninsured with a medical home that emphasizes a partnership among the patient, physician, nurses, and clinic staff. These health clinics become the place where patients are known, recognized, supported, and where they find a centralized base for medical care and connection to other medical and supportive community services.

Senate approves my bill expanding job opportunities for veterans

The Senate unanimously passed my legislation on Monday that will expand job opportunities for Pennsylvania’s service members and veterans. Senate Bill 277, which amends state law regarding commercial driver’s license qualification standards for members of the armed services, is now before the House of Representatives for consideration.

Military personnel and veterans who have two years of experience driving a military commercial vehicle are now eligible to waive the CDL skills test if the applicant has legally operated certain equipment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a commercial driver’s license. SB 277 strikes “immediately preceding” from the law, providing qualified military personnel and veterans with the opportunity to apply for a CDL with the possibility of a waiver at any time.

Click here for video of my remarks from the Senate Floor on Senate Bill 277.

Click here for audio of my remarks from the Senate Floor on Senate Bill 277.

Senate approves law enforcement personnel bills

The Senate unanimously approved and sent to the House of Representatives two bills addressing police personnel issues on Monday.

Senate Bill 59 adds the Westmoreland County Park Police Department to the law enforcement entities subject to the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission’s training requirements.

Senate Bill 579 updates state law regarding the Pennsylvania State Police to include gender neutral references, name changes and to clarify that troopers assigned to Delaware River Toll Bridge Commission, Gaming Enforcement and Liquor Control Enforcement are not counted against the overall State Police complement.

Other legislation passed this week

The Senate approved several bills on Wednesday:

Senate Bill 526, which I co-sponsored and supported as Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, clarifies that an animal health certificate can be accepted in lieu of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship form as acceptable documentation required to exhibit animals at livestock shows, including county fairs and the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The bill goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

House Bill 583 amends Pennsylvania’s Emergency 911 law to foster regionalization and cost-sharing measures among county 911 centers. Specifically, the bill requires PEMA to encourage consolidation, regionalization and joint purchasing opportunities so counties can save money on their operations. The bill goes to the Governor for enactment into law.

Senate Bill 867 extends the expiration date for the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act to December 31, 2018. The wiretap law is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2013, unless extended by statute. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate continues its study of PLCB privatization

The Senate Law and Justice Committee held its second public hearing on the governor’s proposal to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. More information about the hearing is available at: http://law.pasenategop.com/.

CONTACT: Jenna Morgan
(724) 654-1444

The state Department of General Services recently announced that its spring heavy equipment auction is now open for local municipalities, according to Senator Elder Vogel.

The online auction for municipalities is now open and will close on May 8. To view a list and photos of equipment being offered, municipalities can visit the DGS website and register with Asset Nation at: http://padgs.assetnation.com.

After the municipal sale, the remaining inventory will be sold through a public online auction that will begin on May 28 and continue to June 18. The items available will be posted at: www.PentonEquipmentAuctions.com.

A report on the Legislative Session Week of April 8, 2013

Special education funding reform sent to Governor

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Tuesday providing reform measures for equitable special education funding. House Bill 2 now goes to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. The measure will create a 15-member panel to develop a formula to allocate any new state special education funding in a manner that recognizes the actual number of physically- and mentally-challenged students in a school and the various levels of their need for services.

Bill would allow victim testimony at parole hearings

The Senate passed Senate Bill 508 on Tuesday. This legislation would allow a crime victim or a member of the victim’s family to testify directly before the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole when the victim’s offender is being considered for parole. Current law does not allow a crime victim to present direct testimony before the board. The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Measure expands low-interest loans for local governments

The Senate passed a measure on Wednesday that would expand a low-interest loan program for municipalities. Senate Bill 591, which I co-sponsored, would increase the amounts local governments can borrow through the Local Government Capital Project loan program for equipment purchases (increased from $25,000 to $50,000) and facility upgrades (increased from $50,000 to $100,000). The program, which was set up as a self-sustaining revolving loan fund, provides loans at a two-percent interest rate. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate approves rabies exemption bill

The Senate approved legislation on Monday that would provide an exemption from annual rabies vaccination requirement for dogs and cats with existing medical conditions. Senate Bill 155 would grant an exemption in cases where a licensed veterinarian examines and determines that it would be harmful to vaccinate a dog or cat due to an infirmity, other physical condition or regimen of therapy.

Committees hold hearing on child protection legislative changes

The Senate Public Health and Welfare and Aging and Youth committees held a joint hearing on Tuesday to review legislative recommendations made by the Statewide Task Force on Child Protection created by Senate Resolution 250 of 2011, which I co-sponsored. The committees heard from members of the task force and a representative from the Office of Children, Youth and Families at the Department of Public Welfare. For more information and video from the hearing, click here.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee holds two hearings

The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee that I chair held two public hearings this week. The committee met on Tuesday for an Informational Dairy Summit. The committee met with the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Thursday for a joint informational meeting to discuss the impact of the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). More information about the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is available at https://www.senatoreldervogel.com/.

CONTACT: Jenna Morgan
(724) 654-1444

A report on the Legislative Session Week of March 11, 2013

Senate approves special education funding reform

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Tuesday providing reform measures for equitable special education funding. Senate Bill 470 allocates any new state special education funding in a manner that recognizes the actual number of physically- and mentally-challenged students in a school and the various levels of their need for services. It does not reduce the current level of special education funding received by local school districts.

The legislation does not establish a new funding formula. It empowers a legislative commission to develop the formula. The panel will be charged with developing a funding formula using a few basic parameters. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate approves resolution to study natural gas service availability

The Senate adopted a resolution on Monday directing the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to study the demand for natural gas service by Pennsylvanians. The Center must report its findings to the General Assembly no later than August 1. Areas to be studied under Senate Resolution 29 include:

• estimated demand for natural gas service in unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth;
• estimated price consumers are willing to pay for access or conversion to natural gas service;
• regional differences in consumer demand and willingness to pay for natural gas service; and
• relevant economic information on the costs and benefits to expand natural gas distribution infrastructure.

Hearing reviews safety in child care centers and colleges

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Senate Education Committee held its second public hearing on school safety issues this week.

The hearing on Wednesday focused on emergency planning involving child care centers, buses and colleges. The first hearing, held on February 13, centered on armed guards in schools and the need for school resource officers and additional training and drills.

Information and video from the hearing are available here.

Senate approves “Puppy Lemon Law” amendment

The Senate approved legislation on Tuesday expanding consumer rights under Pennsylvania’s “Puppy Lemon Law.” Senate Bill 82 extends from 30 to 90 days the time period in which a congenital condition may be certified by a vet in order to recover any losses from a seller. The bill also extends the time frame for a veterinarian to certify an illness from 10 to 14 days. The bill is supported by the state Attorney General, the Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania, the Humane Society of the United States, and the American Kennel Club. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate approves savings and loan oversight bill

The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday to help the Pennsylvania Department of Banking monitor the financial health of banking institutions more efficiently. Today there are just four savings and loan institutions remaining in Pennsylvania. The Department of Banking maintains a comprehensive oversight system for the institutions, but the process has become costly and inefficient to oversee such a small number of institutions.

Senate Bill 371 repeals the Savings Association Code and encourages the state’s four existing savings and loan institutions to convert into state-chartered savings banks. The conversion of these institutions would not affect how they do business. It would only make oversight of these institutions more efficient by removing the requirement for the Department to maintain a separate regulatory and examination program.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 83, legislation that would allow Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on any highway or roadway where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.

Both bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Jenna Morgan
(724) 654-1444

A report on the Legislative Session Week of February 11, 2013

Bill ensuring PSU fine money benefits Pennsylvanians goes to Governor

Legislation to ensure that fines paid to the NCAA by Penn State would benefit Commonwealth residents received final approval in the House Wednesday and was sent to the Governor for enactment into law. Senate Bill 187 would place the fine money in a trust fund administered by the state Treasury and appropriated to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for child advocacy programs and to combat child sex abuse.

Senate approves legislation to abolish Philadelphia Traffic Court

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday to abolish the Philadelphia Traffic Court. The Philadelphia Traffic Court has been plagued with sustained allegations of corruption and ticket-fixing over multiple decades, leading to the recent indictments of nine current and former Traffic Court judges.

Senate Bill 333 would eliminate the Philadelphia Traffic Court in the state constitution. Senate Bill 334 would statutorily transfer its responsibilities to Philadelphia Municipal Court. Both bills now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Legislation sets uniform standards for county Veterans Affairs Directors

The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday to set standards and provide uniformity across the commonwealth for county Directors of Veterans Affairs. Senate Bill 302 amends the County Code (Act 130 of 1955) to expand the duties of, and to establish eligibility requirements for, the position. The legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), the Pennsylvania State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs (PSACDVA), and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).

SB 302 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Public hearing focuses on school emergency plans, security measures

School emergency plans and security measures designed to ensure student safety and increase school-to-parent communication during an emergency received an in-depth review during a joint public hearing by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Education Committee on Wednesday.

Among the strategies discussed at the hearing was Senate Bill 10, legislation I co-sponsored that would dramatically increase the amount of funding available for grants which schools could utilize for school safety and violence prevention initiatives, including training and hiring armed guards to protect their students, teachers and administrators.

Video and written testimony from the hearing are available here.

Governor’s transportation plan examined during hearing

State Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch briefed the Senate Transportation Committee on the Governor’s proposed transportation improvement plan during a Tuesday afternoon public hearing. Secretary Schoch detailed the Governor’s proposal to lift the cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax and the ways the additional revenues would be used to rehabilitate Pennsylvania’s transportation network. Video from the hearing is available here.

Committee reviews array of technology issues

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to hear experts detail projected advances in variety of technological fields. The hearing – entitled “Technology, Communications and eHealth” – provided the Corbett Administration, telecommunications representatives and health care officials with an opportunity to speak about the current environment and projected technological advancements in their areas. For video and the written testimony from the testifiers, click here.

Senate Environmental Resources Committee approves two bills

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, which I serve on, approved two bills on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 411, which I co-sponsored, would limit the treatment liability of entities that choose to utilize acid mine water (AMD) for hydraulic fracturing of oil/gas wells, or other industrial uses. This liability protection was a policy recommendation that was acknowledged in the report issued by the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.

Senate Resolution 29, which I co-sponsored, directs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to study the residential, commercial and industrial extension of natural gas distribution infrastructure by collecting and analyzing information on the estimated demand for natural gas service in un-served and under-served areas of the commonwealth. The Center would be responsible to report its findings, plans, and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than August 1.

Residents have until December 31 to file for up to $650

A recent deadline extension gives eligible local residents until the end of the year to file for up to $650 from the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47).

The rebate program is open to Pennsylvanians who are 65 and older; widows and widowers 50 and older; and people with disabilities 18 and older. The maximum annual income limit (excluding half of Social Security income) for homeowners is $35,000 and $15,000 for renters.

Applications and information can be obtained online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190. Applications are also available at Senator Vogel’s district offices located at 488 Adams Street in Rochester, (724) 774-0444; or 301 Central Building, 101 South Mercer Street in New Castle, (724) 654-1444. Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.

Claimants who already applied for Property Tax/Rent Rebates may check the status of claims online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

As of May 31, the Revenue Department had received more than 529,023 rebate applications. More than 600,000 older Pennsylvanians and residents with disabilities are expected to benefit from the program this year.

CONTACT: Joe Weidner
(724) 774-0444

Residents have until December 31 to file for up to $650

A recent deadline extension gives eligible local residents until the end of the year to file for up to $650 from the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47).

The rebate program is open to Pennsylvanians who are 65 and older; widows and widowers 50 and older; and people with disabilities 18 and older. Further, the maximum annual income limit (excluding half of Social Security income) for homeowners is $35,000 and $15,000 for renters.

Applications and information can be obtained online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190. Applications are also available at Senator Vogel’s district offices located at 488 Adams Street in Rochester, (724) 774-0444; or 301 Central Building, 101 South Mercer Street in New Castle, (724) 654-1444. Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.

Claimants who already applied for Property Tax/Rent Rebates may check the status of claims online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

As of May 27, the Revenue Department had received more than 532,000 rebate applications. More than 600,000 older Pennsylvanians and residents with disabilities are expected to benefit from the program this year.

CONTACT: Joe Weidner
(717) 787-3076

 

The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee will hold a hearing to listen to testimony on House Bill 712 and the creation of land banks, according to committee Chairman Senator Gene Yaw and Senator Elder Vogel. A land bank is a governmental or non-profit entity that acquires abandoned and blighted properties for productive re-use.

The Hearing will take place on September 16th at 10:00 am, in the Student Union Building Auditorium, Penn State Beaver Campus in Monaca, PA.

Among those scheduled to testify at the hearing are representatives of the Center for Community Progress, Housing Alliance, Office of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Monaca Borough, Brentwood Borough and the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development.

Because of time constraints, there will not be an opportunity for a public comment period. However, written testimony will be accepted by the committee. The public can also submit comments at Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee Chair Gene Yaw’s website at senatorgeneyaw.com following the hearing.

CONTACT: Joe Weidner
(724) 774-0444

Residents have until December 31 to file for up to $650

A recent deadline extension gives eligible local residents until the end of the year to file for up to $650 from the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, according to Senator Elder Vogel (R-47).

The rebate program is open to Pennsylvanians who are 65 and older; widows and widowers 50 and older; and people with disabilities 18 and older. Further, the maximum annual income limit (excluding half of Social Security income) for homeowners is $35,000 and $15,000 for renters.

Applications and information can be obtained online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190. Applications are also available at Senator Vogel’s district offices located at 488 Adams Street in Rochester, (724) 774-0444; or 301 Central Building, 101 South Mercer Street in New Castle, (724) 654-1444. Claimants are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information for their claims to be processed accurately and quickly.

Claimants who already applied for Property Tax/Rent Rebates may check the status of claims online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

As of May 28, the Revenue Department had received more than 533,000 rebate applications. Nearly 600,000 older Pennsylvanians and residents with disabilities are expected to benefit from the program this year.

CONTACT: Joe Weidner
(724) 774-0444