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September 19, 2008

 Senator Mike Waugh
E-News Update

Hello Friends!
Welcome to the inaugural edition of my new e-newsletter, which will provide you with brief updates from the Senate of Pennsylvania.  I hope that you find the information in this newsletter to be useful. If you have any suggestions on how to improve it or items you would like to see included, please feel free to share your thoughts with me. Enjoy!

Alternative Fuels Highlighted in "The Mike Waugh Report"
For this month’s episode of “The Mike Waugh Report,” my monthly television show that airs on White Rose Community Television, Channel 18, Bob Astor, Wholesale Fuels Business Manager for Shipley Fuels Marketing, and Rich Farr, Executive Director of RabbitTransit joined me to discuss the topic of alternative fuels.  Shipley offers e85 and biodiesel at two York County Tom’s gas stations, as well as BioHeat for their home heating oil customers.  RabbitTransit was the first public fleet in all of Pennsylvania to begin using biodiesel on an ongoing basis, which they started doing three years ago.  Click here to watch the show and to hear about these great alternative fuels initiatives happening in our community.

Senate Returns to Session
This past Tuesday, September 16th, the Senate returned to session following summer recess.  November 30th will mark the official end to the 2007-2008 legislative session, and as part of our internal legislative reform measures, we have chosen not to conduct business after the November election.  This period is often referred to as a lame duck session due to the ability of some members to continue conducting legislative business despite having been voted out of office or having chosen not to run for re-election. So, we have a great deal of work ahead of us in these few short weeks left in the session, but I am confident we will move forward diligently to address the many pressing issues at hand.

Waugh Legislation Addresses Prevailing Wage Issue
Many municipalities in York County are feeling the crunch from the court case, Borough of Youngwood vs. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Appeals Board.  The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Commonwealth Court that public works projects such as milling and repaving of roads is considered “maintenance work” and therefore, falls under the Prevailing Wage Act.

In March 2007, I introduced SB 333, which would address this issue.  This bill calls for the definition of “maintenance work” to include repair work such as replacing guide rails, pavement repair, widening of existing alignment – providing it does not result in new lanes or shoulders – and bridge cleaning and resurfacing.

Currently, SB 333 remains on the table in the Senate, having been reported out of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee.  While time is limited before the close of session, considering the recent court ruling on this issue and the financial impact on municipalities, it is my hope we will advance the legislation before the end of the year.

Click here to read a press release sent yesterday regarding this issue.

Volunteer Responder Update
Great strides are being made to assist our volunteer responders – firefighters, fire police, and EMS personnel.  In the General Assembly we recently approved a new tax credit for these volunteers, as well as legislation reauthorizing a $25 million fire and EMS grant program.  Senator Lisa Baker and I have also introduced and gained unanimous Senate passage of a three-bill package that would provide tax credits and establish a tuition reimbursement program to benefit our volunteer responders.  We are hopeful the House will take action on these bills before the close of session.  Click here to read more in a “Legislative Update” I recently sent to our volunteer departments.

Grant Seminar Scheduled
All municipal officials, fire and EMS departments, and non-profit organizations, mark your calendars now!  Together with York County members of the House of Representatives and Congressman Todd Platts, my office will be conducting a grant writing seminar on October 23rd from 8am-11am at the York Fairgrounds.  Click here to view the invitation, and if you haven’t already RSVP’d, please do so by calling Representative Bev Mackereth’s office at 717-767-3947 by October 17th.

Smoking Ban In Effect
While the smoking ban legislation was an issue of contention for many – legislators, Commonwealth residents, and business owners alike – the Governor signed Senate Bill 246 into law in June, and the ban went into effect on September 11th.  Essentially, smoking is prohibited in all public places and workplaces, with some exceptions allowed, and penalties will be imposed if an establishment or individual is found to be in noncompliance of the law.  If you are looking for additional information on the smoking ban, please feel free to visit Pennsylvania’s Department of Health website at: www.health.state.pa.us and businesses may call the Department’s helpline at: 1-877-835-9535.

About the E-News Update
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My offices are here to serve you:
Don’t forget to check my website at www.senatorwaugh.com from time to time for updates on legislation, local events and happenings in Harrisburg.  There is a link to email me if you have questions, suggestions or need additional information.  Otherwise, you may contact my district or Harrisburg offices at:

DISTRICT:
218 N. George Street
York, PA 17401
(717) 846-2828 (York)
(717) 637-7311(Hanover)
(717) 382-9940 (Fawn Grove)

CAPITOL:
9 East Wing
Senate Box 203028
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3028
(717) 787-3817

TTY: 1-800-364-1581