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July 9, 2009

Senator Mike Waugh
E-News Update

In this Edition:

• Greetings!
• State Budget Update
• Senate Republicans Hold Press Conference
• Senate Approves Waugh Resolution
• Governor Signs Waugh Legislation into Law
• Fireworks Bill in the News
• Newly Introduced Legislation
• “Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” Initiative
• Home Improvement Contractor Registration
• Capitol Tour Information
• Mini-COBRA Program Begins July 10th
• About the E-News Update
• My offices are here to serve you

Greetings!

State Budget Update

For the seventh straight year under Governor Ed Rendell’s administration, Pennsylvania has begun the new fiscal year without an approved state budget in place.  While none of us deny that this is the most economically challenging budget year of the last seven, the bottom line is that the state must enact a balanced budget, and the deadline for doing so was July 1st.   

On May 6th, the Senate approved Senate Bill 850, a budget proposal that holds the line on spending and includes no tax or fee increases.  I am of the belief that government should live within its means as Pennsylvania families do every day.  While I recognize that the spending reductions proposed in SB 850 are difficult and could prove challenging for many programs that are beneficial to residents of the state, with a $3.25 billion revenue shortfall it is imperative that state spending is reduced and tax increases are avoided at a time when Pennsylvanians can least afford them. 

At this point, we are still awaiting action by the House.  The only step taken in that Chamber in the last 60 days was by the House Appropriations Committee, which voted against SB 850, strictly along party lines.  Meetings between the Governor and leaders of each of the four legislative caucuses took place last week, and will continue this week.  I hope that as these meetings move forward a compromise will be reached and a budget proposal will be voted on by the House in the very near future. 

Senate Republicans Hold Press Conference

On June 30, 2009, I joined Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and fellow Senate Republicans in a news conference to urge House action on a state budget that cuts spending and avoids any broad-based tax increases. 

Senate Approves Waugh Resolution

On Tuesday, June 30th I had the pleasure of welcoming to the State Capitol Valen Cover, a former resident of the 28th Senatorial District, now a resident of Dover in Senator Rich Alloway’s Senatorial District.  Valen is a survivor of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and is the inspiration for Senate Resolution 138.   

The Senate unanimously adopted this resolution, which designates September 2009 as “Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.  PKD is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting 600,000 Americans and more than 24,500 Pennsylvanians, and it is one of the four leading causes of kidney failure.   

Governor Signs Waugh Legislation into Law

On Monday, July 6th, Governor Rendell signed into law as Act 13 of 2009 Senate Bill 195, which amends the Industrialized Housing Act to regulate the construction of industrialized and commercial modular buildings.  Currently, DCED regulates and provides standards for manufactured housing.  Senate Bill 195 would establish a similar program for modular buildings used for industrial and commercial purposes. 

Just last Thursday the bill reached final passage and was sent to the Governor with a unanimous vote from the Senate in concurrence on a minor technical amendment made by the House.  I am very pleased by the prompt action taken by the House and the Senate, as well as the Governor, seeing as this is a matter of uniformity and safety.      

Fireworks Bill in the News

In preparation for this past weekend’s festivities, the Allentown Morning Call published a story regarding Pennsylvania’s Fireworks Law, which my Senate Bill 775 would amend.   

As the law is written, PA fireworks vendors are permitted to sell a full line of products, but Pennsylvania residents can only purchase items such as sparklers.  Meanwhile our communities bear the burden and risk of a building full of explosive devices.  While my legislation would not change the law with respect to PA residents, it does call for a 25% fee to be accessed on the sale of consumer fireworks, with 75% of the proceeds to be dedicated to the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Retention Program Fund.  Due to the nature of this law, the fee would be almost exclusively charged to out-of-state residents. 

Newly Introduced Legislation

Recently I introduced two pieces of legislation; Senate Bill 989 and Senate Bill 990.  

SB 989 provides for the filing of a joint tax return after the death of a spouse.  This legislation would allow a surviving spouse to file a joint return, which would cover both the surviving and the deceased spouse for the state income tax.  A constituent tax-preparer suggested such legislation to address the burden currently placed on the surviving spouse.  The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee on June 26, 2009.   

SB 990 provides further qualifications for licenses of social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors, addressing ambiguities in current educational requirements with respect to the number of hours of supervised clinical experience and coursework. SB 990 was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on June 26, 2009.

“Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” Initiative

Pennsylvanians needing financial and legal guidance can now turn to the “Get Help Now, Pennsylvania” initiative, which connects residents with attorneys, banking and mortgage professionals, and financial analysts, to address issues relating to credit, finance, and bankruptcy.  While a site has not yet been established in York County, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lancaster Counties do have locations to serve individuals.    

For those in York that cannot travel outside of the county, Lutheran Social Services, together with the United Way, offers a program called the Financial Stability Partnership, which is a collaborative effort to help families improve their financial well-being and serves as a clearinghouse for financial-related information. 

Home Improvement Contractor Registration

As of July 1st, contractors who perform more than $5,000 of home improvement work annually must be registered with the Attorney General’s office, as provided under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.

• Contractors: If you have not registered, click here to do so.
• Consumers: To learn if a contractor is registered, contact the Attorney General’s office at 1-888-520-6680 or click here for more information. 

Capitol Tour Information

SCHOOL GROUPS:
Recently I sent information to the Curriculum Directors of each school district regarding the scheduling of Capitol tours for next school year.  If you have not received this information and wish to do so, please contact my Harrisburg office at 787-3817.   

The Capitol Tour office will begin scheduling group tours the first weekday in August.  To schedule a tour call 1-800-868-7672, and be sure to schedule early to ensure you obtain your preferred time.  Also, the State Museum is another great option for school groups, but please note that the museum has begun charging admission, and group tours must be scheduled and paid in advance.   

PUBLIC:
For the general public, be sure to visit Harrisburg for a guided tour of our beautiful state Capitol building.  Tours are offered Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm, and at 9:00am, 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and most holidays. 

Mini-COBRA Program Begins July 10th

Thanks to the passage of House Bill 1089, signed into law by the Governor as Act 2 of 2009, former employees of small employers (2-19 employees) will have the opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage through their previous employer.  Learn more with these Frequently Asked Questions.

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) 382-9940 (Fawn Grove)

920 York Street
Hanover, PA 17331
(717) 637-7311

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

TTY: 1-800-364-1581