“We’ve been traveling the state to assess transportation needs to make sure that when we put together a transportation package it would be one that would be thorough and viable for the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) opening the May 30 hearing in Monroeville on western Pennsylvania transportation funding needs.
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Senate Session, Liquor Privatization, Labor, Child Protection Hearings
The Senate convenes today at 1:30 p.m. Among the bills that could be considered by the full Senate this week are: Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster), amending the Professional Educator Discipline Act; Senate Bill 681, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), enacting the Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act; and Senate Bill 46, school employment legislation targeting the practice of “Passing the Trash.”
On Tuesday, the Senate Law and Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks), will hold a public hearing on the governor’s plan for liquor privatization. (9:30 a.m. N. Office Bldg. Room 1)
The Senate Labor and Industry Committee, chaired by Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia), will hold a joint public hearing Tuesday with the House Labor and Industry Committee on Senate Bill 476, sponsored by Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), and House Bill 976. (10 a.m. Room 8E-A)
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), will hold a public hearing Wednesday on Senate Bill 20 and its proposed changes to the definition of “child abuse” within the Child Protective Services Law. (9 a.m. N. Office Bldg. Room 1)
For the complete list of bipartisan bills to overhaul Pennsylvania’s child protection laws, please see Fast Facts, below.
Watch hearings live at PASenateGOP.com.
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Senate & House Urban Affairs Committees Evaluate Future of PA Cities
The Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill), on Wednesday held the first of three joint statewide public hearings with its House counterpart on the future of Pennsylvania’s large and small cities.
The joint hearing took place at the Allegheny County Courthouse and included mayors, council members, state officials, advocates and urban policy experts.
Senator Argall: “Most of the focus of the hearing was on jobs, improving property values and finding efficiencies in our city governments. With 41 percent of Pennsylvanians living in a distressed municipality, it is our goal to find solutions to help these economic engines recover across the state.”
For more on the joint hearing, please see In the Spotlight, below.
Committee Examines Western PA Transportation Funding Needs
The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), met Thursday in Allegheny County to discuss transportation funding needs in western Pennsylvania.
Gathering on the Boyce Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County in Monroeville, the panel heard from Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch and Allegheny County officials, as well as chambers of commerce officials.
Senator Rafferty is the sponsor of Senate Bill 1, a $2.5 billion funding plan aimed at upgrading Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure.
Finance Committee to Hold Hearing on Pension Reform
The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster), held a public hearing Wednesday on comprehensive pension reform.
Testifiers included Budget Secretary Charles Zogby, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, financial services providers, and others.
Vulakovich Announces Waterfront Development Legislation
Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) introduced legislation Wednesday establishing a Waterfront Development Tax Credit as a way to encourage private investment and spur economic development, environmental improvements and public recreational enhancements along waterfront properties.
Under Senate Bill 968, the Waterfront Development Tax Credit — capped at $10 million annually — would be available to individuals or businesses that contribute to non-profit waterfront improvement organizations. The organizations and the projects would need approval by the state Department of Community and Economic Development prior to participation in the program.
Under Senator Vulakovich’s measure, contributions would be used for specific waterfront development projects, such as streets and public rights-of-way; waterfront parks, gardens and open spaces; access to public utilities, erosion control, storm water management and other environmental projects which promote economic development; water transportation facilities for use by the public, including water transit landings and boat docking; and amenities, including infrastructure and recreational projects.
In the Spotlight
At the joint hearing on the future of Pennsylvania cities, Duquesne Mayor Phillip Krivacek said his city’s future depends on continued access to several state initiatives, such as the Enterprise Zone Program, to spur economic development. With state Enterprise Zone resources, the city assisted American Textile Company, Duquesne’s largest employer with over 200 employees, Thermal Transfer Corporation and most recently Dura-Bond Industries, Inc. who invested over $12 million, directly creating 75 new jobs.
The future of Pennsylvania’s cities will vary due to the fact that there are a wide variety of characteristics of those cities, according to Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst. Factors such as where the city is located, the prospects for job opportunities and growth, and the performance of its schools are just a handful of influences that impact the future of a city.
Brian Jensen of the Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh said many of the commonwealth’s cities, as well as boroughs and townships, are struggling to maintain financial health because of outdated and intrusive state laws. Other speakers focused on housing needs and cultural attractions, as well as city-university partnerships.
The next joint hearing with the Senate and House Urban Affairs committees will be held on Thursday, June 13 at York College of Pennsylvania in York.
Fast Facts
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Bipartisan Package to Overhaul PA Child Protection Laws
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