By a vote of 16 to 8, the House State Government Committee reported out House Bill 153 which would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to reduce the number of House districts from 203 to 153 after the 2020 census. Proponents argued that the legislation will lead to more efficient government, sets a good example for the other branches of government to “do more with less”, and lead to more accountability. Opponents expressed concern with the impact on rural areas and constituent service, the fact the reduction does not apply to the Senate, and there is no guarantee the reduction will reduce costs. The legislation will go to the House floor for further action. In order to take effect, the legislation will have to be approved by two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then be placed on the ballot for approval by a majority of voters. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Posted by Jeff | Tags: constitutional amendment, reducing the size of the General Assembly | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
On a straight party-line vote, the House State Government Committee voted to report as committed SB 1249 which provides the boundaries for Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts. An attempt by the committee Democrats to postpone a committee vote until Monday failed on a party-line vote. The proposed 7th congressional district and the changes in the districts in the Lehigh Valley were the main areas of contention during the lengthy meeting which was interrupted by a power outage in the Capitol Complex. The legislation will now go to the House floor for further consideration. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: congressional reapportionment | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
By a 6-5 vote, the members of the Senate State Government Committee reported as amended SB 1249 which draws the boundaries for Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts. The lines for the 7th congressional district in southeast Pennsylvania continues to cause the most controversy. Voting in favor of reporting the legislation were Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks), Jake Corman (R-Centre), John Pippy (R-Allegheny), Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and Donald White (R-Indiana). Voting against reporting the bill were Minority Chairman Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) and Senators Michael Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester), Michael Folmer (R-Lebanon) and LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia). The Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on the bill later today and then it will be voted on by the full Senate. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: congressional reapportionment | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale impact fee bill, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee today, set for a final vote in that chamber. The bill, cleared the committee after Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) failed to amend the measure. Committee Majority Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre) speculated the bill will likely end up in conference committee after it passes the Senate as the House and Gov. Tom Corbett have yet to agree on the language the Senate had previously amended into the bill. Check the Around the Capital section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: conference committee, impact fee, marcellus shale | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Gaming Oversight Committee this morning approved SB444, legislation amending the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act. The bill was itself amended in committee, incorporating a variety of negotiated changes. Chairman Curt Schroder (R-Chester) said moving the senate bill gives the legislature another opportunity to push forward with small games of chance, along with HB 169 which is currently in the Senate. He advised he is meeting with Senate officials to determine the best way forward before that chamber adjourns for the year. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: small games of chance | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Gaming Oversight | Comments are closed | Share:
By a 6 to 5 vote, the Senate State Government Committee reported as amended House Bill 934. Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) joined the four committee Democrats in voting against reporting the bill out of committee. The committee voted to adopt an amendment offered by Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks) which he said addressed some of the concerns raised in the State House. He also said he has been working with members of the House and the Corbett Administration on the legislation. In other actions, the committee voted unanimously to report favorably on the nomination of Dr. John Stevens to the State Civil Service Commission and to report as committed Senate Bill 1089, legislation amending the Election Code dealing with the listing of candidates on the ballots in the city of Philadelphia. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: ballots, State Civil Service Commission, Voter ID | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate State Government Committee voted unanimously to report as committed S.B. 1249 which apportions the Commonwealth into 18 congressional districts based on the 2010 census. In its current form, the legislation does not yet provide descriptions of the districts. Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks) explained that the purpose of reporting the bill was to begin the legislative process. He said he intends to hold an informational meeting on the congressional reapportionment plan early next week followed by voting meeting shortly thereafter. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: congressional reapportionment | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee today reported as amended House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale bill that had passed the House. The committee approved an amendment offered by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) which removed the language in the bill and inserted the language from Senate Bill 1100 which the Senate approved last month. The legislation will now go to the floor for further action as negotiations on the bill continue. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: environmental safety, impact fees, local government initiatives, local ordinances, marcellus shale, state government initiatives | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The House State Government Committee had another contentious meeting as it reported as amended Senate Bill 9, the Proof of Citizenship for Receipt of Public Benefits Act on a straight party line vote with committee Republicans voting “Yes” and committee Democrats voting “No”. The legislation, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson), requires identification of lawful presence in the United States as a prerequisite to the receipt of public benefits. A series of amendments offered by Minority Chairman Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) were rejected on straight party line votes as well as a motion to re-refer the bill to the Human Services Committee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: illegal aliens, proof of citizenship, public benefits | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Health Committee this morning approved three pieces of legislation which now move to the House Floor for consideration. SB 349, which provides for the licensure of tanning salons, was amended and reported out of committee, despite concern by some members over funding levels and non-mandatory inspections. HB 1960, which would extend the ability for medically or technologically dependent children to access services by a pediatric extended care facility up to the age of 21, was reported unanimously. HB 1977, which prohibits health plans offered through a health insurance exchange from including abortion coverage, expect in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother’s life is in danger, was approved with Rep. Ken Smith (D-Lackawanna) joining Republicans in supporting the measure. Chairman Matt Baker (R-Tioga) pointed out to members that the bill makes use of an opt-out provision for abortion coverage provided in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and allows insurers to offer abortion coverage as a separate product. Check the Capitol Toolbox later in the day for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: abortion, Health Care, tanning | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Health | Comments are closed | Share:
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