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:
The long awaited congressional reapportionment map was unveiled this afternoon at a joint informational meeting of the Senate and House State Government Committees. Based on the 2010 census Pennsylvania loses one congressional seat so the proposed map places Congressmen Jason Altmire (D-Allegheny) and Mark Critz (D-Cambria) into the same congressional district. However, at the hearing the proposed 7th congressional district was the most controversial. The current district consists of parts of Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties but under the new proposal it is expanded into parts of Lancaster and Berks Counties as well. The proposed plan is scheduled to be considered by the Senate State Government Committee tomorrow morning and by the full Senate by the end of the day. The House State Government Committee has scheduled a voting meeting on the proposal for Thursday morning. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: congressional reapportionment | Category: House State Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate State Government | 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 State Government Committee conducted a public hearing on House Bill 1200. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester), amends the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act to replace the current State Ethics Commission with a Public Integrity Commission which would “uncover and investigate public corruption within the Commonwealth.” Rep. Schroder along with several other testifiers spoke in support of the legislation. The State Ethics Commission provided the committee with suggested amendments to the statute to strengthen and improve the current statute. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: public corruption, Public Integrity Commission, State Ethics Commission | Category: House State Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House State Government Committee this morning moved two bills contained in the National Security Begins at Home legislative package. HB 856, which prohibits the smuggling of human beings, and SB 637, which requires contractors and subcontractors on public works projects to use the E-Verify to confirm employee eligibility, were both amended and passed out of committee. The two measures now await consideration by the full House. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the meeting. Posted by Mike | Tags: e-verify, Human trafficking, Illegal immigration | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The House State Government Committee moved forward a bill today that would add small businesses to the scope of the regulatory review process. The sponsor and proponents of the bill argued the intent of the legislation is to protect jobs. Democratic members questioned how “small business” is defined and whether the flex provisions of the bill will jeopardize health and safety. After much discussion and consideration of amendments and various motions, the bill was ultimately reported as committed along a party-line vote. Look for all the details later this afternoon in the Capitol Toolbox. Posted by Kim | Tags: jobs, regulatory review, small business | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The House State Government Committee held a public hearing this morning on two pieces of legislation – HB 361 and HB 888 – that would make English the official language of Pennsylvania. Organizations both for and against the measure spoke before committee members, offering divergent testimony on the potential costs and benefits of English as the official state language. Advocates for the two bills, which are sponsored by Representatives RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) and Scott Perry (R-York) respectively, contended there are economic and social benefits to having English as the official language of the Commonwealth. Suzanne Bibby, Director of Government Relations for ProEnglish, noted English-speaking workers earn considerably more than non-English speaking counterparts. She also cited strong preference for official language legislation in public opinion polls. Opponents to the legislation, including Anne O’Callaghan, Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, contended that immigrants to America already understand the importance of learning English, and warned passing official language legislation would have a chilling effect on Pennsylvania’s ability to attract international business. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: English, official language | Category: House State Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House State Government Committee continued what Chairman Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) called a “series of hearings” on the National Security Begins at Home legislative package designed to curb illegal immigration and enforce federal immigration laws in Pennsylvania. The committee again heard from organizations and individuals on both sides of the issue and Chairman Metcalfe noted a meeting will be scheduled to discuss and consider the package of bills once the House begins its fall session schedule. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for a full hearing recap. Posted by Jason | Tags: Illegal immigration | Category: House State Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
On a straight party line vote, the House State Government Committee reported, as amended, House Bill 934 which amends the Pennsylvania Election Code to require each voter to present proof of identification when he or she appears to vote at any election. The proof of identification must show a photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued and must have been issued by the United States or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Committee Republicans argued the bill will restore voters’ trust in the electoral process by preventing fraud while committee Democrats argued the legislation will suppress voter turnout, disenfranchise voters and will cost millions to implement. A series of amendments offered by the Committee Democrats were defeated on a party line vote. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Pennsylvania Election Code, Voter ID | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
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