Grassroots Lobbying Week in Review (August 29 – September 4, 2010) (No. 36)
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION SCHEDULE FOR September:
Senate: 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30
- Special Session (Senate): None
House: 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
- Special Session (House): None
Reminder: NATAT Meeting to Be Held September 15 – 17
There is still time to register for “America’s Town Meeting,” the annual gathering of the National Association of Towns and Townships in Washington, D.C. This convention is a great opportunity to meet with other local government officials from not just Pennsylvania, but states from all across the country. PSATS will be arranging meetings with your members of Congress, so the sooner you signup, the better. Click here for more information.
Announcement:
Governor Will Speak on Marcellus Shale Gas Severance Tax
As he did this week in Wellsboro, Gov. Rendell will be in Washington, PA next Tuesday (9/7) to drum up support for a severance tax on natural gas extracted from the Marcellus Shale formation. The Governor has in past called for a 50/50 split between the State and local governments, however, how much townships will get from that local share is still unknown.
The Governor understands that there are many issues affecting townships as a result of drilling activity in the Marcellus Shale formation, such as damage to roads, environmental concerns, social problems, and others. However, there are many groups and special interests that vehemently oppose this tax in general, let alone any assistance for local governments. Pennsylvania's townships, the communities that will bear the brunt of the gas drilling activity, must protect their interests and demand their fair share of this fee.
The Governor’s office has asked that township officials from the southwestern part of the State come to his announcement and show their support for the gas severance tax. It will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington County Courthouse. If you, or someone from your township, plan on attending, please respond back to this email. THANKS!
NOTABLE NEWS ITEMS FROM THIS WEEK:
Casino Foes and Advocates Engage in “Second Battle of Gettysburg”
Hundreds of individuals packed into the Cumberland Township Comfort Suites in Adams County for a hearing on a proposed casino to be located a half-mile from the Gettysburg National Military Park. Under state law, the Gaming Control Board must hold at least one hearing at the location of a proposed casino. These public vetting sessions usually last a couple hours, however, because interest in this particular project was so high with over 400 individuals and groups wishing to speak, the Board decided to have the hearing spread over two days.
Mason-Dixon Resorts, the group seeking the Gettysburg license, is one of four applicants vying for the state’s final Category 3 casino. Its competitors are Penn Harris Gaming, which seeks to operate a casino in suburban Harrisburg, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, and the Bushkill Group in the Poconos. Category 3 licenses are smaller than most other casinos in Pennsylvania in that they have fewer slot machines, table games, and a smaller licensing fee. In order to gamble, a patron must either be a guest at the resort's hotel or must spend at least $10 at its other amenities, such as restaurants.
Mason-Dixon project developer, local businessman David LeVan, provided an overview of the project which seeks to reinvigorate the ailing Eisenhower Hotel, create an estimated 375 jobs, and generate an estimated $96 million in economic activity each year. He said it would not affect the 6,000-acre battlefield park where 160,000 Americans fought a bloody battle over three days in the summer of 1863 during the Civil War. "This can be done right," LeVan told the Gaming Control Board in a video presentation he and associates introduced and narrated at Tuesday's hearing. "This will be done well." He also said that a number of towns and communities have shown that gambling and heritage tourism can coexist.
The Mason-Dixon casino project has the support of most local residents, many local government officials, the Adams County commissioners, and the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association. Association president Brendan Synnamon said that the unemployment rate in Adams County, the highest in many years, is a factor in his group’s support of the casino, but also is the fact that it is a smaller proposal in an already existing facility "without one square inch of battlefield or open space being developed.”
Carol Miller of “Families Who Support the Mason-Dixon Resort & Casino” said the casino would bring jobs close to home, draw in tax revenue, and ease the local tax burden on residents. "Our Adams County families need jobs, economic relief, and most of all, tax relief," Miller said
While casino supporters held an estimated 2-1 advantage at the hearing, anti-casino folks made their opinions known to the Board, focusing on the intangible, possible negative impact that the casino may have on the community.
"Living in Gettysburg is both a blessing and a responsibility," local resident Kristin Rice said. "The blessings are obvious…the responsibilities are sober and compelling." She told Gaming Control Board members that, "I know it's your duty to award this license, but please not here. ... Please give Gettysburg the reverence it's due. Hold it apart from the other [casino applicants] because of the blood that was spilled here."
“No Casino Gettysburg” leader Susan Star Paddock presented a video that included comments from Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter, Susan, saying, "A casino in Gettysburg is not a local issue. It's a national issue." The video also featured actors Matthew Broderick and Sam Waterston, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, historian David McCullough, and Medal of Honor winner Paul Bucha speaking against the casino.
Meanwhile, about 30 miles to the north, the Gaming Control Board also collected public comments about a proposal by Penn Harris Gaming to place an “RV World” resort casino at a Holiday Inn on Harrisburg’s West Shore. But if Monday’s public hearing is any indication, the residents of Hampden Township just outside of Mechanicsburg do not think much of the proposal.
“The casino is very simply unneeded, unwanted, and unqualified,” said Hampden Township resident John Greenleaf. He also referenced the existing Penn National Hollywood Casino located just to the east of Harrisburg. “There is a perfectly good casino 25 miles away,” he said. “One only has to stand in the parking lot [of the Holiday Inn West] to see the traffic problem…and it would be a stretch for anybody to classify it as a ‘resort hotel.’”
Developers of the $75 million project say it would create 300 jobs with an average annual salary of $40,000. Penn Harris attorney Michael Sklar said the proposal has the best location, the best site, and the best tourism market, and he projected the casino would generate $1.4 million for Hampden Township, $1.4 million for Cumberland County, $3.4 million for the state economic development fund, $8.1 million for the state racehorse development fund, and $23 million for the state gaming fund. “We do not think we’re going to cannibalize the existing market of Penn National.”
For more information on these hearings and the casino proposals, please visit the Gaming Control Board’s website, here. This article included information gleaned from the Harrisburg Patriot News, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
DEP, State Police Step-up Waste Hauler Inspections
According to an article in the Scranton Times Tribune, the State Police and DEP will increase funding for roadside inspections of waste haulers, including trash trucks and wastewater tankers involved in the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling industry, the agencies announced Wednesday. A memorandum signed by the agencies allows for DEP to reimburse the State Police up to $550,000 for the program through July 2011. The funding, from an account supported by fees, fines, and penalties paid by the waste-hauling industry, will allow the unannounced roadside inspections to run longer and more often, DEP spokesman Tom Rathbun said.
Between January and July, the inspections found that more than 40 percent of the large trucks serving the Marcellus Shale industry were operating in violation of state motor carrier safety rules - a violation rate 10 to 17 percentage points higher than the trucking industry's average national out-of-service violation rate since 2006, according to the DEP. A three-day inspection of Marcellus Shale wastewater haulers in June placed 250 commercial vehicles out of service, while 770 of more than 4,300 waste haulers inspected by the agencies in 2009 were placed out of service. Click here to read the Times Tribune article.
DEP Issues Stronger Warning to Drillers
Natural gas drilling companies should identify the chemicals they put into the ground, embrace a tax on production, and find ways to avoid simple mistakes, said DEP Secretary John Hanger on Tuesday. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review , with public confidence eroding, Hanger told industry officials at the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association's conference in Monroeville, "We have to have the vast majority of Pennsylvanians believing that this (gas industry) is a good thing -- or certainly not a bad thing -- for Pennsylvania.” The crowd of about 300 politely clapped when he finished.
Sec. Hanger said afterward that some companies seem to be "hard of hearing," but industry executives vowed to amplify his message to operators with violations. “If the DEP finds people who won't follow the rules, they should have their permits revoked, and they should go back where they came from," said J. Brett Harvey, CEO of Consol Energy Inc., who did not attend the meeting. "Everybody should step up and start doing it right."
Gas operators are damaging their reputations by refusing to say what chemicals they use in hydraulic fracturing, a process in which they send millions of gallons of water, sand, and additives into the ground, Hanger said. Consol, Range Resources, and a few others have started identifying the additives.
"A lot of very good people, reasonable people, don't accept the version that says, 'I'm not telling you what is in the mix that we're injecting down the well,' more or less, 'Trust us,' " Hanger said. "They're not buying that, and they're not ever going to buy it." Click here to read the Tribune Review article.
State Increases Effort to Collect Back Taxes
According the Harrisburg Patriot News, every week the State’s budget office reviews thousands of bills submitted for payment, but not every one of them is approved. On average, 353 of the 24,000 invoices processed weekly by that office get caught up in what is called the Contractor Responsibility Program filter. This is an effort the State has in place to delay or block payments of $5,000 or more to companies that owe the State government something, usually money or a tax return. It also flags contracts and grants issued to a company that owes back taxes, a Department of Revenue official said. It is part of the state’s ongoing — and increasingly more aggressive — effort to go after the three percent of individuals and companies in Pennsylvania owing back taxes
The department has engaged in new efforts to increase the amount of revenue that it collects. Earlier this year, the Tax Amnesty Program brought in $261 million in unpaid taxes. Since then, the department has dedicated more of its staff to its enforcement efforts.
And last week, it unveiled yet another weapon against delinquent taxpayers, posting their names on the department’s website. “By ‘naming names’ online, we hope to shame tax scofflaws into paying their fair share,” Revenue Secretary C. Daniel Hassell said. “We don’t like to have to embarrass taxpayers into complying with the law, but these tax delinquents leave us no choice.”
According to the Lehigh Valley Express Times, about half of all states use Internet lists to help collect unpaid taxes, including Delaware, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. The 39,000 individuals and businesses on the Pennsylvania list reportedly owe the Commonwealth $233 million in state taxes. Click here to read the Patriot News article and here to read the Express Times article.
More Unattended Children Left in Cars Outside of a Philadelphia Area Casino
A troubling trend is occurring at the Parx Casino in Bensalem. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, for the seventh time this year, a child was discovered left alone in a car outside of the casino. Bensalem Twp. police charged Alexander Salter, Jr., 60, of Trenton, NJ, with endangering the welfare of a child, his grandson. Ironically, this incident occurred just hours after state and local officials held a news conference in Bensalem to address ways of ending the recent epidemic of adults leaving children alone in the casino’s parking lot.
Bucks County Republican legislators, state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson and state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo were in Bensalem to announce their intention to draft legislation imposing tougher penalties on adults who endanger children in such a way. Currently under the Crimes Code, leaving a child in a car alone can constitute child endangerment, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The legislators are pushing to make it a third degree felony.
An incredulous Bensalem Twp. Public Safety Director Fred Harran said of the most recent incident, "No air was on…No keys in the car. No water.” He continued, "I don't understand it…[The recent incidents have] been all over the media. How people aren't wise to it…. 24 years I've been doing this job, I can't figure people out." Click here to read the Inquirer article.
Veon to Stand Trial for Fraud
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, former state Rep. Mike Veon (D-Beaver) and an aide are scheduled to stand trial Jan. 31 in Dauphin County Court on criminal charges of defrauding the nonprofit Beaver Initiative for Growth. Judge Bruce Bratton asked lawyers to submit motions Oct. 7. Taxpayers spent $10 million on BIG, the nonprofit corporation created to spur economic development. But prosecutors allege much of the money went to salaries, administrative costs, and payments to politically connected contractors. Veon, the former House Democratic whip, is serving 6 to 14 years for 13 felonies and one misdemeanor. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article.
Legislature Now Available on Your Cell Phone
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) announced the launch of a new website so that Pennsylvanians can access the General Assembly on their cell phones or portable communication devices. The new website, www.palegis.us is compatible with such mobile devices like iPhone, BlackBerry, and Droid. The legislature’s main site, www.legis.state.pa.us is still also in operation. So, you can now lookup bill numbers, contact information for legislators, and session schedules while you are on the road (NOT DRIVING, of course) and away from your computer.
Deputy Director of the Office of Open Records Dies
Barry Fox of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records died suddenly last weekend while on vacation with his family. Barry was instrumental in the creation and evolution of the Office, a position he accepted after serving as a reporter for the Harrisburg Patriot News for over two decades. He also provided tremendous assistance to PSATS and our members in learning the provisions of the new Open Records Law. He was 47 years old.
Election 2010 Corner
- - Both candidates for Governor made significant announcements this week concerning their priorities if elected Governor in two months. According to the Harrisburg Patriot News, GOP candidate Tom Corbett said that if he were elected Governor, he would make unpopular cuts in state services, even if it meant he would become the state’s first one-term governor in 40 years. “If I only serve one term, I only serve one term,” Corbett said Friday. “I think people want to see you cut – except their program.” Meanwhile, Democrat Dan Onorato at a press conference touted his support of a natural gas severance tax, drawing a sharp contrast between his position and that of Mr. Corbett, who, like with all taxes, opposes a tax on natural gas drilling. "Tom Corbett thinks these drillers should be allowed to police themselves; I do not,” Onorato said during an afternoon Capitol press conference. “Tom Corbett thinks taxpayers should foot the bill to clean up and protect the environment. I think the drillers should pay for it. “I’m running for governor to represent Pennsylvania’s taxpayers,” he said. “Tom Corbett is just representing the gas drillers.” The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll has Corbett leading Onorato by 15-percentage points (49%-34%).
- - Meanwhile, the WIR has been reporting that Pennsylvania Democrats may have much to be concerned about come November, but it appears that this concern is not just contained to the Keystone State. According to an article in U.S. News & World Report, the usually cautious head of the University of Virginia’s Center of Politics, Larry Sabato, has issued a shocking prediction. As part of his famous “Crystal Ball,” Prof. Sabato predicts that the GOP will gain control of the U.S. House and split the Senate with the Democrats, 50-50. In 2006, Sabato was named the most accurate prognosticator by FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Pew's Project for Excellence in Journalism. That year, he was also the only national analyst to correctly predict the exact Democratic gains in Senate and House contests.
- - Candidate for U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D) launched first attack ad this week against his rival for the Senate, Pat Toomey (R). According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the ad takes a populist approach, slamming Toomey “as a corporate champion” indifferent to the middle-class. “Former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey thinks corporations shouldn’t pay any taxes,” the ad says, using a clip from a 2007 CNBC telecast in which he advocated eliminating corporate taxes to help U.S. firms compete internationally and thus create more jobs. The same Reuters/Ipsos poll has Toomey leading Sestak by a 10-point margin (47%-37%) among likely voters.
- - The race in the Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District has taken on added significance as a potential "bellwether" case in predicating how the 2012 presidential election will shape out. The PA-7 race is pitting state Representative Bryan Lentz (D) against former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan (R) in the open southeast PA seat vacated by Congressman Sestak. Pundit Terry Madonna told the AP that voters in this election are most concerned about “debts, deficits, and spending,” leading some to believe that the fiscally conservative Meehan should hold an advantage. Lentz, however, is a formidable candidate with an impressive resume, which includes being an Iraq War veteran, an Army Ranger, and a prosecuting attorney.
- - The following state legislators have announced that they will not seek reelection this year: Sen. Robert Mellow (D-Lackawanna), Sen. Raphael Mustio (D-Luzerne), Sen. J. Barry Stout (D-Washington), Rep. Bob Belfanti (D-Northumberland), Rep. Mario Civera (R-Delaware), Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Union), Rep. Will Gabig (R-Cumberland), Rep. Rich Grucela (D-Northampton), Rep. Kathy Manderino (D-Philadelphia), Rep. Keith McCall (D-Carbon), Rep. Tony Melio (D-Bucks), Rep. Frank Oliver (D-Philadelphia), Rep. Merle Phillips (R-Northumberland), and Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster). Rep. Karen Beyer (R-Lehigh) was defeated in her primary. Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) is running for Congress, and Reps. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) and John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) are running for state Senate. Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) chose to run for Governor and Rep. Jim Wansacz (D-Lackawanna) chose to run for state Senate, but both were unsuccessful. While Reps. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler)(lost in primary) and Scott Conklin (D-Centre)(won in primary) ran for Lt. Governor, both are also simultaneously running to retain their House seats. NOTE: As of today, it is unknown whether Reps. Beyer, Rohrer, or Wansacz will wage write-in campaigns to attempt to retain their House seats.
*****Have anyone else in your township who would like to be a part of the Grassroots Lobbying Network and receive the Week in Review? Please respond back to this email so that we can add their names to our list (remember, there is no official obligation).*****
For your information:
The Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania also serves as President of the Pennsylvania Senate, just as the U.S. Vice President serves as President of the U.S. Senate. However, while the Vice President may cast a deciding tie-breaking vote on any matter, the Lt. Governor, in his role as Senate President, can only cast a tie-breaking vote in matters other than the final passage of a bill or joint resolution, the adoption of a conference report, or the concurrence in amendments made by the House of Representatives
Did You Know…
…that no fewer than 29 present-day Pennsylvania counties stem from the original 15,000 square miles that once constituted Northumberland County? Today, this “Mother of Counties,” only comprises 470 square miles in land area, about a 97 percent reduction.
County Spotlight
Northumberland County was created on March 21, 1772 from parts of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Bedford, and Northampton Counties. It probably was named for the English county of the same name. Sunbury, the county seat, was laid out in 1772, incorporated as a borough on March 24, 1797, and became a city in 1921. It was named for an English village near London. Northumberland County is perhaps most famous as a residence and the final resting place of the discoverer of oxygen, Joseph Priestley. Priestley was an 18th century English theologian, Dissenting clergyman, natural philosopher, educator, and political theorist who published over 150 works. In addition to his extensive scientific efforts, he wrote at length on politics, philosophy, and advocated for religious freedom. Due to some of his more radical beliefs, including support of the French Revolution, he was forced to flee England and relocate to the United States in 1794, settling in the Borough of Northumberland. He continued to write and conduct experiments until his death in 1804. Northumberland County has 36 municipalities (22 second class townships, 11 boroughs, one first class township, and two cities), of which Coal Township is the largest. The county’s population of 94,556 makes it a fifth class county and it is the 32nd most populous county in the Commonwealth. Three legislators (two representatives and one senator, two Republicans and one Democrat) have all or a portion of their districts within the county. It also has part of one congressional district. It is one of two “Northumberland Counties” in the U.S., the other being in Virginia. There are also two such-named counties in Canada (New Brunswick and Ontario) and one in Australia (New South Wales).
What’s in a Name?
Shamokin comes from the Saponi Algonquian word Shumounk, meaning "place of the horn. The original Saponi village of Shamokin was located near the current site of the Northumberland county seat, Sunbury.
MOVEMENT ON LEGISLATION OF INTEREST THIS WEEK (REGULAR SESSION):
- HB 2592 (Yudichak)(PN 3945): Would amend the Administrative Code to amend the definition of "campus police" to include all law enforcement personnel employed by a community college, or private college or university. "College" or "university" includes all community colleges, and all private colleges and universities. Last action: Public hearing held in the House Judiciary Committee (9/1/10)
- HB 2593 (Yudichak)(PN 3946): Would amend Title 22 (Detectives & Private Police), in private police, to authorize a nonprofit educational corporation that maintains any buildings or grounds in furtherance of higher education to apply to the court of common pleas of the county of the registered office of the corporation for the appointment of such persons as the corporation may designate to act as police officer for the corporation. Last action: Public hearing held in the House Judiciary Committee (9/1/10)
- HB 2619 (Preston)(PN 4012): Would amend Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 66 (Public Utilities) to provide for municipal aggregation of electric generation supply, provide definitions, and further provide for municipal intergovernmental cooperation. Last action: Public hearing held in the House Consumer Affairs Committee (8/31/10)
- HB 2677 (Daley)(PN 4165): The Small Disaster Assistance Act would provide state assistance to sufferers of natural or manmade disasters that do not qualify for federal assistance. Legislative policy is declared and definitions are provided. A small disaster assistance fund would be established to help sufferers of disasters acquire grants or low interest loans. Half of the money in the fund could be used to support federal disaster relief in the state. Sources for funding would be provided and the administration of the fund is detailed. The county emergency management director would be required to petition PEMA for a determination. Eligibility would be dependent on a person owning property in the flood plain, having flood insurance, and being in a small disaster, unless exempted. Qualifications for and repayment of low-interest loans, business loans, and hazard mitigation loans are provided. A municipality would be limited to a $5 million hazard mitigation grant per natural disaster. Last action: Introduced and referred to the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Management Committee (8/30/10)
- HB 2678 (Daley)(PN 4166): Would amend Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) to immunize counties or county tax claim bureaus from liability when they take property under tax sales or treasurer's sale on tax liens. Last action: Introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee (8/30/10)
- HB 2679 (Reed)(PN 4167): Would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) to allow a leave of absence for emergency responders from their day-to-day jobs. A responder could choose (but could not be forced) to use paid, sick, or vacation days before any such leave is necessary. Requirements for participating are given and notice to the responder's employer is detailed. An employer could continue to pay and supply benefits to the employee while on emergency responder duty. Last action: Introduced and referred to the House Labor Relations Committee (8/30/10)
- HB 2681 (Watson)(PN 4169): Would amend the Real Estate Tax Sale Law to provide a written warning regarding the payment of real estate taxes prior to a real estate tax sale. The language of the warning is provided. Last action: Introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee (8/30/10)
- HB 2683 (Conklin)(PN 4176): The Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response Act would require the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry to promulgate regulations regarding response teams who deal with emergencies at gas and oil wellsites not later than 18 months from the effective date of the act. The regulations would require the operator of the well, during the drilling phase or before the completion phase, to have one employee who is knowledgeable in responding to emergency situations and is employed and at the wellsite at all times and certified response team must be made available during the production phase as well as during the drilling phase or before the completion phase. The regulations would also provide the option for one well driller may make an emergency response team available or have a multi-employer composite response team responsible for several wellsites. The regulations would place enumerated time limits on when a driller must inform local and state emergency responders. Regulations would also require well operators to provide annual emergency response training to emergency first responders who are responsible for responding to emergencies at the wellsite and file an annual report stating that the well operator is in compliance with the provisions of this Act. Last action: Introduced and referred to the House Labor Relations Committee. (9/2/10)
- SB 1461 (Leach)(PN 2171): Would amend the Oil and Gas Act to mandate that the well permit must be kept at the wellsite during preparation of or construction of the wellsite or access road. The bill would also increase the footage of affected water supplies that must be listed in the application if affected to 2,500 feet of the proposed well location, and adds that the landowners, as well as political subdivisions, of the affected water supply would need to be informed if the well is operate or altered. A well operator could begin to prepare or construct the wellsite, access roads and to drill, alter, or operate the wellsite upon issuance of a well permit. A conservation district could inspect a wellsite on a quarterly basis for all earth disturbances associated with oil and gas operations and could revoke the permit if the application is found to have a material omission or defect. Would provide for well distances and water supplies. Data on fluid monitoring would be kept and stored by the well operator. The department would be required to give written notice of its decision to revoke a well operator's permit and the well must be plugged immediately. Local zoning ordinances under the Second Class City (Pittsburgh) Zoning Law would be preempted and superseded to the extent they deal with the operation of oil and gas well operations. Last action: Introduced and referred to the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee (9/1/10)
MOVEMENT ON LEGISLATION OF INTEREST THIS WEEK (SPECIAL SESSION):
- None
--(For PSATS official position, detailed analyses, and the up-to-date status of these bills and others, please contact, cadams@psats.org)--
The PSATS Capitol Hill Report on Selected Bills of Interest
A Look Ahead to Next Week
Committee Meetings of Interest to Townships
(All meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted, schedules are subject to change)
Tuesday, 9/7
- The House Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2629
Wednesday, 9/8
- The House Liquor Control Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2316 at the Independence Visitor Center, Philadelphia
- The House Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 1817
Thursday, 9/9
- The House Consumer Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2619
- The House Labor Relations Committee will hold a public hearing on HB 2585 at the Erie County Courthouse, Erie
- The Public Employee Retirement Commission will hold a meeting and legislative review on SB 566
PSATS-TRACKED BILLS ON THE CALENDARS NEXT WEEK:
REGULAR SESSION:
House: None
Senate: None
SPECIAL SESSION:
House: None
Senate: None
For more information, including past “Weeks in Review,” please visit the PSATS Grassroots website, http://grassroots.psats.org. Remember, your username is the first initial of your first name and your last name. The password is “townships.”
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