Harrisburg Happenings

A report on the Legislative Session week February 16, 2010
By Senator Bob Robbins
50th Senatorial District

Appropriations Committee wraps up first week of budget hearings

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently wrapped up its first week of public hearings on the state budget for the 2010-11 Fiscal Year. The Appropriations Committee heard detailed reports from several cabinet secretaries and other officials over the three-day period from February 16 through February 18.

Hearings held during the week included sessions with: the Department of Revenue/Governor's Budget Office; Department of General Services; Department of Labor and Industry; Department of Agriculture; Office of Attorney General; Insurance Department; public employee retirement systems; Department of State; and the Judiciary.

The Appropriations Committee's budget hearings continue over the next two weeks, February 22 through 25 and March 1 through 3.

Written summaries, audio and video, and live coverage of individual budget hearings are available at www.pasenategop.com

Legislation introduced to establish two-year budget cycle

Legislation was introduced this week to establish a two-year budget cycle in Pennsylvania as a way to promote greater efficiency and productivity in state government.

Senate Bill 1232 would reduce the time and resources necessary to enact a new budget each year and encourage the governor and the Legislature to incorporate long-term perspectives in budgeting. The plan would also allow for a more in-depth review of how state agencies spend taxpayer dollars.

The measure would help state agencies and other groups that rely on state funding to achieve long-term planning goals by creating more predictability in the budget process. The proposed legislation would require an amendment to the state Constitution. To become law, the bill would have to pass in two consecutive two-year legislative sessions before going before the voters for final approval via referendum.

Governor signs new law to combat methamphetamine labs

The Governor signed legislation on Wednesday to toughen penalties for those possessing ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine and operating a methamphetamine laboratory. Act 8 of 2010, which I co-sponsored, also provides that those convicted of operating meth labs are also responsible for environmental clean-up costs associated with the labs.

Act 8 amends the Controlled Substances Act to provide for the specific offenses of possessing ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine and operating a methamphetamine laboratory. It also increases penalties if the lab is operated near a school, day care center or playground. The new law further provides for defendants to be assessed the environmental clean-up costs associated with methamphetamine laboratories.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322