Harrisburg Happenings

A report on the Legislative Session week June 21, 2010
By Senator Bob Robbins
50th Senatorial District

Senate Approves Bill Giving Communities a Share of Air Pollution Fines

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday that would send a percentage of fine money collected for violations of Pennsylvania's Clean Air Act to local communities for environmental projects.

Currently, all collected fines go to Harrisburg. Senate Bill 1250 would allow communities to receive 25 percent of the revenue for local projects designed to reduce air pollution, improve parks and trails, or preserve open space. SB 1250 would also require the state Department of Environmental Protection to notify the municipality in which a violation occurs within five business days after the penalty is final.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Measure Addressing College Books Costs Headed to House

The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Wednesday intended to ease the financial burden on college students. Senate Bill 929, also known as the College Textbook Affordability, Accountability and Accessibility Act, would require that all Pennsylvania colleges implement policies and guidelines to minimize the cost of textbooks.

The bill authorizes institutions to establish textbook rental programs and accept federal and private funding to support the programs. SB 929 also prohibits schools from limiting the faculty’s right to select textbooks and permits fines to be charged when books are returned late, lost or damaged. In addition, SB 929 requires publishers make college textbooks available for sale in an electronic format when commercially reasonable not later than January 1, 2020.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Bill Honors Fallen State Troopers

Legislation that would designate I-84 from Lackawanna County to the New York state line as the "Fallen Trooper Memorial Highway” was unanimously approved by the Senate on Tuesday and is now before the House Transportation Committee for consideration.

Senate Bill 1320 honors the 93 Pennsylvania State Police troopers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the safety and security of the Commonwealth. The measure is supported by both the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. The State Police, created by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905, became the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States and a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation.

Local Government Commission 75th Anniversary Honored

On Monday, the Senate unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 357, a measure I introduced commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission. I have been fortunate to serve on the Commission since 1994 and have served as Chairman for about seven years. During this time I have had the opportunity to see the extensive amount and wide variety of work it handles.

Created in 1935, the Local Government Commission is one of the oldest agencies of its kind in the United States. The Commission is comprised of five Senators and five House Members, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House, respectively.

It is a bipartisan legislative service agency affording research assistance to the General Assembly and to individual legislators as well. The Commission holds quarterly meetings to provide a forum at which state-wide local government associations can present their concerns, possible amendments to municipal codes, and other legislative proposals which they deem important to local government.

Committee Approves Audit of Methadone Treatment Costs

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee endorsed and recommended Senate approval of legislation authorizing a performance audit of the state's methadone treatment and medical assistance transportation programs.

Senate Resolution 348 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study and report on methadone treatment and transportation costs. Taxpayers spend more than $40 million in medical assistance costs for methadone treatment, in addition to covering the high cost of transporting individuals to methadone clinics. The cost can be up to $1,600 per week for just one person.

The audit will study the annual cost and effectiveness of methadone treatment programs. It will also analyze costs and possible reforms of the Medical Assistance Transportation Program. This program reimburses those with private vehicles at a rate of 25 cents-per-mile or provides rides in vans and taxis. Unfortunately, the program exhibits little accountability regarding the most cost-effective mode of transportation to the clinic.

Senate Bill 621 now goes to the House for consideration.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322