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Dear Friend, Happy New Year! I am pleased to send you this edition of my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 41st Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving postage costs. If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.senatordonwhite.com for more information about your state government. You can also keep up to date through www.facebook.com/senatordonwhite. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. Sincerely, Don White Highmark-UPMC extension represents a good step forward I am pleased that Highmark and UPMC have agreed on a one-year extension of the hospital services contracts that were set to expire on June 30. This is certainly a step in the right direction and I hope it will ultimately result in a resolution of the impasse between these organizations. That being said, I remain committed to working to protect the rights and ease the peace of mind of the people of western Pennsylvania who are insured by Highmark and rely on services from UPMC. That is a commitment that is shared with many of my colleagues in the Legislature. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and as such make appropriate changes – if necessary –to Senate Bill 1358, a bill I jointly sponsored with Senator Jay Costa, to give the State Insurance Commissioner greater authority to further extend the terms of the existing contract between Highmark and UPMC. 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show set for January 7 -14 The 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show is set to run in Harrisburg from January 7 through 14. The eight-day show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center will feature 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. Billed as the largest indoor agricultural event in the country, an estimated 400,000 people are expected to attend this year's edition. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs January 7 - 13 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and January 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessed from nearby Interstate 81. For a complete schedule of Farm Show events visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us and select the tab for "2012 Show." DEP accepting applications for Governor's Environmental Excellence Award The Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging environmentally-conscious businesses and organizations to apply for the 2012 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award. The award is open to any business, government agency, educational institution, individual or farm that has created or participated in the development of a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development. Eligible projects include environmental technology innovation, clean energy innovation, pollution prevention and resource efficiency, community revitalization, environmental education or outreach, watershed stewardship, and mine safety, among others. Projects will be evaluated based on applicants' demonstration of how their project will protect the environment, teamwork, public service, environmental education and outreach, pollution prevention, economic impact - including potential job creation, and the use of innovation technology. The project must have been completed between Aug. 1, 2010, and July 31, 2011. Applications for the award can be accessed at www.dep.state.pa.us under the "Public Participation" tab by clicking the link "Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence." Projects should be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 30 via email to RA-EPgovenviroawards@pa.gov. For assistance with completing the application, please call (717) 783-8727. State adopts new driver's license security features Pennsylvania recently became the first state in the nation to adopt new security features for driver's licenses and state-issued identification cards. This new security feature adds an important layer of protection to prevent dangerous crimes such as identity theft and underage drinking. The new feature suppresses the "rainbow" colors of the security hologram, resulting in a hologram that appears to switch between white and black as the image is moved. The new image is also a higher resolution, making it clearly visible in dim light. The new security feature will be added when licenses and state ID cards are renewed, so there is no need for state residents to take immediate action to have the new security feature added. More information is available online at www.dmv.state.pa.us. Information session on Marcellus Shale job training program set for Jan. 18 An information session about a three-week training program in February to prepare students for entry-level positions in the Marcellus Shale drilling industry is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 18 at the PA CareerLink® Indiana County office at 300 Indian Springs Road, Indiana. The training program will be held at the Butler County Community College Main Campus from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from February 6 through 24. The class size is limited to 17 students. For more information contact the PA CareerLink® Indiana County office at (724) 471-7220. Trout in the Classroom grant applications now being accepted The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited is accepting Trout in the Classroom grant applications until Feb. 24, for the 2012-2013 school year. The Trout in the Classroom program allows students in grades 3 through 12 to learn about coldwater conservation while raising brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom aquarium. All classrooms end the year by releasing their trout into a state approved waterway. Grant applications are available for the following:
Grant applications and additional program information are available on the Trout in the Classroom website at www.patroutintheclassroom.org. Looking back at Senate actions during 2011 A new year is now here and that means we are entering the second half of the 2011-12 Legislative Session. Before moving on, I'd like to recap the actions of 2011 – which included Senate passage of a number of important bills: Helping taxpayers, improving government Act 56 of 2011 Increases the maximum penalty for violations of the state Sunshine Law and bars an agency from making a payment on behalf of a government official for violating the act. Act 60 of 2011 requires that any state agency seeking to implement a regulation describe the data upon which the regulation is based as well as a detailed explanation of how the data was obtained and why it is acceptable. Act 84 of 2011, Act 85 of 2011, Act 86 of 2011, Act 87 of 2011, Act 88 of 2011, Act 89 of 2011, Act 91 of 2011, Act 92 of 2011, Act 93 of 2011, Act 94 of 2011, Act 95 of 2011, Act 96 of 2011, Act 97 of 2011 reduce costs to taxpayers by raising the level at which counties, local governments and school districts must go through the formal bidding process. (I co-sponsored several of those bills.) Senate Bill 9 ensures illegal aliens who live in Pennsylvania are not receiving public benefits such as Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 105 directs the Independent Fiscal Office to create and maintain a searchable, database-driven budget website that the public can access. (House version signed into law as Act 18 of 2011.) (I was a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 109 requires all paid advertising by state government to include the statement "Paid for with Pennsylvania Taxpayer Dollars." (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 162 requires state and local government agencies to notify the public of data breaches involving personal information within one week. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 354 protects privacy by prohibiting the Governor, the Department of Transportation or any other Commonwealth agency from participating in the Real ID Act of 2005 or any regulations promulgated under the Act. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Working to create, protect jobs
Act 17 of 2011 restores fairness to the judicial system and prevents lawsuit abuse by reforming the practice of joint and several liability so that defendants are responsible for paying only their share of damages in a civil case. Act 27 of 2011 extends the sunset provisions of the First Industries Program to July 15, 2015, assisting with the financing of economic development projects primarily related to agriculture and tourism. Act 65 of 2011 authorizes licensed motorcycle dealers to sell motorcycles on Sundays, giving Pennsylvania motorcycle dealers a level playing field with neighboring states. Act 67 of 2011 permanently establishes the Industry Partnerships Program as part of the state's workforce development strategy, bringing together businesses and organizations within an industry to address common workforce needs. (I co-sponsored the bill as Senate Bill 552.) Senate Bill 344 establishes Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), contractual agreements that allow for greater private sector participation in the delivery and financing of transportation needs and improvements. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 637 requires all contractors and subcontractors in publically funded projects to verify via the national E-Verify system that their employees are legally permitted to work in Pennsylvania. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 1297 establishes a low-interest loan program for small businesses damaged by flooding. Keeping our communities safe, protecting citizens Act 7 of 2011 bans synthetically produced drugs, including concentrated bath salts, designed to mimic the effects of other drugs. Senate Bill 273 strengthens the Castle Doctrine by removing the "duty to retreat" clause when an individual is threatened by an attacker in any place that individual has a right to be, including home or vehicle. (House version enacted as Act 10 of 2011.) (I was a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 58 allows a victim of sexual assault who has not sought criminal charges to petition a court to order protection from the offender. Senate Bill 539 increases penalties for those driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle to $1,000 and 100 hours of community service for first offense, $2,500 and six months imprisonment for a second offense and two years imprisonment for subsequent offenses. Senate Bill 775 requires individuals arrested for serious crimes to submit DNA samples and authorizes a new type of DNA search to help identify suspects in unsolved crimes. Improving education, Pennsylvania's schools Act 25 of 2011 reduces the number of exceptions school districts can request when seeking to raise taxes above the inflation index without a voter referendum. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill as Senate Bill 330.) Senate Bill 224 places a lifetime employment ban in schools for those who have been convicted of serious violent offenses, and a 10-year ban for any other felony crime. (Enacted in School Code, Act 24 of 2011.) Senate Bill 343 restricts the state Department of Education to collecting only information identifying individual college students when specifically required by law, and requires it to describe in detail its legal authority to collect the information and allow students to opt-out from the system. (Enacted in School Code, Act 24 of 2011.) (I co-sponsored the bill.) Senate Bill 858 gives districts the option to hire superintendents who have a graduate degree in business or finance. (Enacted in School Code, Act 24 of 2011.) (I co-sponsored the bill.) Senate Bill 1 creates an opportunity scholarship program for students in low-achieving schools and includes several provisions to improve accountability and expand development of charter schools and cyber charter schools. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Military, veterans issues Senate Bill 264 provides for honor guard burial details at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. (House version enacted as Act 38 of 2011.) Act 64 of 2011 allows all Commonwealth hunting license-issuing agents to sell reduced-fee hunting licenses to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Pennsylvania National Guard. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill as Senate Bill 387.) Act 76 of 2011 requires that at least one member of the State Civil Service Commission be a military veteran to ensure compliance with required hiring practices such as "Veterans' Preference." Regulating Marcellus Shale, protecting the environment Act 2 of 2011 establishes adequate and safe spacing between natural gas well clusters and workable coal seams. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill as Senate Bill 265.) Act 57 of 2011 provides one-quarter of any fine under the state Clean Air Act above $50,000 to the municipality in which the violation occurred for local projects designed to reduce air pollution, to improve parks and trails, or to create open space. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill as Senate Bill 151.) Act 61 of 2011 requires state agencies which receive funding under the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Act (Key '93) to submit annual reports to the governor and General Assembly - including a description of projects, their locations and amounts requested - and post the information online. (I was a co-sponsor of the bill as Senate Bill 302.) Senate Bill 303 requires the Department of Environmental Protection to deposit any Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act-related fine money into the HSCA Fund, which is used to clean up hazardous sites. Civil penalties under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act - up to $25,000 per offense - could not be used to supplant other funds within DEP. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 304 requires the state Department of Environmental Protection to post and maintain all clean air State Implementation Plans on its website, and to provide the same to the standing Senate and House oversight committees. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 325 creates a statewide registry for Class 1 Marcellus Shale pipelines and requires operators to report the location and aggregate miles of the pipeline to the Public Utility Commission, which is given authority to conduct safety inspections and investigations. Senate Bill 367 provides new options for the leasing of state-owned real property for mining or removal of valuable coal, oil, natural gas, coal bed methane, limestone and mineral resources. (I am the prime sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 460 requires natural gas producing companies to list production detail and all deductions on royalty check stubs. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 469 encourages landowners to make land and water areas available to the public for recreational purposes by limiting their liability. Senate Bill 995 requires Marcellus Shale well operators to post signs bearing their GPS coordinates and other emergency response information at all well sites and share those coordinates with appropriate state and local officials. Senate Bill 1100 establishes reasonable fees on gas drillers, sets strong environmental safeguards, and strengthens oversight of the Marcellus Shale drilling industry. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Promoting Pennsylvania's Farms, agriculture Act 78 of 2011 creates the Pennsylvania Preferred Act to better promote PA agricultural commodities. Senate Bill 390 would allow for the transportation of wider equipment on Pennsylvania roads and permit farm equipment transportation at night if proper safety precautions are taken. Senate Bill 1323 provides interest rate assistance and loan guarantees to assist farmers in recovering from natural disasters. Caring for children and families Act 9 of 2011 allows a licensed hunter with an antlered deer permit to give the permit to a young hunter who is participating in a mentored youth hunting program. (I am a co-sponsor of the measure as Senate Bill 274.) Act 101 of 2011 increases awareness and prevention of traumatic head injuries among Pennsylvania's scholastic athletes. Act 111 of 2011 brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act and ensures the Commonwealth meets national standards to strengthen sex offender registration and notification. Senate Bill 227 requires all family day care providers in Pennsylvania to have liability insurance as a condition of their state certification. Senate Resolution 250 creates the Task Force on Children Protection to conduct a sweeping review of Pennsylvania laws and procedures governing child protection and the reporting of child abuse. (I am a co-sponsor of the Resolution.) Senate Bill 349 improves safety at tanning salons and requires parental consent for minors. Health care legislation Act 59 of 2011 makes HIV testing a routine part of general medical care as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Act 121 of 2011 requires that individuals receiving methadone treatment services through the Medical Assistance Transportation Program receive treatment at the clinic closest to their residence. (I was a co-sponsor of the measure as Senate Bill 638.) Act 134 of 2011 gives the Pennsylvania Insurance Department greater authority to review and disapprove rate increases in the small group market. (I was the prime sponsor of this measure as Senate Bill 1336.) Senate Bill 3 extends Pennsylvania's prohibition on using public funding for elective abortions to the proposed new insurance system created by the federal health care law. (I am the prime sponsor of the bill.) Senate Bill 5 creates the Community-Based Health Care Program in the Department of Health to provide grants to community-based health care clinics. (I am a co-sponsor of the bill.) Mark your calendar I will have a table with information about state services and programs at
the
Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Expo set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Saturday, January 28, at the
Indiana Mall.
My staff will be on hand to provide information dealing with state government
and its agencies. Official state transportation maps, PACE applications and
Pennsylvania coloring books for the kids are among the free brochures and
handouts that will be available. |
Offices 286 Main Capitol
Indiana
Kittanning
Murrysville | ||
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