pamatters.com

Bill Would Bar Teens from Tanning Beds

June 1, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Pennsylvania teenagers would essentially be barred from tanning beds, under legislation that’s being debated in the State House Judiciary Committee. “What the bill would do is prevent any business from allowing persons under the age of 18 from using an indoor tanning bed,” said State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) at a Wednesday news conference. Swanger cites research published last year in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention: “People who have ever used tanning beds were 74% more likely to develop melanoma than others.”

Earlier Wednesday, the State House Judiciary Committee heard a variety of testimony on Swanger’s bill. Dr. Gavin Robertson from the Penn State Hershey Medical Center testified that the World Health Organization recommends completely banning tanning beds for kids under the age of 18, and classifying UV as a class one carcinogen. In her own testimony, Swanger pointed out that she wants to amend the bill to make the penalties civil, not criminal. “Violators should be fined and at some point lose their license, but I don’t intend for anyone to go to jail for such a violation.”

Swanger’s bill would not stop teens from tanning, according to Joe Schuster from the Indoor Tanning Association, and industry trade group. “It’ll send them outdoors into an uncontrolled environment with no supervision, no trained staff, no parental consent required, where they’re more likely to be overexposed or sunburned,” Schuster testified. He argued that tanning beds are no more or less harmful than the sun. “Are you also prepared to ban these same teens from sun exposure at beaches at the various state parks and thousands of other pools, playgrounds and parks throughout the state of Pennsylvania?”

HB 369 currently awaits action in the Judiciary Committee, but it may get assigned to a different standing committee depending on the changes that Swanger wants to make to its penalties.

Another Good Revenue Month for PA

June 1, 2011/1 Comment/in News /by PAMatters

May’s tax receipts have been tallied, and the Department of Revenue reports that collections exceeded estimates by nearly $34-million, or 1.9%. That means Pennsylvania’s revenues are outpacing estimates by a total of $539-million through 11-months of the fiscal year. “It just points out once again how bad the Republican budget that was passed last month actually is,” says Bill Patton, a spokesman for House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny). A GOP-backed, $27.3-billion dollar budget bill passed the House last month with zero Democratic support. It would not have used any of the current fiscal year’s excess revenue. “We should use a good bit of this surplus revenue to restore cuts that were made in the House Republican budget, and we think we can do that in the month of June,” Patton tells us.

The notion of tapping into that money is a bipartisan one over in the Senate. “We have proposed using some of the revenue surplus that exists to help soften the impact of cuts in the education area, cuts to hospitals,” says Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson. “This gives us continued reason to think that it can be done in a fiscally responsible way.” However, Arneson cautions that while the economy appears to be recovering, there are still “some serious soft spots.”

Looking at how the state’s major revenue sources fared in May: sales taxes and corporation tax receipts were above estimate. Personal income tax revenue was below estimate for the month, but still 2.1% above estimate for the fiscal-year-to-date. In an email to his colleagues, Wednesday, House Democratic Appropriations Chair Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) pointed out that May is one of the smallest revenue collection months. He suggests that further surplus could be posted in June, which is a more significant month for state revenues. Both the House and Senate are in recess until June 6^th, but state budget matters will get top billing between then and the June 30^th budget deadline.

Sate Capitol View from Commonwealth Ave.

New Debut Date for “Ask the Governor”

June 1, 2011/in News /by Brad Christman

Governor Tom Corbett is scheduled to make his debut appearance on “Ask the Governor” on Thursday, June 9th. Video segments of the program will be available on PAMatters.com starting that day and the program is also airing on radio stations statewide through the Radio Pennsylvania Network.

Visit our “Ask the Governor” page to submit a question or comment for Governor Tom Corbett, then check back regularly for program video and announcements of future show dates.

“Ask the Governor” is a production of Radio Pennsylvania in association with PAMatters.com.

Senator Pat Toomey Meets with Israeli Prime Minister

June 1, 2011/in News /by Brad Christman

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Middle East swing with fellow U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). The conversation focused on several key issues facing Israel and the United States, including the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, the ongoing Middle East peace process and US-Israeli cooperation on military and intelligence matters.

Calling Israel America’s greatest ally in the Middle East, Senator Toomey pledged to work toward advancing joint national security interests and pursuing a realistic peace agreement that “does not compromise Israel’s security.”

Tuesday’s meeting took place in Jerusalem.

Just last week, Toomey criticized President Barack Obama’s speech, in which the President called for a peace deal based on Israel’s pre-1967 borders. Toomey says the proposal “undermines our ally Israel’s negotiating position, demonstrates insensitivity to the security threats Israel faces on a daily basis and ignores the historical context that has shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for more than 60 years.”

Hurricane Season is Here, Are You Prepared?

June 1, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

It’s expected to be an above normal Atlantic Hurricane season according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Today (June 1^st) marks the start of the season.

Lead seasonal forecaster Dr. Gerry Bell says they’re expecting 12 to 18 named storms, 6 to 10 of them hurricanes, with 3 to 6 storms expected to reach Category 3 or larger. He says the prediction is based on overall wind and air pressure patterns and warmer sea surface temperatures where storms often develop.

Dr. Bell says whether you live along the coast or inland, now is the time to prepare for Hurricane season. He says hurricanes can track well inland, producing flooding, tornadoes and wind damage. He says people can be impacted well away from the coast.

Dr. Bell says vacationers who frequent the coast during hurricane season, and boaters who dock their craft along the coast, should take extra steps. Boat owners should check their insurance policies and make sure they have someone who can get their boat to safe harbor if a storm approaches.

You can learn more about preparedness at ready.gov or www.nhc.noaa.gov.

PA Lawmakers Seek New Offices

June 1, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

A half-dozen State Reps. won primary elections for various local offices, last month, and will appear on the November ballot. For instance, Republican Doug Reichley is on the ballot for a judicial post in Lehigh County. Discussing the large number of lawmakers who may bolt Harrisburg, Reichley says it comes and goes in cycles. “I think there were just two members in the ’09 elections that ran, so I think it is coincidence this year with the number of members who are running for other elected offices.”

Reichley has served the residents of Lehigh and Berks Counties since he was first elected to the House in 2002, and admits he would appreciate a chance to serve closer to home. “The amount of time away from home that is required by the job – both to be in Harrisburg and to be doing events in the district – really does take a toll on your family life,” said Reichley, who has two children at home.

Also on the November ballot is Democrat Josh Shapiro, who’s campaigning for Montgomery County Commissioner. He calls the opportunity too much to pass up. “For me it was about helping people in a more direct way, about having the opportunity to affect more lives than I do now in a positive way,” Shapiro says. He’s also drawn to the executive role of a county commissioner.

Six State Reps in all could be voted into new jobs this fall: four Democrats and two Republicans. Republican Dennis O’Brien and Democrat Kenyatta Johnson are each eying seats on Philadelphia City Council. O’Brien, of course, served as Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2008. Special elections would be called next year to fill any vacant seats.

Committee Gives Green Light to Octane Testing Bill

May 31, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Alaska, Nebraska and Pennsylvania are the last three states without required tests for octane levels at their gas pumps. “Just recently Maryland who passed the legislation did a study, and they found substantial variations in the testing,” says State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, the prime sponsor of SB 341. Greenleaf’s legislation would require the Department of Agriculture to randomly test for octane levels in gasoline. It has the support of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation.

Executive director of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation Ted Leonard points out that a gallon of regular gas averages about $3.80 in Pennsylvania (as of Tuesday afternoon). “Given that high price of gasoline, consumers should be assured that they’re getting what they’re paying for,” he tells us. Different engines are built to run on different octane levels, and the problem is that you may be paying for 93-octane, but receiving 87. While the 87 may cost $3.80, Leonard says premium gasoline is averaging $4.06 in the Keystone State. While Leonard does not believe discrepancies are widespread, he points out that motorists could take a double hit: “You’re not getting what you pay for and secondly damaged engines and fuel gauges… can be expensive repairs.”

The state Department of Agriculture currently tests gas pumps to ensure that you’re getting the gallon you paid for. We’re not assured of the composition of that gallon of gas. Sen. Greenleaf says SB 341 with give the Department of Ag the authority to implement and enforce the law. He believes random testing will control costs while providing piece of mind. The bill was unanimously voted out of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee last week. Up next is the Senate floor.

Pennsylvania State Police Investigate More Crashes, Fewer Fatalities This Memorial Day Weekend

May 31, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Pennsylvania State Police handled more crash investigations this Memorial Day Weekend than last but there were fewer fatalities. 13 people were killed in the 808 crashes investigated by State Police over the holiday weekend, compared to 16 deaths in 776 crashes during the 2010 Memorial Day weekend. Five of those killed were not wearing seatbelts one fatal crash was alcohol-related. Last year, none of the 16 victims wore a seatbelt and two of the fatal crashes were alcohol-related.

While the number of fatalities this year was below the 2010 Memorial Day holiday, it was still higher than the 2009 holiday weekend, when nine people died in crashes investigated by state troopers. In addition, a total of 83 accidents this Memorial Day weekend are believed to be alcohol-related, compared to 70 last Memorial Day weekend.

State Police spokesman Jack Lewis says troopers arrested 357 motorists for driving under the influence; issued 7,934 speeding citations; cited 708 individuals for not wearing seat belts; and issued 115 citations to motorists for not securing children in child safety seats. The special enforcement period did not end with the holiday weekend. State Troopers are still in the midst of a Click it or Ticket campaign. They’ll be paying special attention to see if drivers are following the seatbelt law and children are properly restrained through June 5^th.

House Committee Wants to Study PA Lottery

May 31, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

The State House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee has unanimously signed off on a comprehensive study of the Pennsylvania Lottery. “I think it’s going to bring out a number of factors that we really need to consider, because we know that the Lottery system really does provide a lot of revenue for programs that benefit senior citizens,” says State Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean), the prime sponsor of HR 106. Causer spoke briefly to the committee, last week, before his legislation was brought up for a vote. The study would be conducted by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, and officials say the cost would be minimal.

The Pennsylvania Lottery’s contribution to programs and services that benefit older Pennsylvanians is anything but minimal. “The Lottery, over the course of its existence, has contributed over $19-billion dollars to funding for senior programs,” says State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester), chairman of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. Since the last study of the Pennsylvania Lottery was conducted in 1994, Hennessey thinks HR 106 is a good idea: “To see in a sense how solvent it is and what it looks like going forward.”

The largest program supported by the Lottery Fund is the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, which was expanded with the advent of casino gaming in 2006. PACE is the second biggest program paid for with dollars from the Lottery Fund; it provides prescription drug benefits to older Pennsylvanians. According to a financial statement contained in Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, the Lottery Fund is expected to begin the new fiscal year with a balance of $133-million dollars. It also projects $3.14-billion dollars in gross ticket sales, which is up slightly from the current year.

Rep. Causer told the committee that budgetary factors have changed since 1994, and casino gaming has been introduced, so it’s time to re-do the study. Up next for HR 106 is the House floor.

PA Veterans Can Qualify for Benefits

May 30, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Memorial Day is a time for all Americans to honor those who have lost their lives in defense of freedom. It’s also a time to thank our surviving veterans – both young and old – for serving this country. Here in Pennsylvania, there are more than 964,000 veterans to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. While Pennsylvania’s veteran population topped 1.11-million in 2005, officials say we still rank fourth among states in terms of our population of veterans.

“Although the number of veterans in our state has gone down over the last five years, we’ve been able to help veterans secure more funding, particularly in pension and compensation benefits,” says Department of Military and Veterans Affairs spokeswoman Joan Nissley. She tells us Pennsylvania veterans received $1.5-billion dollars in benefits in federal fiscal year 2010. “That’s money that’s actually coming into our veterans’ pockets,” she says. VA expenditures also totaled more than $3.8-billion in Pennsylvania in fiscal year 2010.

Nissley also encourages those veterans who have recently returned from Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere to seek the benefits that they’ve earned. “When it’s time for them and they’re ready they can come to us, or to a county director for veterans’ affairs, or to an accredited veterans’ service officer at one of the state veterans organizations,” Nissley says. A good first stop for vets interested in learning more about their benefits is the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website.

On this Memorial Day, President Barack Obama has designated the hour beginning at 11am as the time for America to unite in prayer. President Obama is also asking all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3pm local time. This tradition dates back to 1950.

Archives