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Harrisburg Legislation News
Eye on Pennsylvania broadcast

Washington Legislation News
for more detail go to www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/votes

July 17
SENATE VOTES

You can check how your Senator voted by tracking the vote on the PA Senate Web site post session report

HB 842, PN 2347: This legislation would make changes to the Public School Code as part of the budget agreement, setting basic and special education funding levels for the state’s public schools, expanding the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, establishing a new pre-kindergarten funding program, providing additional funding for the Accountability Block Grant program, establishing procedures for students in the Duquesne School District, as well as other provisions. A vote of 41-7 was recorded on adoption of the conference report.

HB 1286, PN 2346: This is the General Fund appropriations bill. It would appropriate $27.16 billion in spending for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on adoption of the conference report.

SB 97, PN 1327: This legislation would make changes to the Tax Reform Code as part of the budget agreement, including creation of two new tax credit programs: one to encourage farmers to utilize agricultural best practices and another to attract filmmakers to Pennsylvania. A vote of 45-3 was recorded on concurrence.

HB 1631, PN 2345: This bill, the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund Capital Budget Itemization Act of 2007, would authorize projects to be funded from a 5 percent tax on casinos’ gross terminal revenues. Sen. Rhoades offered amendment A3139, which would have added funding for a proposed cargo airport to be located in Luzerne County. A vote of 4-44 was recorded on the amendment. After the Rhoades amendment was defeated, a vote of 31-17 was recorded on the bill.

SB 929, PN 1312: This bill would appropriate funds to the Pennsylvania State University for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 930, PN 1313: This bill would appropriate funds to the University of Pittsburgh for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 934, PN 1314: This bill would appropriate funds to the University of Pennsylvania for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 947, PN 1315: This bill would appropriate funds to the Lancaster Cleft Palate for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 953, PN 1316: This bill would appropriate funds to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 954, PN 1317: This bill would appropriate funds to the Franklin Institute Science Museum for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 955, PN 1318: This bill would appropriate funds to the Academy of Natural Sciences for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 956, PN 1319: This bill would appropriate funds to the African-American Museum in Philadelphia for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 957, PN 1320: This bill would appropriate funds to the Everhart Museum in Scranton for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 958, PN 1321: This bill would appropriate funds to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 959, PN 1322: This bill would appropriate funds to the Whitaker Center for Science and Arts in Harrisburg for the fiscal year 2007-2008. A vote of 40-8 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 548, PN 1299: This bill would amend the Insurance Company Law of 1921 to provide for requirements of long-term care partnership policies. A vote of 48-0 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 413, PN 1276: This bill would amend the Second Class County Code to exclude signs or structures that support signs from being assessed as real property for the purpose of taxation. A vote of 46-2 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 466, PN 1297: This legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to exempt certain temporary structures and pole barns used at agricultural fairs. A vote of 48-0 was recorded on concurrence.

SB 246, PN 1326: This bill, known as the Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act, would prohibit smoking in most enclosed areas. The following places would be exempted: private homes and automobiles; retail tobacco businesses and cigar bars; designated smoking rooms in a hotel or motel; workplaces of any manufacturer, importer, or wholesaler of tobacco products; private clubs; and special events for promoting tobacco products. This bill, in its current form, would not prevent local municipalities from enacting tougher legislation.

Sens. Pileggi and Costa called for a negative vote on concurrence, asking that members reject this version of the bill and send it to conference committee. Sen. Greenleaf asked for a positive vote, noting that the House-passed version of this legislation would still allow some exemptions and that a conference committee would delay final action until the fall.

A vote of 13-36 was recorded on concurrence. Having non-concurred in House amendments, the Senate authorized a conference committee.

At this time and in accordance with Senate Rule 8(d), a vote of 48-1 was recorded on adopting a motion setting forth the need to adjourn later than 11 p.m.

HB 1295, PN 2349: This bill would amend the Fiscal Code, setting out budget implementation language, providing for state employees group life insurance, and providing for the State System of Higher Education. A vote of 48-0 was recorded on concurrence.

HB 1590, PN 2342: This is the transportation funding reform bill. It would provide an average of $940 million in new funding for mass transit, roads, and bridges over the next 10 years. It would establish a dedicated, stable source of funding for mass transit, and it would also provide for the eventual tolling of Interstate 80. A vote of 30-19 was recorded.


HOUSE VOTES
You can check how your representative voted by tracking the vote. More extensive information on the legislation and how your rep voted is offered on the PA House Web site.

Third Consideration

H.B. 1422
This bill would amend the Public Eating and Drinking Place Law and the Food Act; providing for protection of public health and for regulations; requiring licensing; further providing for certification and farmer's market; and making repeals.
Motion to reconsider: 203-0
Track the vote: 125-77


H.B. 874
This bill would provide for umbilical cord blood banking; requiring health care facilities and providers to give pregnant patients information; and requiring healthcare facilities to permit pregnant patients to arrange for donations.
Track the vote: 203-0

S.B. 798
This bill would provide for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2007-2008; itemizing public improvement projects and furniture and equipment projects to be assisted by the Dept. of General Services; for elector approval and appropriations.
Motion to Suspend Rules: 136-64
Motion to Revert to Prior PN 923 and Vote Immediately on Final Passage: 172-31
Track the vote: 162-41


Conference Report

H.B. 842
This bill would amend the Public School Code further providing for background checks of prospective employees and conviction of employees for certain offenses, in school finances, for annual budget, etc. and for charter and cyber charter schools and grants.
Track the vote: 125-75


On Concurrence

H.B. 1590
As amended by the Senate, the legislation provides for local taxing authority for Second Class Counties, a new performance based distribution formula for mass transit funding, creation of a Public-Public Partnership between PADOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to lease and toll Interstate 80 as well as prepare financial analysis and feasibility study for the tolling of other Interstates, and provides highway and bridge funding.
Track the vote: 124-79

H.B. 1631
This bill would provide for PA Gaming Economic Development & Tourism Fund Capital Budget for 2007; itemizing projects to be assisted by DCED, together with their estimated financial costs; authorizing recurring payments for certain projects.
Motion to suspend rules to revert to Prior Printers Number 2150: 76-127 (failed)
Track the vote: 102-100

S.B. 97
This bill would amend the Tax Reform Code further providing, in sales and use tax, for "manufacture" and "capital stock value" definitions; for film production tax credit and imposing Dept. of Community & Economic Development duties; and for tax credit.
Motion to Suspend Rules to Consider Reverting to Prior PN 1285: 88-112 (failed)
Track the vote: 147-53

H.B. 1656
This bill would authorize and direct the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor, to grant and convey to Skippack Twp certain lands situate in Skippack Twp, and in Jefferson County, Tioga County, and the cities of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Motion to Recommit to House State Government Committee: 55-145 (failed)
Motion to Move the Previous Question: 124-76
Track the vote: 152-48

 

 

July 30, 2007

Recent Senate Votes
S.1642-Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Vote Passed (95-0, 5 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill that would increase the amount of the Pell Grant a low-income student can receive, make the federal financial aid application easier to complete and eliminate some conflicts of interest for student loan businesses.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES.
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

H.R.2638 - Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2008 - Vote Passed (89-4, 7 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this $40.6 billion appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES.

Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Vote Agreed to (85-8, 7 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill which would implement recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Recent House Votes
H.R.3074 - Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations, FY 2008 - Vote Passed (268-153, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this $104.4 billion bill that would fund the Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO

H.R.3093 - Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY 2008 - Vote Passed (281-142, 9 Not Voting)
The House passed this $53.6 billion bill that would fund the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, NASA and other science agencies.
Rep. Todd Platts voted YES

H.R.2419 - Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act - Vote Passed (231-191, 10 Not Voting)
The House passed this large farm bill, which provides aid for farmers and funds for low-income nutrition programs.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO

Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (371-40, 22 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill which would implement recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.
Rep. Todd Platts voted YES Upcoming Votes
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act - H.R.2316

The Senate is scheduled to work on this ethics bill.
2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - H.R.3161
This $90.7 billion bill would fund the Department of Agriculture, FDA, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Farm Credit Administration for the upcoming fiscal year.

 

July 23, 2007
Senate Votes
Troop Withdrawal Amendment - Vote Rejected (52-47, 1 Not Voting)
During the Defense Authorization bill debate, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on this amendment that would have set a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted NO
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

College Cost Reduction Act - Vote Passed (78-18, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate approved this bill to increase the amount of aid to college students.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

House Votes
Energy/Water Development Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed (312-112, 7 Not Voting)
This $31.6 billion bill would fund the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department's Bureau of Reclamation for the upcoming fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO

Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed (276-140, 15 Not Voting)
The House passed this $153.7 billion bill that would fund the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted YES
Note: there was an amendment to this bill which would have completely cut off funds to Planned Parenthood to which Rep. Platts also voted YES.  It was defeated.

July 16, 2007
Senate Votes
Dorgan Amendment-Bringing Osama bin Laden and Other Leaders of al Qaeda to Justice - Vote Agreed to (87-1, 12 Not Voting)
This amendment to the defense authorization bill calls for quarterly classified reports on the Bush administration’s work to capture al Qaeda leaders.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Recent House Votes
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act - Vote Passed (223-201, 8 Not Voting)
The House voted to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO

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July 3, 2007
Senate Votes
Employee Free Choice Act - Vote Rejected (51-48, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate did not have the necessary 60 votes to close debate and proceed to a vote on this labor bill, which would allow workers to form unions by signing union cards rather than by secret ballot elections.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act - immigration bill S1639 Vote Rejected (46-53, 1 Not Voting)
After six weeks of working toward a compromise on immigration reform, the Senate failed to reach the 60 votes needed to close debate and vote on this bill.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

House Votes
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations H.R.2643, FY 2008 - Vote Passed (272-155, 5 Not Voting)
The House passed this $27.6 billion bill that would fund the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, the Forest Service and the Indian Health Service for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted YES

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations H.R.2829, FY 2008 - Vote Passed (240-179, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this $21.4 billion bill that would fund the Department of Treasury, the Executive office, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia and independent agencies for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO.

June 25, 2007
CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (65-27, 7 Not Voting)
The Senate passed the first energy bill under the new Democratic majority.
Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES

Recent House Votes
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations, FY 2008 -
Vote Passed (241-178, 13 Not Voting)
The House passed this $34.2 billion bill that would fund State Department operations and foreign aid for the 2008 fiscal year.
Rep. Todd Platts voted NO

The House, meanwhile, doesn't budge from its budget work, this week voting on Financial Services and Interior-Environment spending bills.

Tacit legislation: cJ usually catches our readers up on what Congress is doing, but this week it’s worth noting what it’s not doing – that is, voting to continue the president’s “fast track” trade authority, which expires this Saturday-see CFR .

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Upcoming Votes

If they wrap up or derail immigration early, senators may also start working on the yearly defense authorization bill, which could come with another debate over setting a withdrawal time-line for Iraq .

June 18, 2007
Senate to Consider Changes to CAFE Standards
 Raise the CAFE Standards for Cars and Trucks
Do Not Raise the CAFE Standards for Cars and Trucks

Congressional Vacancy Updates
- Voters in Georgia's 10th Congressional district will vote Tuesday on a replacement for the late Charlie Norwood, who passed away on February 13. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held between the top two vote-getters on July 17.
- Voters in California's 37th Congressional district will vote June 26 on a replacement for the late Juanita Millender-McDonald, who passed away on April 21. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held between the top two vote-getters on August 21.
- To find a replacement for recently deceased Senator Craig Thomas, the Wyoming Republican State Central Committee must submit three names to Governor Dave Freudenthal by June 20. Governor Freudenthal will select the new US Senator from the list.

Passport Trouble?
New regulations concerning air travel security went into effect in January, causing a backlog in processing passport applications.

--Learn more about applying for or renewing a passport
--Check on the status of a current passport application
--Visit the National Passport Information Center website.
--Read more about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

For more help, contact your Member of Congress or the Bureau of Consular Affairs

COMING UP IN CONGRESS
Senate Armed Services Committee to hold confirmation hearing on acting Army Secretary Pete Geren
House Agriculture General Farm Commodities Subcommittee markup of the commodity title of the 2007 Farm Bill
- House votes on appropriations bills, possibly Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and State-Foreign Operations
- Senate HELP Committee marks up the Higher Education Act
- House Ways and Means Committee to discuss Medicare’s prescription drug benefit
- Senate procedural vote on "card check" legislation to make it easier for workers to form unions

May 29, 2007
Recent Senate Votes
Supplemental Appropriations bill - Vote Agreed to (80-14, 6 Not Voting)

The Senate approved this $120 billion bill funding military operations in Iraq.

Sen. Arlen Specter voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Robert Casey Jr. voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes
Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Vote Passed (284-141, 7 Not Voting)

This House bill would allow the President to declare an energy emergency for a specific period of time and make the sale of gasoline at "unconscionably excessive" prices a federal offense.

Rep. Todd Platts voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Lobbying Transparency Act - Vote Passed (382-37, 13 Not Voting)

This bill would require lobbyists to disclose the names of donors when they "bundle" campaign contributions to Members of Congress.

Rep. Todd Platts voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (396-22, 1 Present, 13 Not Voting)

This House bill would institute new lobbying reporting requirements and increase penalties for violating lobbying rules.

Rep. Todd Platts voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Supplemental Appropriations bill, Amendment No. 1 - Vote Passed (348-73, 12 Not Voting)

The House split the emergency supplemental spending bill into two parts, with this first part including the domestic spending and minimum wage hike portions of the bill.

Rep. Todd Platts voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Supplemental Appropriations bill, Amendment No. 2 - Vote Passed (280-142, 11 Not Voting)

The House approved the $103 billion portion of the supplemental spending bill that funds military operations in Iraq.

Rep. Todd Platts voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

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