DOCSLIB.ORG

LEG REG REVIEW 2013, 1St Issue January 2, 2013

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
LEG REG REVIEW 2013, 1St Issue January 2, 2013 LEG REG REVIEW 2013, 1st Issue January 2, 2013 LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, a professional lobbying and consultant firm located near the State Capitol. It contains news on the legislative and regulatory scene in Pennsylvania that may be of interest to the Insurance and Business Communities. It is a free member benefit for those who are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters (PAHU) or Manufacturers Association of South Central PA (MASCPA). Subscription information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at 717/728-1217 FAX 717/232-7005 or e-mail to [email protected]. Please email [email protected] supplying both your name and e-mail address if you wish to be removed from this list. GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION BEGINS The 2013-14 session of the PA General Assembly begins with swearing in of members January 1, 2013 and election of House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R- Clearfield etc.). With committee chairs selected, the next item to note is the formal selection of committee members. Committee organizational meetings will take place mid-month. So far, only one committee has announced a meeting in 2013. The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on liquor store privatization on January 14. NEW PA BANKING RULES IN EFFECT Effective December 24, 2012 were three pieces of legislation designed to help Pennsylvania comply with provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The laws are HB 2368 (Act 170), HB 2369 (Act 171), and HB 2370 (Act 172). Of particular importance to banking and other regulated financial institutions, Act 170 expands the enforcement authority of the PA Department of Banking and Securities allowing it to impose fines of up to $25,000 for abuses of fiduciary responsibility by a regulated financial institution; eliminates an advance warning requirement for an enforcement action and allows the immediate suspension of an individual officer, director, trustee, or employee and (if a post-removal hearing finds in favor of the Department) possibly prevent them from working for any Pennsylvania financial institution in the future; strengthens the authority to order corrective action such as a fine. Act 171 brings PA into compliance with federal law. Act 172 amends PA’s civil usury statute to comply with federal law regarding variable rate transactions re mortgages. (Thanks to the law firm of Reed Smith for an excellent summary of the new laws. (Client Alert 12-287) http://www.reedsmith.com/Now-in-Effect-Pennsylvanias-Banking-Modernization-Package-12-27-2012/ PA DEMOCRATS NAME SENATE COMMITTEE CHAIRS The Senate Democratic Caucus announced committee chairs for the upcoming 2013- 14 legislative session. Aging & Youth - Minority Chairman LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia); Agriculture & Rural Affairs - Minority Chairman Judy Schwank (D-Berks); Appropriations - Minority Chairman Vince Hughes (D-Philadelphia); Banking & Insurance - Minority Chairman Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia); Communications & Technology - Minority Chairman Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia); Community, Economic & Recreational Development - Minority Chairman Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) ; Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure - Minority Chairman Lisa Boscola (D- Northampton) ; Education - Minority Chairman Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) ; Environmental Resources & Energy - Minority Chairman John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) ; Finance - Minority Chairman John Blake (D-Lackawanna) ; Game & Fisheries - Minority Chairman Rich Kasunic (D-Fayette) ; Intergovernmental Operations - Minority Chairman Sean Wiley (D-Erie) ; Judiciary - Minority Chairman Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) ; Labor & Industry - Minority Chairman Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) ; Law & Justice - Minority Chairman Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) ; Local Government - Minority Chairman Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) ; Public Health & Welfare - Minority Chairman Shirley Kitchen (D- Philadelphia) ; Rules & Executive Nominations - Minority Chairman Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) ; State Government - Minority Chairman Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) ; Transportation - Minority Chairman John Wozniak (D-Cambria) ; Urban Affairs & Housing - Minority Chairman Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) ; Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness - Minority Chairman Tim Solobay (D-Washington) 1 FEDERAL ITEMS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED… With the Nation’s attention focused on the Fiscal Cliff, overlooked are other items of interest such as an uncertain increase in borrowing authority for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) needed to make good on claims arising from Superstorm Sandy. In addition: PA congress people continue to gain positions of influence in the upcoming session of Congress. Pittsburgh Republican Tim Murphy is poised to take over the chairmanship of the Energy & Commerce oversight subcommittee, a post which can review administrative decisions made in implementing the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Montco Democrat Allyson Schwartz is the second- ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. Blair County GOP Rep. Bill Shuster chairs the powerful Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in a position held by his father, Bill Shuster. On December 21, Congress sent HR 5859 to the President. This repeals an obscure 1972 requirement that new car-dealers keep on hand a federally-produced handbook about auto insurance. HR 5859 co- sponsor PA Rep. Mike Kelly owns an auto dealership in northwest PA. JANUARY 1 EFFECTICE DATE FOR NEW MARYLAND LAW A new P/C law is in effect January 1 in Maryland. HB 1059 (Chapter 627) / SB938 (Chapter 626) on personal automobile insurance – rescission of policy or binder. The new law authorizes an insurer — under certain specified circumstances — to rescind a policy or binder of personal auto insurance if the initial premium payment for the policy or binder is made by a non-sufficient funds check or other remittance. REGULATORY NOTES The PA Department of Health released the annually amended list of permissible charges for medical records. These adjustments are based on changes in the CPI. HIPAA requires that a person may receive records but allows the health care provider to charge for them. These charges do not apply to insurance companies seeking the data relative to a claim. - Amount per page from 1-20 $1.42 - Amount per page from 21-60 $1.05 - Amount per page from 61- end 34 cents - Flat fees of $26.70 are charged re Social Security or any Federal or state financial needs program such as Medicaid or CHIP. District attorneys are charged a flat fee of $21.08. Two items that will infuriate some consumers are that the Department of Health says that it is not authorized to enforce these fee charge limits and that the per page price applies to electronic records where there may not be physical copying. There may also be additional charges for postage and handling. On December 15, 2012 the Banks & Securities Department codified its regulations because of the merger of the Securities Commission into the Department of Banking. (www.pabulletin.com ) The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC), the entity responsible for reviewing proposed regulations, issued its 2013 meeting schedule. All meetings take place in Harrisburg and meeting changes are accessible from www.irrc.state.pa.us. Dates are: January 17, February 21, March 14, April 4 and 18, May 16, June 6 and 20, July 18, August 1 and 22, September 19, October 10 and 24, November 21, and December 12, 2013. IRS business mileage rate for 2013 is 56.5 cents (up from 55.5 cents in 2012); medical rate is 24 cents; charitable miles rate is 14 cents per mile. (IRS Notice 2012-72 www.irs.gov) K2 Insurance Services is seeking Insurance Department approval to buy PA-domiciled stock property Aegis Security Insurance Company and PA-domiciled stock casualty American Sentinel Insurance Co. Posted December 15 was the Coal Mine Compensation Bureau’s Workers’ Compensation Lost Cost Filing with an overall decrease of 12.6% which, if approved, would take effect April 1, 2013. (www.cmcrbpa.com) This follows a PA Compensation Rating Bureau Loss Cost Filing with a 4.01% overall cost increase (www.pcrb.com ). 2.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 1 LEG REG REVIEW 2008, Thirty-Forth Issue
    LEG REG REVIEW 2008, Thirty-Forth Issue LEG REG REVIEW is a periodic newsletter produced by PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES, a professional lobbying and consultant firm based near the State Capitol. It contains news on the legislative and regulatory scene in Pennsylvania that may be useful to insurance producers, companies, and business interests. It is a free Member Service if you belong to the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters or Manufacturers Association of South Central PA. Subscription information may be obtained by contacting PHILLIPS ASSOCIATES at 717/728-1217 FAX 717/728-1164 or e-mail [email protected]. Please email [email protected] supplying both your e-mail and fax numbers in order to convert this publication to e-mail. If you wish to no longer receive it, please tell us. NOTICE TO LEG-REG REVIEW READERS In January 2009, Leg-Reg Review will no longer be faxed unless you do not have e-mail capability. Please send Joan Troutman your email address ([email protected]) and include your name and fax number for proper tracking. SENATE APPOINTS COMMITTEE CHAIRS Both Republicans and Democrats have announced their committee leadership teams for 2009-10. Following is a list of selected committee chairs with majority chair Republicans listed first. New chairs are indicated with an *. Major committee changes involve new chairs for both Democrats and Republicans in Appropriations; New Senator Leach (D-Mont.) was given a committee replacing veteran lawmaker John Wozniak (Cambria) who now does not chair a committee; both chairs of Education
    [Show full text]
  • PLBC Spring-Summer 2021 Newsletter
    THE 2021-22 PLBC OFFICERS The Official NewsletterGavel of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus State Representative Donna Bullock, Chairwoman PLBCSUMMER 2021 327 IRVIS OFFICE BUILDING • P.O. BOX 202186 • HARRISBURG, PA 17120-2195 • (717) 772-6955 Donna Bullock Chairwoman AND MEMBERS 195th Legislative District www.pahouse.com/PLBC• /PALegislativeBlackCaucus • @PaLegBlkCaucus 2021-2022 LEADING WITH PURPOSE LEADERSHIP I am honored to be selected Amen Brown Danilo Burgos Morgan Cephas Angel Cruz Austin Davis Jason Dawkins by my colleagues to chair the 190th Legislative District 197th Legislative District 192nd Legislative District 180th Legislative District 35th Legislative District 179th Legislative District Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) this session, and to do so with an amazing executive team from across Summer Lee the commonwealth. Together, Vice-Chair Rep. Donna Bullock, Chair 34th Legislative District we are committed to leading or, when necessary, defeating 195th District North & West Philadelphia Isabella Fitzgerald Edward C. Gainey Jordan A. Harris Art Haywood Vincent J. Hughes Patty Kim legislation and policy that impacts 203rd Legislative District 24th Legislative District 186th Legislative District Senate District 4 Senate District 7 103rd Legislative District Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) Pennsylvanians and their equitable access to opportunity, justice and democracy. Each session, PLBC members introduce legislation on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to veterans affairs. Recognizing our diverse legislative priorities, I Rep. Summer Lee, Vice-Chair 34th District Stephen Kinsey Brian J. Kirkland Rick Krajewski Joanna E. McClinton Napoleon Nelson Darisha Parker established several additional subcommittees to help us focus on each of these 201st Legislative District 159th Legislative District 188th Legislative District 191st Legislative District 154th Legislative District 198th Legislative District Braddock, Pittsburgh platforms.
    [Show full text]
  • Bills of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities 2013-14 Legislative Session Legislative Actions by the Pennsylvania General Assembly
    Bills of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities 2013-14 Legislative Session Legislative Actions by the Pennsylvania General Assembly A Summary Report by the POLICY INFORMATION EXCHANGE (PIE) Index by Topic of Selected Bills of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities 2013-2014 Topic Bill Number(s) Aging HB 29, HB 1702 Autism HB 650 Braille SB 64 Brain Injury HB 648 Budget Bill 2014-15 HB 2328* Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) HB 108* Down Syndrome HB 2111*, SB 1339 DPW Name Change HB 993*, SB 840 Education HB 2*, HB 1141*, SB 470, SB 1316 Employment HB 2405 Forensic HB 21* Guardianship SB 117 Home and Community-Based Services HB 29 Housing HB 1218 Human Services Block Grant HB 315, HB 461, HB 806, SB 977 Intellectual Disabilities HB 650, HB 1114, HB 1472, HB 2111*, SB 1339 Long-term Care Council HB 252, SB 1123 Medical Assistance /Medicaid payments HB 1240, HB 1287 Medicaid Expansion HB 1492 Mental Health HB 2212, SB 77, SB 189 Neglect HB 31 Newborn Testing HB 1334, HB 2111*, SB 1339 Office for People with Disabilities HB 1183, SB 280 Organ Transplants (a.k.a. Paul’s Law) HB 1474 2013-14 Legislative Session Policy Information Exchange (PIE) Respite Providers HB 1702* Service Animals SB 862 Speech-Language and Hearing SB 137* Transportation HB 12, HB 1060*, SB 1, SB 589 Trusts SB 428* Voting SB 363 Waiting List HB 650 *bills that became law Index of Selected Bills of Interest to Pennsylvanians with Disabilities Signed into Law 2013-2014 Legislative Session Topic Bill Number Act Number Date Enacted Budget Bill 2014-15
    [Show full text]
  • Copy of Letter to Administration Re Frack Public Health Study (002).Docx
    March 17th, 2021 The Honorable Tom Wolf Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 508 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 RE: Request for Action Dear Governor Wolf, Thank you for your recent support of the Delaware River Basin Commission’s efforts to protect our natural resources and drinking water supply. Please consider this correspondence as a formal request for your immediate action in response to the ongoing harm to the public’s health and well-being due to hydraulic fracturing. On March 4, 2021, the Environmental Health News published the results of an illuminating investigation that links hydraulic fracturing operations and exposure to toxic chemicals. This pilot study included five families residing in Westmoreland and Washington Counties, all living within miles of multiple hydraulic fracturing wells, pipelines, and compressor stations. Each family was monitored over 9 weeks through scientific data collection of urine, air, and water sampling. These samples were then analyzed using the best available technology to look for forty of the most common chemicals found in the emissions from fracking sites. The initial outcomes are alarming in terms of the effects on the long-term health and safety of these residents. Benzene and butylcyclohexane were among the chemicals found in both the drinking water and air samples. Breakdown products for the chemicals ethylbenzene, styrene, and toluene were found in the bodies of children living near fracking operations. For example, a nine-year-old participant showed levels of these harmful chemicals up to ninety-one times as high as the average American and substantially higher than levels seen in the average adult cigarette smoker.
    [Show full text]
  • ERG's Pennsylvania Pre-Election Assessment 2020 U.S. House Of
    PO Box 1205 Harrisburg, PA 17108 O: 717-233-8606 F: 717-798-3159 [email protected] www.erg-partners.com October 28, 2020 ERG’s Pennsylvania Pre-election Assessment 2020 The Presidential election has seen both camps in and out of Pennsylvania regularly, as the Trump camp sees the state as one of a half-dozen critical states as keys to an electoral college victory, and former VP Biden’s camp wants to win one or two of those six outright to forestall a lengthy battle in the courts. Strategies differ, with the Democrats focusing on early voting in those states, and Republicans looking at more traditional get out the vote programs. One national poll earlier this week suggested that 86% of Republicans plan to vote on Election Day. That means election night when you just count the results from the day’s voting, Trump may well lead in Pennsylvania, but given the rules of mail-in voting and counting, a week later, Biden may well be the winner. President Trump won Pennsylvania by just 44,000 votes in 2016, and Republicans have reduced their voter registration deficit by almost 250,000 voters in the last four years. Polls in Pennsylvania have been shoing Biden with a 5-9 percent lead among registered voters and 4-6% among likely voters. One observation: compared to 2016, Biden’s polling is slightly better than Clinton’s; the continuing daily COVID-19 message is not helping Trump; the Biden team is much better organized than Clinton’s was in 2016; and early voting has brought in four times as many Democratic and “other” votes than Republican votes in the last two weeks.
    [Show full text]
  • Rehabilitiert Lyndon Larouche!
    Gebt Amerika seine Seele zurück: Rehabilitiert Lyndon LaRouche! Schiller-Institut - Vereinigung für Staatskunst e.V. https://schillerinstitute.com/de/ Rehabilitiert Lyndon LaRouche! - 1 Herausgeber: Schiller-Institut, Vereinigung für Staatskunst e.V. Postfach 140163 65208 Wiesbaden Verantwortlich für den Inhalt: Rainer Apel c/o Schiller-Institut, Vereinigung für Staatskunst e.V. Postfach 140163 65208 Wiesbaden Rehabilitiert Lyndon LaRouche! - 2 Gebt Amerika seine Seele zurück: Rehabilitiert Lyndon LaRouche! Inhalt: Helga Zepp-LaRouche: Für die Rehabilitierung der schönsten Seele in der Geschichte Amerikas! 5 Nachruf auf Lyndon H. LaRouche jr. (1922-2019) 11 Ausgewählte Beileidsschreiben und Würdigungen 16 Barbara Boyd: Die betrügerische Anklage gegen Lyndon LaRouche 24 Ramsey Clark: Brief an die Justizministerin 26 Petition: Wir fordern Präsident Trump dazu auf, LaRouche zu rehabilitieren! 28 Prominente fordern die Rehabilitierung von Lyndon LaRouche 29 Rehabilitiert Lyndon LaRouche! - 3 Für die Rehabilitierung der schönsten Seele in der Geschichte Amerikas! Von Helga Zepp-LaRouche Es gibt in der Geschichte der USA meines Wissens keine Person, bei Ökonomie“, wie sie sich seit Leibniz entwickelt hatte, durch An- der eine größere Diskrepanz besteht zwischen dem Bild, das das wendung der Theorien von Bernhard Riemann, Wladimir Wer- neoliberale Establishment und die sogenannten Mainstream-Me- nadskij und Albert Einstein auf eine wissenschaftliche Basis. Seine dien von ihm durch jahrzehntelange Verleumdungen und Ge- Analyse des monetaristischen Weltfinanzsystems basierte auf die- heimdienstoperationen aller Art geschaffen haben, und der Reali- ser Theorie der physischen Ökonomie, die ihn in die Lage versetz- tät des Menschen Lyndon LaRouche. Und das will nach der über te, alle wesentlichen Fehlentwicklungen seit den 50er Jahren prä- zweijährigen „Hexenjagd“ gegen Präsident Trump eine Menge zise zu prognostizieren.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Volume 15, Issue 2 in PDF Format
    Volume 15, Issue 2 - 2014 Communication from the Policy A Information Exchange Slice of Pie A Slice of Pie is an ongoing publication keeping our readers informed about important public policy issues. It is the mission of the Policy Information Exchange to educate and inform Pennsylvanians with disabilities, their families and advocates, and the general public, regarding public policy issues and to further the exchange of policy information between the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council and federal, state and local policy makers. The Policy Information Exchange is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. that appropriated funds are actually being spent. For more information, contact PIE STATE NEWS at The Arc of Pennsylvania office at 717- 234-2621 or [email protected]. State Budget Below PIE summarizes some items of Department of Public Welfare interest to the disability community in Pennsylvania’s final 2014-15 budget, Intellectual Disability Waivers: State HB 2328. The budget includes funding funding increased by 3.9%, or almost $40 increases to serve more people in million. This includes funds to serve an intellectual disabilities, autism, physical additional 700 people with intellectual disability, aging and home and community based services. In light of concern about whether there will be enough revenue In This Issue to balance the level of spending in the budget, it should be noted that some or State News ..............................page 1 all of any appropriation can still be held National News .......................page 10 back or “frozen.” In the past, some line items have been reduced or eliminated Resources .............................page 11 when the state makes a decision to reduce spending.
    [Show full text]
  • Form Letters Week of 03-24-08
    2539 Benedetto, Lisa M. From: [email protected] nccavED ?r SueSSnrh25'2°°84:30PM ant MR 28 M tl: 38 Subject: Support For Changes to PA Child Care Regulations mcamoN Jennifer Lau Harrisburg, PA Dear Jennifer Lau, I am writing to express my support for the Department of Public Welfare's final child care facility regulations #14-506 (IRRC # 2539). The regulations have not been updated since 1992. The final regulations before you reflect current best practices and research and serve to protect the health and safety of an estimated 300,000 children in approximately 9,000 child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes. The regulations update requirements regarding a number of important issues including, care in important areas such as SIDS prevention, playground safety, staff tuberculosis testing, removal of recalled toys, and more. I ask that you support the regulations so they can take effect. Sincerely, wendy mayurnick 76 main street peckville, PA 18452 Representative Katie True Senator Patricia Vance Representative Phyllis Mundy Representative Curtis Thomas Representative Julie Harhart Representative Frank Oliver Representative Rosita Youngblood Senator Leanna Washington Senator Jay Costa Senator Shirley Kitchen Senator Mary Jo White Senator Jane Orie Representative Steve Samuelson Senator Joseph Scarnati Representative Angel Cruz Representative Beverly Mackereth Representative Jewell Williams Representative David Hickemell Senator Robert Wonderling Representative Mike Gerber Senator Lisa Baker Representative Patrick
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Nasw-Pa Endorsements
    2020 NASW-PA ENDORSEMENTS Endorsed Candidate General Election – November 3, 2020 NASW’s Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee is registered as a political action committee at the federal and state levels. PACE is anon- partisan organization that makes its decisions based on a combination of voting records, candidate questionnaires and/or interviews, and other factors. NASW-PA PACE is run by a volunteer leadership team comprised of NASW members from across the Commonwealth. First consideration was given to candidates who completed the NASW-PA PACE Endorsement Questionnaire, which provided an assessment of candidate views on NASW-PA priority issues such as mental health parity, social justice, health care, funding to social services, telehealth, and workforce issues in the social work profession. Consideration for incumbents included past support of NASW-PA legislative initiatives, and past recipients of the NASW-PA Legislator of the Year. FEDERAL ELECTIONS (Decided by NASW National PACE): Chamber/Oce District Dem Candidate GOP Candidate President/Vice President N/A Joe Biden/Kamala Harris Donald Trump/Mike Pence US House 7 Susan Wild Lisa Scheller US House 16 Kristy Gnibus Mike Kelly PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS (Decided by NASW-PA Chapter PACE): Chamber/Oce District Dem Candidate GOP Candidate Attorney General N/A Josh Shapiro Heather Heidelbaugh House 1 Patrick Harkins N/A House 21 Sara Innamorato John Waugh House 30 Lissa Geiger Shulman Lori Mizgorski House 31 Perry Warren+1 650 704 4467 Charles Adcock House 34 Summer [email protected]
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Journal
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Legislative Journal TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2013 SESSION OF 2013 197TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1 SENATE (Whereupon, the Senate en bloc stood in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of the VICTIMS OF SANDY TUESDAY, January 1, 2013 HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Newtown, Connecticut.) The PRESIDENT. This is the constitutional day and hour for PRESENTATION OF ELECTION RETURNS the convening of the 197th Regular Session of the General As- sembly. The PRESIDENT. The Chair recognizes the Sergeant-at- Arms. The PRESIDENT (Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley) called The SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. Mr. President, I have the honor the Senate to order at 12 m., Eastern Standard Time. to present the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Honorable PRAYER Carol Aichele. Secretary AICHELE. Mr. President, I have the honor to pres- The Chaplain, Reverend MARTIN D. ODOM, Pastor of ent the official returns and statements of campaign expense com- Bethel Village A.M.E. Church, Harrisburg, offered the following pliance for the offices of Attorney General, Auditor General, prayer: State Treasurer, and Senators in the General Assembly for the election held November 6, 2012. Let us pray. The PRESIDENT. The Chair thanks Secretary Aichele. The Eternal God, Creator and Sustainer of all humankind, we returns for Treasurer, Auditor General, and Attorney General thank You for this day that You have made. We thank You for will lie on the table. this opportunity that You have given us to serve, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those whom You have ELECTION RETURNS OF SENATORS called each and all of us to help and uplift.
    [Show full text]
  • Letter to Governor and State Leadership 06 22-21
    CITY OF PHILADELPHIA C I T Y C O U N C I L Councilmember Allan Domb Room 316, City Hall Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-686-3414 ___________________ Councilmember At-Large June 21, 2021 Governor Tom Wolf Senator Kim Ward, Majority Leader 508 Main Capitol Building Senate Box 203039 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Senator Jake Corman, President Pro Tempore Representative Bryan Cutler, Speaker of the House 350 Main Capitol Building 139 Main Capitol Building, P.O. Box 202100 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff, Majority Leader 110 Main Capitol Building, P.O. Box 202171 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Representative Joanna E. McClinton, Minority Leader 423 Main Capitol Building, P.O. Box 202191 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Governor Wolf and Leaders of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, I am writing to you to request your continuing support for our restaurants and hospitality industry as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic by continuing to allow sales of cocktails to-go and alcohol sales at expanded outdoor dining locations. Like all Pennsylvanians, we are happy and relieved to see restrictions safely lifted and normal life begin to resume. We are concerned however, that without your action to preserve expanded outdoor dining alcohol sales and to-go cocktail sales (mixed onsite), our restaurants will not be able to make it through this summer and experience a post-pandemic recovery. These options are necessary for us to bring back the lifestyle of the City and attract diners back to our restaurants. They also represent the kind of tools that will boost much- needed sales for restaurants who are facing financial ruin if they cannot make up losses felt from the pandemic restrictions.
    [Show full text]
  • June 9, 2021 Cynthia D. Shapira, Chair of the Board PA State System
    June 9, 2021 Cynthia D. Shapira, Chair of the Board Dan Greenstein, Chancellor PA State System of Higher Education PA State System of Higher Education Dixon University Center Dixon University Center 2986 North Second Street 2986 North Second Street Harrisburg, PA 17110-1201 Harrisburg, PA 17110-1201 Dear Chair Shapira and Chancellor Greenstein: As you know, the proposed consolidation of six long-established campuses of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education is exceptionally controversial. Students, parents, professors, professional staff, and the communities where the universities are located are all impacted. The decision to significantly reorganize how our universities provide education at these institutions should not be done without a great deal of discussion with all stakeholders. It also should not be considered without fully understanding that actions in haste will have long-lasting deleterious effects or be on the agenda of policymakers in the immediate aftermath of a debilitating pandemic. Therefore, on behalf of the many who have expressed deep concern, and in recognition of the plethora of unresolved questions surrounding the plan, I am writing to urge a two-year pause before further implementation of drastic changes to our State System of Higher Education. While I recognize the General Assembly’s role in the dire financial circumstances facing the system, the modifications as presented leave numerous unanswered questions for students, athletic programs, faculty, and the communities that support the universities. A recent hearing provided multiple examples of the great difficulties for all involved. While the pandemic has helped fuel this uncertainty, the recovery plan proposed by the Biden administration offers a renewed focus on how to approach the challenges facing higher education.
    [Show full text]