January 10, 2020 News for the weeks of January 6

The House will return to session on Monday January 13 and the Senate 2020 Session Days for will return to session on January 27. the Pennsylvania General Assembly PSATS Grassroots Advocacy Network Reception The PSATS Executive Board invites you to a reception for the The House and Senate are Grassroots Advocacy Network to be held at the PSATS Annual scheduled for session on the following days: Conference. rd When: Sunday, May 3 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. House Where: Hershey Lodge, Aztec room. January: 13, 14, 15, 21, 22 Free but preregistration is required. February: 3, 4, 5 March: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 For network members, it’s a “thank you” for being involved. For April: 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16 others, it’s an invitation to get involved! May: 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, Meet and greet your fellow network members, share in the network’s 19, 20 success stories, learn what’s on the horizon in 2020. Your role is critical, June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 and we hope to see you there!

Senate Questions? Email [email protected] or call 717-763-0930 ext. 178. January: 27, 28, 29 Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in Hershey. February: 3, 4, 5 March: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 Scarnati Re-Elected as PA Senate President Pro Tempore April: 6, 7, 8 May: 4, 5, 6, 18, 19, 20 Last week, the Senate convened and unanimously re-elected Senator Joe June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, Scarnati (R-25) to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Senate for 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 2020. This is the fourteenth time Senator Scarnati has been elected to this position, the third highest constitutional office in the Commonwealth.

Looking for updates on legislation & news related to Special Election Announced townships? Last week, Speaker (R-Allegheny) announced that there will be a special election on March 17th for the 8th, 18th, and 58th House Be sure to ‘Like’ us on Legislative Districts. These seats were vacated by the recent resignations Facebook at www.facebook.com/psats of Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer), Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks), and Rep. Justin Walsh (R-Westmoreland). All three legislators ran and were Follow us on Twitter elected to new positions in November. Best of luck in their new http://twitter.com/PSATS endeavors. And, as always, check out

www.psats.org for the latest updates

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New House Leadership Assignments Announced Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced that state Rep. (R-Lehigh) will serve as the chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, while state Rep. Tom Murt (R- Montgomery) will serve as the chair of the Human Services Committee for the rest of the legislative session. These new assignments are a result of the recent vacancies in the House.

Special Election Reminder A special election for the 48th Senate Legislative District is scheduled to take place on Tuesday January 14th. Network members living in the 48th Senatorial district which encompasses all of Lebanon County, as well as parts of Dauphin and York Counties are reminded to vote on Tuesday.

Farm Show Public Officials Day Township officials from across the state, including members of the PSATS Executive Board and staff, participated in the annual Public Officials Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Attendees heard from speakers from Pennsylvania’s agriculture community, including Department of Agriculture Secretary Redding, on the importance of Agriculture to our entire Commonwealth. A big thank you to all PSATS members that traveled to the mid-state last week to take part in this event.

$30M Fine Levied Against Pipeline Company On Friday, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced an agreement that includes a record fine against the company responsible for a 2018 natural gas pipeline explosion in Beaver County. The settlement also lifts a nearly year-long permit freeze on the company’s other pipeline projects, including the cross-state Mariner East pipelines. As part of the settlement, the DEP assessed a $30.6 million fine against ETC Northeast Pipeline, a subsidiary of the pipeline company Energy Transfer, the largest ever issued by the Department.

Former Congressman Fitzpatrick Dies Mike Fitzpatrick, was a U.S. Congressman for eight years and Bucks County Commissioner for almost 10 years, died Jan. 6 at age 56. Fitzpatrick was a longtime champion and friend of Local Government. On behalf of the PSATS Executive Board and staff we offer condolences to his family and friends.

Top Senate Staffer Sworn in as Judge On Tuesday longtime former Senate top aide J. Andrew Crompton was sworn in as Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s newest judge. Crompton, served 26 years in the Senate, most recently as Republican counsel and chief of staff to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati. He leaves as the most senior Senate staffer and having worked in the Senate longer than any sitting senator

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Legislators Not Running in 2020 The following legislators have announced that they are not seeking reelection in 2020:

 Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Delaware)  Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry)  Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson)  Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery)  Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming)  Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny)  Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill)  Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Northampton)  Rep. (R-Northampton)  Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery

Federal News Township-related news from Washington:

U.S. House Passes Bills To Gain Upper Hand In Race To 5G Last week, the House passed several bills aimed at giving the U.S. a leg up over China in the race to implement the super-fast next-generation wireless networks known as 5G. The bipartisan bills, which passed the House near-unanimously, would funnel U.S. government resources into steering international wireless policy while securing the burgeoning networks against cyberattacks and foreign influence. Click here to read more.

Legislative Action Township-related legislation recently signed into law:

None.

Legislative Action Township-related legislation that saw action this week in the General Assembly:

None.

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Capitol Calendar: Upcoming Committee meetings of interest to townships.

Monday House Environmental Resources and Energy 12:00 p.m., Room 140, Main Capitol To consider: HB 2045 Dowling, Act re Ohiopyle Land Transfer and SB 790 Scarnati, Act re Conventional Oil and Gas Wells.

Tuesday House Consumer Affairs Off the floor, Room B31, Main Capitol To consider: HB 1400 Farry, Act re wireless small cell siting.

Click here to view a full list of upcoming legislative committee meetings.

Looking for the latest issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin? Click here.

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