DOCSLIB.ORG

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LABOR AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE STATE CAPITOL ROOM 418, MAIN CAPITOL WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011 9:40 A.M. HEARING ON HOUSE BILL 725 (OBERLANDER) BEFORE: HONORABLE RON MILLER, MAJORITY CHAIRMAN HONORABLE WILLIAM KELLER, MINORITY CHAIRMAN HONORABLE DONNA OBERLANDER (PRIME SPONSOR) HONORABLE RYAN P. AUMENT HONORABLE STEPHEN BLOOM HONORABLE SCOTT W. BOYD HONORABLE JIM COX HONORABLE SHERYL M. DELOZIER HONORABLE MARK M. GILLEN HONORABLE SETH M. GROVE HONORABLE WARREN KAMPF HONORABLE ROB W. KAUFFMAN HONORABLE FRED KELLER HONORABLE KEVIN MURPHY HONORABLE CHERELLE L. PARKER INDEX TESTIFIERS WITNESS PAGE REP. RON MILLER 4 CHAIRMAN REP. DONNA OBERLANDER (PRIME SPONSOR) 5 RICHARD DeYOUNG 6 REGIONAL DIRECTOR, AIA PA JOSH YOUNG 10 CONSTRUCTION INITIATIVE LEADER FOR NORTH AMERICA BASF, AMERICAN CHEMISTRY COUNCIL ELAM HERR 26 ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PA ASSOCIATION OF TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS STEVE BRANDVOLD 37 PRESIDENT, LANCASTER COUNTY CODE ASSOCIATION, BOARD MEMBER OF PA ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING CODE OFFICIALS KAREN WELSH 43 LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, CODE OFFICIALS ALLIANCE OF PENNSYLVANIA AUS MARBURGER 48 REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL, PA FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES INSTITUTE DAN WISE 63 CODES TASK FORCE, PA BUILDERS ASSOCIATION FRANK THOMPSON 73 CHAIRMAN, UCC REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL WRITTEN TESTIMONY SUBMITTED: JANET MILKMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DELAWARE VALLEY GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL RITA DALLAGO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION SEAN CLEARY IAPMO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE, INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL OFFICIALS CHAIRMAN MILLER: I apologize for the delay in getting started, folks. Welcome to this hearing of the House Labor and Industry Committee on House Bill 725 by Representative Donna Oberlander, who is here with us. I need to make a comment that the proceedings are being recorded by the Bipartisan Management Committee and may be released to the media and used for the transcripts and every other type of use. I'm not sure that we're being broadcast live, but it may appear on a loop later. As you know, the House has passed House Bill 377, a Representative Garth Everett bill that addresses several issues contained in House Bill 725. The primary reason for moving House Bill 377 was the desire to move the repeal of the residential sprinkler mandate in a timely manner. We are facing a tough economic recovery and many of us were concerned that that sprinkler mandate would impact the housing industry and most of us believe that housing normally leads us out of a recession. That is why House Bill 377 was moved separate of House Bill 725. That doesn't minimize other elements of Representative Oberlander's bill. Hopefully, today's hearing will focus mainly on potential change to the process by which the triennial International Code Council codes are adopted, addition of members to the Uniform Construction Code Advisory and Review Council, and three, a creation of a $2 building permit fee to fund operations of the Council. There are other elements in this bill, most of those have been addressed in House Bill 377. I will now turn it over to Chairman Keller for some remarks. CHAIRMAN KELLER: Very briefly, Mr. Chairman. I don't think 377 was moved in a timely manner, I thought that was warp speed that we moved that bill. Hopefully we can slow things down and have a better look at addressing the bills redoing. Thank you. CHAIRMAN MILLER: We'll speed ahead Mr. ZooLoo. Representative Oberlander, would you like to take the microphone for some comments? REPRESENTATIVE OBERLANDER: Thank you, Chairman Miller. Thank you Chairman Keller, members of the Labor Committee. I appreciate your willingness to hold this hearing on House Bill 725. As Chairman Miller stated, this hearing is being held to discuss specifically the portions of the bill that relate to the adoption of changes to the UCC Code, composition of the advisory board, and its operations. In broad terms, this bill would expand the size of the Council by four members, adding individuals representing low-income housing, realtors, commercial building owners, and residential building owners, and changes the quorum requirements to reflect these additional members. The bill changes the current process of adoption to require the review of the latest triennial ICC Codes to begin within 90 days of the publication date, and to take no longer than 15 months. It would require at least six public hearings across the State to get the input from across our State from all walks of life. The Council would have to submit their report to the Secretary of Labor and Industry with recommendations supported by at least two-thirds vote of the Council stating one, the impact that the provision might have on the health, safety, and welfare of the public; the economic reasonableness; financial impact of the provision; technical feasibility of the provision; and lastly, the financial impact of the provision on affordable housing. The bill also proposes a $2 fee, as Chairman Miller stated, on each building permit to support the operations of the Council, including reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meals for the advisory members. After 7-years of Pennsylvania having the UCC Code in place, I believe that this bill makes necessary changes to move Pennsylvania forward. I look forward to hearing the testimony of each of the panelists. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. CHAIRMAN MILLER: Thank you, Representative Oberlander. Our first panel is a panel from AIA Pennsylvania, if that panel would come forward. I would note that if you have an agenda, it lists Jack Armstrong testifying for the American Chemistry Council, and pinch hitting for him today is Josh Young. If you would, I don't know who is going first, but whoever does, if you would just identify yourself and proceed. Thank you. DIRECTOR DeYOUNG: Thank you Chairman Miller and Chairman Keller and members of the Committee. My name is Rich DeYoung, and I am representing AIA Pennsylvania today. AIA Pennsylvania is a State component of the American Institute of Architects. Our membership in the State is over 3,000 architect members, and we are the only organization that represents architects and architecture in the Commonwealth. I am the Managing Partner of WTW Architects in Pittsburgh. I have been practicing for 38 years and have extensive experience in the design of a wide variety of institutional, commercial, and residential projects. I am the past President of AIA Pennsylvania, and I currently serve as a representative to the National Board of Director's of AIA. Architecture is a licensed profession because architects are entrusted with the health, safety, and welfare of the public with every building that we design. The law, allowing only architects to design buildings for habitation by people, recognizes the education, preparation, experience, and breadth of knowledge that goes into creating a competent architect. The members of the AIA are generally recognized as experts on building codes. Building owners, contractors, engineers, and municipalities rely on architects to fully integrate the myriad requirements of building codes and other safety standards into the work we do. In fact, the model building codes used throughout the United States – of which our own UCC is one of them – are written by groups of professionals that include many architects. AIA Pennsylvania commends the General Assembly for the bipartisan effort to enact a Statewide building code, and in establishing the UCC Review and Advisory Council in Act 106 of 2008, to carefully examine proposed changes to the code and advise L&I and the General Assembly. The existence and current role of the UCC RAC was specifically supported by the Commonwealth Court in a recent decision, Pennsylvania Builders Association v. Department of Labor and Industry. With the passage of time, we learn what improvements can be made in processes. House Bill 725 provides us with the opportunity to begin that discussion relative to the UCC Review and Advisory Committee. Although AIA opposes the legislation in its current form, we concur with some aspects of the bill. However, we feel strongly that some changes must be made to the legislation before we can support it. First, we concur that there is merit in holding hearings around the State. Interested parties already have the ability to testify before the Review and Advisory Committee, having hearings around the State may enhance that participation. Whether it is the six hearings in House Bill 725 or three in Senator Corman's Senate Bill 752, we leave that to the General Assembly to determine. There is merit in providing additional staff support from L&I for the work of the RAC, and to provide reimbursement for the RAC members. Again, we leave that to the General Assembly and L&I to look at the fiscal impact. We do suggest that before adding a $2 additional building permit fee, that the legislature look at funds collected through existing permits to see how they may be used. We also leave the discussion of appropriate time frame for the RAC to conduct its work and for L&I and the General Assembly, with input from the RAC itself. On a related matter, we ask that the language in Section 304(2)(a) be examined closely to ensure that the timeframes for promulgation of regulations are in fact realistic given the IRCC process; 90 days may not be sufficient time. We leave the substance of that decision, again, to the General Assembly and L&I. So, what aspects of the bill are problematic for AIA? First, we disagree with the changes proposed in the composition and operation of the RAC. The primary purpose of building codes has been, and remains, to save lives. The writing of codes requires a perspective that maintains the protection of the public's health, safety, and welfare above commercial interests.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Thom Hartmann
    Pennsylvania State Representatives Pennsylvania State Representatives Continued Pennsylvania State Representatives Continued Pennsylvania State Representatives Continued Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-10) Rep. R. Lee James (R-64) Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-8) Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-73) 5 East Wing, House Box 202010 145 A East Wing House Box 202064 150 A East Wing Box 202008 149 B East Wing House Box 202073 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2010 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2064 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2008 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2074 Phone: 717-783-8322 Phone: 717-783-8188 Phone: 717-783-6438 Phone: 717-787-7099 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] http://www.repsankey.com/contact.aspx Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-3) Rep. Joshua Kail (R-15) Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-63) Rep. Curtis G. Sonney (R-4) 324 Main Capitol Bldg., House Box 202003 428 Irvis Office Bldg., House Box 202015 121 Main Capitol Building Box 202063 214 Ryan Office Bldg., Building Box 202004 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2003 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2015 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2063 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2004 Phone; 717-772-2297 Phone: 717-260-6144 Phone: 717-772-9908 Phone: 717-783-9087 http://www.pahouse.com/3/Contact/ Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Rep. Bob Brooks (R-54) Rep. Mark Longietti (D-7) Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-46) Rep. James Struzzi II (R-62) 155A East Wing House Box 202054 127 Irvis Office Building House Box 202007 143 A East Wing House Box 202046 147 B East Wing, House Box 202062 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2054 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2007 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2062 Phone: 717-260-6129 Phone: 717-772-4035 Phone: 717-787-1281 Phone: 717-705-7173 Email: www.repbrooks.com/contact Email: [email protected] http://www.reportitay.com/contact.aspx Email: www.repstruzzi.com/contact Rep.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 Lilly Report of Political Financial Support
    16 2016 Lilly Report of Political Financial Support 1 16 2016 Lilly Report of Political Financial Support Lilly employees are dedicated to innovation and the discovery of medicines to help people live longer, healthier and more active lives, and more importantly, doing their work with integrity. LillyPAC was established to work to ensure that this vision is also shared by lawmakers, who make policy decisions that impact our company and the patients we serve. In a new political environment where policies can change with a “tweet,” we must be even more vigilant about supporting those who believe in our story, and our PAC is an effective way to support those who share our views. We also want to ensure that you know the story of LillyPAC. Transparency is an important element of our integrity promise, and so we are pleased to share this 2016 LillyPAC annual report with you. LillyPAC raised $949,267 through the generous, voluntary contributions of 3,682 Lilly employees in 2016. Those contributions allowed LillyPAC to invest in 187 federal candidates and more than 500 state candidates who understand the importance of what we do. You will find a full financial accounting in the following pages, as well as complete lists of candidates and political committees that received LillyPAC support and the permissible corporate contributions made by the company. In addition, this report is a helpful guide to understanding how our PAC operates and makes its contribution decisions. On behalf of the LillyPAC Governing Board, I want to thank everyone who has made the decision to support this vital program.
    [Show full text]
  • Why Pre-K? Pre-K Works, Why Not in PA?
    Making the Case for Pre-K for PA 2018 UWP Webinar Series United Way of Pennsylvania www.uwp.org Vision & Goals Pre-K Accessible to Every Child by 2022 United Way of Pennsylvania www.uwp.org Vision: To ensure that all children can enter school ready to succeed by making high-quality pre-k accessible to every 3- and 4-year old in Pennsylvania Goal: By 2022, every at-risk child will have access to a high-quality pre-kindergarten program and middle-income families will more easily afford these services for their children. How to Accomplish this Goal? Work with the Pre-K for PA coalition and policymakers to ensure a state investment of $440 million ($285 million remaining). United Way of Pennsylvania 3 www.uwp.org Coalition Members Pennsylvania’s coalition consists of regional and statewide nonprofit and non-governmental organizations that work together to advance a shared agenda and to advocate on behalf of young children. The Coalition has recruited nearly 16,000 individual supporters, including 130 civic and business leaders and 600 supporting organizations 4 Why Pre-K? Pre-K Works, Why not in PA? United Way of Pennsylvania Access to High Quality Pre-K: Provides Opportunity & Strengthens Schools • Children who are enrolled in a high-quality pre-k program are more likely to advance grades and have improved social skills. • When children begin with high-quality pre-k, this investment prevents the achievement gap from becoming too wide and reduces the need for costly interventions in the future. United Way of Pennsylvania 6 www.uwp.org Pre-K
    [Show full text]
  • PRO-GUN VOTERS GUIDE! Recommendations Are Based On: for the FOAC Endorsed Candidates Below VOTE- 1
    FOAC PRO-GUN VOTERS GUIDE! Recommendations are based on: For the FOAC Endorsed Candidates Below VOTE- 1. Questionnaires 2. Personal Interviews 3. Legislative Record Zone 2 (N/W-PA) General Election Alert - Nov. 6, 2018 4. Published Statements Armstrong County Endorsed Candidates Jefferson County Endorsed Candidates U.S. CONGRESS PA – Governor U.S. CONGRESS District – 15 Glenn Thompson (R) District – 15 Glenn Thompson (R) PA STATE SENATE Scott Wagner PA STATE SENATE District 41 - No Election Until 2020 District 25 - No Election Until 2020 PA STATE HOUSE PA – Lt. Governor PA STATE HOUSE District – 55 Joe Petrarca (D) District – 66 Cris Dush (R) District – 60 Jeff Pyle (R) Lawrence County Endorsed Candidates District – 63 Donna Oberlander (R) Jeff Bartos U.S. CONGRESS Beaver County Endorsed Candidates District – 6 No Suitable Candidate U.S. CONGRESS U.S. - Senator PA STATE SENATE District – 17 Keith Rothfus (R) District 47 - No Election Until 2020 PA STATE SENATE Lou Barletta PA STATE HOUSE District – 46 Camera Bartalotta (R) District – 9 Chris Sainato (D) District – 47-No Election Until 2020 Crawford County Endorsed Candidates District – 10 Aaron Bernstine (R) PA STATE HOUSE U.S. CONGRESS District – 17 Parke Wentling (R) District – 10 Aaron Bernstine (R) District – 6 No Suitable Candidate District – 14 Jim Marshall (R) PA STATE SENATE Mercer County Endorsed Candidates District – 15 Josh Kail (R) District – 50 Michelle Brooks (R) U.S. CONGRESS District – 16 No suitable candidate PA STATE HOUSE District – 6 No Suitable Candidate PA STATE SENATE Butler County Endorsed Candidates District – 6 Brad Roae (R) District – 50 Michelle Brooks (R) U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Agents by County for the Web
    List of Agents By County for the Web Card Agent Services for Web Run Date: 9/27/2021 Run Time: 7:10:48 AM ADAMS COUNTY Name Street Address City State Zip Code Phone ANNA LOUISE CAIN 695 BECK RD GETTYSBURG PA 17325 -- BONNIE S WALTERS 966 JOHNSON DR GETTYSBURG PA 17325 717-637-4394 QUALITY HOMES INC BRENDA L HECKENER ABBOTTSTOWN PA 17301 717-767-6735 7519 LINCOLN HWG DARLENE K WALLEN 1925 E BERLIN RD NEW OXFORD PA 17350 -- DEBORAH A SMITH 660 EDGEGROVE RD HANOVER PA 17331 -- DEBRA K HAHN 204 SCOTT SCHOOL RD ORRTANNA PA 17353 717-334-1461 JOHN M DAVIS 85 MAPLE ST LITTLESTOWN PA 17340 -- LISA L BENNETT 660 MOUNT TABOR RD GARDNERS PA 17324 717-677-0077 MARGUERITE M HARTLAUB 3549 BALTIMORE PIKE LITTLESTOWN PA 17340 -- MARYANNE LIPPY 2992 YORK RD GETTYSBURG PA 17325 -- MELANIE J GALLAGHER 310 SMOKETOWN RD HANOVER PA 17331 717-630-4887 REGINA M TONER 449 FRAZIER RD ASPERS PA 17304 717-778-4536 ROBERT G TEETER 108 W MIDDLE ST GETTYSBURG PA 17325 -- ROSETTA J STAUFFER 450 S RIDGE RD YORK SPRINGS PA 17372 -- SHARON E PRICE 2024 YORK RD GETTYSBURG PA 17325 -- Page 1 of 174 List of Agents By County for the Web Run Date: 9/27/2021 Run Time: 7:10:48 AM ALLEGHENY COUNTY Name Street Address City State Zip Code Phone ALBERT J BURGUNDER 1101 CHARTIERS AVE MC KEES ROCKS PA 15136 -- AMANDA JEAN CHUNIK 15 27TH ST PITTSBURGH PA 15222 412-232-3015 ANDREA HOPEWELL 7122 MOUNT VERNON ST PITTSBURGH PA 15208 -- ANDREA M DEBAR 434 1ST ST CARNEGIE PA 15106 -- ANITA BOEHM 7205 SALTSBURG RD PITTSBURGH PA 15235 - 2254 412-793-2448 ANITA L HULL 820 W INGOMAR RD PITTSBURGH
    [Show full text]
  • LRI's Rev Up! Philadelphia 2018 Booklet
    Register, Educate, Vote, Use Your Power Full political participation for Americans with disabilities is a right. AAPD works with state and national coalitions on effective, non- partisan campaigns to eliminate barriers to voting, promoting accessible voting technology and polling places; educate voters about issues and candidates; promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the country; protect eligible voters’ right to participate in elections; and engage candidates and elected officials to recognize the disability community. 1 Pennsylvania 2018 Midterm Election Dates 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Election Registrations Date: Tuesday, October 9, 2018 – DEADLINE!! 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Elections Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018, 7 am – 8 pm Pennsylvania Voter Services https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov • Register to Vote • Apply for An Absentee Ballot • Check Voter Registration Status • Check Voter Application Status • Find Your Polling Place 2 Table of Contents Pennsylvania 2018 Midterm Election Dates ............................ 2 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Election Registrations ................. 2 2018 Pennsylvania Midterm Elections .................................. 2 Table of Contents ................................................................ 3 Voting Accommodations ....................................................... 7 Voter Registration ............................................................ 7 Language Access ................................................................ 8 Issues that Affect People with Disabilities
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Leaders • Sen
    The Pennsylvania House and Senate announced their 2019-2020 committee leaders. Why should I care? Committee leaders are influential members of the Pa. General Assembly. Strong relationships between them, PAMED, and physician members are key. Here are the announced committee leaders. While it may seem like some of them have nothing to do with the practice of medicine, all chairs are included because history has shown that legislation that affects physicians can get assigned to a seemingly unrelated committee due to the bill’s contents. Therefore, it’s good for physicians to be aware of all committee leaders in the Pa. General Assembly. Senate Leaders • Sen. Joe Scarnati (Jefferson) – President Pro Tempore • Sen. Jake Corman (Centre) – Majority Leader • Sen. Patrick Browne (Lehigh) – Appropriations Chairman • Sen. John Gordner (Columbia) – Majority Whip • Sen. Bob Mensch (Montgomery) – Caucus Chair • Sen. Richard Alloway (Franklin) – Caucus Secretary • Sen. David Argall (Schuylkill) – Policy Chair • Sen. Jay Costa (Allegheny) – Minority Leader • Sen. Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia) – Appropriations Chairman • Sen. Anthony Williams (Philadelphia) – Minority Whip • Sen. Wayne Fontana (Allegheny) – Caucus Chair • Sen. Larry Farnese (Philadelphia) – Caucus Secretary • Sen. John Blake (Lackawanna) – Caucus Administrator • Sen. Lisa Boscola (Northampton) – Policy Chair Aging & Youth • Sen. John DiSanto – R, Dauphin and Perry counties • Sen. Maria Collett – D, Bucks and Montgomery counties Agriculture & Rural Affairs • Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr. – R, Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence counties • Sen. Judy Schwank – D, Berks County Appropriations • Sen. Pat Browne – R, Lehigh County • Sen. Vincent Hughes – D, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties Banking & Insurance* • Sen. Don White – R, Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, and Westmoreland counties • Sen. Sharif Street – D, Philadelphia County Communications & Technology • Sen.
    [Show full text]
  • Candidate Listing - Post Primary 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 11/03/2020 (GENERAL ) DATE/TIME : 8/4/2020 4:21:45 PM Page 1 of 31
    PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF COMMISSIONS, ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATION DEPARTMENT OF STATE POST PRIMARY Candidate Listing - Post Primary 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 11/03/2020 (GENERAL ) DATE/TIME : 8/4/2020 4:21:45 PM Page 1 of 31 Candidate ID Party Candidate Name Address City Zip County PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES --Statewide 2020C0962 DEM JOSEPH R BIDEN PO BOX 58174 PHILADELPHIA PA 19102- 2020C0476 REP DONALD J TRUMP P.O. BOX 13570 ARLINGTON VA 22219 2020C1459 GRN ELIZABETH FAYE SCROGGIN 233 W PENNSYLVANIA AVE DOWNINGTOWN PA 19335- CHESTER 2020C1442 LIB WILLIAM MARTIN SLOANE 417 WEST SOUTH STREET CARLISLE PA 11111- CUMBERLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL --Statewide 2020C0570 DEM JOSH SHAPIRO P.O. BOX 22635 PHILADELPHIA PA 19110- MONTGOMERY 2020C0539 REP HEATHER HEIDELBAUGH 141 WOODHAVEN DRIVE PITTSBURGH PA 15228- ALLEGHENY 2020C1456 GRN RICHARD L WEISS 107 OLD VILLAGE LANE BETHEL PARK PA 15102- ALLEGHENY 2020C1446 LIB DANIEL WASSMER 1433 ROUTE 590 HOWLEY PA 18428- PIKE STATE TREASURER --Statewide 2020C0571 DEM JOE TORSELLA P.O. BOX 626 FLOURTOWN PA 19031 MONTGOMERY 383 GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL PARK 2020C0542 REP STACY L GARRITY ATHENS PA 18810- BRADFORD ROAD 2020C1458 GRN TIMOTHY RUNKLE 15 TEAKWOOD CIRCLE ELIZABETHTOWN PA 17022- LANCASTER 2020C1445 LIB JOE SOLOSKI 141 BUCKHORN RD PORT MATILDA PA 16871- CENTRE AUDITOR GENERAL --Statewide 2020C0549 DEM NINA AHMAD 405 E GOWEN AVE PHILADELPHIA PA 19119- PHILADELPHIA 2020C0564 REP TIMOTHY DEFOOR 1300 ELLIS DRIVE HARRISBURG PA 17110 DAUPHIN 2020C1457 GRN OLIVIA SAISON 5522 SPRUCE ST PHILADELPHI PA 19139- PHILADELPHIA
    [Show full text]
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative
    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018 SESSION OF 2018 202D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 44 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, The House convened at 11 a.m., e.d.t. to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. THE SPEAKER (MIKE TURZAI) For it is in giving that we receive, PRESIDING it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. MOMENT OF SILENCE In Your name we pray. Amen. FOR HON. MICHAEL H. O'BRIEN The SPEAKER. We were of course deeply saddened to learn PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE of the passing of our friend and colleague, Representative (The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by members and Michael O'Brien. So I would ask everybody to please stand as visitors.) able for a moment of silence as we reflect upon his life and legacy as a public servant. Of course we will be having a memorial at a later date and time. JOURNAL APPROVAL POSTPONED The prayer today will be offered by our friend and colleague, the minority whip, Representative Mike Hanna. Immediately The SPEAKER. Without objection, the approval of the thereafter we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand Journal of Thursday, October 11, 2018, will be postponed until for this moment of silence, and then we will have Representative printed. Hanna give the prayer. BILL REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE, (Whereupon, the members of the House and all visitors stood CONSIDERED FIRST TIME, AND TABLED in a moment of silence in solemn respect to the memory of the Honorable Michael H.
    [Show full text]
  • Doctor Prescribed Suicide Threatens Pennsylvanians
    DOCTOR PRESCRIBED SUICIDE THREATENS PENNSYLVANIA NS Bills are being introduced in the Pennsylvania House and Senate to authorized physicians to prescribe lethal drugs for the purpose of ending people’s lives. The bills are backed by an organization called “Compassion & Choices,” formerly known as the Hemlock Society. They are opposed by disability rights organizations throughout the state. If these bills are enacted, death will immediately become one of the services that physicians propose and deliver to their patients. Insurance companies and hospitals will begin to categorize some patients as candidates for elimination. A protocol will be established for determining for whom and under what conditions death will be the “gold standard” in health care. Patients will inevitably come under heavy pressure to choose death rather than risk being a financial and/or emotional burden to their families, their health care providers, and society as a whole. These are just a few of the short-tem dangers. Over the long term, doctor-prescribed suicide is merely an interim stop on the road to direct euthanasia (the doctor kills the patient by a direct act), and, once the wall between life and death -- the injunction, “Thou shalt not kill” -- has been breeched, deceptively-reassuring “restrictions” and “safeguards” will quickly crumble in the face of demands for “autonomy” and “equality.” As has already happened in that case of abortion, America will descend toward a national policy of “death on demand.” This has already happened in several European countries. «« PLEASE CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS «« Please tell your state representative: Do not cosponsor or in any way support Representative Mark Rozzi's "Care Act," which would legalize doctor-prescribed suicide.
    [Show full text]
  • Few but Mighty: Women and Bill Sponsorship in the Pennsylvania General Assembly
    MAY 2017 Few, but Mighty: Women and Bill Sponsorship in the Pennsylvania General Assembly On Oct. 19, 2016, Rep. Kathy Watson (R) joined Gov. Tom Wolf and senior citizen advocates for the ceremonial bill signing of Act 48 of 2016, a new law that requires carbon monoxide detectors in residential care facilities, such as nursing homes, personal care homes, and assisted living centers. Few, but Mighty: Women and Bill Sponsorship in the Pennsylvania General Assembly Introduction collaboration, and legislative success are each explored. We State Representative Kate Harper (R) was sitting in a hearing address questions specific to the role of gender in patterns on autonomous vehicles. Naturally, the legislators involved of bill sponsorship in the Pennsylvania General Assembly by were keenly interested in issues of safety and practicality. drawing on bill sponsorship data from Pennsylvania’s 2013- Rep. Harper’s thoughts went elsewhere. As a fromer caregiver, 2014 legislative term, as well as insights from women who Harper immediately wondered whether self-driving cars had served in the General Assembly at that time.1 the potential to help keep seniors in their homes after loss of function would normally resign them to nursing homes. A Women’s Representation different perspective, certainly, and one that Harper credits to Despite some advancement in women’s representation at the being a woman with a seat at the legislative table. national, state, and local levels of government, women are still underrepresented in 2017. Across the United States, women Like Rep. Harper, scholars of American politics frequently make up 51 percent of the population, yet hold only 19 percent cite the different perspective, life experiences, and skill sets of the available seats in Congress (National Conference of State that women bring to the table as legislators, but women’s Legislatures 2016).
    [Show full text]
  • November 7, 2018 Pennsylvania Was One of the Most Closely Watched
    Keep up to date with our blog: Follow us on Twitter @BuchananGov knowingGovernmentRelations.com November 7, 2018 Pennsylvania was one of the most closely watched states in the country on Election Day. Redistricting of Congressional seats meant a shakeup was coming for the Commonwealth’s 18-member delegation. At the statewide level, the Governor and one of two U.S. Senators were on the ballot. In the state legislature, half of the 50 Senate seats (even- numbered districts) and the entire 203-seat House of Representatives were up for grabs. During the 2017-18 legislative session the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was comprised of 121 Republicans and 82 Democrats. After last night’s election, the 2018-19 legislative session will have 109 Republicans and 94 Democrats, after the Democrats picked up 11 seats. In the Pennsylvania Senate, Republicans had a majority during the 2017-18 by a margin of 34-16. Yesterday, Senate Democrats picked up 5 seats, narrowing the Republican’s majority. Next session will have 29 Republican members and 21 Democratic members. The 18-member Pennsylvania delegation had only 6 Democrats during the 115th Congress (2017-19). When new members are sworn into the 116th Congress next year, Pennsylvania’s delegation will be split, with 9 Republicans and 9 Democrats. Governor Governor Tom Wolf (D) and his running mate for Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman (D) defeated the ticket of Scott Wagner (R) and Jeff Bartos (R). Wolf received 2,799,1559 votes (57.66%), while Wagner got 1,981,027 votes (40.81%). U.S. Senate Senator Bob Casey (D) defeated Lou Barletta (R) by a margin of over half a million votes.
    [Show full text]