Post Session Report :: Monday, November 13, 2017

Monday, November 13, 2017 SB 251, PN 300 (Vulakovich) – This bill amends Title 75, the Vehicle Code, to allow for the use of radar by local police departments.  Senator Vulakovich offered amendment A00547, which deletes the requirement that local police departments...

PA Senate Democrats Push Back on Trump’s ACA Enrollment Changes

HARRISBURG, November 1, 2017 — Following President Trump’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act by limiting open enrollment, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus will ramp up efforts to ensure eligible individuals gain health insurance through...

Senators Urge Yes Vote on Property Tax Ballot Referendum

Op-ed by State Senators Lisa Boscola and Pat Browne

Citizens of Pennsylvania will have an opportunity to cast their vote for an important ballot question which could lead to real property tax reform. We are urging citizens to vote yes.

Due to its legal language and structure, ballot questions are often written in confusing and hard-to-understand and this one is no different. However, the underlying issue is pretty straight forward. By voting yes, voters will approve a constitutional amendment to expand the homestead exclusion from one-half of the median assessed value of all homestead properties in a taxing district to up to 100 percent of the assessed value of each homestead property.

Senate Democratic Wrap-up for the Week of October 22, 2017

The Senate unanimously approved House Bill 46, which amends the Tax Code to allow taxpayers to contribute to pediatric cancer research through their state personal income tax return. The bill requires the Department of Revenue to offer the option on the income tax...

Post Session Report :: Wednesday, October 25, 2017

HB 178 PN 2609 (Day):  This bill would further provide for fire, emergency evacuation and security drills to be held in schools and school buses.  Further, it would provide for administrative and fiscal provisions to be amended into the Public School Code.  The Senate...

Post Session Report :: Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Tuesday, October 24, 2017 HB 203, PN 2519 (Longietti) – Amends Title 20 (Probates, Estates and Fiduciaries Code) by increasing the dollar amount of wages, salary or employee benefits that may be paid directly to the family of a decedent, without requiring letters of...

Hughes: Legislation Addresses ‘Stop-and-Go’ Liquor, Fixes City AVI

HARRISBURG, October 24, 2017 — State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) issued the following statement on the passage of legislation that addresses problematic “stop and go” liquor businesses.  The measure also establishes a fix for the city’s Actual Value...