Post Session Report: November 1, 2011

SB 444, PN 1737 – This bill amends the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act by increasing the prize limits for games, and making several additional changes.  A vote of 46-4 was recorded. HB 563, PN 619 – This bill amends Title 75 by creating an exemption for land...

Senate Democratic Wrapup for the Week of October 31, 2011

The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 444, which would increase the prize limits for Local Option Small Games of Chance and tighten regulations on small games licensees. Changes in prize limits would include: Single chance from $500 to $1,000; Weekly limit for an...

Post Session Report: October 31, 2011

SB 286, PN 1667 (Gordner) – The bill amends the Incorporated Towns Contracts Act (Act 34 of 1953) by increasing the threshold at which these incorporated towns must use competitive bidding and public advertising and providing for annual increases.  A vote of 49-0 was...

Post Session Report: October 26, 2011

Senate Bill 1 PN 1711(Piccola): Senate Bill 1 establishes a new Article XXV-B (Opportunity Scholarships and Educational Improvement Tax Credit) to provide for public to public and nonpublic school choice programs, reestablishes the Educational Improvement Tax Credit...

Post Session Report: October 25, 2011

HB 290, PN 2626- The legislation amends the Second Class County Code  to increase non-bid contract maximums and to provide for the annual indexing and adjusting of these figures for inflation.   A vote of 49-0 was recorded. SB 367, PN 1670 – This bill is known as the...

Senate Democratic Wrap-Up for the Week of October 24, 2011

The Senate narrowly passed Senate Bill 1 by a vote of 27-22.  The measure would create a taxpayer-funded school voucher program to allow children in low-income households and failing school districts to attend a private or parochial school. The bill would enable...

Post Session Report: October 24, 2011

HB 278, PN 2419 (Keller) – Amends the Second Class Township Code to increase non-bid contract maximums and to provide for the annual indexing and adjusting of these figures for inflation.  A vote of 49-0 was recorded. HB 279, PN 2420 (Keller) – Amends the First Class...

Post Session Report: October 19, 2011

SB 560 PN 728 (Mensch): Establishes the State Military College Legislative Appointment Program. The bill was approved, 45-5. SB 850 PN 1691 (Greenleaf): Amends the Crimes Code to establish the criminal offense of cyber bullying. The bill was unanimously approved. SB...

Post Session Report: October 18, 2011

SB 1151, PN 1665 – The legislation amends the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act to create a new chapter that provides for fiscal emergencies and receivership for Cities of the Third Class.  The Senate concurred in House amendments, as amended by the Senate, by a...

Senate Democratic Wrap-Up for the Week of October 17, 2011

By a vote of 37-13, the Senate passed a bill giving the governor broad powers to take over the finances of the City of Harrisburg after the city’s refusal to accept a state-advised Act 47 recovery plan. Senate Bill 1151 allows the governor to declare a fiscal...