Scott Petri’s PA News

• Republican lawmakers successfully negotiated a plan that cut the spending proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrats. The overall 3.98 percent increase falls under the anticipated 4.4 percent rate of inflation for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

• There are no new taxes or fees and I stood firm against a plan to raid the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund.

• I am pleased to report a major victory for school districts and students across the state. A plan to mandate graduation tests statewide without legislative oversight (a projected $40 million unfunded mandate) led the fight to increase the minimum basic education subsidy to 3 percent. The governor’s draft of the budget would provide our schools only an additional 1.5 percent.

Legislation that would provide state support for community-based health centers to make pediatrics, obstetrical and gynecological care and family education services more widely available has passed the House with broad, bipartisan support.

• House Bill 1824 would allow an additional 55,000 residents to immediately benefit from using community-based health centers.

• This legislation is part of a broader legislative package designed by Republican lawmakers to provide access to quality, affordable health care.

• Financial support exceeding $1 billion is going to be available at the state level for communities faced with mandates to meet demands for water and sewer treatment facilities, as well as bridges and dams in critical need of repair.

• The state has been authorized to invest $350 million to accelerate the repair and replacement of 411 of the state’s structurally deficient bridges and $800 million for water and sewer projects.

• Certain components of a tax-free, comprehensive energy plan developed by House Republicans were also approved last week.

• The legislation, which includes $25 million for loans and grants to individuals and small businesses that utilize energy-conserving technology, $40 million to assist low-income families with their heating bills, and $25 million to fund environmental improvements to small coal power plants, was built upon the Republican “Energy for PA” plan.

• It dedicates $650 million over the next eight years to move the state toward energy independence by encouraging conservation and development of alternative sources of energy.

The Commonwealth’s 40-year-old mine safety statutes are set for a facelift under legislation recently passed by the House.

• If enacted, Senate Bill 949 would update safety statutes related to bituminous coal mining with the creation of a Coal Mine Safety Board, stricter inspection duties and defined responsibilities for mine operators during accidents.

• The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would administer the state’s mine safety program, including making inspections, conducting investigations and issuing orders.

• The DEP would also be responsible for conducting semi-annual inspections on electrical components and general safety inspections on a quarterly basis.

• The Coal Mine Safety Board would have authority to establish new regulations.

Families affected by autism disorders will have improved access to care under legislation requiring private insurance companies and government insurance programs to cover autism treatments.

The legislation, which passed with unanimous support, calls on insurers to:

• Provide up to $36,000 a year in coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis and other medically necessary treatments to individuals under the age of 21.

• Could affect more than 21,000 children between the ages of 2 and 20, who have been diagnosed with the disorder.