{"id":488,"date":"2011-10-14T14:40:50","date_gmt":"2011-10-14T18:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/?p=488"},"modified":"2011-10-14T14:40:50","modified_gmt":"2011-10-14T18:40:50","slug":"psats-grassroots-lobbying-network-%e2%80%93-week-in-review-101411","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/?p=488","title":{"rendered":"PSATS Grassroots Lobbying Network \u2013 Week in Review (10\/14\/11)"},"content":{"rendered":"

ACTION ALERT<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The PSATS Grassroots Lobbying Network is still under a State of ALERT<\/em> for the House Prevailing Wage
\nLegislative Reform Package.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please contact your <\/strong>House
\nmembers<\/a> and ask
\nthat they support these bills, particularly House members from the following
\ncounties: Allegheny, Beaver, Blair, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware,
\nErie, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery,
\nNorthampton, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Westmoreland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

House Prevailing Wage Reform Package:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently
\nbefore the House are a number of bills that would amend the Prevailing Wage
\nLaw.\u00a0 The bills may come before the House for a vote next week!<\/strong>
\nThese pieces of legislation represent the first realistic opportunity in a long
\nwhile to actually make meaningful and positive changes to one of the most
\nburdensome mandates currently placed on local governments.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1329<\/a> (PN 2468)<\/em>
\nwould increase the current prevailing wage rate threshold from the current
\n$25,000 to $185,000.\u00a0 It would also adjust this amount annually based on
\nthe Consumer Price Index.<\/p>\n

PSATS
\nPosition:<\/span><\/em>
\nWe feel that this increased rate is much more reasonable.\u00a0 PSATS
\nsupports HB 1329<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1191<\/a> (PN 1304)<\/em>
\nwould exempt local governments from the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Law
\nunless they agree to fall under its regulations.<\/p>\n

PSATS
\nPosition:<\/span><\/em>
\nWhile the majority of our members believe that prevailing wage rates are
\nunnecessarily burdensome on taxpayers, there are some townships that support
\nthe intent of the law.\u00a0 This bill would authorize these municipalities to
\n\u201copt-in\u201d to the Prevailing Wage Law\u2019s regulations, while exempting all others. PSATS
\nsupports HB 1191<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1271<\/a> (PN 2467) <\/em>would
\nclarify the definition of \u201cmaintenance work\u201d as it relates to rehabilitation
\nwork on roads, highways, and bridges.\u00a0 The new definition would exclude
\nthe replacement of guide rails and curbs, the repair of pavement by overlaying
\nbituminous material or patching cement surfaces, road widening that does not
\nresult in additional lanes, and bridge cleaning and resurfacing<\/p>\n

PSATS
\nPosition:<\/span><\/em>
\nThis bill would remedy the actions of the 2008 Youngwood Borough <\/em>Supreme
\nCourt case which redefined those activities that have historically been
\nconsidered maintenance and thus, exempt from the Prevailing Wage Law.\u00a0 PSATS
\nsupports HB 1271<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1541<\/a> (PN 1890)<\/em>
\nwould amend the definition of \u201cpublic work\u201d to require that at least 51 percent
\nof the monies used in a project be public funds.<\/p>\n

PSATS
\nPosition:<\/span><\/em>
\nMany times, public agencies and private interests work together on projects
\nthat benefit the entire community.\u00a0 Unfortunately, any project that
\nreceives any portion of its funding through public sources must be subject to
\nthe Prevailing Wage Law.\u00a0 As a result, a number of worthwhile
\npublic-private partnerships never happen due to increased costs.\u00a0 This
\nbill would exempt those projects in which the majority of the project is funded
\nby private sources.\u00a0 PSATS supports HB 1541<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1367<\/a> (PN 1608)<\/em>
\nwould require the Department of Labor and Industry to determine the prevailing
\nwage rates for each county by utilizing occupational wage rate data as
\ndetermined by the Department\u2019s Center for Workforce and Analysis as the basis
\nof the determination.\u00a0 PSATS supports HB 1367<\/em><\/p>\n

—
\nand —<\/p>\n

–
\nHB 1685<\/a> (PN 2469)<\/em>
\nwould require the Department to develop a complete list of worker
\nclassifications and place this information on a publicly accessible
\nwebsite.\u00a0 To assist in developing this list, the Department could consult
\na number of sources, including organized labor, contractors, collective
\nbargaining agreements, the Prevailing Wage Advisory Board, and relevant Federal
\noccupational classifications.\u00a0 PSATS supports HB 1685<\/em><\/p>\n

PSATS
\nPosition on both bills:<\/span><\/em> The current methodology in determining prevailing wage
\nrates are based on language that is fundamentally vague and often applied in an
\ninconsistent manner.\u00a0 Also, the weight that the statute and regulations
\ncurrently give to collective bargaining agreements and union wages tend to skew
\nthe rates unnecessarily higher than they otherwise would have been if
\ndetermined under alternative means.\u00a0\u00a0 Both bills would establish a
\nclear and uniform set of guidelines in determining proper wage rates.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now
\nis the time to act!\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Please
\ncontact your House members<\/a>\u00a0and
\nask them to support<\/strong> the House Prevailing Wage Legislative Reform Package
\ntoday!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

COUNTY CONVENTIONS IN OCTOBER<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Dates are subject to change)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Snyder (5th<\/sup>), Cumberland (6th<\/sup>),
\nDauphin (6th<\/sup>), Clearfield (7th<\/sup>), Pike (7th<\/sup>),
\nFulton (10th<\/sup>), Sullivan (11th<\/sup>), Wayne (12th<\/sup>),
\nColumbia (13th<\/sup>), Huntingdon (13th<\/sup>), Jefferson (13th<\/sup>),
\nMonroe (13th<\/sup>), Bedford (17th<\/sup>), Warren (17th<\/sup>),
\nCrawford (18th<\/sup>), Schuylkill (19th<\/sup>), Greene (20th<\/sup>),
\nLebanon (20th<\/sup>), Berks (20th<\/sup>), Union (20th<\/sup>),
\nMontour (20th<\/sup>), Mifflin (25th<\/sup>), Erie (27th<\/sup>),
\nFranklin (27th<\/sup>), Lycoming (27th<\/sup>), Mercer (27th<\/sup>),
\nSusquehanna (27th<\/sup>), Northumberland (27th<\/sup>), Beaver (29th<\/sup>)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Senate: 17, 18, 19, 24, 25,
\n26, 31<\/p>\n

House:
\n3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TOWNSHIP-RELATED BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW RECENTLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

None<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

TOWNSHIP-RELATED BILLS BEFORE THE GOVERNOR:<\/strong><\/p>\n

HB (House Bill), SB (Senate Bill), PN (Printers Number)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

None at
\nthis time<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Look Ahead to NEXT Week<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

Township-Related
\nBills on the Calendar:<\/h2>\n

House:<\/span> Third consideration:
\nHB 970<\/a>; Second
\nconsideration: SB 303<\/a>, HB 46<\/a>, HB 1271<\/a>; Resolutions: HR 70<\/a><\/p>\n

Senate:<\/span> Third consideration:
\nSB 367<\/a>, SB 405<\/a>; Second consideration:
\nHB 10<\/a>, SB 883<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Committee
\nMeetings of Interest to Townships<\/h2>\n

(All
\nmeetings are at the Capitol in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, 10\/17:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House Gaming Oversight Committee will consider <\/strong>HB 65<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Awarding casino licenses) <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The Joint Legislative Conservation Committee will hold an
\nEnvironmental Issues Forum to hear testimony from Reclamere, data security
\nexperts from Tyrone, PA, who will offer a presentation on electronic recycling
\nand data security, to include discussion of compliant recycling of IT
\nequipment, on and off-site data destruction, and how to properly deal with IT
\ndata<\/strong><\/p>\n

security.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 10\/18:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee
\nwill hold a public hearing on <\/strong>HB 63<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Snowmobile and ATV registration) <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House State Government Committee will consider: <\/strong>HB 738<\/a> <\/strong>(Local
\nenforcement of immigration laws), <\/strong>SB 9<\/a><\/strong>, <\/strong>HB 41<\/a><\/strong>,
\nand <\/strong>HB 809<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Public benefits for illegal aliens),<\/strong> HB 858<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Hiring illegal aliens), <\/strong>HB 355<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Transporting or harboring illegal aliens), <\/strong>HB 810<\/a><\/strong>
\nand <\/strong>HB 865<\/a><\/strong>
\n(\u201cSanctuary Municipalities\u201d), <\/strong>HB 857<\/a> <\/strong>(Definition
\nof a \u201cCommonwealth Citizen\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House Judiciary Committee will consider <\/strong>HB 1552<\/a><\/strong>
\n(Civil case venues)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 10\/19:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House State Government Committee will hold an
\ninformational meeting on: <\/strong>HB 153<\/a><\/strong> (Reducing
\nthe size of the legislature), <\/strong>HB 55<\/a><\/strong>
\n(increasing the terms of legislators and decreasing the size of the
\nlegislature), <\/strong>HB 56<\/a> <\/strong>(increasing
\nthe terms of legislators and decreasing the size of the legislature), <\/strong>HB 57<\/a> <\/strong>(increasing
\nthe terms of legislators and decreasing the size of the legislature), <\/strong>HB 183<\/a><\/strong> (decreasing
\nthe size of the legislature), <\/strong>HB 876<\/a> <\/strong>(decreasing
\nthe size of the legislature), <\/strong>HB 936<\/a><\/strong>
\n(decreasing the size of the legislature)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

– The Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee will
\nmeet to discuss and release reports on an inventory of state-owned real property
\nand subsurface mineral rights, the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer
\nAmbulance Service Grant Program, and the economic contributions of<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday hunting alternatives in Pennsylvania: 2010 Update<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, 10\/20:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

– The House Local Government and Urban Affairs Committees,
\nalong with the Senate Local Government and Community, Economic, and
\nRecreational Development Committees will hold a joint public hearing the
\nMunicipalities Financial Recovery Act (Act 47 of 1987)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RECENT MOVEMENT ON LEGISLATION OF INTEREST:<\/strong><\/p>\n

HB (House Bill), SB (Senate Bill), HR (House Resolution),
\nSR (Senate Resolution), PN (Printers Number)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

HB 823<\/a> (Scavello,
\nR-Monroe) (PN 856):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in subdivision and land
\ndevelopment, to provide for the notice to a school district each month for each
\nresidential subdivision finally approved in the preceding month by the municipality.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Received in the Senate and
\nreferred to the Senate Local Government Committee (10\/11\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HB 1582<\/a>
\n(Taylor, R-Philadelphia) (PN 2440):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend Title 53 (Municipalities), in municipal authorities, to provide how
\nassessments must be determined by municipal authorities for condominiums or
\nsingle-family homes, including those in developments. The process for objections
\nfor those living in the jurisdiction of the authority is provided for within
\nthe legislation.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Received in the Senate and
\nreferred to the Senate Local Government Committee (10\/11\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HB 2020<\/a> (Knowles, R-Schuylkill) (PN 2535):<\/p>\n

The
\nInfrastructure Future Fund Act would establish the Infrastructure Future Fund
\nin the state Treasury which would contain the deposits of the net proceeds from
\nthe privatization of wine and liquor operations of the Pennsylvania liquor
\nstores and the net proceeds from the sale of any wine or liquor inventory owned
\nor maintained by the state liquor stores. The money in the account would be
\nused for the cost of construction of transportation infrastructure
\nprojects.\u00a0 The state Treasurer would have the authority to manage, invest,
\nand reinvest money in the fund, and the Governor would be required to submit an
\nannual itemization of transportation infrastructure projects funded under this
\nact along with a description and estimated cost as part of his state operating
\nbudget proposal.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Discussed in Press Conference
\n(10\/13\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

HR 451<\/a> (Gibbons,
\nD-Lawrence) (PN 2529):<\/p>\n

A
\nResolution to urge PENNVEST and DEP to establish a task force to study the
\nfeasibility of implementing a water resource restoration sponsorship program.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nHouse Environmental Resources and Energy Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 400<\/a> (Ferlo,
\nD-Allegheny) (PN 1652):<\/p>\n

The
\nFamily and Business Healthcare Security Act would create a comprehensive
\nPennsylvania health care plan, create and provide regulations and duties for a
\nPennsylvania Health Care Board, establish a Health Professional Quality Panel,
\nHealth Institution Quality Panel, and Health Supplier Quality Panel comprised
\nof individuals drawn from both the medical service community and providers, and
\nestablish the Pennsylvania Health Care Agency along with pertinent duties and
\nregulations, to administer the plan.\u00a0 The legislation would provide health
\ncare coverage for all residents of Pennsylvania and allow for the inclusion of
\nall licensed health care providers. The legislation would be funded through the
\nestablishment of the Pennsylvania Health Care Trust Fund used solely to finance
\nthe plan and draw revenue from dedicated sources specified by the General
\nAssembly, which would include a three percent \u201cwellness tax\u201d on income.
\nThe bill would also provide for transitional support and training for health
\ncare industry workers whose jobs are displaces as a result of the
\nimplementation and operation of the plan and a tax credit for volunteer
\nemergency responders equal to $1,000 towards the state income tax.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nSenate Banking and Insurance Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 820<\/a> (Smucker,
\nR-Lancaster) (PN 837):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Law further to stipulate that the
\nminimum wage rate would be equal to the average hourly occupational wage for
\neach county as determined from wage information submitted by employers on
\nquarterly unemployment compensation tax returns.<\/p>\n

Last Action: A public hearing was held before
\nthe Senate Labor and Industry Committee (10\/11\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 821<\/a> (Smucker,
\nR-Lancaster) (PN 839):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Law to increase the wage threshold to
\n$200,000 (from $25,000).<\/p>\n

Last Action: A public hearing was held before
\nthe Senate Labor and Industry Committee (10\/11\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 822<\/a> (Smucker,
\nR-Lancaster) (PN 840):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Law to further define “maintenance
\nwork” to includes the following actions taken on roads: (1) Replacement in
\nkind, or compliance with current PennDOT design criteria and standards, of
\nguide rails, curbs, pipes, line painting, and other related road equipment; (2)
\nrepair of pavement service; (3) widening of existing alignment which does not
\nresult in additional lanes or new shoulders; and (4) bridge cleaning, washing,
\nresurfacing with blacktop, minor nonstructural repairs, or improvements and
\npainting, except when combined with complete bridge rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Public hearing held in committee
\nSenate Labor and Industry 10-11-11 S<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 1271<\/a> (Yudichak, D-Luzerne) (PN 1653):<\/p>\n

The
\nFlood Control and Disaster Mitigation Itemization Act of 2011 would authorize
\n$90 million to be used for public improvement projects, specifically flood
\nmitigation projects, and itemize those projects, estimating their useful life
\nat 30 years.\u00a0 Funding sources for the projects are detailed and would be
\nderived from debt incurred under the Pennsylvania Constitution, Federal
\nfunding, and public assistance which would be split between the Commonwealth
\nand the political subdivisions, with local waivers available for political subdivisions
\nmeeting necessary criteria, such as its tax base being impacted by the recent
\nstorms.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nSenate Appropriations Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 1285<\/a> (Brewster, D-Allegheny) (PN 1654):<\/p>\n

The
\nMarcellus Shale Unconventional Well Job Training and Certification Act would
\nrequire job training and certification of workers at unconventional well sites
\nin the Marcellus Shale formation allowing a 12-month transitional period from
\nthe effective date of the act for workers to obtain the necessary job
\ntraining.\u00a0 Would require the Department of Labor and Industry to establish
\nstandards for job training and certification for workers in conjunction with
\nthe Marcellus Shale Industry Job Training Certification Advisory Board to be
\ncreated under the legislation.\u00a0 This legislation would not include
\nindividuals working in a clerical or administrative position.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nSenate Labor and Industry Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 1286<\/a> (Brewster, D-Allegheny) (PN 1655):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Tax Reform Code to provide for a natural gas extraction tax and for a
\nmunicipal improvement tax credit.\u00a0 The legislation would establish and
\nregulate a natural gas severance tax of 29 cents on every thousand cubic feet
\nof natural gas.\u00a0 The legislation would create a Natural Gas Severance Tax
\nFund to allocate, annually, 25 percent to the local Government Services
\nAccount, 25 percent to the Environmental Stewardship Fund, and 50 percent to a
\nrestricted revenue account established in the General Fund for distribution by
\nthe Department of Education to provide additional funding to school
\ndistricts.\u00a0 The legislation would also establish a tax credit for
\nindividuals who contribute money to a participating municipality for the repair
\nand maintenance of municipal infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nSenate Finance Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SB 1288<\/a>
\n(Baker, L, R-Luzerne) (PN 1657):<\/p>\n

Would
\namend the Underground Utility Line Protection Law to protect crude oil and
\nnatural gas production and gathering lines and facilities located in the
\nMarcellus Shale region from excavation or demolition work.<\/p>\n

Last Action: Introduced and referred to the
\nSenate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee (10\/12\/11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FUTURE
\nTOWNSHIP-RELATED LEGISLATION:<\/p>\n

(Click
\non the links to read the actual co-sponsorship memos)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

–
\nRep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna) will<\/a> soon introduce
\nlegislation to authorize the Commonwealth to incur debt, as authorized under
\nthe Pennsylvania Constitution, of $250 million to rehabilitate road and bridges
\ndamaged from the recent storms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nRep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) will<\/a> soon introduce
\nlegislation to allow for changes to farmstead provisions in the Agricultural
\nSecurity Area Law.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

–
\nSen. John Gordner (R-Columbia) will<\/a> soon introduce
\nlegislation to provide more funding to the state\u2019s Unemployment Compensation
\nFund.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ACTION ALERT \u00a0 The PSATS Grassroots Lobbying Network is still under a State of ALERT for the House Prevailing Wage Legislative Reform Package.\u00a0 \u00a0 Please contact your House members and ask that they support these bills, particularly House members from the following…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7_uncategorized","category-8_psats"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=488"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":490,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/488\/revisions\/490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/franklintwp.info\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}