Issues

Governor's Proposed Budget FY 2008-09     As you are probably aware, the Senate has concluded its budget hearings, but will soon begin its meetings to determine what are our own priorities for the budget.  Interested in seeing the Governor's proposal?  Just click on the Budget Book below for additional information:      I have already received many emails and letters regarding specific funding areas that constituents are concerned with and for which they are advocating.  I appreciate the advocacy and expertise in these funding areas and will certainly keep all requests in mind as we deliberate changes to the budget.         The budget process is always a difficult process, but I am committed to working with my colleagues to develop a budget that will keep Pennsylvania moving forward in a fiscally responsible manner.
Senate Bill 1150 Live Animal Trap Shooting      I have been receiving a number of emails in regards to support of Senate Bill 1150 (SB 1150), legislation that would prohibit the use of live animals in trap shooting.  The legislation will be considered by the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.      Although I did not co-sponsor the legislation, I am a member of the Judiciary Committee.  I have indicated my intent to vote in favor of this legislation to my colleagues and the sponsor when it comes before us for consideration.	Smoking Ban       Senate Bill 246 (SB 246) remains in conference committee for consideration, although two hearings on the legislation have been held by the committee in recent weeks.          I remain a proponent of the smoking ban for the Commonwealth; it is clearly something that many residents want as expressed by the emails, letters and phone calls received in my office. I expect to vote in favor of the bill as it comes out of committee because I believe – even with exceptions – that something is better than nothing and that taking a step forward on this issue gives us even more opportunity to continue to strengthen and improve the law.  As always, I look forward to your comments on this issue as well as others that are of importance and interest to you.
High Tech & Manufacturing Stimulus Act      In December, I was pleased to introduce the High-Tech & Manufacturing Stimulus Act along with my colleague, Senator Browne.  The legislation – Senate Bill 1229 (SB 1229) – is designed to help Pennsylvania compete successfully for new jobs and investment by addressing business tax competitiveness problems.  It calls for two changes that will significantly improve Pennsylvania’s business climate in a fiscally responsible manner through a two-year phase in.       The first change is a proposal to adjust gradually the apportionment formula for the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) to a formula based exclusively on a corporation’s sales.  The “Single Sales Factor” weights sales to encourage companies to increase capital investment and employees in Pennsylvania.  The second change phases out the existing Net Operating Loss (NOL) cap that currently limits the ability of cyclical companies (manufacturers, high tech companies and start-up companies) to offset their income with losses each year.  Only one other state – New Hampshire – places such a restriction on carry over.       Pennsylvanians are concerned about our economy.  Although we have experienced growth in the past few years, that growth has slowed now.  Recent actions by the federal government and proposals by our state government are intended to stimulate our economy to ensure that there is money in the hands of American workers and businesses.  I believe that the best way to do that is to improve Pennsylvania’s tax climate so that we will see job growth, business investment, and new economic development and, in turn, a robust and healthy economy.      The action by the Senate’s Finance Committee to unanimously move SB 1229 forward last month indicates to me that many of my colleagues want to address this issue too.  As we begin moving through the budget process and determining what our members’ priorities are, I encourage you to lend your advocacy and expertise to make the case for these business tax changes.  So, please – weigh in and share what these changes would mean to your business with your Senator and/or Representative.  I look forward to working together with you as we keep Pennsylvania moving forward.  HEAR MORE

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