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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2009

Senate Weekly Session Wrap

Important Harrisburg Happenings:

Senate Approves Senator Browne’s Senate Bill 1

The Senate approved, as part of the legislative activities of the session week of July 13, Senate Bill 1, legislation intended to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania’s budgeting process while increasing transparency and accountability in state government, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-16), prime sponsor of the measure.

The legislation establishes a Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO), a non-partisan, bi-cameral agency with expertise in financial matters.  The LFO would have access to the same agency and department financial information as the Governor’s Budget Office, Senator Browne, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, noted.

"This year, more than ever, we see the need for the LFO. One of the key duties of this office will be to set a binding revenue estimate by June 15 for the coming fiscal year. This would clearly set the parameters by which the Legislature can consider a spending plan," Senator Browne stated.

Senate Bill 1 will require state agencies and departments to submit their budget requests to the LFO at the same time they submit them to the Office of the Budget. Pennsylvania is currently one of only eight states where the Legislature does not receive the agency budget requests.

The LFO would also develop performance measures for state programs and departments and evaluate the performance reviews of those programs and departments as reported by the Administration.

"These provisions would be extremely helpful during tough economic times such as we are experiencing this year. As we review the budget line-by-line, looking for areas to reduce spending, this information would be extremely helpful," Senator Browne said. "The agency budget requests would enable us to see their priorities and the performance evaluations would give us a better idea of the effectiveness of state supported services and programs."

SB 1 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Other measures approved during the session week of July 13 include:

Senate Resolution 142, co-sponsored by Senator Browne, directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to complete a study and cost analysis of the implementation of a statewide blighted property database. The database could give municipalities the ability to identify owners of blighted property in other parts of the state. The database could be used to deny local permits for property if an individual has a record of owning blighted properties as well as a history of not maintaining those properties.

Senate Bill 282, co-sponsored by Senator Browne, amends the Municipal Code to permit one or more local governments, upon passage of an ordinance, and one or more municipal authorities, upon passage of a resolution, to jointly enter into an agreement to cooperate in the exercise of their respective functions, powers or responsibilities.

Senate Bill 284 amends the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to permit participating municipalities in cooperative implementation agreements to extend the time to enact the required conforming ordinances by a period specified in the amendment.

Senate Bill 896, co-sponsored by Senator Browne, requires lobbyist disclosure computerized filings to be posted on the Department of State website within seven days of receipt.

Senate Bill 917 adds a representative of Clerks of Orphans’ Courts on the statewide County Records Committee.  The County Records Committee is a 15-member panel whose members are appointed for a four-year term by the Governor and are vested with the power to publicize guidelines for the disposal of defined "county records" in 2nd to 8th class counties. 

Senate Bill 925 amends the Massage Therapy Law to allow the State Board of Massage Therapy to approve accredited colleges, universities, private licensed schools or their equivalent to provide training to massage therapists. Currently the Board of Private Licensed Schools approves instructional institutions to train massage therapists. Senate Bill 925 transfers the approval authority to the State Board of Massage Therapy.

The Senate approved and sent two House Bills to the Governor for enactment into law.

House Bill 263 amends the Appalachian Trail Act to extend the deadline for municipalities to adopt required zoning ordinances by one year. Municipalities are required to conserve and maintain those portions of the Appalachian Trail that pass through their borders. Municipalities must adopt a zoning ordinance, if necessary, to carry out the conservation and maintenance of the trail.

House Bill 703 amends the Landscape Architects’ Registration Law to remove provisions that allowed an applicant with 10-years of experience and who is a graduate of an approved institution to bypass the written examination requirement. It also increases the continuing education requirement from 10 to 24 hours in each two-year license period.

Senate Committee Report:

Finance Committee Approves Surviving Spouse Tax Bill

The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Browne, approved legislation at its July 15 meeting that will allow a surviving spouse to file a joint state income tax return.

Senate Bill 953 amends the Tax Reform Code to allow a surviving spouse to file a joint return for the year in which his or her spouse died if a joint return could have been filed if both spouses were living for the entire taxable year.

"This bill brings Pennsylvania in-line with standards used by the federal government for its tax returns," said Senator Browne. "More importantly, this is a matter of fairness and compassion. It recognizes that people need time to adjust rather than be penalized for the passing of their spouses. It’s a small measure, but it could have a large impact on those who are grieving."

The Finance Committee also approved:

Senate Bill 918 consolidates the County Assessment Law, and reenacts the language in the General County Assessment Law, the Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law and the Third Class County Assessment Board Law pertaining to the subjects of local taxation, exemptions from taxation and the method by which property is valued and assessed for taxation purposes. 

Senate Bill 952 eliminates penalties and interest for taxpayers who make estimated tax payments equal to the amount of the taxpayer’s liability for the preceding tax year.  This would allow Pennsylvania taxpayers to estimate their tax payments in a manner similar to that which is allowed for Federal income taxes.
 

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 366-2327