Pennsylvania Food Processors Association
News You Can Use
March 5, 2010
Around the Capitol
2010 CENSUS COULD CREATE LARGER CENTRAL PA DELEGATION IN STATE LEGISLATURE- We’ve all read or heard
that the 2010 Census will likely cost Pennsylvania a seat in the U.S. Congress due to the commonwealth’s population growth
not keeping up with the growth of other states. But the Patriot-News of Harrisburg reports the census could also give central
Pennsylvania more representation – maybe as many as two new seats - in the state Legislature due to the shifts in population
within the commonwealth.
POLL SHOWS MOST VOTERS UNCERTAIN OF THEIR CHOICE FOR GOVERNOR -According to an article in the Pittsburgh
Post Gazette, in the race to become Pennsylvania's governor, a new poll showed that most voters simply don't know for whom
they will vote. A new Quinnipiac University survey found the response, "don't know," running ahead of all of the actual
candidates in trial heats of both the Democratic and Republican primary contests.
PERC APPOINTS NEW LEADERSHIP, DISCUSSES PENSION CRISIS WITH PSERS -The Public Employee Retirement
Commission (PERC) held its first meeting of the year. At the meeting, the commission appointed Anthony Salomone as its new
Chairman with Carville Foster stepping down from that post. Also, in light of the retirement of Dr. Richard Aronson, the
commission greeted Ureneus Kirkwood as a new member of the commission. After reviewing an actuarial note, the commission
discussed the pension crisis with representatives of PSERS.
GUBERNATORIAL FORUM IN PHILADELPHIA- The four Democratic and two Republican active gubernatorial candidates
discussed several issues during a 76-minute forum sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, which was
held at the National Constitution Center. It was moderated by Channel 6 news anchor Jim Gardner. It was the first forum
featuring all six current active candidates for the Democratic or Republican gubernatorial nominations. The Democratic field is:
Auditor General Jack Wagner, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and
Sen. Anthony Williams. Attorney General Tom Corbett and state Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, are seeking the Republican
nomination.
Legislative Developments
House Session Schedule
March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24
April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
May 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, 26
June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
The House stands in recess until Tuesday, March 8, at 1:00 p.m. or to the call of the Chair.
House Democratic Policy Committee will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Mon. March 8, 2010 in Room 140 Main Capitol
to explore the environmental impact of buffers on waterways.
Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission will hold a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Mon. March 8, 2010
in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building to discuss cost cutting measures in state government.
House Gaming Oversight will hold a meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010 in Room 39, East Wing to consider HR
648 (Santoni) Resolution observing the week of March 7 through 13, 2010, as "Problem Gambling Awareness Week" in
Pennsylvania.
House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Prepared will hold a meeting at 12:45 p.m. on Mon. March 8, 2010 in Room G-50 Irvis
Office Building to consider HR 605 (Kessler) Resolution memorializing Congress to pass HR 4197, the Gold Star Mothers
National Monument Act of 2009; SB 206 (McIlhinny) Act prohibiting limitations on the wearing of official military uniforms on
school property; and imposing a penalty; SB 960 (Ward) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) further providing for the
composition of the State Veterans' Commission.
House Appropriations will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Mon. March 8, 2010 in Room 140 Main Capitol. Agenda to be
announced.
House State Government will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Mon. March 8, 2010 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building to
consider HB 259 (Grucela) Amends Title 25 (Elections) further providing for qualifications to register and for eligibility for
primaries; and making related repeals; HB 2107 (DeWeese) Act authorizing DGS, with the approval of the Governor and the
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, to grant and convey to Waynesburg University certain lands situate in the Borough
of Waynesburg, Greene County. HB 2126 (O’Neill) Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of
the Governor, to grant and convey to the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc., certain lands situate in Solebury
Township, Bucks County; HB 2245 (Carroll) Amends PA Human Relations Act further providing for findings & declaration of
policy, right to freedom from discrimination, housing & public accommodation; defining "marital status"; & further providing for
unlawful discriminatory practices; HB 987 (Stout) Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of
the Governor, to grant and convey to Washington County Authority, certain lands situate in Cecil Township, Washington
County; HB 695 (Kortz) Act providing for a nonbinding Statewide referendum relating to convening a limited constitutional
convention on the structure and function of the General Assembly; HB 2055 (Oliver) Act authorizing & directing the DGS, with
approval of the Governor & the PDE to grant & convey to the Berean Manual Training & Industrial School approximately 1.533
acres of land including a building in the City of Philadelphia.
House Game and Fisheries will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Tues. March 9, 2010 in Room 205 Ryan Office Building on
the audit of the Deer Management Program.
House Labor Relations will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 60, East Wing to consider HB 1244 (Belfanti)
Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) providing for law enforcement officers of limited jurisdiction; HB 1795 (Thomas) Amends
Workforce Development Act, in local workforce investment areas and boards, providing for youth councils; HB 2178
(Galloway) Amends Manufactured Housing Improvement Act expanding the coverage of the act to relocated housing; HB
2230 (Gergely) Amends the Workforce Development Act providing for industry partnerships.
House Local Government will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 8E-A, East Wing a joint public
hearing with the Senate Local Government Committee to hear testimony from DCED on development of a State plan for use of
Community Services Block Grant funds.
House Appropriations will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 140 Main Capitol. Agenda to be
announced.
House Children and Youth will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 60 East Wing to consider HR 633
(Youngblood) Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and submit a report to
the General Assembly on the issue of general and comprehensive liability insurance for family day care homes; HB 406
(Youngblood) Act providing for visitation and inspection of family day-care homes and for reporting; and making a repeal; HB
2257 (Youngblood) Act providing for dangerous child day-care facilities; and conferring powers and duties on the Department
of Public Welfare and law enforcement agencies.
Local Government Commission will hold a meeting at 8:45 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 14, East Wing for a monthly
business meeting.
House Aging and Older Adult Services will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 60, East Wing
HB 122 (Casorio) Act establishing the Senior Alert System; and providing for duties of the Pennsylvania State Police; HB 726
(Youngblood) Act relating to a silver alert program for missing senior citizens.
House Education will hold a meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building to consider HB
1090 (Curry) Amends Public School Code, in intermediate units, providing for school social work services; and, in professional
employees, further providing for definitions; HB 1863 (Payton) Amends Public School Code further providing for certificates
qualifying persons to teach and for kinds of State certificates; and providing for residency certificates.
House Finance will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building Joint
public hearing with the Senate Finance Committee on the proposed Independent Fiscal Office
House Local Government will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 205, Ryan Office Building on
HB 2020 (Seip) Amends The Fourth to Eighth Class and Selective County Assessment Law further providing for appeals by
municipalities; HB 2021 (Seip) Amends Public School Code, in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further
providing for majority vote required and recording; HB 2022 (Gergely) Amends The General County Assessment Law further
providing for appeals by municipalities; SB 908 (Robbins) Amends the Borough Code, as to civil service for police & firemen,
further providing for general provisions relating to examinations, rejection of applicant & hearing, manner of filing
appointments, probation period & physical exam; SB 909 (Robbins) Amends the First Class Township Code, further providing
for general provisions relating to examinations, for rejection of applicant and hearing, for manner of filling appointments, for
probation period and for physical examinations; HB 910 (Robbins) Amends the Borough Code, as to civil service for police &
firemen, further providing for general provisions relating to examinations, rejection of applicant & hearing, manner of filing
appointments, probation period & physical exam; SB 911 (Robbins) Amends an act providing for appointment, promotion,
removal, etc. of paid officers & fire dept. employees & or fire alarm operators & inspectors in cities of the third class; for civil
service cmsn duty; exams & eligibility lists; SB 912 (Robbins) Amends an act relating to appointment, promotion, removal,
etc. of paid operators of fire apparatus in boroughs & 1st class townships; creating civil service commissions for boroughs;
providing for general provisions re examinations.
House Judiciary will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 418, Main Capitol to consider HB 2221
(Gabig) Amends Title 42 (Judiciary) further providing for exemptions from jury duty; HB 2075 (Johnson) Amends Title 18
(Crimes & Offenses), in computer offenses, providing for the offense of online impersonation; and making an editorial change;
HB 967 (Cohen) Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations), in proceedings prior to petition to adopt, further providing for grounds
for involuntary termination.
House Professional Licensure will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 39 East Wing to consider:
Regs. 16A-619; Regs. 16A-4620
House Consumer Affairs will hold a meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Wed. March 20, 2010 in Room G-50 Irvis Office Building HB
1812 (Sainato) Amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses) further providing for grading of theft offenses and for theft of services;
HB 1747 (Kotick) Amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) further providing for the definition of "public utility"; adding the definition
of "common carrier service at airports"; and further providing for certificate of public convenience required; HR 606 (Mundy)
Resolution memorializing FCC to grant PUC's 2009 petition for delegated authority to implement mandatory number pooling in
telecommunications rate centers to increase number of NXX codes available & adjust in 570, 814, 717 area codes
House Appropriations will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Room 140 Main Capitol. Agenda will be
announced.
House Consumer Affairs will hold a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room 418 Main Capitol on
Weatherization & Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) and HB 98 (Thomas) Amends Title 66 (Public Utilities), in responsible utility customer protection, further
providing for termination of utility service.
House Commerce will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Lycoming College, Mary Lindsey
Welch Honors Hall, 700 College Place, Williamsport on Economic Development and Job Creation.
House Democratic Policy Committee will hold an informational meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room G-50
Irvis Office Building Joint informational meeting with the House Republican Policy and Urban Affairs Committees on land
banking and HB 712 (Taylor, J) Act providing for the conversion of vacant or tax-delinquent properties into productive use.
House Judiciary will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room 140 Main Capitol on HB 1140
(Solobay) Amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations), further providing for determination of paternity.
House Republican Policy Committee will hold and informational meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room G-50
Irvis Office Building Joint informational meeting with the House Democratic Policy and Urban Affairs Committees on land
banking and HB 712 (Taylor, J) Act providing for the conversion of vacant or tax-delinquent properties into productive use.
House Urban Affairs will hold an informational meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room G-50 Irvis Office
Building with the House Republican and Democratic
Policy Committees on Land Banking and HB 712 (Talor, J) Act providing for the conversion of vacant or tax-delinquent
properties into productive use.
Independent Regulatory Review Commission will hold a meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 14th Floor, Conference
Room, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg to consider Reg. No. 2817 Dept. of Education #6-319: PA Pre-K Counts Requirements,
Standards and Procedures
Local Government Commission will meet at 11:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Room 156, Main Capitol with Local
government associations.
Senate Session Schedule
February (Budget Hearings: 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25)
March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 (Budget Hearings: 1, 2, 3, 4)
April 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
May 3, 4, 5, 24, 25, 26
June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
The Senate stands in recess until Monday, March 8, at 1:00 p.m. or to the call of the Chair.
Senate Appropriations will hold an Off the Floor meeting on Mon. March 8, 2010 in the Rules Committee Conference Room to
consider SB 87 (Pippy) Amends an act conferring ltd. residency on military personnel, their dependents & civilian personnel
assigned to an active duty station in PA, expanding applicability of the act to include all active duty personnel & dependents; SB
1044 (White, D) Amends Title 61 (Penal and Correctional Institutions) providing for drug redistribution within correctional
facilities; HB 526 (DeLuca) Amends the Model Act for the Regulation of Credit Life Insurance and Credit Accident and Health
Insurance further providing for premiums and refunds.
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 8E-B, East Wing
to consider SB1092 (Kasunic) Amends the Oil and Gas Act, further providing for certain well requirements; SB 1159 (White,
D) Act providing for indigenous mineral resource development; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of General
Services; SB 1176 (White, D.) Amends the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act further providing for the filing
fee; SB 1196 (White, D.) Amends the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act further providing for fees; SB
1197 (White, D.) Amends Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act further providing for fees; SB 1250 (Pileggi) Amends the Air
Pollution Control Act further providing for disposition of fees, fines and civil penalties.
Senate Local Government will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Tue, March 9, 2010 in Room 8E-A, East Wing a joint
public hearing with the House Local Government Committee to hear testimony from DCED on development of a State plan for
use of Community Services Block Grant funds
Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness will hold a meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 8E-B
East Wing to consider SB 1186 (Tomlinson) Amends Title 51 (Military Affairs) further providing for burial details for veterans;
SR 226 (Robbins) Resolution supporting the Military Community Covenant.
Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development will meet at 12:00 p.m. on Tue. March 9, 2010 in Room 461, Main
Capitol to consider SB 214 (Greenleaf) Amends Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses), in other offenses, providing for the offense of
greyhound race simulcasting; and prescribing a penalty; SR 255 (Earll) Resolution designating the month of March 2010 as
"Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observing the week of March 7 through 13, 2010, as "National
Problem Gambling Awareness Week."
Senate Finance will hold a public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Wed. March 10, 2010 in Hearing Room 1, North Office Building for a
Joint public hearing with the House Finance Committee regarding the Independent Fiscal Office
Senate Transportation will hold a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 Nazareth Hospital, 2601 Holme
Avenue, Philadelphia to focus on the problem of hit and run accidents and also to discuss, SB 522 (Stack) Amends Title 75
(Vehicles) further providing for accidents involving death or personal injury; SB 1049 (White, D) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles)
further providing for accidents involving death or personal injury and for subsequent convictions of certain offenses; SB 1177
(Rafferty) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles) further providing for the offense of accidents involving death or personal injury.
Senate Aging and Youth will hold a public hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Thur. March 11, 2010 in Hearing Room 2303,
Commissioner's Hall, Westmoreland County Community College on SB 1137 (Vance) Amends the Public School Code providing
for child abuse recognition and reporting training.
Legislative Watch
March 1 - March 12, 2010
SR 215 Brubaker Resolution directing the Legislative Budget & Finance Cmte to study costs to achieve the Chesapeake Bay
Program nutrient load reductions from PA's agricultural sources, for evaluations and protecting PA's
agricultural sector.
Bill History: 03-08-10 S Set on the Senate Calendar
Articles of Interest
03-05-2010 Gov. Rendell: Lower Sales Tax Rate Will Help Retailers & Close Future Budget Gap
(Press Release)
03-05-2010 Official blows whistle on food-safety agency
A Food Safety and Inspection Service veterinarian blew the whistle on his agency Thursday, telling lawmakers that
managers repeatedly failed to heed his warnings about unsafe slaughterhouse practices, claims supported by government
auditors who said the agency had failed to consistently enforce... - WASH POST
03-05-2010 For healthier kids, increase the federal school lunch budget
For all the good first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative will do motivating the private sector, there is hard work
ahead as Congress takes up reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act this year. The administration has proposed an
additional $1 billion per year for child... - WASH POST
03-04-2010 Ag Secretary Offers Tips to Help Consumers 'Get What They Pay For'
(Press Release)
03-04-2010 Lawmakers attempt to block farm regulations
U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, is pushing to stop adoption of laws imposing stricter regulations on use of agricultural
vehicles. The laws, soon to go into effect, would impose many of the same driver laws and record keeping required of
interstate trucking companies, opponents... - WILLIAM. SUN
03-04-2010 FDA warns 17 food companies of misleading claims on labels
In an unusually broad crackdown, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has notified 17 food companies, including major
brands such as Gerber and Nestle, that they have violated federal laws by making false or misleading claims on their
product packaging. The agency sent warning letters to the companies Feb. 22 and gave them 15... - WASH. POST
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