Adjust Text Size
June 25, 2010

Senator John Pippy E-News

Pennsylvania Senate News in Review

Sen. Ward to Unveil "Jennifer's Law" in Wake of Westmoreland County Murder

Sen. Kim Ward (Westmoreland) unveiled her proposed "Jennifer's Law" named after a Westmoreland County woman who was tortured and murdered.

Three men and three women have been charged in connection with the torture and stabbing death of Jennifer Daugherty, a woman with mental disabilities, in Greensburg earlier this year. Sen. Ward's legislation would establish a legal obligation for witnesses of a crime to contact law enforcement.

Senate Adopts New Rules of Ethical Conduct

The Senate adopted a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct designed to make the division between legislative and campaign work clear, to provide annual ethics training, and to establish strong penalties for violations.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (Delaware) introduced the bipartisan rules as Senate Resolution 228.

The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senator Pileggi, held a public hearing on this proposal in February to receive input from officials at the State Ethics Commission, the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and others. Many of their suggestions were incorporated.

According to Senator Pileggi, "Pennsylvanians are rightly demanding increased accountability from public officials. It is our responsibility to set a high standard, and working in a bipartisan manner we have developed a strong set of Rules of Ethical Conduct."

Senate Transportation Panel Kicks Off Hearings on Funding Issues

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty (Montgomery), kicked off a series of public hearings Tuesday on transportation funding issues.

Senator Rafferty said Pennsylvania faces crucial challenges in maintaining and enhancing its transportation network, and he wants input from those in the public and private sector on how to best allocate resources and generate needed revenue.

The committee heard from PennDOT Secretary Alan Biehler who talked about projects that are being planned and others that are on hold because of funding issues. In upcoming hearings, the panel will seek suggestions from those in the private sector on how to make the best use of tax dollars and find innovative new ways to meet growing needs.

The committee will hold a second hearing Wednesday and additional hearings in the following weeks.

Senate Committee Discusses Marcellus Shale Safety Issues

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, chaired by Sen. Mary Jo White (Venango), met Wednesday for a briefing on Marcellus Shale safety issues.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger briefed committee members and responded to questions regarding recent events associated with natural gas development in the Commonwealth. Discussions included the June 3 blowout at a well pad in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County.

Also addressing the panel were two representatives of the Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale Coalition: David Spigelmyer, Vice President for Government Relations Chesapeake Energy, and Ralph Tijerina, Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment for Range Resources Inc.

Senator White said the committee awaits the report to be delivered by DEP in three weeks on the Clearfield County incident, and is ready to work cooperatively with the Department to ensure that drilling is done safely in the Commonwealth.

Senate Approves Measure to Block Federal Real ID Program

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (Lebanon) to exempt Pennsylvania from compliance with the unfunded mandate of a national identification card (REAL ID) unanimously passed the Senate.

The federal REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005 in response to recommendations from the 9-11 Commission, mandates that states turn driver's licenses into a national identification card. Under REAL ID, state driver's licenses will not be accepted for federal purposes – including boarding an aircraft or entering a federal facility – unless they meet numerous criteria.

REAL ID also requires states to share motor vehicle databases, which will in effect, create a single, national database. Many are concerned that personal information in such a database could not be kept confidential. Digital scans of identification documents, including birth certificates and Social Security cards, would be required to be retained for at least 10 years (or a paper copy for seven years).

Senate Bill 621 would exempt Pennsylvania from compliance. It is part of three-bill privacy package before the Senate. More than a dozen states have enacted statutes precluding their compliance with REAL ID.

Sen. McIlhinney Supports Legislation to Protect Construction Jobs

Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (Bucks) voiced his support for legislation to protect Pennsylvania construction jobs at a Capitol press conference June 14.

Senate Bills 1172 and 1173, sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (Westmoreland), and House Bills 1502 and 1503 would require all contractors and subcontractors who do business in Pennsylvania to verify the employment eligibility of new employees using the federal E-Verify Program managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Existing employees would also require verification through the federal Social Security Number Verification Service.

Under the legislation, contractors who employ illegal workers could be subject to forfeiture of state licenses and certifications and be banned from performing state projects.

Sen. Brubaker Introduces Workforce Development Legislation

Legislation that would support the Commonwealth's workforce development efforts by continuing the Industry Partnerships program was introduced by Sen. Mike Brubaker (Lancaster).

The Industry Partnerships program brings together employers, educators and workforce representatives to ensure that workers and job-seekers are receiving the training they need to keep pace with the growing demands of Pennsylvania businesses. The program allows a cluster of businesses and organizations within a single industry to collaborate to identify and address common workforce needs.

Senate Bill 1409 would amend Pennsylvania's Workforce Development Act to codify the Industry Partnerships program within the Department of Labor and Industry. It would also include the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as a participating agency to promote Industry Partnerships in agriculture and agribusiness.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, more than 6,300 businesses have taken part in more than 80 partnerships throughout the state, and more than 70,000 workers have received training through the program.

In the Spotlight 

Under the new Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct, annual training will be provided to all senators and all Senate employees related to the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct, the Ethics Act, and the Lobbyist Disclosure Act.

The Senate Rules Committee adopted an amendment which enhanced the Rules of Ethical Conduct in several ways, such as improving the definition of "campaign activity," strengthening the protection of Senate mailing lists, and clarifying the acceptable use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Any alleged violations of the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct would first be investigated by the Secretary of the Senate. If a more detailed investigation is warranted and the subject of the report is a senator, the matter will be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Official Conduct. If the subject of the report is an employee, an independent party will conduct the investigation.

Penalties for violations by an employee can range from a warning to termination of employment, depending on the circumstances. Penalties for violations by a senator can range from a warning to requiring restitution and any other sanction provided for under the Pennsylvania Constitution. 

Fast Facts

New Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct

• Makes the division between legislative and campaign work clear, provides annual ethics training, and establishes strong penalties for violations.
• No Senate employee may conduct any campaign activity on Senate work time.
• No campaign activity may be conducted in a Senate office or with Senate resources.
• The solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions on Senate work time or with Senate resources is prohibited.
• No Senate employee may serve as an officer on a campaign committee or a campaign finance committee on behalf of any Senator or Senate candidate.
• No Senate employee may be required to perform campaign activities or to make campaign contributions.
• No Senate employee may be required to perform any non-work-related task.
• Senate mailing lists and email lists may only be used for legislative purposes, and cannot be sold or given to any other entity, including campaigns.
• Clarifies that Senate employees who are responsible for taking or recommending official actions are required to file Financial Interest Statements with the Secretary of the Senate.
• No Senate-funded newsletter may be sent within 60 days of an election.