The Hill Midweek Report - Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 10, 2010 |
Midweek Report
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Tomorrow,
February 11, 8 a.m. - Eggs 'n' Issues - On the Right Track: A Case for
High-Speed Rail Service
Friday, February 26, Noon - Legislative Luncheon
featuring State Senator Jane Earll105th Annual Event featuring
The Honorable Richard B. Cheney
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Urge
Your Legislators to Start Anew on Health Care
Provisions in current health-care reform
legislation are bad for business, bad for jobs, and bad for our economic
recovery. It is crucial that you write your legislators, urging them to OPPOSE
current health-care reform legislation and to start over, working instead to
lower costs, improve care, and foster economic recovery and job creation.
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ELECTION 2010: A Weekly Update from the Campaign Trail
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PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
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Rendell Proposes $29 Billion State Budget
Governor Ed
Rendell introduced a $29 billion budget for fiscal year 2010-2011, a 4.1
percent increase over the 2009-2010 budget. The theme for his final budget
address: "Pay your fair share!" Governor Rendell demanded this of the natural
gas industry and big and small businesses alike, proposing the creation of a
new stimulus transition fund comprised of a severance tax on natural gas well
drilling, a tax on smokeless tobacco, and combined reporting. He also proposed
the expansion of a sales and use tax to 73 current exemptions such as business
services and personal care items, leaving only clothing, food and medications
exempt. It was anticipated that the governor would address transportation
funding and announce the Federal Highway Administration's decision on the
tolling of Interstate 80, though there was no mention of infrastructure during
his address.
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Thompson Believes I-80 Toll Decision Likely
Congressman Glenn Thompson (R-5) last week announced that
he believes the Federal Highway Safety Administration (FHSA) has made a
decision as to the tolling of Interstate 80. According to
Thompson, if the FHSA follows the law, the applications again would be denied,
as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission would have to prove that the interstate
is in disrepair and the monies gained from tolling would be the only way to
keep the road functioning. During a meeting with a group of business government
relations professionals, Representative Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny), chairman of
the Transportation Committee, said that there is no back up plan to fund mass
transit should the application to toll I-80 be denied. If one had existed, it
would not be able to be implemented quickly enough to be effective.
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FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
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Cap-and-Trade
Legislation Could Be Omitted From Energy Bill
Though cap and trade - a system of trading energy credits
in an attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions - has been a key provision of
energy legislation in Congress, President Obama has indicated that a
stand-alone energy bill could be passed in the Senate without this
controversial provision. While the administration supports a climate and energy
bill package, President Obama readily admits that the legislation is facing
difficulties in the Senate and would have a likelihood of passage if separated
into two bills. However, the president also has emphasized that he strongly
supports "incentivizing" clean energy through a cap-and-trade requirement.
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House Approves
$1.9 Trillion Debt-Limit Increase in Party-Line Vote
Following a
party-line vote by the Senate, the House of Representatives voted 217-212 to
increase the national debt limit to $14.3 trillion, $1.9 trillion more than the
current limit. Pennsylvania legislators voting against the MBA-OPPOSED measure included
Representatives Carney (D-10), Dent (R-15), Gerlach (R-6), P. Murphy (D-8), T.
Murphy (R-18), Pitts (R-16), Platts (R-19) and Shuster (R-9). "Blue Dog" Representatives Jason Altmire (D-4), Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3), and Tim Holden (D-17) voted in favor of the bill. The national debt
now amounts to approximately $46,000 per American. In an effort to gain
passage, Democrats also adopted - in a 233-187 vote - "pay as you go" or
"paygo." This program requires future spending increases or tax cuts to be
matched by either cuts to other programs or corresponding tax increases.
Several Representatives, however, opposed the measure, stating that it offers
many loopholes and exceptions that will do little to tackle the United States'
long-term structural deficit.
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KEEP PENNSYLVANIA PRODUCING
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10 Advocacy Tips for 2010
The following 10-week series will outline ways in
which members of the Keep Pennsylvania Producing (KPP) coalition, as well as
the business community in general, can advocate on behalf of a pro-growth,
pro-business agenda.
Tip #6: Advocate by Taking Action
As you know by now, grassroots advocacy is an effort by
like-minded individuals acting to achieve a specific legislative or regulatory
outcome. So how can you advocate, you ask? No matter what your level
of advocacy, KPP exists as a way for the business community to influence
legislators and legislation coming out of Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
Depending upon your time and desired level of activity, there are many choices
available to you when it comes to being an advocate. To learn more about how to advocate
and communicate your message with others, check out KPP's Advocacy Handbook.
A few ideas from the handbook include: Keeping
up on all of the current policy issues by reading any of KPP's newsletters; Visiting
KPP's Facebook and Twitter pages; Writing
a letter to your legislator; Calling
your legislator; Making
a hill visit; or even Scheduling
a plant tour with your legislator.
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Manufacturer & Business Association | 2171 West 38th Street | Erie | PA | 16508
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