The Hill Midweek Report - Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Welcome! As a subscriber of “The Insider,” we welcome you to “The Hill Midweek report,” brought to you by the Government Affairs Department at the Manufacturer & Business Association. This is going to be your “go-to” midweek report regarding both state and federal issues that relate to the business community. Each week you will find an “Action Alert” at the beginning of the newsletter. This is your opportunity to get your voice heard by legislators on issues of importance to you. A unified and educated business front will continue to impact and influence business related issues in Harrisburg and Washington.
Join us on July 22 for a legislative luncheon as we engage State Representative Sam Smith in an open discussion on Pennsylvania’s business climate. To register for the event, as well as more information on the Government Affairs department, visit our Web site at www.mbausa.org.
ACTION ALERT Seeking Your Input on Key Business Issues
MBA is seeking your input on key business issues including, but not limited to energy, taxes, regulations, health care and education. The results of this survey will be used as the basis for prioritizing issues and developing positions. The same survey has been sent to all Congressional candidates who serve our membership area. The results of this survey will be compared with the candidates’ response and made available in a written report to anyone who may be interested. Considering the enormous economic and policy challenges facing the business community, it is essential that we all have access to factual information about each candidate’s position. Please click here to access the survey.
Pennsylvania Legislative Updates
PHC4 Temporarily Re-Opened Less than a week after being forced to close its doors due to a lack of legislative action, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) is once again operational, thanks to an executive order issued by the governor. Similar to the actions taken by then Governor Tom Ridge in 2003, Governor Rendell issued an executive order extending the life of the PHC4 through November. As a result, the General Assembly will have the next several months to make a decision on the future of this vital health care institution. Help to ensure the reauthorization of the PHC4 by contacting your legislators today.
Twelve Charged in Bonus Investigation Emphasizing his investigation into possible malfeasance regarding legislative bonuses is “far from over,” Attorney General Tom Corbett this week announced the filing of criminal charges against a number of prominent current and former legislators and staffers in the House Democratic Caucus, in the first of what he advised may be several responses to an ongoing grand jury inquiry. Those charged include: Rep. Sean Ramaley (D-Beaver); Mike Veon, former Democrat Whip; Mike Manzo, the former chief of staff to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese; Scott Brubaker, former caucus staffing director; Rachel Manzo, executive director of the Policy Committee; Jennifer Brubaker, director of legislative research; Brett Cott, former administrative director to Veon; Jeff Foreman, chief counsel to House Democratic Whip; Annamarie Rosepink, former district director to Veon; Steve Keefer, former director of information technology; Patrick Lavelle, a research analyst for the caucus; and Earl Mosley, former director of personnel.
Energy Conservation Bill Signed into Law Governor Rendell this week signed into law a legislative measure that will establish a special fund designed to save families and small businesses money on their energy bills through investments in energy conservation and efficiency. As part of the new law, small businesses will be eligible for $92.5 million in loans, grants, reimbursements and rebates to support energy conservation and weatherization projects. Another $100 million is available to help small businesses offset the cost of installing solar energy technologies. Additionally, the fund will include $150 million to assist small businesses in implementing programs that conserve energy and increase efficiency.
Federal Legislative Updates
EPA to Address Carbon Regulations in Clean Air Act The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) soliciting input regarding the effects of climate change and potential ramifications of the Clean Air Act (CAA) in relation to greenhouse gas emissions from stationary and mobile sources. In response to the Supreme Court decision from April 2007 in Massachusetts v. EPA, this ANPR could lay the foundation for future regulatory action on carbon emissions. July 11, 2008 began the 120-day public comment period. For more information on how to comment on this ANPR, click here.
Nonresident Withholding Legislation HR 3359, the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Fairness and Simplification Act, would establish fair, administrable and uniform rules to enhance compliance with state personal income tax laws. Simplifying burdens on employees and employers alike, a markup could be expected as soon as this month in the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.