04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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House Ends Legislative Session In A Whimper, No Chance For A Severance Tax
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The 2009-10 legislative session ended in a whimper Friday when House Democratic Leadership decided to cancel plans to vote on any more legislation for the remainder of the year ending all hope of any last minute deal by the Senate, House and Gov. Rendell to enact a Marcellus Shale natural gas production severance tax and rescuing cash-starved environmental programs.
House members are being asked to return to the House Floor on November 15 at 1:00.
In a press conference, Gov. Rendell said he sent a letter to House Democrats asking them to reconsider their decision to suspend voting on any legislation and come back to at least vote on the pension reform bill-- House Bill 2497 (D.Evans-D-Philadelphia)-- amended by the Senate in October.
House Republicans Friday said they remain open to returning to vote to wrap up some unfinished business.
Meanwhile other House Democrats are not happy.
Rep. Paul Drucker (D-Chester), Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Allegheny) and other House Democrats have scheduled a press conference for Monday at 2:00 to discuss the need for the House to return take action on several important bills.
In press releases and emails Friday, Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny), Rep. Barbara McIlvaine-Smith (D-Chester) and Rep. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) said they were variously "outraged," "appalled" and said canceling voting on bills was "unacceptable."
House Majority Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) wrote a "Dear Colleague" letter to members of the House saying the pension bill would not be brought up for a vote because the Senate amended it in a way that he said "clearly violates the constitution."
He pointed out the Senate used the same argument on the bill passed by the House to adopt a Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax saying "their (the Senate's) hypocrisy is shameless" when they turned around and did the same thing in amending the pension bill.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) said the last minute decision by the House to eliminate voting on important bills leaves time sensitive legislation hanging. He urged the House to reconsider their decision.
NewsClips: Rendell Wants House To Vote On Pension Bill
Two bills sent to the House by the Senate in October for a concurrence vote now will be left in limbo by the cancellation of House voting days--
Electronics Recycling: House Bill 708 (Ross-R-Chester) requiring electronics recycling funded by industry fees was amended and passed by the Senate 48 to 1. It now returns to the House for a concurrence vote.
Farm Energy: House Bill 1394 (Houghton-D-Chester) relating to splitting off farm and forest land under preferential assessment for alternative energy production was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and was passed by the Senate. It now returns to the House for a concurrence vote.
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11/8/2010 |
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