Legislative Accomplishments

"Promises Made-Promises Kept"

During my campaign for State Senate, I listened to the concerns and ideas expressed by the many people I met.  While there is still much to accomplish in order to improve opportunities and the quality of life for many people in my district and the state, I am pleased to have been able to support the following legislation that were a high priority for residents of the 24^th District:

Getting Tougher on Drunk Driving -First co-sponsor of SB 8, Act 23 of 2003, which lowers the blood alcohol content rate to .08 to be declared intoxicated while driving. 

Expanding PACE/PACENET—Supported HB 888, Act 37 of 2003, and co-sponsored similar legislation in the Senate (SB 434) to raise income limits for PACE and PACENET eligibility to make prescription drugs more affordable for senior citizens. 

Contain Unreasonable Medical Malpractice Awards—Co-sponsored SB 50, to amend Pennsylvania Constitution to allow for limits on pain and suffering awards in liability cases.  Similar language was amended into SB 9 to limit compensation of non-economic damages in medical professional liability cases.  There is a pressing need to address excessive medical malpractice insurance premiums for high-risk specialists which has caused many practitioners to leave the state and has hindered recruitment of high quality specialists.  The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  If passed, voters would be given the ability to decide if reasonable compensation limits should be set for non-economic losses in medical malpractice claims.

Preserving Access to High Quality Health Care in the State--Supported HB 44, Act 44 of 2003, to establish the Health Care Provider Retention Program.  A portion of the cigarette tax will be used to abate the annual assessment imposed by the MCare Fund (malpractice insurance fee) for physicians and nurse-midwives in 2003 and 2004.  High-risk specialists, such as surgeons and OB/GYNs will receive 100% abatement and all other physicians will receive 50% abatement of the MCare assessments.

Also supported House Bill 1211 to extend the MCARE assessment abatement in calendar year 2005 to podiatrists.  Podiatrists were excluded from the Health Care Provider Retention Program, therefore this law remedies the inequity of this situation.

Assisting Fire and Emergency Service Providers—Supported, Act 17 of 2003 to provide $25 million in grants for fire and emergency medical service providers.  Co-sponsored SB 432 and supported HB 1018, Act 56 of 2003, to establish a statewide integrated wireless E-911 state plan and Emergency Services Fund to implement a statewide system.  Also supported a package of bills in the Senate that allow municipalities to utilize emergency services tax revenues to pay salaries, benefits and other compensation for employees of an ambulance service, rescue squad, and other emergency services units serving the community.  Additionally co-sponsored legislation to exclude volunteer fire companies from sales and use taxes.

Supported HB 900, Act 5 of 2004, to authorize up to $50 million in loans to volunteer firefighting and emergency services.  The program provides low-interest loans to volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies for the acquisition, rehabilitation or improvement of facilities and equipment.

Improving Streetscapes and Downtown Revitalization—Cosponsored SB 438 and supported HB 500, Act 7 of 2004, in the senate to create an Elm Street Program to aid residents in investing in infrastructure and structural improvements, such as streets, street lights, trees, building exteriors and sidewalks. 

Cleaner Energy for a Greener Environment—Supported passage of Senate Bill 1030 to increase the amount of electric energy produced by alternative energy sources.  The new law requires a minimum of 18 percent of the electricity used in Pennsylvania come from alternative sources by the year 2020. Alternative sources include energy generated through solar, wind, water and waste coal.