The September 23 beginning of the fall legislative session for the Senate and House means they and Gov. Corbett will have several big issues to wrestle with left over from June-- liquor privatization, transportation funding and pension reform.

Another issue Gov. Corbett will face is filling two cabinet positions-- the Secretaries for the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources.

Transportation Funding

Before they adjourned in July, the House Transportation Committee amended and reported out Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) on June 27 with a plan providing for $1.9 billion in additional highway, bridge and transit funding after fully implemented in five years. (Click Here for a summary.)  The bill remains on the House Calendar awaiting a full House debate before it would be referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

The Senate Transportation Committee this summer held several hearings on funding issues hoping to put pressure on the House to move the bill this fall.

The passing of Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford), Majority Chair of the House Transportation Committee, last week means there will be a new Majority Chair for the Committee who will deal with the transportation funding issue. 

Next in line in terms of seniority for the position would be: Rep. Bill Adolph (Majority Chair of the Appropriations Committee), Rep. Ron Marsico (Majority Chair of the Judiciary Committee), Rep. Matthew Baker (Majority Chair of the Health Committee) and Rep. Tim Hennessey (Majority Chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee).

DEP, DCNR Appointments

Gov. Corbett is expected to announce his choices to permanently fill two cabinet positions-- the Secretaries of the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources-- which must be confirmed by the Senate.

Chris Abruzzo was named interim Secretary of DEP in April to replace Michael Krancer.  Abruzzo served as a Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office.

Ellen Ferretti was named interim Secretary of DCNR in June to replace Richard Allan.  Ferretti served as Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry.

All other cabinet positions are filled at this point.

9/16/2013