Gov. Rendell took final action on all the bills remaining on his desk this week, including the veto of his 13th bill this session. Here’s the rundown . . .

Preserving Open Space: House Billl 183 (Ross-R-Chester) providing more local taxing options for preserving open space was signed into law by the Governor as Act 154. The bill would allow local governments to--

· Appropriate money to a land trust “for the acquisition or conservation and preservation of interests in real property for the purpose of achieving open space benefits…” (including costs of appraisals, legal services, title searches, document preparation, title insurance, closing fees and survey);

· Transfer open space property interests to a land trust with or without consideration; and

· Create a “Local Land Trust” subject to various accountability measures.

Infrastructure Security: House Bill 854 (Rubley-R-Chester) establishing the Terrorism Infrastructure Disclosure Protection Act prohibiting the release of certain infrastructure records was signed into law by the Governor as Act 156.

Windmill Farm Assessments: Senate Bill 514 (Gordner-R-Columbia) amending the Tax Reform Act related to property tax assessments for windmill farms and other issues was signed into law by the Governor as Act 167.

Continuing Ed for Engineers, Land Surveyors, Geologists: Senate Bill 655 (Madigan-R-Bradford) establishing continuing education requirements for individuals licensed under the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologists Registration Law was signed into law by the Governor as Act 170.

One Call Program: Senate Bill 1104 (Tomlinson-R-Bucks) making changes to the One Call Program was signed into law by the Governor as Act 181.

Healthy Foods, Healthy Schools: Senate Bill 1209 (Waugh-R-York) establishing the Healthy Foods, Healthy Schools Program was signed into law by the Governor as Act 184.

Governor’s Transfer of Funds: House Bill 471 (Reichley-R-Berks) an Administrative Code bill relating to merchant marine bonuses from World War II and cardiovascular disease was amended with provisions limiting the ability of the Governor to transfer funds during a fiscal year in response to concerns raised about Gaming Control Board funding was vetoed by Gov. Rendell (Veto #13).

Gov. Rendell’s veto message read in part—

“The provisions of House Bill 471 that seek to limit transfers between appropriations are especially troubling. The Executive Branch is charged with the day-to-day operation of state government. To carry out that charge effectively, and to do so in a timely manner, it is from time to time necessary to transfer appropriated funds between agencies so long as the original purpose of the appropriation is adhered to. For example, it may be more efficient and cost effective for a department or agency to help administer a program that initially was the responsibility of a different department or agency. Losing that flexibility could result in the delay or denial of the delivery of services to our citizens.

“In addition, the requirement in the bill that transfers must be approved by the Attorney General would unnecessarily complicate the efficient administration of state government even further - for example, it would significantly impair the process established in the Fiscal Code that allows for the transfer of funds between several Department of Public Welfare appropriations to provide child care for low income families. These families are not in a position to suffer the delay in payments that this requirement could cause.

“For these reasons I must withhold my signature from House Bill 471.”

12/1/2006