The Senate unanimously elected Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) as President Pro Tempore and the House, with considerably more political theater, elected Philadelphia Republican Dennis O’Brien Speaker, the candidate of the House Democrats who hold a majority in that body.

The word “reform” was in everyone’s comments as the House and Senate formally opened their 2007-08 legislative session.

The Senate adopted a set of operating rules that promotes more open consideration of amendments and legislation as it moves through the process there. The House adopted temporary rules with the promise of forming a bipartisan panel to study what additional rule changes are needed to make their process more open.

Among the changes adopted by the Senate were:

· Session times will be limited to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.;

· Amendments will be posted to the Internet before being offered on the Senate floor (following a House practice);

· The Senate will wait at least six hours before voting on an amended bill or a conference committee report;

· All roll call votes will be posted on the Internet as soon as possible after a vote, but always within 24 hours of a vote;

· Committee votes on bills will be posted on the Internet within 48 hours of the vote; and

· An updated fiscal note will be prepared if a bill is amended after consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee, if the amendment has a fiscal impact.

Both Chambers have work to do to appoint Committee chairs and members, although Senate Republicans appointed their Committee chairs in December.

Government “reform” and providing more property tax relief seemed to be common themes this week in the Senate and House and Gov. Rendell looks toward his own inauguration on January 16 and his second term.

On property tax relief, Gov. Rendell joined House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese in saying he now favors a plan that would use “most” of an increase in revenues from an expanded state Sales Tax to pay for additional property tax relief.

On the environment, Gov. Rendell had earlier said he looks forward to doing more to promote alternative fuels. Rep. DeWeese also mentioned the need to do more to protect the environment and create jobs when he took over as House Majority Leader in December.

Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said she and Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair, will be working on several key issues in the new session:

· Finalizing a state strategy to reduce mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants;

· Comprehensive amendments to the state’s mine safety law;

· Securing long-term funding for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund;

· Reforming operations of the Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Quality Board;

· Reviewing alternative energy and “climate change” policies; and

· Assuring consumer access to reliable and affordable energy.

Among the biggest and most controversial environmental issues to be faced this year will be adequately funding environmental programs.

Funding for both the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund and the Nutrient Management Fund will be needed since they are both set to run dry by July 1.

Over the last two years $50 million to fund the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund has been taken away from the original Growing Greener Program which finances watershed cleanup, abandoned mine reclamation and other conservation projects.

In the coming year, funding for debt service to pay for the Growing Greener II bond issue approved in 2005 by voters is also authorized to be taken from the original Growing Greener Program.

In the current budget (2006-07), $52.7 million was diverted from DCNR’s Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund to the General Fund as a “one-time” measure to balance the budget.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House will now BOTH return to session on January 16.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

· Volunteers Mitigate Acid Rain Impacts on Wiconisco Creek

On the Hill

· Senators White, Musto Work on Environmental Reform Legislation

Other News

· Meetings Planned on How to Best Use Increased Federal Abandoned Mine Funding

· Farmers May Apply Now for Environmental Quality Incentive Program Grants

· Global ReLeaf 2007 Tree Planting Grants Available

· Reminder: Water Resources Education Network Grant Applications Due April 2

· Get a Fishing Education Program Started in Your School Through “Physh Ed”

· Delaware Estuary Experts to Converge on Conference and Summit

· DEP Invites Comments on TMDL for Crawford County Watershed

· Workshop on Fish Health in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed January 23-25

· PA Section Amercian Water Works Assn. Announces 2007 Training Schedule

· Is Your Flood Insurance Up-to-Date?

· Bowman’s Hill Preserve Hosts Ecological Landscaping Symposium

· DCNR Solicits PA Heritage Areas Grant Applications

· The Nature Conservancy Commits $3.5 Million To Protect Land in PA

· DCNR Issues 2006 Accomplishments Report

· PennDOT Anti-Litter Program Earns National Acclaim

· Do the “ROT” Thing, Chester County Offers Free Master Composting Classes

· 800 Pound Butter Sculpture at Farm Show to be Converted to Biodiesel

· 2006 High Performance Green Schools Planning Grants Program Opens

· Pittsburgh's Convention Center Releases 2006 Green Practices Report Card

· IRS Increases Employers, Employee Commuter Benefit Tax Incentives

· Intern Wanted: PHMC Seeking Environmental History Summer Intern

Video Blog Feature

· Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Offers Unique Experience for Birdwatchers, Hikers

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

1/5/2007