The House Health and Human
Services (H&HS) Committee convened a hearing for House Bill 1649 (dedicated
alcohol taxes) on February 15 in Harrisburg. The hearing puts the coalition
one step closer to having a law passed to dedicate the "Johnstown Flood
Tax" to existing state-funded drug and alcohol treatment and prevention.
Rep. Katie True, the prime co-sponsor of the bill, stated that every year advocates for drug and alcohol treatment and prevention have to battle for money in the budget process. Her bill establishes a dedicated funding stream for both treatment and prevention of addiction. Rep. True added that it seems to be common sense for government to invest in treatment and prevention as alcohol and other drug abuse is often at the center of so many social ills.
Testimony covered aspects of the legislation not only from the perspective of providers and persons in recovery, but also from families and other statewide organizations. Legislators were also candid in sharing several constituent stories, issues related to lack of funding for treatment, and strong support of the legislation.
In addition to the testimony of Lynn Cooper, PCPA deputy director, several members of the Coalition to Save Lives, Families, and Communities testified in favor of the proposed legislation.
- Christine Munchak, president, PA Parent Teacher Association (PTA), represented a membership of 100,000 and the PTA’s commitment to working for the health, welfare, and education of children and youth and support of the legislation.
- Debbie Fowler, president, Remembering ADAM, Inc., shared the devastation of her son Adam's overdose from heroin in 1998 and the tremendous need for treatment and prevention services.
- Rebecca Shaver, state executive director, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, highlighted increases in alcohol sales and availability and the tragic health, social, and economic problems it has caused.
- Robin Spencer, director, Message Carriers in Allegheny County, represented the voice of recovery highlighting the difficulties accessing treatment and its effectiveness when available.
Some additional highlights of the testimonies included:
- The drug and alcohol community wins because there is a secure source of funding for services that has significantly increased each year for the last 10 years and is removed from the yearly unpredictable budget process.
- The commonwealth does not lose a significant revenue source. In fact, this initiative calls for 75 percent of the tax to be allocated for drug and alcohol treatment while 25 percent would still be returned to the state’s General Fund.
- Statistics indicate that those paying the majority of this tax are those who drink the most. The Center for Science in the Public Interest notes that 65 percent of Pennsylvania citizens drink alcohol and 20 percent of the drinkers consume 80 percent of the alcohol.
- The alcohol industry and the commonwealth can demonstrate a commitment to assisting citizens who have problems with the product they produce and/or promote.
The following representatives attended the hearing: Katie True (who chaired the hearing), Kerry Benninghoff, Todd Eachus, John Fichter, Pat Fleagle, Mauree Gingrich, Julie Harhart, Nick Kotik, Beverly Mackereth, Fred McIlhattan, Doug Reichley, Chris Ross, Curt Sonney, and Katherine Watson. Rep. Bebko-Jones, the other prime co-sponsor, was ill and unable to attend. She sent opening remarks. PCPA members are encouraged to contact their legislators and thank them if they were present and inform/educate them if they were not.
PCPA truly believes that opportunities like this do not come around very often. This is a chance to make important and lasting changes for the drug and alcohol system. This legislature has demonstrated its commitment to drug and alcohol treatment for many years and House Bill 1649 is an opportunity to make the funding and the entire system more secure.
Unfortunately, the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization (DASPOP) submitted written testimony opposing the legislation despite several attempts by PCPA and the primary sponsors to clarify the legislation. PCPA believes the DASPOP arguments lack merit.
PCPA will keep members apprised of next steps for House Bill 1649, including any scheduled committee vote. In the meantime contact Melissa DiSanto Simmons, director of legislative affairs, or Lynn Cooper at the association for questions or concerns. Information regarding House Bill 1649, including a legislative analysis and talking points, can be found in Legislative Tracking on the PCPA web site. Information relative to inflationary index and dedicated alcohol tax legislation is also included in January district lobby month materials.
