PCPA is pleased to report that House Bill 1649 (dedicated alcohol tax) was unanimously voted out of the House Health and Human Services Committee on May 2. Later in the day the bill was up for its first of three considerations, a process leading to a floor vote (a vote for-or-against the bill by the full Pennsylvania House of Representatives). PCPA will keep members apprised of House Bill 1649’s progress.
Committee
Members Support Legislation
Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster), committee secretary and prime sponsor of House
Bill 1649, briefly commented on the bill prior to the committee vote. True
emphasized that parents, advocates, and providers have been working for decades
to secure drug and alcohol (D&A) funding in the commonwealth. This bill,
she said, would be a good first step in that direction – and needs to
be followed by further efforts to increase funding for D&A treatment and
prevention.
Rep. Jake Wheatley, Jr. (D-Allegheny), along with Chairman George T. Kenney, Jr. (R-Philadelphia), reiterated that House Bill 1649 is a revenue-neutral funding mechanism. Kenney stated that funding for the listed D&A programs currently comes from the General Fund where alcohol taxes are deposited. Should House Bill 1649 become law, 75 percent of the Johnstown Flood Tax would be deposited into the newly established Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Fund (thus securing the listed line items) and monies would not come from the General Fund for these programs.
"[This bill would] permanently build the basement and part of the first floor [for D&A funding security]," commented Rep. Katharine M. Watson (R-Bucks). Watson said she has heard repeatedly from providers and other constituents regarding the inadequate funding for D&A services.
Rep. Marie A. Lederer (D-Philadelphia) and Watson moved that the bill be voted from committee. The motion was adopted unanimously and the bill moved for first consideration.
Next
Steps for Members
Members are urged to:
- contact members of the House Health and Human Services Committee and thank them for their support (a list of members can be found in the March 16 Legislative Alert), and
- contact their individual state representative now urging passage of House Bill 1649 when it comes up before the full House for a floor vote.
PCPA, along with other stakeholders, has been advancing the agenda of long-term, stable system funding for the mental health/mental retardation and D&A system. House Bill 1649 is a step in this direction for the D&A component. It should be noted that Senate Bill 727 (dedicated alcohol tax) is the companion legislation to House Bill 1649. Visit the Legislative Affairs section of the PCPA web site to access direct links to the bills, talking points, and other materials.
