PCPA, along with other stakeholders, has been advancing an agenda of long-term, stable system funding for the mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) system. Two informational hearings have convened in the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Rep. George Kenney (R-Philadelphia), regarding House Bill 1813 (inflationary index for MH/MR) and House Bill 1649 (dedicated alcohol tax). Each bill also has companion legislation in the Senate in the forms of Senate Bill 1006 (inflationary index for MH/MR) and Senate Bill 727 (dedicated alcohol tax).
Inflationary
Index Legislation
House Bill 1813 passed the House January 24 by a vote of 194-0. The bill was
then referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. On March
15 the committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman, voted unanimously to report
both House Bill 1813 and Senate Bill 1006 out of committee; a technical amendment
was made to House Bill 1813 to properly address the name of the inflationary
index. While voting the bills out of committee means they can now be considered
for a floor vote, it is more likely that the bills will be re-referred to
the Senate Appropriations Committee. PCPA will keep members apprised on next
steps and grassroots outreach to key legislators.
Dedicated
Alcohol Tax Legislation
After a positive reception at its February hearing it is likely that House
Bill 1649 will be taken up by the House Health and Human Services Committee
for a committee vote in the near future. It is imperative that PCPA members
contact committee members urging them to vote House Bill 1649 out of committee.
A listing of committee members follows:
Rep. George
Kenney (R-Philadelphia) 717-787-8523
Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster 717-705-7161
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) 717-783-1918
Rep. Beverly Mackereth (R-York) 717-783-2655
Rep. Fred McIlhattan (R-Armstrong/Clarion) 717-772-9908
Rep. Susan E. Cornell (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) 717-787-6886
Rep. Michael Diven (R-Allegheny) 717-787-4652
Rep. John W. Fichter (R-Montgomery) 717-787-6423
Rep. Patrick E. Fleagle (R-Franklin) 717-783-5218
Rep. Mauree A. Gingrich (R-Lebanon) 717-783-1815
Rep. Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh/Northampton) 717-772-5398
Rep. Stephen R. Maitland (R-Adams/Franklin) 717-783-5217
Rep. Douglas G. Reichley (R-Berks/Lehigh) 717-787-1000
Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) 717-783-1574
Rep. Curtis G. Sonney (R-Erie) 717-783-9087
Rep. Katharine M. Watson (R-Bucks) 717-787-5452
Rep. Frank L.
Oliver (D-Philadelphia) 717-787-3480
Rep. John Myers (D-Philadelphia) 717-787-3181
Rep. Linda Bebko-Jones (D-Erie) 717-772-4035
Rep. Louise Williams Bishop (D-Philadelphia) 717-783-2192
Rep. Jake Wheatley, Jr. (D-Allegheny) 717-783-3783
Rep. Todd A. Eachus (D-Luzerne) 717-787-2229
Rep. Harold James (D-Philadelphia) 717-787-9477
Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Delaware) 717-787-5881
Rep. Nick Kotik (D-Allegheny) 717-783-3780
Rep. Marie A. Lederer (D-Philadelphia) 717-783-8098
Rep. Kathy M. Manderino (D-Philadelphia) 717-787-1254
Rep. Ronald G. Waters (D-Delaware/Philadelphia) 717-772-9850
Additional
Information
PCPA members should refer to the Legislative Tracking device located in the
Legislative Affairs section of the PCPA web site to access direct links to
the bills, talking points, etc. Members may also contact Melissa
DiSanto Simmons, director of legislative affairs, or any policy specialist
at the association with questions or concerns.
