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State

Governor Wolf announced Tuesday afternoon that Gary Tennis, Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), will no longer hold that position. The governor did not state a reason for Tennis’ departure; RCPA will report any further details as they become available. Deputy Secretary Jen Smith will serve as Acting Secretary. View the governor’s official press release here.

Message from Richard Edley, RCPA President & CEO:

On January 19, 2017, RCPA sent out an announcement urging individuals to contact the governor’s office regarding the concerns over the proposed ODP Medicaid waiver amendments, specifically related to Chapter 2390 licensed vocational facilities and Chapter 2380 licensed adult training facilities. I am pleased to say that this is NOT a necessary step at this time.

I have spoken directly with Nancy Thaler, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), and she has notified me that ODP will hold a meeting of all day/vocational providers in early March to review questions, concerns, and the entire process. This is similar to the recent meeting ODP had with all residential providers.

This is in addition to the upcoming three day (01/31 – 02/02) work group of stakeholders being held by ODP to review the proposed regulations and the comments received. I will be representing RCPA and we will have several provider and other member representatives also in attendance.

In light of these meetings and the proposed process, it would be more appropriate to enter in that discussion and suspend direct calls to the governor’s office. While we have concerns, ODP has assured us that there will be a forum and mechanism to voice these concerns and to have a more constructive discussion.

If you have any questions, please contact me. RCPA will certainly provide an update after the conclusion of these meetings.

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The Pennsylvania Senate announced the appointment of both Republican and Democratic committee chairs for the 2017–18 legislative session.

The appointments are as follows:

Aging & Youth:
Michele Brooks (R–Mercer)
Art Haywood (D–Montgomery)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs:
Elder Vogel (R–Beaver)
Judy Schwank (D–Berks)

Appropriations:
Pat Browne (R–Lehigh)
Vincent Hughes (D–Philadelphia)

Banking & Insurance:
Donald White (R–Indiana)
Sharif Street (D–Philadelphia)

Communications & Technology:
Ryan Aument (R–Lancaster)
Art Haywood (D–Montgomery)

Community, Economic & Recreational Development:
Mario Scavello (R–Monroe)
Larry Farnese (D–Philadelphia)

Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure:
Robert Tomlinson (R–Bucks)
Lisa Boscola (D–Northampton)

Education:
John Eichelberger (R–Blair)
Andrew Dinniman (D–Chester)

Environmental Resources & Energy:
Gene Yaw (R–Lycoming)
John Yudichak (D–Luzerne)

Finance:
Scott Hutchinson (R–Venango)
John Blake (D–Lackawanna)

Game & Fisheries:
Pat Stefano (R–Fayette)
Jim Brewster (D–Allegheny)

Intergovernmental Operations:
Camera Bartolotta (R–Washington)
Anthony Williams (D–Philadelphia)

Judiciary:
Stewart Greenleaf (R–Montgomery)
Daylin Leach (D–Montgomery)

Labor & Industry:
Kim Ward (R–Westmoreland)
Tina Tartaglione (D–Philadelphia)

Law & Justice:
Charles McIlhinney (R–Bucks)
Jim Brewster (D–Allegheny)

Local Government:
Scott Wagner (R–York)
John Blake (D–Lackawanna)

Public Health & Welfare:
Lisa Baker (R–Luzerne)
Judy Schwank (D–Berks)

Rules & Executive Nominations:
Jake Corman (R–Centre)
Jay Costa (D–Allegheny)

State Government:
Mike Folmer (R–Lebanon)
Anthony Williams (D–Philadelphia)

Transportation:
John Rafferty (R–Montgomery)
John Sabatina (D–Philadelphia)

Urban Affairs & Housing:
Tom McGarrigle (R–Delaware)
Wayne Fontana (D–Allegheny)

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness:
Randy Vulakovich (R–Allegheny)
Jay Costa (D–Allegheny)

The House of Representatives announced the appointments of both Republican and Democratic committee chairs for the 2017–18 legislative session.

The following appointments are unofficial until announced on the House floor:

Aging and Older Adult Services:
Republican: Rep. Tim Hennessey, 26th Legislative District, Chester and Montgomery counties.
Democrat: Rep. Steve Samuelson, 135th Legislative District, Northampton County.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs:
Republican: Rep. Martin Causer, 67th Legislative District, Cameron, Potter, and McKean counties.
Democrat: Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, 121st Legislative District, Luzerne County.

Children and Youth:
Republican: Rep. Kathy Watson, 144th Legislative District, Bucks County.
Democrat: Rep. Scott Conklin, 77th Legislative District, Centre County.

Commerce:
Republican: Rep. Brian Ellis, 11th Legislative District, Butler County.
Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, 181st Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Consumer Affairs:
Republican: Rep. Robert Godshall, 53rd Legislative District, Montgomery County.
Democrat: Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, 127th Legislative District, Berks County.

Education:
Republican: Rep. Dave Hickernell, 98th Legislative District, Lancaster and Dauphin counties.
Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck, 188th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Environmental Resources and Energy:
Republican: Rep. John Maher, 40th Legislative District, Allegheny and Washington counties.
Democrat: Rep. Mike Carroll, 118th Legislative District, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

Finance:
Republican: Rep. Bernie O’Neill, 29th Legislative District, Bucks County.
Democrat: Rep. Jake Wheatley, 19th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Game and Fisheries:
Republican: Rep. Keith Gillespie, 47th Legislative District, York County.
Democrat: Rep. Bryan Barbin, 71st Legislative District, Cambria and Somerset counties.

Gaming Oversight:
Republican: Rep. Scott Petri, 178th Legislative District, Bucks County.
Democrat: Rep. Patrick Harkins, 1st Legislative District, Erie County.

Health:
Republican: Rep. Matt Baker, 68th Legislative District, Bradford, Potter, and Tioga counties.
Democrat: Rep. Florindo (Flo) Fabrizio, 2nd Legislative District, Erie County.

Human Services:
Republican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, 18th Legislative District, Bucks County.
Democrat: Rep. Angel Cruz, 180th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Insurance:
Republican: Rep. Tina Pickett, 110th Legislative District, Bradford, Sullivan, and Susquehanna counties.
Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca, 32nd Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Judiciary:
Republican: Rep. Ron Marsico, 105th Legislative District, Dauphin County.
Democrat: Rep. Joseph A. Petrarca, 55th Legislative District, Armstrong, Indiana, and Westmoreland counties.

Labor and Industry:
Republican: Rep. Rob Kauffman, 89th Legislative District, Franklin County.
Democrat: Rep. John Galloway, 140th Legislative District, Bucks County.

Liquor Control:
Republican: Rep. Adam Harris, 82nd Legislative District, Franklin, Juniata, and Mifflin counties.
Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa, 34th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

Local Government:
Republican: Rep. Kate Harper, 61st Legislative District, Montgomery County.
Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman, 136th Legislative District, Northampton County.

Professional Licensure:
Republican: Rep. Mark Mustio, 44th Legislative District, Allegheny County.
Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw, 36th Legislative District, Allegheny County.

State Government:
Republican: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, 12th Legislative District, Butler County.
Democrat: Rep. Greg Vitali, 166th Legislative District, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

Tourism and Recreational Development:
Republican: Rep. David Millard, 109th Legislative District, Columbia County.
Democrat: Rep. Mark Longietti, 7th Legislative District, Mercer County.

Transportation:
Republican: Rep. John Taylor, 177th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.
Democrat: Rep. William F. Keller, 184th Legislative District, Philadelphia.

Urban Affairs:
Republican: Rep. Mark Keller, 86th Legislative District, Cumberland and Perry counties.
Democrat: Rep. Michael O’Brien, 175th Legislative District, Philadelphia County.

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness:
Republican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, 160th Legislative District, Chester and Delaware counties.
Democrat: Rep. Christopher Sainato, 9th Legislative District, Lawrence County.

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Yesterday, the General Assembly passed and the governor signed the remaining bills to enact the current fiscal year’s spending plan of $31.5 billion. To pay for the general appropriations bill, the Legislature adopted several tax increases and some new revenue streams. The cigarette tax was increased another $1/pack while e-cigarettes, roll-your-own cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco have now been added as taxable items.

Additionally, lottery winnings will now be assessed a PIT and a sales tax will be imposed on digital downloading of books, music, satellite radio, and streaming audio/video. The tax on table games was also increased by 2%, but will sunset in five years. Revenue streams for the fiscal year are also dependent upon several non-recurring sources; i.e., a number of transfers contained in the fiscal code such as transfers from:

  • The tobacco settlement – $28.5 million;
  • Recycling fund – $9 million;
  • The Building Pennsylvania program – $12 million;
  • The Volunteer Companies Loan Fund – $9 million;
  • The Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund – $5 million; and
  • Several gaming licensure fees.

Please contact Jack Phillips with any questions.

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Early yesterday evening, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved the changes made in the Senate by a 144-54 vote and sent SB 1073, the general appropriations (GA) bill, to the governor. The approved GA bill increases spending by $1.5 billion, or an increase of 5%. Even though the General assembly sent the GA bill to the Governor, the House and Senate still must come up with the revenues necessary to pay for the appropriations as set forth in the bill.