Legislature Recognizes Erie Man Killed in Iraq

Mine safety, economic stimulus bills move forward

As one of its first actions of 2008, the Senate unanimously approved and sent to the Governor a bill that would honor an Erie County man who died while serving with the US Army in Iraq, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

House Bill 1795 renames the Powell Avenue Bridge on state Route 229 in Millcreek Township as the "Staff Sgt. Jeremy R. Horton Memorial Bridge."

SSgt. Horton died on May 21, 2004, after an improvised explosive device detonated while his convoy was stopped for another roadside bomb near Al Iskandariyah, Iraq. Horton was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

"It is important that we remember and honor Sergeant Horton and the sacrifice that he made in the service of our country," said Senator Robbins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. "This bridge will be a tangible reminder of our gratitude for his service and our sorrow for his sacrifice."

Committee Roundup

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved the first comprehensive rewrite of Pennsylvania’s mine safety laws in nearly 50 years on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 949 would create a new Board of Coal Mine Safety to keep Pennsylvania's mine safety standards regularly updated. The board will be chaired by the DEP secretary, with three members representing mine operators and three representing mine workers.

The legislation also provides for greater responsibility for operators to ensure the safety, and enables the state to establish a central database of maps of mines throughout the Commonwealth. It also addresses responses to accidents, requiring mine operators to notify DEP within 15 minutes, and updates ventilation and roof support requirements.

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee approved an economic stimulus measure intended to help Pennsylvania's manufacturers and high-tech companies.

Senate Bill 1229, also known as the High-Tech & Manufacturing Stimulus Act, would revise the formula for Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) to one solely based on sales. It would also remove the Net Operating Loss (NOL) cap.

These steps are intended to help Pennsylvania's businesses particularly cyclical companies such as manufacturers and those in high-tech fields.

"By using a single sales factor we can ease the burden on Pennsylvania's employers while evening the playing field in the area of competition with companies in other states," said Senator Robbins. "Removing the NOL cap will also help make our companies more competitive. The truth is that with this cap in place, Pennsylvania manufacturers can be taxed at a rate much higher than a similar manufacturer would be taxed in Ohio, New York or New Jersey."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322