Senate Hears Budget Address, Votes Budget Impasse Bill

Robbins' gun owner protection bill clears committee

The annual budget address and final passage of a bill that addresses the furloughing of state employees during a budget impasse were among the highlights of the Senate session week of February 4, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

Governor Ed Rendell unveiled his proposed $28.3 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09 during a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday.

"We must look closely at the numbers behind the Governor's budget. There is a significant amount of spending and borrowing in the Governor's proposal and we must determine how much of this is necessary and how much is just wishful thinking. I know many families are struggling just to keep up with the day-to-day costs of living. I don't believe state government should be reaching into their pockets for more money for unnecessary expenses," Senator Robbins said.

Governor Rendell wants to spend $900 million in new money for initiatives under his proposed "Protect our Progress" package. As part of POP, Rendell is proposing to tap the Rainy Day Fund, use significant funds from the Motor Vehicle Fund to cover debt service, impose a new surtax on insurance companies that write flood insurance policies in Pennsylvania, and redirect money from Pennsylvania's Tobacco Settlement Fund.

On Monday, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1122, legislation designating all 80,000 employees of the Commonwealth as essential in the event of a budget stalemate and thus prohibiting a furlough.

Last July, Governor Rendell designated approximately 24,000 Commonwealth employees as non-essential and laid them off because the state did not have a budget in place. The budget standoff lasted one day and the furloughed workers then returned to their jobs and state services resumed.

"The 17-day impasse over the state budget was certainly contentious, but the unnecessary furloughing of the state employees was perhaps the darkest part of the stalemate. SB 1122 will ensure that this tactic can never be used again," Senator Robbins said.

Committee Roundup

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness on Tuesday approved legislation introduced by state Senator Robbins that would specifically prohibit government officials from seizing firearms from individuals -- who are legally permitted to possess them -- during emergencies or natural disasters.

Senator Robbins said the need for the basic protection of the right to bear arms provided by Senate Bill 1172 became apparent in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when New Orleans police officers confiscated firearms from its citizenry -- including those who had valid firearms permits. "It is very unsettling that police officers would be disarming law-abiding citizens at the very time when they could potentially need these weapons to protect their lives and their families," Senator Robbins said.

The committee also approved Senate Bill 1225 that would establish a statewide system for Mutual Aid Agreements, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of Pennsylvania municipalities, as well as state and county officials, during disaster responses in which assistance is needed from outside the community in which the emergency occurred.

Also approved by the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee were Senate Bill 1199, a bill cosponsored by Senator Robbins that would provide for education leave of absence for spouses of military personnel called to active duty, and House Bill 1084, which would designate March 19 of each year as "Pennsylvania Military Heroes Day."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322