Busy Day at the Peoples' House

We are in Session here in Harrisburg, and bills and amendments are fighting for space on the last, few crowded days of the Voting Calendar. because the Democrats have a one seat majority in the House, it's very difficult to get Republican bills considered, making it a frustrating time. Nonetheless, I managed to get my own HB 2753 voted out of the House Transportation Committee today (thanks, Chairman Markosek) and hopefully it will make its way to the Floor. The bill would allow Montgomery County to have almost a "right of first refusal" to buy "leftover" land from PENNDOT for open space, trails, and protecting historic sites. It could prove very helpful to us in preserving land and historic sites. That was a small victory! Also, the Environmental Committee passed a bill that would slow the deregulation of electric prices, in an effort to temper the expected price jump for heating and lighting homes and businesses when the rate caps come off and consumers are forced to pay the "true cost" of their power. Meanwhile, the Capitol was crowded with folks advocating for various bills like an extension of the MCARE fund (which subsidizes the doctors' malpractice insurance), the PA Credit Unions (just visiting), and animal rights activists pushing the puppy mill bill which should get a vote tomorrow (I heard the Guv brought his dog so that's probably what people will see on TV back home), but we were so busy in Committees, caucuses and on the Floor, I never saw the Governor or his dog who were outside across the street. Nice to chat ever so briefly with Matt Handel of Blue Bell advocating for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia which wants to see a bill become law to ban investments in countries that sponsor terrorism. The House has already passed the bill, and it is in the Senate now for approval. Off to a scheduled dinner hoping to be safely tucked in my hotel by 9:30 PM when I call home each night I am here and not there. Kate Harper

Back in Session Going to the Dogs

Pennsylvania's had the unfortunate distinction of being in the news and even on Oprah for some horrible abuses involving cruel and inhumane dog breeders and the apparent inability of the Commonwealth to effectively regulate and eradicate puppy mills. Today we had the chance--voting on dozens of amendments to HB 2525, a very lengthy and comprehensive bill that provides regulations for cage sizes, exercise, lighting in kennels and many other aspects of dog care for puppies and dogs who are born or kept in commercial kennels or who are simply away from home at a kennel for hours or days. The goal was to come up with a law that would be easier to enforce than current law by providing clear standards for responsible breeders and kennel owners to follow and for humane officers to enforce without putting responsible dog breeders and kennels out of business. It is a difficult thing to legislate specific standards that will apply throughout this very large Commonwealth where rural and suburban and urban dwellers might not have the same standards for acceptable dog care. We all know what we don't like and don't want to see--on Oprah or anywhere--but deciding whether a kennel needs "ten foot candles of light" or "60 watt lightbulbs" is a bit tougher. If all the amendments have been heard (and I think they have although new ones could be filed), then the bill will be ready for a Floor vote on Wednesday. Since we finished after 6:30 PM tonight, and under our new rules, it needs 24 hours after amendment before it can be voted, it could be voted Tuesday night but Wednesday is more likely. Many people will heave a sigh of relief when the bill passes (and it will) and moves on to the Senate for action there. My dog, Scout, however, will be none the wiser about such things since he prefers to sleep the end of my bed to any kennel ! Kate Harper