“As evidenced by the drastic changes that occurred to the 18^th Senate District (Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe) over the past 20 years, the commission should strive to attain continuity of communities in the redistricting process, only removing municipalities from districts when absolutely necessary,” Boscola said.

She pointed out that the 18^th District has been a target of politically-motivated redistricting shenanigans over the past two decades, even prompting her to file suit following the 2000 redistricting process.

“Nearly half of the population that was in this district in 1991 no longer resides in the 18th,” Boscola said. “Not because these individuals moved out of the area, but rather because the redistricting process moved the district away from them.”

 She added that “continuity in the redistricting process helps residents know who is representing them in Harrisburg and Washington.”

Boscola told the commission that these drastic reapportionment fluctuations occurred at a time when the 18^th District gained population. She said the district could have easily been kept intact and made even more compact.

The commission held the hearing to get public feedback on its recently approved preliminary plan. The state Supreme Court rejected a previous version. Boscola urged the commission to make the necessary adjustments to its latest preliminary plan to better reflect what she called the three C’s, “compactness, communities of interest and continuity of municipalities.”

 # # #

“We heard a very convincing case that horse racing has defied the recession, created jobs and boosted Pennsylvania’s agriculture economy,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola, the committee’s chair. “Competition for jobs and investments is fierce and we can’t afford to lose one single job in this economy.”

When Pennsylvania legalized gaming in 2004, a prime motivator was the revival of the horse racing industry, a key component of the state’s agriculture economy and tradition.  The Race Horse Development Fund is fueled by 11 percent of slot machine proceeds.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2012-13 budget calls for taking $72 million from the fund to plug other holes in the agriculture budget.  

Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, said he requested the hearing out of concern for the 225 jobs at The Meadows – and those of another 1,000 horsemen — that are supported by racing at the Washington County facility.

“Clearly, the race horse fund has done what it was intended to do, and it has done it through tough economic times,” Solobay said.  “If Pennsylvania is going to recover from the recession, we have to keep what’s working and cut what’s not working.  Raiding the race horse fund would be shortsighted.”

Since the fund was created, it has become a model for surrounding states which have emerged as competitors as Pennsylvania has returned to the top tier of racing states, industry officials said.

Purses at Pennsylvania race tracks jumped from $75 million in 2001 to $700 million in 2009 while the Department of Agriculture estimated that the slots law (Act 71) created 40,000 racing and agriculture jobs.  An independent study estimated the industry’s annual economic impact at $490 million.

“One of the purposes of good government is to create an environment and framework that supports opportunity.  Pennsylvania did just that,” said Joe M. Thompson, president of the Standardbred Breeders Association of Pennsylvania. “The better the racing the more opportunity there is for better farms, better mares, better stallions, better vets, blacksmiths, hay, straw and all the supplies required to run a horse operation.”

The progress has drawn national attention and investment, but cutting $72 million from the fund would reverse the progress and make industry observers wary of Pennsylvania’s economic future, according to experts.

“You could have a total collapse of these investments,” Thompson said.

Solobay said the economic impact of raiding the race horse fund could go well beyond the $72 million price tag.

“We made a commitment to attract investment, and the investors responded,” he said. “If we don’t keep our end of the bargain it sends a terrible message about the way we do business.”

Boscola said the Policy Committee has already discussed numerous ways to fill budget gaps without cuts to economic programs that are working. 

“As the budget progress moves on, we are ready to work with the administration, as well as colleagues on the other side of the aisle, to find solutions that are real and sustainable,” she said.

“Any legislative effort to stoke our economy and create jobs must include an aggressive workforce training plan,” said Sen. Lisa Boscola, who chairs the committee. “While my fellow Senate Democrats and I have already introduced job training bills, I want the committee to get input from local educators and business leaders on this legislation as well as their own ideas for how best to train our workers for good jobs today – and tomorrow.”

Boscola said getting people back to work is the key to rebounding from the recession.

“We need to pinpoint what is working, and what is not, and how various proposals would impact our region,” she added. 

At a time when creating jobs is more critical than ever, Boscola called it ironic that the Corbett Administration has recommended another round of budget cuts for community colleges – lowering state support on a per pupil basis to 1995-96 funding levels.

Dr. Art Scott, president of Northampton Community College, told the committee, “You have to invest in education if you want to foster economic development.”

He pointed to his school’s success in placing students at the Sands Bethlehem Casino as an example of targeting a curriculum for job opportunities. Chris Donigal, who serves as vice president of Human Resources for B. Braun, added that many community colleges and technical schools often prepare students who are more applicable to employers.

Last year, Senate Democrats unveiled a legislative package, called PA Works Now, which is aimed at invigorating Pennsylvania’s economy and creating jobs. Boscola said the Democratic plan would leverage $2 billion in private investment to help put people to work, cut business taxes and help small businesses be more competitive, rebuild the state’s aging infrastructure, foster the growth of promising new clean and green energy industries and retool worker training programs.

Boscola herself introduced a bill that would provide tax credits for businesses that employ qualified interns.

“Across the state, expert after expert has told us that we are failing our kids by herding them toward careers that aren’t out there,” Boscola said. “The time has come to recognize that a four-year college education isn’t the only path to a good job and family-sustaining career.

“As I said on the Senate floor earlier this year, Community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs, employer-sponsored programs and military service can no longer be viewed as some ugly step-sister to a four-year college education. It is time that we recognize that these entities train and prepare young people for some of the most promising and lucrative careers available these days.”

The Northampton County lawmaker also urged schools to help train more Pennsylvanians for jobs in the growing gas drilling industry, as well as the ancillary jobs in related industries. Representatives from local colleges and training schools said they are in the process of tailoring more training programs and aggressively marketing such educational opportunities.

“While the industry has created thousands of good jobs, we still see too many out-of state license plates at these facilities,” Boscola said.

Senators joining Boscola at today’s discussion at Northampton Community College included: John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Judy Schwank (D-Berks), and Christine Tartaglione (D-Phila.).

 Other panelists included:

•  Dr. Art Scott – president of Northampton Community College;
• Karen Veres - director of career services, Northampton Community College;
• Nancy Dishinat - executive director, Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board;
• Michelle Griffin-Young – executive vice president, Government and External Affairs, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce;
• Dr. Thomas Rushton, executive director of the Monroe Career and Technical Institute;
• Dr. Ronald Roth - administrative director of the Career Institute of Technology;
• Brian Williams - executive director of the Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School;
• Chris Donigal, vice president of human resources for B. Braun.

 # # #

“Any project that improves safety and enhances mobility is eligible for ARLE funding”, Boscola said.  “I am thrilled when state funding finds its way to our communities to help make the Lehigh Valley a safer, more efficient place to live and work.”

State-wide, municipalities submitted more than 300 applications, totaling $27.3 million. Projects were chosen under criteria including project benefits and effectiveness, cost, local and regional impact, and cost sharing.

The two projects awarded in the Lehigh Valley are:

•  $50,000 to the Borough of Catasauqua in Lehigh County for traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Race and 14^th streets;
•  $150,000 to the City of Bethlehem in Northampton County for pedestrian improvements at the north end of the Philip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge over the Lehigh River.

For more information, visit www.dot.state.pa.us, search Automated Red Light Enforcement or by contacting Senator Boscola’s office at 610-868-8667.

# # #

“Sexual abuse and sexual violence, especially against children, is often veiled in silence, but the Jerry Sandusky case has brought this heinous crime to everyone’s attention,” said Boscola (D-Lehigh/Monroe/Northampton). “This is an important time for all of us to take a look at our current laws and see how we can improve them so that we can prevent these offenses. In particular, my legislation puts up a strong barrier around our schools and bus stops.”

Her legislation, Senate Bill 1378, would ban “Megan’s Law” sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of any school, day care center, recreation center or playground — and a minimum of 500 feet from school bus stops. The bill would also require school directors to consult the Megan’s Law registry when they review and choose school bus routes.

“Although sex offenders are required to register and provide their residence address, there are no current restrictions on where they can reside,” Boscola said. “It is not enough to notify a school district if a known predator lives within a mile of a school. There must be stricter guidelines to protect our children.”  

Nineteen other states currently have residency limitations on sexual registrants but Pennsylvania would become the first state in the nation to extend this protective zone to bus stops if this bill became law.

“Many children who are sexual abuse victims are afraid to tell anyone and, sadly, live with this abuse for years. We as a society must be advocates for all of our children,” Boscola said. “This legislation takes preventative steps to ensure that our children are going to school safely and learning in a safe environment.”

The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

###

HARRISBURG, Feb. 6, 2012 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola today spoke on the Senate Floor urging the Senate to reform the redistricting process. She also called on Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks/Montgomery), chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, to bring up her reform proposal (Senate Bill 650) for a committee vote.

Following are the texts of Boscola’s (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe) floor speech and letter to Sen. McIlhinney:

Floor Speech:

“Mr. President, this year’s redistricting process proved to be a disgrace and debacle.

If you want proof, just look at the majority opinion issued by the Supreme Court that said a normal citizen, using her own home computer, was able to draw better legislative boundaries than the Legislative Reapportionment Commission with all of its experts, support staff, advocates and legal advisors.

One good woman, one concerned citizen named Amanda Holt -from Lehigh County — succeeded where the commission failed because she was more interested in being fair and logical than constructing weirdly shaped political fiefdoms.

Guided by constitutional dictates and common sense, she drew her map in a sensible way that ignored the many pitfalls that have corrupted the redistricting process over the years.

Amanda didn’t have state and congressional incumbents wheeling and dealing in back rooms, carving up communities and regions to suit their political ends.

Amanda didn’t have to worry about drawing squiggly lines to pack more Democrats or Republicans into some incumbent’s district.

She didn’t have to contort her maps to district-out potential rivals.

To Amanda, looking out for number one was looking out for ordinary citizens who deserve the best possible representation in Harrisburg and Washington.

Mr. President, I also want to publicly commend the majority Supreme Court members who largely said, “Enough is enough.”

They were tired of the gerrymandering….the game playing….the wheeling and dealing…the jaded reasoning and blatant disregard for what our Constitution demands.

Mr. President, if this sorry chapter in Pennsylvania history proves anything, it proves that the less politicians have to do with drawing these maps, the better.

This is why I hope my Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle are finally poised to get this embarrassing chapter behind us and consider a more equitable, independent and rational means of re-drawing legislative districts.

For nearly a decade, I have promoted a bipartisan resolution that prevents politicians from controlling redistricting. Instead, my bill would allow an independent body of citizens to draw the maps in a more fair and rational way.

Mr. President, Senate Bill 650 is patterned off a proven system used in Iowa. Under my proposal, a state Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau would be established and comprised of members who do not hold political or party offices….aren’t related to those who hold office….or don’t work for those who hold office.

This structure would help take partisanship and politics out of the reapportionment and redistricting process altogether.

And let me warn all of you, if we are not prepared to reform this process now, we will be right back here in 10 years, red faced over how political insiders with secretive ambitions and axes to grind were able to misuse the process — leaving communities and regions such as the Lehigh Valley needlessly split and mutilated to suit their political ends.

Mr. President, the Supreme Court did the right thing. It’s time for us to follow suit.

The people deserve better.

Thank you Mr. President.”

Boscola letter to Sen. McIlhinney:

Dear Senator McIlhinney:

I am contacting you to request that Senate Bill 650 be brought up for a vote before the Senate State Government Committee. SB 650 establishes a Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Bureau and is modeled after the Iowa redistricting plan. I have introduced this legislation in previous sessions, but given the recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on the redistricting challenges, it is time that we examine Pennsylvania’s current redistricting method and perhaps consider an alternative process.

Under SB 650, both Congressional and Legislative redistricting would be done by this Bureau and districts would be drawn considering the following factors:

-Ideal population

-Municipal boundaries

-Contiguous territory

-Compactness

-Communities of interest

Additionally, SB 650 creates a Redistricting Advisory Commission to direct the Bureau in cases where the Bureau is confronted by a question in which no clear applicable guideline is available in law. These Commission members would be appointed by the four Caucus leaders and the respective appointees would select the fifth commission member. The appointees must be an eligible elector in the Commonwealth, may not hold a partisan public or political party office and may not be a relative of any member of the General Assembly or member of Congress or be employed by the General Assembly or Congress.

The legislation would remove much of the controversy and public perception that political considerations and motives are driving the reapportionment process. The recent embarrassing spectacle of the Supreme Court throwing out the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s plan underscores the public’s dissatisfaction over how the redistricting process has become distorted and tainted. If we are serious about public pledges for openness, conforming to the spirit and letter of our Constitution and improving the way the state legislature does business, supporting this balanced proposal is a step in that direction.

It is imperative that we instill public confidence back into our redistricting process and eliminate the perceived partisanship and politics. I strongly believe that my bill has the power to accomplish these goals and fix the aspects of our redistricting methodology that are clearly broken.

Sincerely, Lisa M. Boscola

# # #

The hearing was held in Philadelphia at the request of state Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Phila.), who has co-sponsored legislation (Senate Bill 1260) that would limit the influence of special interests and wealthy donors in campaigns.

Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe), who chairs the committee, said that campaign finance reform laws “must be strengthened to preserve the integrity of elections and give all candidates a ‘fighter’s chance’ in campaigns.

“I had very little financial support in my first run for office; but was able to overcome the odds by working hard, traveling to events throughout my Senate district and going door to door connecting with voters. We cannot allow huge campaign donors to drown out the chances of underdog candidates.”

Senator Farnese cautioned about the political influence that large donations carry and again renewed his call for limits on donations.

“January was the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which opened the floodgates and allowed unlimited corporate spending and election influence across the nation,” said State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Phila.).  “In the Commonwealth, we as elected officials must ensure that we do not allow the draw of significant dollars to diminish the public’s trust in government.”

Senate Bill 1260, sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), would impose campaign contribution limits on all political party committees, individuals, political action committees (PAC) and candidate’s political committees.  Farnese testified in favor of the bill at a previous hearing in Pittsburgh.

Participating in today’s hearing, Costa added, “The longer we go without reforming this broken system of campaign finance, the longer special interests and wealthy stakeholders will have strong influence over some of the most critical decisions made in Harrisburg.”

“The dominance of big contributions from special interests, and their consequences for democratic society, is the most serious shortcoming of the present, largely unregulated system,” David Ross of Common Cause/PA said. “While many solid efforts at campaign finance reform have been launched in the General Assembly over the past 30-plus years, Senate Bill 1260 is among the very best and most comprehensive to have been placed before our lawmakers.”

The measure would set $100,000 contribution caps per election on all state political party committees for candidates to the General Assembly, Court of Common Pleas, and county or local offices; $250,000 for statewide candidates; and $1 million for candidates running for governor. The bill would also set $500 aggregate limits on contributions per individual to any candidate for the General Assembly, Court of Common Pleas, county or local office; $2,500 per individual to any statewide candidate; and $5,000 per PAC or candidate’s committee to any candidate for all offices.  The aggregate limits per calendar year would be $10,000 per individual, candidate’s committee or a PAC to a single political party committee; $25,000 per individual to all candidates and committees; and $100,000 per PAC to candidates and committees.

“By placing limits on campaign contributions and expenditures, tightening and expanding disclosure and requiring political accountability by corporations, Senate Bill 1260 would significantly mitigate the potentially corrosive effects of the Citizens United decision,” Lora Lavin, representing the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, said. “Senate Bill 1260 merits bipartisan support and we urge action by the legislature and the governor.”

Other participants in this morning’s hearing included Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz, and Ellen Mattleman Kaplan and Michael Schwartz representing the Committee of Seventy.

# # #

“I am pleased to help obtain state dollars to help fund worthy local projects,” Boscola said. “I will continue to seek state support for local efforts.”

The projects include:

• Monroe County Industrial Development Authority was awarded $1.2 million for the Route 611 Corridor Gas Line project;

• Delaware Water Gap Borough was awarded $165,634 to construct an addition to an existing well house and make associated site improvements to house new filtration equipment for manganese removal;

• Stroud Township was awarded $100,000 for the construction of a pedestrian bridge that will span the Pocono Creek into Stroudsburg Borough;

• Northampton County was awarded $500,000 to renovate the Bangor Trust Building in Bangor Borough to include residential and additional commercial space. The funds will be a grant-to-loan to Lake Creek Construction;

• Bangor Borough was awarded $100,000 for the construction of a new storm water drainage channel and storm water culvert on Capital Avenue; and

• Easton Redevelopment Authority was awarded $300,000 for the renovation of two commercial buildings and a vacant lot on Northampton Street into two commercial spaces, 23 residential units and on-premise parking.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) board approved the funding at its meeting in Harrisburg today. The CFA was established as an independent state agency to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. The CFA holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania’s economic growth.

# # #

The measure would also require school administrators to consult the “Megan’s Law” offenders registry annually when deciding where to locate bus stops.

“In weighing the safety and security of our children against the rights of convicted sex offenders, I’ll choose the safety of our kids every time,” Boscola said. “My proposal is a measured and reasonable step aimed at protecting our kids.”

Under Boscola’s legislation, registered sex offenders could not establish residency within 1,000 feet of any school, day care center, recreation center or playground; and within 500 feet of a school bus stop.

In annually consulting the Megan’s law offenders list, if school administrators learn that an offender already lives within 500 feet of a bus stop, they would be required to notify police and the parents whose children use that bus stop.

Boscola said the legislation was prompted by a local school district that located a bus stop close to a sex offender’s residence.

The legislation is part of a Democratic legislative package aimed at strengthening laws, developing new initiatives and refining policies that protect children in the wake of Penn State sex abuse allegations.

# # #

“If you are a senior, related to or friends with a senior, please remind them to make sure they get their application in by the deadline,” Boscola said. “In these tough economic times, a rebate check can help a great deal.”

Boscola said qualifying seniors can receive up to $975 from the program. She added that applications and free filing assistance are available at her local district offices, Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, and senior centers.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and information are also available online at www.PaPropertyTaxRelief.com or by calling 1-888-222-9190, between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters. Boscola said seniors should keep in mind that only half of Social Security income is counted in determining eligibility.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can increase rebates to $975.

Boscola said the state is providing $776.2 million in property tax relief this year, including expanded rebates from the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and general property tax relief for all homeowners distributed through school districts last summer. As a result, she said school property tax bills were completely eliminated for about 120,000 residents statewide this year.

# # #