January 20, 2009

Pennsylvania Senate Republican News Brief

“We will be facing many challenges in the coming weeks, everything from a looming budget crisis, to just solving everyday problems of your new constituents. To do this will take the resolve of each of us to work together in this chamber.”

-- Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) addressing new senators during swearing-in ceremonies January 6.

Preview

SENATE REPUBLICANS TO RENEW PUSH FOR GOVERNMENT REFORM 

The Senate will be in session January 20 and 21, and returns to voting session January 26, with Senate Republicans renewing their push to pass government reform legislation.

Members of the Senate Republican Caucus will hold a press conference regarding a 10-bill package of reform legislation on Wednesday, January 21.

Among the measures, most of which were passed by the Senate last session but died in the House of Representatives, are bills to increase penalties for government officials who violate the "Sunshine Law," the posting of government salary information on the Internet, a bonus ban for state employees, and several other measures aimed at making government more transparent.

BUDGET ADDRESS, HEARINGS HIGHLIGHT FEBRUARY AGENDA

The General Assembly will receive the Rendell Administration’s proposed 2009-10 state budget on February 3.

The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), will begin two weeks of public hearings to review the spending plan on February 23. Senate Republicans are committed to controlling expenditures in the face of declining revenues and a looming deficit.

SENATE LAUNCHES FACEBOOK GROUP

In an ongoing effort to use technology to provide easier access to information to Pennsylvania citizens, Senate Republicans have launched a group on the popular Internet networking site Facebook.

The site will provide updated news and information involving Senate Republicans. Any member of Facebook can join the “Pennsylvania Senate Republicans” group.

Review

FIVE NEW SENATE REPUBLICANS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

Five new Republican senators and nine returning Republicans were sworn in to four-year terms January 6. 

Elected by voters in November, the five new members are: Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin) in the 33rd District, Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) in the 13th District,  Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) in the 47th District, Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) in the 39th District and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) in the 23rd District.

Voters also re-elected nine Republican senators: Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie), Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia), Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny), Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland), Sen. Don White (R-Indiana) and Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango).

Voters elected a 29-20 Senate GOP majority for 2009-10, pending the outcome of the March 3 special election in the 29th District. Pennsylvania voters have elected a Republican Senate majority in every General Election since 1980. For more on the new members of the Senate Republican Caucus, please see In the Spotlight, below.

 - Senator Alloway
 - Senator Smucker
 - Senator Vogel
 - Senator Ward
 - Senator Yaw

SEN. SCARNATI SWORN IN AS SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) was re-elected to serve his second term as President Pro Tempore of the Senate during swearing-in ceremonies on January 6.

Senator Scarnati is also serving as Lieutenant Governor, following the death of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll in November. Senator Scarnati was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Thomas Saylor after he was unanimously elected by his colleagues to the top Senate post.  He was first elected to the position in January 2007.

Since his election to the position of Pro Tempore, Senator Scarnati has been a leader in reforming the way business is conducted in the Senate and remains committed to making the institution more open and accessible to the citizens of the commonwealth. He is also taking on many important issues such as reducing job-crushing taxes, eliminating benefits to illegal aliens, and cutting the cost of government in Pennsylvania.

Senator Scarnati said: “Today, more than ever, Pennsylvanians want results, not stalemate. They want family-sustaining jobs, not more unemployment benefits, and they want a vision for the future that is full of hope, and that what we do today will make tomorrow brighter.”

In the Spotlight

Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin) served as a magisterial district judge prior to his election and owned Madison Settlement Services in Chambersburg.  He is a graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Shippensburg University and Widener Law School and is a resident of Hamilton Township.

Senator Alloway said: “It is a great privilege to be elected to represent residents of Adams, Franklin and York counties, and I am committed to providing the highest level of service to my constituents. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to help make our communities safer, stronger and more prosperous.”

Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) lives in West Lampeter Township where he served as a Township Supervisor and as a member of the Planning Commission.  For 25 years, he ran the Smucker Company, a family-owned commercial construction firm.

Senator Smucker said: “After the financial crisis, the issue of controlling state spending is the foremost in everyone’s mind. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions, but it’s an opportunity to look at the government and cut programs that are no longer working and to make other programs more efficient.”

Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) is a fourth-generation dairy farmer working on his family’s New Sewickley Township land.  Vogel was elected supervisor of New Sewickley Township in 1997 and served as president of the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau.

Senator Vogel said: “The experience was truly humbling. Standing in the Senate Chamber, you can feel the history and the responsibility that comes with the office.  I am looking forward to serving the citizens of the 47th District.”

Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) is a native Southwestern Pennsylvania resident who grew up in Meadowlands, Washington County. Prior to her election in 2007 as a Westmoreland County Commissioner, she served as a Hempfield Township Supervisor from 2002 to 2007 and served as chairwoman for the last three years of her term.   

Senator Ward said: "One of the most pressing issues is cutting state spending and passing a state budget without a tax increase. Over the long term, I want to bring more transparency to the legislative process so taxpayers can see how their dollars are being spent."

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) is a resident of Loyalsock Township. He served as Lycoming County solicitor for 17 years and was named County Solicitor of the Year in 2004. He served as general counsel to the Pennsylvania College of Technology for over 20 years.     

Senator Yaw said: "I'm really looking forward to getting to work on important issues that will affect our area, including improving our job climate, holding down spending and taxes, and ensuring that state government is open and accountable to the people it represents."

Fast Facts