During session this afternoon Senator Vince Fumo collapsed. He was in the front of the chamber, not too far away from me when he went down. It was a little scary for a while then he seemed to come around after medical personnel came into the chamber. They took him out by wheel chair and I have not heard of any report on his condition since, I’m sure that we will hear something tomorrow. We went through a number of bills today, some in preparation for the budget. The House sent over a tax reduction bill that was changed in the Finance Committee meeting to reflect the original set of four tax cutting bills the senate introduced as our tax stimulus package. The Governor was dealt a blow today when it became known that the State Treasurer, through her attorney, said that the Governor had no legal requirement to furlough state workers on July 1st if the budget was not in place. This is the same opinion the Republicans have had all along. We still cannot get a clear answer from the Governor about his position. He doesn’t seem to want to present any legal evidence, probably because there is none. The clock is ticking and it could be after June 30th until the budget is signed by the Governor. Remember that it will take at least three days to finish any deal once it is agreed to.

- John

Bill would help create a ‘home team advantage’ for Pennsylvania businesses

Harrisburg, PA - Tuesday, May 20, 2008. In a news conference at the State Capitol today, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) announced he will sponsor one of four bills in a stimulus package announced by Senate Republicans. Senate Bill 1388 would amend Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax to expand the sales factor to 85 percent from 70 percent.

“Increasing the weight of the sales factor would help stimulate manufacturing jobs in the Commonwealth and benefit companies who make their products here,” John says.

Most corporations who conduct business in more than one state are required to use a three-factor apportionment in order to apportion their business income among the states where they have activity. The three-factor apportionment formula consists of property, payroll and sales factors. Right now, the sales factor accounts for 70 percent of the apportionment formula, and the property and payroll factors each account for 15 percent.

“We need to stop penalizing businesses that locate in Pennsylvania by including their buildings and payroll on the state’s Corporate Net Income Tax. This bill will help to fix this problem and help create a ‘home team advantage,’ for our Pennsylvania businesses,” John says.

This four-bill stimulus package would provide nearly $96 million in tax relief in the upcoming fiscal year for lower-income working Pennsylvanians, small businesses looking to expand, major employers and job creators.

The proposal also includes Senate Bill 1385, sponsored by Senator Jake Corman (R-34), to expand the cap on the Net Operating Loss provision of the Corporate Net Income Tax to $5 million or 20 percent of taxable income, Senate Bill 1386, sponsored by Senator Bob Regola (R-39), to increase the eligibility limits for special tax forgiveness for low-income Pennsylvanians and Senate Bill 1387, sponsored by Senator Pat Vance, which would double the amount that small businesses may deduct as Section 179 expenses on their income tax filings. Senator Pat Browne (R-16), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, hosted the news conference in the State Capitol Media Center.

John’s Comments on VIDEO:

John’s Comments in AUDIO:

News Conference on VIDEO:

News Conference in AUDIO:

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To offer free screenings, demonstrations, activities and information

Smithfield Township, PA – On Friday, May 16, 2008, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) and Representative Mike Fleck (R-81) will honor “Older Americans Month,” by co-sponsoring Senior Expo 2008: Making Choices for a Healthier Future.

The event will be held in cooperation with the Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon Area Agency on Aging, Westminster Woods, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital and the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company.

More than 50 federal, state and local organizations and businesses will promote available social services, financial and estate planning services, recreation and cultural services, retirement, home health and wellness services. Seniors can also get necessary screenings, observe demonstrations and participate in a variety of activities. Senior Expo 2008 will offer a complimentary lunch to seniors who visit exhibits this year and there will be door prizes awarded to many participants.

“We need to take care of Pennsylvania’s parents and grandparents as they took care of us. One way of doing that is to make sure today’s seniors know what kinds of products and services are available to them and their families. Last year about 200 seniors visited the Expo and I look forward to another successful event this year,” John says.

Rep. Fleck hopes all local seniors will visit the Expo. “This is a great opportunity for seniors to meet face-to-face with representatives from a number of organizations, ask questions and get the answers they need.”

Senior Expo 2008 is FREE however, pre-registration is appreciated. Please call (814) 643-5115.

WHO: State Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. and State Representative Mike Fleck
WHAT: Senior Expo 2008
WHEN: Friday, May 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Smithfield Volunteer Fire Company

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Harrisburg, PA - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) held a joint news conference introducing a bill to strengthen laws against child rapists and sexual predators.

The ‘Child Rapist and Sexual Predator Detection Act’ strengthens reporting requirements for health care providers who discover evidence of sexual activity such as sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, in boys or girls age 12 or younger.

“Some health care providers have found a way to circumvent the current mandatory reporting requirement by failing to report treatment of children under the age of 13. It is illegal in Pennsylvania to have sex with a child age 12 or under. Any girl of this age being given any form of prenatal care is presenting evidence that a felonious sex crime has been committed. Some health care providers are blatantly disregarding the law and exposing children to continued sexual abuse,” Senator Eichelberger says.

The bill would require health care practitioners to prove that a child is 13 years old or older by obtaining credible written evidence. If the child is under the age of 13, reporting to the Child Predator Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the county child service agency would be required. Any individual who willfully fails to comply with a requirement in this legislation could face charges ranging from second and third degree misdemeanors to a felony. The health care practitioner could also be held civilly liable for any damages suffered by the child from the continued rape or sexual abuse caused by their failure to report this information.

Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44) is the first co-sponsor of the bill. Rep. Tom Yewcic (D-72) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives.

To view John’s comments click here.

Listen to John’s comments below:

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Challenge health care practitioners to report evidence of abuse or be held liable

 Harrisburg, PA - Tuesday, February 19, 2008, Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30) and Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44), today announced their intention to introduce a bill to strengthen laws against child rapists and sexual predators.

 The ‘Child Rapist and Sexual Predator Detection Act’ strengthens reporting requirements for health care providers who discover evidence of sexual abuse, such as sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, in girls age 12 or younger.

 “Some health care providers have found a way to circumvent the current mandatory reporting requirement by failing to report treatment of children under the age of 13. It is illegal in Pennsylvania to have sex with a child age 12 or under, so any child of this age being given any form of prenatal care is presenting evidence that a felonious sex crime has been committed.  Some health care providers are blatantly disregarding the law and exposing children to continued sexual abuse, ” Senator Eichelberger says.

 The bill would require health care practitioners to prove that a child is 13 years old or older by obtaining credible written evidence.  If the child is under the age of 13, reporting to the Child Predator Unit of the Attorney General’s Office and the county child service agency would be required.  Any individual who willfully fails to comply with a requirement in this legislation could face charges ranging from second and third degree misdemeanors to a felony.  The health care practitioner could also be held civilly liable for any damages suffered by the child from the continued rape or sexual abuse caused by their failure to report this information.

 “Through this legislation we hope to curtail or prevent those individuals who prey on children from going undetected.  There needs to be some accountability for health care providers who choose not to confirm that the pregnant girl sitting in front of them has not been victimized.  These providers must undertake their best efforts to do this.  Overlooking these cases is completely unacceptable.  Our legislation is designed to protect the children who might be too afraid to speak up about the circumstances of their situation,” Rafferty said.

 Senators Eichelberger and Rafferty are currently circulating a memo stating their intent to sponsor this legislation and are seeking co-sponsors in the Senate.

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