Billions in additional funding is needed to fix Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges. The House is now considering a transportation funding plan proposed by the Senate that would raise $2.5 million more a year. Senate Bill 1 would do that by removing the cap on a tax oil companies pay and increasing driver’s license and vehicle registration fees. The bill is expected to come up for a vote in the House Transportation Committee this week.
Legislation was introduced in the Senate last week that seeks to modernize the retail sale of wine and spirits in our state. Senate Bill 100 would allow existing liquor licensees, such as restaurants, hotels and beer distributors, to sell wine and/or spirits to go. The measure also calls for the phase-out of state-owned liquor stores over an undetermined period of time and maintains state control of the wholesale operation. My House colleagues and I are taking a close look at the Senate proposal as we work to craft a liquor privatization bill that best meets the expectations of Pennsylvania consumers.
Last week, I joined my colleagues in the House to unanimously pass a bill that protects animals by making it illegal to possess animal fighting paraphernalia. The offense would be a third-degree misdemeanor and carry a penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. The measure would help in the prosecution of animal fighters since investigators often find the tools of the trade rather than an animal fight in progress. House Bill 164 now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Lehigh and Northampton counties are in line to receive more than $540,000 from the impact fees collected statewide from Marcellus Shale drilling companies under Act 13 of 2012. The funding can go toward projects that are needed as a result of the drilling industry, such as road repairs and infrastructure improvements.