The Pennsylvania House and Senate took several key votes this week, splitting Democrats and Republicans, how did you Legislator vote?
HB 14: Sending a Constitutional Amendment on Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits to Voters for May 18 Election.
Every Philadelphia suburban senator voted in favor of HB 14 by Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair). This bill would send voters a constitutional amendment allowing a two-year “look back” window for survivors of sexual abuse to sue civilly even if the statute of limitations has passed.
This was initially anticipated to be on the ballot for the May 18 election. However, the Department of State failed to advertise the amendment in 2020, meaning the earliest voters can choose to accept or reject the amendment is now 2023. Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester and Montgomery) offered an amendment to declare an emergency and place the measure on the ballot this spring, effectively covering for the Department of State’s mistake. The remedy involved a tool that has only been used three times, all concerning flooding or storms in the 1970s.
Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, rejected the longshot effort, arguing it would spark a series of legal challenges and leave alleged victims of sexual abuse stuck in court. Better to go through the standard process and get a reliable result, they argue. Their motion passed on a party-line vote, 27-20.
SENATE
Yes
Bucks: Mensch (R), Tomlinson (R)
Montgomery: Mensch (R)
No
Bucks: Collett (D), Santarsiero (D)
Chester: Committa (D), Kane (D), Kearney (D), Muth (D)
Delaware: Cappelletti (D), Kane (D), Kearney (D), William, A (D)
Montgomery: Cappelletti (D), Collett (D), Haywood (D), Hughes (D), Muth (D)
HOUSE
The House also had a vote to signal a willingness to put the “look-back” window for survivors of sexual assault on the ballot this spring, despite the Department of State’s mistake. In the state House, two suburban Delaware Valley representatives voted against HB 14 on concurrence, which passed 188-13, Representative Craig Staats (R-Bucks), and Greg Vitali (D- Delaware/Montgomery).
Yes
Bucks: Farry (R), Labs (R), Polinchock (R), Schroeder (R), Staats (R), Thomas (R), Tomlinson (R)
Chester: Hennessey (R), Lawrence (R), Williams, Craig (R),
Delaware: Quinn (R), Williams, Craig (R)
Montgomery: Hennessey (R), Mackenzie (R), Pennycuick (R), Stephens (R)
No
Bucks: Davis (D), Galloway (D), Warren (D)
Chester: Herrin (D), Howard (D), Otten (D), Sappey (D), Shusterman (D), Williams, Dan (D)
Delaware: Davidson (D), Delloso (D), Kirkland (D), Krueger (D), McClinton (D), O’Mara (D), Vitali (D), Young (D), Zabel (D)
Montgomery: Boyle (D), Bradford (D), Briggs (D), Ciresi (D), Daley (D), DeLissio (D), Guenst (D), Hanbidge (D), Malagari (D), Sanchez (D), Shusterman (D), Vitali (D), Webster (D)
Senate Bill 191: Keeping Weddings and Special Events Down on the PA Farm.
Farm weddings are becoming more popular in Pennsylvania, but that means farm owners must comply with the state’s Uniform Construction Code. Farm owners argue this is often too high a burden, particularly for historic buildings.
The Senate advanced SB 453 by Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, and Huntingdon) 28-19. It would allow farmers to file an annual affidavit that their venue meets certain safety standard alleviating the costly requirements included in the state’s Uniform Construction Code for buildings that host weddings, receptions, and similar events.
Here is how the Delaware Valley senators voted:
Yes
Bucks: Mensch (R), Tomlinson (R)
Chester: Kearney (D)
Delaware: Kearney (D)
Montgomery: Mensch (R)
No
Bucks: Collett (D), Santarsiero (D)
Chester: Committa (D), Kane (D), Muth (D)
Delaware: Cappelletti (D), Kane (D), William, A (D)
Montgomery: Cappelletti (D), Collett (D), Haywood (D), Hughes (D), Muth (D)
HB 746: Banning Legislators From Being Issued A State Car.
No more state cars for legislators? The House took steps toward a final vote on a bill to prevent legislators from receiving a state-owned car. HB 746 by Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford and Erie) would ban legislators from being issued a state vehicle. According to the co-sponsorship memo, about 20 state representatives currently use a state-issued car. Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) offered an amendment allowing legislators who can prove using a state car would cheaper than being reimbursed for miles on their personal car. His amendment failed, 90-111.
HOUSE
Yes
Bucks: Farry (R), Labs (R), Polinchock (R), Schroeder (R), Staats (R), Thomas (R), Tomlinson (R)
Chester: Hennessey (R), Lawrence (R), Williams, Craig (R),
Delaware: Quinn (R), Williams, Craig (R)
Montgomery: Hennessey (R), Mackenzie (R), Pennycuick (R), Stephens (R)
No
Bucks: Davis (D), Galloway (D), Warren (D)
Chester: Herrin (D), Howard (D), Otten (D), Sappey (D), Shusterman (D), Williams, Dan (D)
Delaware: Davidson (D), Delloso (D), Kirkland (D), Krueger (D), McClinton (D), O’Mara (D), Vitali (D), Young (D), Zabel (D)
Montgomery: Boyle (D), Bradford (D), Briggs (D), Ciresi (D), Daley (D), DeLissio (D), Guenst (D), Hanbidge (D), Malagari (D), Sanchez (D), Shusterman (D), Vitali (D), Webster (D)
