It was a relatively slow week in Harrisburg, but legislators did take up a few issues of interest in the Delaware Valley, particularly to area drivers.
PA Senate
The Pennsylvania Senate took a step toward stopping Governor Wolf’s bridge tolling proposal this week. Last year PennDOT announced they were advancing a plan through a state board that governs public-private partnerships to toll nine bridges, including the Girard Point Bridge. Opponents complain PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian of not providing legislators or the public with enough information on the plan to collect tolls.
Senate Republicans moved an amendment to SB 382 on the floor this week on a party line vote. The DVJ previous reported on the Republicans efforts in March. While the amendment itself does not change the intent of the bill, the vote signals Democrats in the General Assembly are standing by Governor Wolf’s plan for now.
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)
PA House
Even with the Governor’s Emergency Powers on the ballot in the upcoming the May Primary, some legislators are still advancing bills to limit the Governor’s ability to close parts of the economy moving forward. HB 747 was passed by the PA House this week. The Legislation by Representative Brad Roae (R-Crawford and Erie), would allow businesses to allow one customer into a business, and allow for businesses to have curbside delivery regardless of the imposition of a state of emergency. The bill passed 117-84. All Republicans supported the measure, along with six Democrats throughout the state. No Delaware Valley Democrats supported the measure.
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)
