Accomplishments Abound in 2011-12 Session

Dear Editor:

Increasing the safety of our citizens, providing a better quality of life for all Pennsylvania residents, and positioning the state for greater economic stability in the future are all goals we have focused on so far during this legislative session in the state House of Representatives. I am proud to say we have made great strides in each of these areas over the past year and a half.

We have been successful in introducing and passing legislation to close loopholes in the state's Megan's Law to ensure more sexual predators have to register. Legislation banning texting while driving for all Pennsylvania motorists and providing increased training and safety measures to teen drivers will help improve safety on our roads. We have also improved citizen safety by allowing them to defend themselves and their families when threatened. These new laws will affect our everyday lives in a real and tangible way.

We have also taken action on passing Marcellus Shale legislation that will impose impact fees and provide greater oversight of the industry. The legislation will ensure increased health and safety measures are taken and that funding from the impact fees are used for infrastructure improvements in the counties that host natural gas wells. These fees will also provide for environmental preservation efforts across the state and for many other worthwhile projects, such as tax reductions, housing needs, social services programs, job training opportunities and emergency preparedness.

To make Pennsylvania more attractive to business and industry, we have passed legislation protecting employers from lawsuit abuse and made commonsense reforms to workers' compensation and unemployment compensation systems.

Of course, one of the most important things we can do for our state is to pay down our existing debt and reduce the amount of debt we take on in the future. We are working to reduce our debt through several reforms, but most importantly, through reducing the debt ceiling on the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) program, which uses borrowed money to fund economic development projects selected by the governor. Under legislation passed by the House in March, we would reduce the amount of debt carried by the program from $4.05 billion to $3.5 billion, and then incrementally reduce it further over the next 20 years until it reaches a debt ceiling of $1.5 billion. In addition, the legislation would also change the definitions of eligible RACP projects to tighten the process and ensure fiscally responsible decisions are implemented.

Our accomplishments thus far will have a big impact on life within the Commonwealth. With the time remaining in this legislative session, I am looking forward to building upon our successes.

For more information on the latest legislative happenings, visit my website at www.JulieHarhart.com.

Rep. Julie Harhart

(R-Northampton/Lehigh)