A look ahead to the new session

With the 2011-12 legislative session drawing near at the end of the month, my colleagues and I are continuing to move forward and work toward moving bills that were left on this year's legislative agenda.

Although it was nearly impossible to enact all crucial pieces of legislation this session, we will start next term without skipping a beat by tackling important issues such as pension reform, regulation reform and transportation funding.

Some of the latest pension reform bills that will get a second look include implementing a pension system similar to those in the private sector. Others deal with contribution rates. The overall goal for these bills focuses more so on bringing down long-term costs for future employees as opposed to handling the looming multibillion-dollar increases in costs the state will incur to pay down its debt.

Another key issue that we plan to focus on next session is reforming the regulatory permitting process for businesses in communities across the Commonwealth. Over the summer, the House Majority Policy Committee held several public hearings across the state to hear from local business owners. One of the major concerns expressed at each meeting was the complicated and often expensive and lengthy period of time it takes to obtain permits to build, expand or start up a business. Because it's our duty to make Pennsylvania a desirable location to start a business and create jobs, it is unacceptable to have these burdensome regulatory issues.

Lastly, I plan to play an active role next session as a member of the House Transportation Committee. While I am pleased that two major bridges in Carbon County have been granted state funding to undergo extensive reconstruction projects, there is still a lot of work to be done to secure additional funding for road and bridge projects in our county, as well as across the entire state.

I am honored to have been chosen again to serve the residents of the 122nd Legislative District. For more legislative information, or to contact one of my district offices, please visit my website at www.RepHeffley.com.