State Senate Promotes Intergovernmental Cooperation

Mine safety, economic stimulus bills move forward

During the week of January 14^th, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed legislation that would promote intergovernmental cooperation, according to Senator Bob Regola (R-39).

Senate Bill 1141 would permit townships to more easily transfer property to a council of government (COG).  COGs are entities created by two or more municipalities organized for specific functions within those municipalities.  The bill was approved in December by the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Senator Regola.

“One of my highest priorities as Chairman of the Local Government Committee is to provide more opportunities for our municipal officials to work together,” said Sen. Regola.  “This legislation is another step in the right direction.  Earlier this year, we granted this same authority for boroughs and now I’m pleased to work on this legislation on behalf of townships.”

Senate Bill 1141, introduced by Senator Gordner (R-27) now heads to the House for further consideration.

In other Senate action, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved the first comprehensive rewrite of Pennsylvania’s mine safety laws in nearly 50 years.

Senate Bill 949 would create a new Board of Coal Mine Safety to keep Pennsylvania’s mine safety standards regularly updated.  The board will be chaired by the DEP secretary, with three members representing mine operators and three representing mine workers.

The legislation also provides for greater responsibility for operators to ensure the safety, and enables the state to establish a central database of maps of mines throughout the Commonwealth. It also addresses responses to accidents, requiring mine operators to notify DEP within 15 minutes, and updates ventilation and roof support requirements.

Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee approved an economic stimulus measure intended to help Pennsylvania’s manufacturers and high-tech companies.

Senate Bill 1229, also known as the High-Tech & Manufacturing Stimulus Act, would revise the formula for Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) to one solely based on sales.  It would also phase-out the Net Operating Loss (NOL) cap.  These steps are intended to help Pennsylvania’s businesses particularly cyclical companies such as manufacturers and those in high-tech

“Pennsylvania is one of only two states that prohibit companies from carrying forward the full extent of their net operating losses to offset future income,” said Sen. Regola, a cosponsor of the bill. “We need to eliminate this cap, which penalizes companies by significantly increasing their tax rates.”

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Contact:  Nathan Silcox (717) 787-6063