Just for Students
Seniors
Taxes/Budget
Thank You Veterans
On The Farm
Your Health
Anglers & Hunters
Education
Environment
Transportation
 

Ask for Publications
Other Elected Officials
Schools
Senate News Brief
About the Senate

Send me an Email

BILL WOULD MAKE DO NOT CALL LISTING PERMANENT

COMMITTEE APPROVES $750 MILLION WATER/SEWER PROPOSAL

Bills providing permanent listing on Pennsylvania’s “Do Not Call” Registry and to permit children of military personnel to enroll in cyber charter schools were among the measures passed during this past week by the State Senate, according to Senator Bob Regola (R-39).

The Senate passed legislation that would eliminate the need for Pennsylvania consumers to re-register on the “Do Not Call List” every five years. Senate Bill 1116 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Do Not Call List has been extremely popular among consumers who are tired of unwanted and intrusive calls. In 2002, Pennsylvanians were first given the opportunity to avoid these calls by registering for the Do Not Call list. More than one million citizens registered in a single two-week period that year, and millions more have registered through the past few years.
The Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry returns part of any fines collected to consumers who file complaints -- up to $100. So far, more than $80,000 has been distributed in that way. To register your home or cell phone numbers on the Do Not Call List, go to www.nocallsplease.com.

A bill co-sponsored by Senator Regola to permit children of military personnel to enroll in a Pennsylvania cyber charter school was also passed by the Senate. Students of cyber charter schools complete coursework online using home computers, and 20,000 students are enrolled in cyber charter schools throughout Pennsylvania.

Under current law, however, if a military family is stationed in another state and owns a residence in Pennsylvania, their child is not eligible to attend a Pennsylvania cyber charter school.

Senate Bill 1281 designates that if a child's parents own a residence in the school district, that child will be considered a resident of the district. SB 1281 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Additionally, the Senate approved Senate Bill 472, a bill co-sponsored by state Senator Regola to formally enact into law the highly-touted Science Technology Partnerships Program, better known as “Science in Motion.”
The measure now goes to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

The program, which is already in place in many areas of the Commonwealth, makes state funding available to higher education institutions to purchase high tech science equipment. This equipment is then transported to and shared with surrounding schools.

This past year, more than 300 public, private, and parochial schools were served throughout the state by 11 higher education institutions: Cedar Crest College, Clarion University, Drexel University, Gannon University, Gettysburg College, Juniata College, Susquehanna University, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Ursinus College, Westminster College, and Wilkes University.

Contact: Nathan Silcox (717) 787-6063