CAWP s Legislative Scorecard 2008

Transcription

1 Constructors Association of Western PA s 2008 Legislative Scorecard CAWP s Legislative Scorecard 2008 Developed by the CAWP Legislative Committee CAWP Legislative Committee Mission Statement To review the legislative efforts of the Association and, where appropriate, recommend policy on legislative proposals. Assist in the development of legislative strategies to promote the union heavy and highway construction industry. Identify critical legislative priorities important to the union heavy and highway construction industry. Attend and promote others to attend CAWP legislative receptions. Provide industry testimony at public hearings. To urge that members become involved in legislative matters, to know their legislators, state and federal.

2 Constructors Association of Western PA s 2008 State Legislative Scorecard CAWP s 2008 State Legislative Scorecard Pennsylvania General Assembly Pennsylvania s General Assembly is the legislative branch of government. Commonly called the state legislature, it consists of two bodies the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is comprised of the men and women elected by the people of the Commonwealth to serve as our state Senators and Representatives. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES KEY VOTES 1. Prevailing Wage in KOZs: Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZ) are granted tax-free status as an enticement for companies to build there. Currently, construction work performed in a Keystone Opportunity Zone is not subject to prevailing wage law. The House passed a bill, House Bill 2297, that mandates that KOZ projects comply with prevailing wage requirements. CAWP supports prevailing wage law and the effort to apply it in KOZ areas. CAWP POSITION: YES 2. Joint and Several Liability Reform: Senate Bill 435 from the 2006 legislative session would have eliminated joint and several liability doctrine in favor of comparative negligence. In other words, the bill would have proportioned damages to reflect responsibility for the incident, thus eliminating the deep pockets awards. Even though the Governor vetoed this bill, legislators who voted in favor of Senate Bill 435 are recorded with supporting CAWP s position on the bill. CAWP POSITION: YES Transportation Funding: Act 44 of 2007 provides for the tolling of I-80 and funding highways through increased tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. CAWP/ APC s* position was in support of this legislation. Legislators voting in favor of the legislation are recorded as supporting CAWP/APC s position. ** 4. Transportation Enhancement Project Funds: HB 1589 provides $350 million of bond funds to repair structurally deficient bridges statewide, rail and airport improvement. The funds will be immediately directed to 411 bridges. The legislation authorizes an increase in the Rail Transportation Assistance Program by $10 million and includes $3 million for the preservation of railroad bridges. The bill also doubles the aviation grant program to $10 million and will underwrite more airfield safety improvements, hangar construction and terminal improvements. Current Bills & Co-Sponsors 1. Removing the Prevailing Wage from Road Repair Work: House Bill 1515 would remove prevailing wage rate requirements from road repair work, such as milling, paving and patching. No vote has yet been taken on this legislation, but cosponsors of this legislation will be recorded as not supporting CAWP s position. CAWP POSITION: NO 2. Contractor Licensing: House Bill 1776 would require contractors, including heavy and highway contractors, to become licensed, even though contractors performing work for a state agency already have to be pre-qualified. No vote has yet been taken on this legislation, but co-sponsors of this legislation will be recorded as not supporting CAWP s position. CAWP POSITION: NO 3. Removing State Police funding from Motor License Fund: House Bill 2309 gradually shifts the State Police from the Motor License Fund to the General Fund, which would free up $500 million to be spent on road and bridge projects. While no vote has yet been taken on this legislation, a concerted effort was made by members to enlist legislators to co-sponsor the bill. Co-sponsors are recorded as supporting CAWP/APC s* position on the scorecard. SENATE KEY VOTES 1. Joint and Several Liability Reform: Senate Bill 435 from the 2006 legislative session would have eliminated joint and several liability doctrine in favor of comparative negligence. In other words, the bill would have proportioned damages to reflect responsibility for the incident, thus eliminating the deep pockets awards. Even though the Governor vetoed this bill, legislators who voted in favor of Senate Bill 435 are recorded with supporting CAWP s position on the bill. CAWP POSITION: YES Transportation Funding: Act 44 of 2007 provides for the tolling of I-80 and funding highways through increased tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. CAWP/ APC s* position was in support of this legislation. Legislators voting in favor of the legislation are recorded as supporting CAWP/APC s* position. 3. Transportation Enhancement Project Funds: HB 1589 provides $350 million of bond funds to repair structurally deficient bridges statewide, rail and airport improvement. The funds will be immediately directed to 411 bridges. The legislation authorizes an increase in the Rail Transportation Assistance Program by $10 million and includes $3 million for the preservation of railroad bridges. The bill also doubles the aviation grant program to $10 million and will underwrite more airfield safety improvements, hangar construction and terminal improvements. * CAWP members who are pre-qualified to perform PennDOT work are Affiliate Members of Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC). APC is an association representing those who have a business interest in the transportation construction industry in Pennsylvania. Its mission, which CAWP supports, is to be an advocate for adequate funding for Pennsylvania s transportation needs. **A number of legislators who have a longstanding relationship with CAWP, were contacted after the vote and indicated they voted against this bill because it did not provide enough funding for highways, it provided funding for mass transit without requiring needed reform and/or because it allowed Allegheny County to levy a drink tax. Contact the Association for more information.

3 PA SENATE VOTES Joint & Several Liability 2007 Transportation Funding Act 44 Transportation Enhancement Project Funds Senator Party Counties Represented Corman, Jake R Centre YES NO YES Costa, Jay D Allegheny NO YES YES Earll, Jane M. R Erie YES NO YES Eichelberger, John H. R Bedford, Blair, Fulton, Huntingdon, Mifflin not in office NO YES Ferlo, Jim D Allegheny, Armstrong, Westmoreland NO YES YES Fontana, Wayne D. D Allegheny NO YES YES Kasunic, Richard A. D Fayette, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland NO YES YES LaValle, Gerald J. D Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence NO YES YES Logan, Sean D Allegheny, Westmoreland NO YES YES Orie, Jane Clare R Allegheny, Butler YES NO YES Pippy, John R Allegheny, Washington YES NO YES Punt, Terry L. R Franklin, Armstrong YES NO YES Regola, Bob R Westmoreland YES NO YES Robbins, Robert D. R Butler, Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer YES NO YES Scarnati, III, Joseph B. R Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter YES YES YES Stout, J. Barry D Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland NO YES YES White, Donald C. R Armstrong, Butler, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland YES YES YES White, Mary Jo R Butler, Clarion, Erie, Forest, Venango, Warren YES NO YES Wozniak, John N. D Cambria, Centre, Clearfiled, Clinton,Somerset NO YES YES

4 PA HOUSE VOTES Current Bills of Interest and Co-Sponsors Prevailing Wages in KOZs Supports CAWP's Joint & Several Liability Supports CAWP's 2007 Transportation Funding Act 44 Transportation Enhancement Project Funds Removing Prevailing Wage for Road Work Contractor Licensing Remove State Police Funding from Motor License Fund Supports CAWP's Representative Party Counties Represented Bastian, Bob R Bedford, Somerset NO NO NO YES Benninghoff, Kerry A. R Centre, Mifflin NO NO NO E YES Bennington, Lisa D Allegheny YES not in office YES YES Biancucci, Vince D Beaver YES YES YES YES Brooks, Michele R Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer NO not in office NO YES Casorio, James E. D Westmoreland YES YES YES YES Causer, Martin T. R Cameron, McKean, Potter NO NO NO YES NO NO YES Conklin, H. Scott D Centre YES not in office YES YES YES Costa, Paul D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Daley, Peter J. D Fayette, Washington YES YES YES YES DeLuca, Anthony M. D Allegheny YES YES YES YES YES Dermody, Frank D Allegheny YES YES YES YES DeWeese, H. William D Fayette, Greene, Washington YES YES YES YES Ellis, Brian L. R Butler NO NO NO YES Evans, Kyle R. R Crawford, Erie YES YES YES Fabrizio, Florindo J. D Erie YES YES YES YES NO Fleck, Mike R Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin NO not in office NO YES NO Frankel, Dan D Allegheny YES NO YES YES Geist, Richard A. R Blair NO NO NO YES YES George, Camille Bud D Clearfield YES YES YES YES Gergeley, Marc J. D Allegheny YES YES NO YES Gibbons, Jaret D Beaver, Butler, Lawrence YES not in office YES YES NO Haluska, Gary D Cambria YES NO YES YES Hanna, Michael K. D Centre, Clinton YES NO YES YES Harhai, R. Ted D Fayette, Westmoreland YES YES YES YES YES Harkins, Patrick J. D Erie YES not in office YES YES NO NO YES Harris, C. Adam R Mifflin NO NO NO YES NO Hess, Dick L. R Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon YES NO NO YES YES Hornaman, John D Erie YES YES YES YES NO YES Hutchinson, Scott E. R Butler, Venango NO NO NO NO Kauffman, Rob W. R Cumberland, Franklin NO NO NO YES NO Keller, Mark K. R Franklin, Perry NO NO NO NO NO Kortz, II, William C. D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Kotik, Nick D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Kula, Deberah D Fayette, Westmoreland YES not in office YES YES YES Levdanski, David K. D Allegheny, Washington YES NO YES YES YES Longietti, Mark D Mercer YES not in office NO YES Maher, John R Allegheny, Washington NO not in ofice NO YES Mahoney, Tim D Fayette YES YES YES YES NO Markosek, Joseph F. D Allegheny, Westmoreland YES NO YES YES YES Marshall, Jim R Beaver YES not in office NO YES McIlhattan, Fred R Armstrong, Clarion YES NO NO YES YES Metcalfe, Daryl D. R Butler NO YES NO NO Mustio, T. Mark R Allegheny YES NO NO YES NO Pallone, John E. D Armstrong, Westmoreland YES YES YES YES Petrarca, Joseph A. D Armstrong, Westmoreland YES YES YES YES Petrone, Thomas C. D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Preston, Jr., Joseph D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Pyle, Jeffrey P. R Armstrong, Indiana NO NO NO YES YES Ramaley, Sean M. D Allegheny, Beaver YES YES YES YES Rapp, Kathy L. R Forest, McKean, Warren NO NO NO NO NO Readshaw, Harry D Allegheny YES YES YES YES Reed, Dave R Indiana NO NO NO YES YES Roae, Brad R Crawford NO NO NO NO NO Rock, Todd R Franklin NO NO NO NO Sainato, Chris D Beaver, Lawrence YES YES YES YES Smith, Matthew D Allegheny YES not in ofice E YES Smith, Samuel H. R Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson NO NO NO YES Solobay, Timothy J. D Washington YES YES YES YES Sonney, Curtis G. R Erie NO NO YES Stairs, Jess M. R Fayette E NO E YES Stern, Jerry R Blair NO NO NO YES YES Stevenson, Richard R. R Butler, Mercer, Mifflin YES NO NO YES NO Surra, Dan A. D Clearfield, Elk YES NO YES YES Tangretti, Thomas A. D Westmoreland YES YES YES E NO Turzai, Mike R Allegheny NO NO NO YES NO Wagner, Chelsa D Allegheny YES not in office YES YES Walko, Don D Allegheny YES YES YES YES NO White, Jesse D Allegheny YES not in office YES YES NO Wojnaroski, Sr., Edward D Cambria YES YES YES YES NO Yewcic, Tom D Cambria, Somerset YES NO YES YES YES

5 Constructors Association of Western PA s 2008 Federal Legislative Scorecard CAWP s 2008 Federal Legislative Scorecard KEY TO VOTES 110th Congress House of Representatives 1. Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495): H.R. 1495, On Passage. Important Infrastructure vote that would authorize $23 billion in flood control, increasing navigation capacity and ecosystem restoration projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (Vote on Final Passage Passed ) 2. Tax Collection Responsibility Act (HR3056): : H.R. 3056, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions. Vote on permanent repeal of the death tax. (Failed ) 3. Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act (HR 3867): : H.R. 3867, On Passage. Procurement reform vote that would reform the HUBZone program to eliminate abuse of HUBZone status for federal construction. (Passed ) 4. Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495): : H.R. 1495, Passage. Important infrastructure vote that would authorize $23 billion in flood control, increasing navigation capacity and ecosystem restoration projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (Vote on Veto Override Passed ) 5. Departments of Transportation, and Housing & Urban Development Act for FY 08 (HR 3074): : H.R. 3074, On Agreeing to the Conference Report. Important infrastructure vote that would add $1.6 billion more for highways, $750 million more for airports, and about $200 million more for transit above the President s budget request. (Passed ) United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both senators and representatives are chosen through direct election. Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives represents a district and serves a two-year term. House seats are apportioned among the states by population. The 100 Senators serve staggered six-year terms. Each state has two senators, regardless of population. Every two years, approximately one-third of the Senate is elected. 6. Highway Trust Fund Fix (H.R. 6532): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Important Transportation Infrastructure vote that would add $8 billion to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund to offset a projected deficit in FY 2009 and a resulting 34 percent or more reduction in states federal-aid highway funding. (Passed ) 110th Congress Senate 1. Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495): : H.R. 1495, On Passage of the Bill. Important infrastructure vote that would authorize $23 billion in flood control, increasing navigation capacity and ecosystem restoration projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (Vote on Final Passage Passed 91-4) 2. Water Resources Development Act (H.R. 1495) VETO Override: : H.R. 1495, On Overriding the Veto. Important Veto Override infrastructure vote that would authorize $23 billion in flood control, increasing navigation capacity and ecosystem restoration projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). (Veto Override Passed 79-14) 3. Highway Trust Fund Fix (H.R. 6532): Important Transportation Infrastructure vote that would add $8 billion to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund to offset a projected deficit in FY 2009 and a resulting 34 percent or more reduction in states federal-aid highway funding. Passed/agreed to with an amendment by Voice Vote.

6 110th Congress - Senate Water Resources Development Act Water Resources Development Act (Veto Override) Senator Party State Represented Casey, Bob D PA U.S. Senate YES YES YES Specter, Arlen R PA U.S. Senate YES YES YES Highway Trust Fund Fix

7 110th Congress - House of Representatives Water Resources Development Act Tax Collection Repsonsibility Act Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act Water Resources Development Act (Veto Override) Representative Party Congressional District Altmire, Jason D. D PA Congressional District 4 YES YES YES YES YES YES Doyle, Mike D PA Congressional District 14 YES YES YES YES NV YES English, Phil R PA Congressional District 3 YES YES YES YES NO YES Murphy, Tim R PA Congressional District 18 YES YES YES YES YES YES Murtha, John D PA Congressional District 12 YES NO YES YES YES YES Peterson, John R PA Congressional District 5 YES NV YES YES NO YES Shuster, Bill R PA Congressional District 9 YES YES YES YES YES YES Transportation Funding FY2008 Highway Trust Fund Fix NV = Did Not Vote