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The weekly newsletter of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association
Today is
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Capitol Briefing
From
Kara Beem, PNA Director of
Government Affairs
State lawmakers eased back into the legislative session this week after taking a shorter than typical summer break. Only a few bills came up for a vote this week and none of them addressed the outstanding matters of the budget, economic incentives or educational reforms. In fact, the budget is no closer to a resolution than it was before they broke for summer recess. And at this point there is no end in sight for a final budget.
Telemarketing Update
During this light legislative week, one bill was of interest to the PNA. House Bill 276, sponsored by Rep. Sheila Miller (R-Lancaster), amends Pennsylvania’s Telemarketer Registration Act to allow the Office of Attorney General to utilize consumer registration services provided by the FTC and FCC in lieu of contracting with a list administrator. With the enactment of this bill, the Attorney General’s Office could eliminate its arrangement with the Direct Marketing Association and permit telemarketers to use the federal do-not-call list for calls made in Pennsylvania. This could end the current requirement that newspapers purchase both the state and federal list.
The bill also clarifies that wireless telephone subscribers can register their names, addresses and wireless numbers on Pennsylvania’s Do-Not-Call registry. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) also permits wireless telephone subscribers the option of signing up for the national do-not-call registry.
Gov. Ed Rendell signed House Bill 276 Sept. 12.
Homeland Security Resolution
In addition to this legislative action, the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing on House Resolution 273. A resolution directing the Committee on Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness to study the issue of homeland security for the purpose of making recommendations relating to the Commonwealth’s homeland security preparedness. At the hearing on Sept. 11, 2003, the committee heard from professionals representing utility companies, representatives from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and an expert on Counter-Terrorism.
The remarks primarily addressed the safety measures utility companies have put in place since Sept. 11, 2001. However, the legislative proposals referenced included changes to the Right to Know Act. It was proposed, “all critical infrastructure and other security documents should be designated as non-public documents and not available to the public.”
The PNA will respond to this legislative proposal and work with the committee to address the concerns of the witnesses without jeopardizing the public’s right to know.
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