Praise for Some Legislative Work

HARRISBURG -- Governor Edward G. Rendell hailed the approval of bills today by the General Assembly to help consumers cut their energy bills through conservation, reform Pennsylvania’s inadequate dog law, prevent mandatory overtime for nurses, and measures to strengthen penalties against those peddling illegal guns were important accomplishments.

The Governor praised legislation that imposes at least a 20-year prison sentence against criminals who attempt to or inflict bodily injury upon police officers by discharging a firearm.

He also hailed approval of House Bill 2200 as an important tool consumers can use to reduce their electricity bill by $500 million over the next five years.

Governor Rendell also praised the passage of House Bill 2525, which, he said, will allow Pennsylvania to rid its reputation as the ‘Puppy Mill Capitol of the East.’


He also welcomed approval of a bill to bar hospitals and other health-care facilities from forcing nurses and other direct patient care workers to work overtime.

While acknowledging the achievements, the Governor expressed his disappointment that the General Assembly finished without acting on key legislation, including health care reform and electricity rate mitigation.

“Although health care for the uninsured and electric rate cap mitigation were not among the bills delivered to my desk, there is hope that we can continue to make progress on these vital issue in the new legislative session that begins in January,” said the Governor. “These are two issues of vital importance to our economy and the livelihood of Pennsylvania’s families and businesses.

He called the Senate’s failure to act on health care, “cruel, wrongheaded, inappropriate and inexplicable.”

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