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HARRISBURG – The State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to offer more disabled Pennsylvania veterans reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses, according to Senators Joe Scarnati (R-25), Lisa Baker (R-20) and Scott Hutchinson (R-21). Senate Bill 1102, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, would reduce the cost of fishing licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. Senate Bill 1090, authored by Senate Labor & Industry Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker and Senate Communications & Technology Committee Chairman Scott Hutchinson would reduce the cost of hunting licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. “These bills are a small way to honor those who have helped to protect our freedoms and will ensure that more disabled veterans have access to enjoy our Commonwealth’s great outdoors,” Senator Scarnati said. “Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans have made a tremendous sacrifice for our country and face many challen...

(News Release) Responding to a growing shortage of volunteer firefighters, Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) and Senator Sean Wiley (D-49) have joined forces to introduce a bill to give municipalities the power to waive their local earned income tax for volunteer first responders. Volunteers at nonprofit emergency medical service (EMS) agencies would also be eligible to receive the tax credit. “If every local government in Pennsylvania had to convert to a paid firefighting force, it would cost an estimated $6 billion,” Baker said. “Giving firefighters a small break on their local taxes is a simple benefit that will compensate them in some small measure for their priceless life-saving work.” Senator Wiley agreed, noting, "Erie County is home to over 30 volunteer fire and EMS companies, organizations that give countless hours to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighbors. I am proud to work with Senator Baker on a piece of legislation that gives back to these brave men...

HARRISBURG – The State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to offer disabled Pennsylvania veterans reduced-fee hunting & fishing licenses, according to Senators Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Lisa Baker (R-20). Senate Bill 1102, authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, would reduce the cost of fishing licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. Senate Bill 1090, authored by Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairwoman Lisa Baker, would reduce the cost of hunting licenses for disabled veterans to $1 for an annual license. “Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans have made a tremendous sacrifice for our country and face many challenges as a result of their service,” Scarnati said. “Providing them the opportunity to participate in hunting and fishing activities at a reduced fee is a way that we can thank them for their service and sacrifice.” “Expanding this bill to include any veteran who is rated as disabled ...

Scarnati proposal to be discussed School emergency plans and security measures designed to ensure student safety and increase school-to-parent communication during an emergency will receive an in-depth review by two key Senate committees Senators Lisa Baker (R-20), Mike Folmer (R-48), and Joe Scarnati (R-25) announced Thursday. The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Baker, and the Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Folmer, will hold the hearing from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in the North Office Building, Hearing Room 1, Harrisburg. Among the strategies to be discussed is a proposal by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati to give grants to schools to train and hire armed guards to provide security. “Every day care, school, college and university must have an emergency plan in place and they need to be able to carry it out,” Baker said. “Law enforcement and other emergency personnel need the training and cap...

Scarnati 'Shocked, Saddened' by Decision Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, have significant concerns with changes made to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Funeral Honors program. “The attached letter to Adjutant General Wesley Craig addresses our concerns. We urgently request a reversal of this policy so that all veterans, regardless of their place of passing, can be honored with the final farewell they have so courageously earned through their honorable service to our nation and our Commonwealth”. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today ceremonially signed seven pieces of legislation that will benefit Pennsylvania’s military veterans and Pennsylvania National Guard. “Today is about honoring a debt; a debt earned in blood and sacrifice,” Corbett said. “These bills are various in their goals. But they share the single purpose of repaying part of the debt we owe to those who have guarded our freedom and place their very lives between us and our enemies.’’ The ceremony was held this morning, nationally observed as Veterans Day, at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Keystone Conference Center at Fort Indiantown Gap. Governor Corbett is himself a veteran, having served nearly 14 years in the National Guard. Joining Corbett at the signing today were members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, including The Adjutant General Major General Wesley Craig, as well as representatives of several veterans’ groups, lawmakers, state and local leaders. Legislation ceremonially signed today inc...

Governor Tom Corbett today took part in a signing of a new juvenile justice reform package designed to protect children within Pennsylvania's criminal court system. Senate Bills 815 and 818 were created in response to the 2008 "Cash for Kids" scandal that resulted in the wrongful incarceration of numerous juveniles and, ultimately, the imprisonment of two former Luzerne County judges. Pictured, Corbett speaks with Laurene and Hillary Transue of White Haven, Luzerne County. Hillary has become an advocate for juvenile justice after being wrongly incarcerated in the 'Cash for Kids' scandal. Provided by Commonwealth Media Services

Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker will improve emergency management and response at Marcellus Shale wellsites. The new law requires drillers to implement the most basic rules of public safety: to plan for disaster, to share their emergency plans with the people who will implement them, and to have 911 information at their fingertips. The act also requires drillers to inform state and local officials of wellpad locations and access roads. In this way, the Commonwealth better protects the health and safety of first responders and the public. "Any first responder will tell you that the best weapon against injury, environmental damage, property destruction, and death is not the most state-of-the art fire truck, radio, or protective gear—it is information," Baker said. "When something goes wrong, having emergency information posted at the site, and a plan that is shared with key emergency personnel, are vital parts of a risk reduction plan." The bill was signe...

Harrisburg – A bill to improve emergency management and response at Marcellus Shale wellsites received the approval of the Senate today. Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) offered the following remarks in support of the measure, which she sponsored: There are many different views and disagreements over policy about the gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. But there is at least one thing on which there is a broad consensus – the necessity of being prepared to react and respond when something goes wrong. Whether it involves where wells are being drilled or facilities are operating. This bill provides for the emergency preparedness required to protect the health and safety of our communities, and safeguard the environment against trouble turning into catastrophe. Just last week, an article ran in the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE under the headline, "DEP's Marcellus Shale drilling numbers do not add up." This article underscored what emergency management officials have been worrying about: no...

HARRISBURG - A bill to maximize wellsite safety and improve community protections passed the state Senate today. The changes will reduce the risk for workers, first responders and the community when things go wrong at drilling sites, according to Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), who sponsored the measure. "At its heart, this bill requires well operators to meet the most basic rules of public safety," Baker said. "Plan ahead. Tell us where your wells are. Give us clear directions to each site. Call at the first sign of trouble." Baker's legislation requires gas well operators to post signs bearing their GPS coordinates and other emergency response information at all wellsites and to share those coordinates with appropriate state, county and local officials. Emergency response plans must also be developed and shared with state, county and local officials. Currently, firefighters, ambulance crews, and haz-mat teams may not be told where wells are being planned, or whe...

HARRISBURG - The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) to reform the juvenile justice system and protect the fundamental rights of kids entering the system. Baker's bills will: Eliminate waiving counsel in juvenile delinquency hearings Create a victim advocate devoted to juvenile justice Require judges to state on the record the reasons behind disposition orders Prohibit shackling of juveniles in the courtroom Senator Baker was joined by Senator John Yudichak and Sandy Fonzo, who's son Edward Kenzakoski was among the juveniles sentenced by Judge Ciavarella. She shared with the committee her personal story of how this injustice has impacted her family. Senator Baker's remarks to the committee follow: Our justice system is supposed to safeguard rights and protect people. Yet, because of unimaginable judicial corruption in Luzerne County, we find ourselves debating ways to protect our kids from abuse at the hands of the ...

Senator Lisa Baker has launched the first full-session push for juvenile justice reform by introducing a series of bills to protect the fundamental rights of kids entering the system. "For too many years, the system utterly and completely failed to protect juveniles in Luzerne County. Now, it is our obligation to approve legislation, judicial rule changes, and administrative procedures necessary to safeguard the rights of juveniles, as the state Constitution requires and a commitment to quality justice dictates," Baker said. Baker's bills will: ~~ Eliminate waiving counsel in juvenile delinquency hearings ~~ Create a victim advocate devoted to juvenile justice ~~ Require judges to state on the record the reasons behind disposition orders ~~ Expedite appellate review of juvenile cases ~~ Prohibit shackling of juveniles in the courtroom Baker believes that the wide-raging recommendations of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice must be enacted, plus several reform...

HARRISBURG - Legislation sponsored by Senator Lisa Baker would give the Attorney General stronger tools to prosecute child sexual abuse cases that may cross county or state lines. The state Senate approved Senate Bill 260 today by a vote of 49-0. Baker said there is a hole in the law that has made it more difficult to prosecute sexual offenders who use the Internet to contact minors for sexual purposes. Baker's legislation would give the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with county district attorneys to investigate and institute criminal proceedings for the sexual abuse of children when involving more than one county or a county and another state. "When cases of sexual abuse of children cross county lines, it is much more effective to have the Attorney General prosecute those cases. Children will be better protected if the Attorney General has full powers to prosecute offenders for photographing, disseminating or possessing child pornography," Baker said.