HB 1214 Defeated in Committee

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HB 1214 Defeated in Committee ©

By Jim Slinsky
10/18/08

Stranger things have happened in Harrisburg, but I can’t remember when or why. Last week HB 1214 was released by Senator Gibson Armstrong, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee to his committee for a vote. For the record all legislation passed by the House must pass the Senate Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate. The process is set-up to determine the cost of all new legislation to the Commonwealth.

In the days preceding the vote the rumor mill was churning. We heard numerous amendments would be attached to HB 1214 in an effort to kill the bill. A license increase for the PGC was one of those amendments mentioned, but that didn’t happened. The legislation was presented to the Appropriations Committee as a clean bill, regardless of what your Senator who voted against the bill might be saying.

The committee vote was 14 to 12 and the concept of changing PGC Commissioner’s terms to two (2) four-year terms instead of one eight-year term went down in flames. My prediction was it would pass unanimously based on the belief that the Governor was going to remain neutral in the matter. Apparently, he did not.

All ten Democratic senators on the Committee voted against the bill. Senator John Wozniak of Clinton County led the charge. Their names are Senators Gerry LaValle, Robert Mellow, Lisa Boscola, Vincent Fumo, Sean Logan, Rapheal Musto, Michael Stack, Barry Stout, Christine Tartaglione and John Wozniak. This made little sense considering the bill was sponsored by a Democrat in the House, SR Dan Surra. Once again, we see party politics rise above the desires and interests of constituents.

Four Republican senators joined the Democrats in killing this excellent piece of legislation. They are Senators Jake Corman, James Rhoades, Patricia Vance and Mary Jo White. These Senators were not really honoring the Governor’s wishes, but rather acting as surrogates for the PGC. It is common knowledge in Harrisburg that there is a group of Senators who will oppose any legislation dealing with reforming the PGC. On the upside we now know four of them.

While all of this was playing out a coalition of influential Republican state representatives has come together ignited by the defeat of HB 1214. They now see quite clearly how corrupted the entire PGC Commissioner system has become. They now realize Governor Rendell wants eight-year terms for his “kill-the-deer” Commissioner selections. They also realize the intervention of DCNR Secretary Mike DiBernardinis in the Commissioner selection process isn’t going to stop voluntarily.

At this point in the story I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you the caring senators who voted for HB 1214. They are Senators Gibson Armstrong, Robert Tomlinson, Dominic Pileggi, Senate Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, Patrick Browne, John Gordner, Stewart Greenleaf, Roger Madigan, John Pippy, John Rafferty Jr., Bob Regola and Michael Waugh. I have personally met most of these Senators and they are stand-up guys. Senator Armstrong must be applauded for his courage to release HB 1214 as there was significant political pressure to bury this legislation. Senator John Pippy deserves an extra mention as he has set himself apart as a true champion of our sporting and constitutional rights. I know the man and I will tell you he does not waffle or ride fences.

As for that coalition of influential Republican state representatives, they are pressuring Senate Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati to confirm Mr. Randy Santucci as the next PGC Commissioner for District 2 to replace the outgoing Commissioner Roxanne Palone. I can assure you this would be a breath of fresh air. Ironically, if they are successful we will have a real sportsmen’s advocate on the PGC Board of Commissioners for eight years and not four.

As many of my recent columns have ended, the future of our sporting class and our great hunting tradition lies in the hands of Senator Joe Scarnati. From his strategic and powerful position he can circumvent the games being played by the Rendell Administration and DCNR Secretary Mike DiBernardinis. He has within his control the make-up of our PGC Board of Commissioners.

Senator Scarnati faces a tough reelection bid. Assuming he prevails, we shall see in January 2009 where Senator Joe Scarnati plants his feet.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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