Accomplishments

State Government Reform

Holding State Government Accountable

Passed a comprehensive Right-to-Know Law to make it easier for the public to inspect government records at the state and local level (Act 3 of 2008)
Cosponsored SB 892 to force a legislative review of state programs to determine which can be eliminated and which can be improved
Cosponsored SB 1 to establish a Legislative Fiscal Office to determine program costs so there is an independent set of numbers from those developed by the governor
Serving on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Program Performance to determine the value of state programs and decide where cuts can be made

Introduced SB 1152 to prevent a shutdown of state services by amending the Constitution to maintain state appropriations at 80% if a general fund budget is not enacted by June 30th
Introduced SB 1153 to compel action to adopt a timely budget by imposing deadlines for Senate and House action to move the budget process forward
Cosponsored SB 201 and SB 1160 to reduce the size of the legislature
Cosponsored SB 7 to establish spending limits and establish the Taxpayer Protection Fund

Sponsored and passed a bill to review child deaths to determine if added precautions or safety measures can prevent future fatalities (Act 87 of 2008)
Introduced SB 260 to give the state Attorney General more power to prosecute child sexual abuse

Passed legislative package to reform Pennsylvania's mortgage industry and crack down on predatory and deceptive lending practices
Cosponsored SB 575 to protect residents of long-term care facilities by requiring that their families be notified of any state regulatory violations affecting the quality of their care

Sponsored and passed a bill to improve patient care by allowing emergency medical services personnel to operate using the newest technologies and techniques (Act 37 of 2009)
Provided an additional five years of funding for the Volunteer Fire Grant Program to help volunteer fire and ambulance companies pay for equipment and training (Act 10 of 2007)
Passed mutual aid legislation to enable counties and municipalities to better respond to emergencies and disasters (Act 93 of 2008)

Sponsored and passed legislation to improve outreach assistance and support programs for Pennsylvania's veterans (Act 66 of 2007)
Introduced SB 196 to allow spouses of deployed national guard members to continue their education following a leave of absence
Cosponsored SB 213 to join the Interstate Military Compact to help educate children of military families that are required to move from one state to another during service

Passed substantial legislation to counteract the growing number of healthcare-acquired infections (Act 52 of 2007)
Passed a bill to allow families to pay for health insurance for adult children, up to age 30, through the insurance they receive at work (Act 4 of 2009)
Passed a bill to help employees of small businesses continue their group health coverage when they lose their jobs (Act 2 of 2009)

Helped establish the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, which is holding public hearings, including several in the district, to hear from victims and thoroughly review juvenile justice procedures, practices, rules and regulations and pursue remedies and reforms (Act 32 of 2009)
Introduced SB 873 to guarantee the right to counsel for juveniles
Introduced SB 872 to grant media access to the hearings, while sustaining the confidentiality at the heart of juvenile proceedings
Introduced SB 874 to prevent public officials and employees convicted of specific criminal activity from receiving pension benefits

Voted against Act 44 of 2007 which sent hundreds of millions of dollars to transit systems in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and did little to address rural transportation needs
Established Accelerated Bridge Program to provide funding so more deficient bridges, especially in rural areas, could be repaired more quickly
Worked with PennDOT to implement a 511 Traveler Information System to streamline communications for road, traffic and emergency information

Brought the Senate Policy Committee to the district so local residents could learn about natural gas drilling
Communicated directly to the governor the importance of striking the right balance between the economic benefits of Marcellus shale and protecting public health and safety
Met repeatedly with DEP Secretary to discuss concerns over regulatory oversight of the natural gas industry and the department's response to environmental incidents
Arranged for a hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to discuss wastewater issues related to natural gas drilling
Participated in numerous community meetings to discuss natural gas drilling

Passed Alternative Energy Investment Act to support projects to improve energy supply and efficiency, tax credits to attract investment in business in the alternative energy sector and rebates for consumers to upgrade to energy efficient products (Act 3 of 2008)
Supported H2O PA Infrastructure Plan providing funding for critical water and sewer repairs and improvements, storm water projects, flood control projects, and high-hazard dam repairs in our area
Introduced legislation to allow for the clean-up of scrap tire stockpiles

Set up a 20th Senatorial District Sportsmen’s Advisory Committee to gain insight into the concerns and ideas of local hunters, fishers, and wildlife conservation groups