Craig T. Staats

This bill appropriates nearly $600 million to four "state-related" universities: Penn State University, Temple University, Lincoln University and University of Pittsburgh. Officials estimate these funds help lower tuition rates by $15,000 per year and are in addition to other subsidies these institutions receive from the federal government and private foundations. The $155 million given to the University of Pittsburg received controversy due to its research program which utilizes fetal tissue from abortions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice. College and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. These enormous costs should not be imposed on individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education, such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades. Furthermore, Pennsylvania's state debt and liabilities currently exceed $120 billion, representing a $15,600 debt burden for each state taxpayer. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, as, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Fueling Out-Of-Control Spending by Providing 4 Non-State-Owned Universities with Nearly $600 Million in Taxpayer Funds.

This bill exempts automotive enthusiasts that trailer their vehicles to motorsports events from laws and regulations concerning "commercial activity". Additionally, the bill authorizes commercial vehicle owners to place additional axles on their trucks to better disperse weight, while still requiring them to comply with weight limits. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on motorsports enthusiasts while also curbing illegal street racing by making it easier and less costly to transport vehicles to the race track. Additionally, allowing additional axles to be placed on trucks benefits taxpayers by allowing weight to be better dispersed which reduces wear and tear placed on roadways.

Protecting Automotive Enthusiasts from Regulatory Overreach by Clarifying the Trailering of Vehicles to Events is not "Commercial Activity".

This bill prohibits elected officials within the General Assembly from being assigned state-owned vehicles or using state funds to lease a vehicle except for emergency situations. Currently roughly 20 Representatives utilize state-leased cars under a program which authorizes leases of up to $650 a month. And while lawmakers must reimburse the state for the percentage of the vehicle lease that is not utilized for official business, the program has a history of abuse, including a lawmaker who crashed their car multiple times and even fled the scene of an accident. Support is the Limited Government Position as 90% of lawmakers utilize their own vehicles and receive mileage reimbursements and this program is an unnecessary cost for taxpayers to maintain.

Strengthening Government Integrity by Prohibiting Assignment of State-Owned Vehicles to Members of the Legislature.

This bill further expands occupational licensure requirements within the healthcare industry to include individuals assisting with medical imaging and radiation therapy. Under existing law, an individual can only perform these services if they are under the direct supervision of a medical doctor and have passed an examination. This bill creates additional requirements, including obtaining a state license, paying an annual fee of $100 or more, completing a course of study, and obtaining certification by an outside organization. Finally, the bill prevents individuals with criminal convictions from receiving a license unless they pass an "individualized assessment". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as these new mandates are excessive considering individuals providing medical imaging and radiation therapy already must pass an examination and can only perform such services under the oversight of licensed medical doctors at licensed medical facilities. This bill both drives up healthcare costs and further exacerbates the staffing shortages at hospitals and the ability of patients to receive attentive and timely treatment. Furthermore, imposing greater employment barriers for individuals with criminal convictions harms their economic mobility which increases recidivism and government dependency.

Increasing Healthcare Costs through an Excessive New Occupational Licensing Regime Concerning Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to conduct a study of all changes within the past 5 years to statutes and regulations under the titles 23 and 67 of the Human Services Code (Domestic Relations and Public Welfare). The JSGC is required to report whether any measures have "exacerbated trauma in children and families" and make recommendations on the drafting of statutes and regulations to "mitigate trauma". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only does requiring the JSGC to conduct this study drive-up taxpayer costs and restrict the team from performing other research initiatives, but there are already non-profits within the private sector that provide such analyses. Furthermore, this measure is primarily designed to expand government dependency as recommendations to "mitigate trauma" nearly always involve growing the size and scope of government and increasing government dependency.

Directing the JSGC to Conduct an Unnecessary Study that is Primarily Designed to Justify Growing Government Dependency.

This bill prohibits local governments across the state from imposing any ordinances which restrict the ability of consumers to access the energy source of their choice, including natural gas, solar, wind, and geothermal. As a result, the bill would preempt bans on natural gas hook-up and all-electric building codes. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens both property rights and individual liberties. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Protecting Consumer Choice by Prohibiting Local Governments from Imposing All-Electric Building Codes and Anti-Natural Gas Ordinances.

This bill expands the Pennsylvania Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) to include indoor air quality projects and resiliency improvement projects, such as flood mitigation and energy storage. Under the C-PACE program localities may issue bonds (debt) to finance these new initiatives and clean energy projects of commercial property owners, which are then repaid through an additional assessment on their property. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only is it not the proper role of government to compete in the lending industry, but taxpayer funds are unnecessarily placed at risk in the event of a default. Furthermore, the C-PACE program creates additional complications in the mortgage industry concerning lien priority and debt recovery.

Placing Taxpayer Funds at Risk by Further Expanding the Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE).

This bill amends the state's cosmetology regulations by reducing the minimum amount of floor space that is required for each licensee working within a salon space from 180 to 120 square feet. Additionally, the bill creates a new temporary license to allow individuals to start working in a salon, as it can take between 3 to 6 months for a salon inspection to occur. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure serves as a step in the right direction to improve the states' heavily overregulated cosmetology industry. However, far greater reforms must be made to cut, and preferably eliminate, occupational licensing mandates placed on cosmetologists and salon establishments to help expand employment opportunities and reduce consumer costs.

Reducing Overreaching Regulations Placed on Salon Establishments

This bill broadens the state's "Open Campus Initiative" (OCI) to include charter schools, regional charter schools, and cyber charter schools. Under the OCI, school districts can enter into collaborative partnerships which allow students from one district to take a class at a school in another district and receive credit for the course. As a result, schools have the ability to offer more specialized classes and students can take courses which best align with their career paths. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill improves educational outcomes and fosters school choice by providing charter school students with the same benefits as public school students. Additionally, by including charter schools in the initiative, students at public schools also benefit through an expanded competitive market, which provides them a greater number of course options.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding the "Open Campus Initiative" to Include Charter Schools.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's version of the Delaware River Basin Compact to make it clear that it is not within the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC) authority to ban fracking. Support is the Limited Government Position as while there is a role for government to protect the river and surrounding landowners from direct and significant environmental threats, an outright ban on fracking represents an example of significant government overreach. A ban on fracking not only infringes on property rights but subjects Americans to unnecessarily high energy prices.

Expanding Energy Production by Ending the Delaware River Basin Commission's Authority to Ban Fracking.

This bill requires anyone who serves as a "behavior analyst" to become licensed by the state to work. This includes anyone who practices "applied behavior analysis" to help a person overcome addiction, depression or an eating disorder, as well as assist a person with ADHD, autism, or Down Syndrome. To obtain a license one must obtain a master's degree, pass examinations and pay fees, meet continuing education requirements, and maintain $1,000,000 in liability insurance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill is largely designed to enrich entities that offer certification and degrees in applied behavior analysis and protect holders of such degrees from competition. As a result, it becomes much more costly and difficult to find individuals to assist those with Down Syndrome, autism and others who seek these services. Instead of this one-size-fits-all government licensing mandate, lawmakers should allow the free market to provide consumer protection through private certification entities and grant individuals the freedom to choose which behavior analysts they wish to obtain services from based on their level of training and experience.

Restricting Competition and Hiking Consumer Costs by Imposing New Licensing Mandates on Behavior Analysts.

This motion by Rep. Bernstine advances the "Taxpayer Protection Act", which amends the State Constitution to limit the amount the Commonwealth's spending may increase. The crease will be based on a three-year average of the Commonwealth's inflation and population growth. The cap may only be exceeded by a 2/3 vote of both chambers of the General Assembly. Support is the Limited Government Position as Pennsylvania's state debt and liabilities currently exceed $120 billion, representing a $15,600 debt burden for each state taxpayer. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, as, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Protecting Taxpayers through a Constitutional Amendment Limiting State Spending to Only Growth in Population and Inflation.

The Keefer amendment #4343 to the Coronavirus Infection Medication Act provides greater legal clarity to ensure doctors can prescribe off-label drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine sulfate and ivermectin, to treat a COVID-19 infection without facing any disciplinary actions from the state's professional and occupational licensing boards. Support is the Limited Government Position as there have been countless reported cases of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin being effective in treating COVID-19, even though they haven't been approved by the FDA. Additionally, considering the low level of associated risks and side effects of these drugs, patients and their doctors should have the freedom to make their own medical decisions.

Strengthening Medical Freedom by Preventing Licensing Boards from Taking Actions Against Doctors for Prescribing Off-Label Drugs to Treat COVID-19.

This omnibus tax reform package gradually reduces the state's corporate tax rate from 9.99% to 4.99%, starting with 8.99% in 2023 and a 0.5% annual reduction until 2031. The bill also codifies PA tax bulletin 2019-04 into law, which requires online sales tax collections on entities with sales above $500,000 annually. Furthermore, the bill conforms the state to the federal tax code concerning deductions and deferrals in Section 179 and 1031. Support is the Limited Government Position as Pennsylvania has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the nation, placing the state at a competitive disadvantage in attracting businesses and growing the state economy. Additionally, provisions such as codification of the online sales tax collection helps ensure that all businesses are treated equally under the tax code and that certain companies do not receive competitive advantages over others.

Spurring Economic Growth by Gradually Reducing the Corporate Tax Rate from 9.99% to 4.99% by 2031.

The Kenyatta amendment #5555 to a bill pertaining to voter roll maintenance serves as a "gut and go" measure, which eliminates the bill's language and replaces it with much weaker provisions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as updating voter rolls and maintaining safeguards to prevent voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Weakening Election Integrity by Blocking Reforms that Ensure Voter Rolls Remain Updated and that Deceased Individuals are Removed.

This resolution titled "Ending Pro-Putin Pipeline Bans" urges New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Philip Murphy to end their states' policies banning the construction of any new natural gas pipelines. The resolution states these policies have "walled off Pennsylvania natural gas from accessing markets in New England. As a result, New England states often must rely on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports from foreign nations, including Russia." Support is the Limited Government Position as all states should work together to grow the U.S. economy by unleashing American energy dominance, especially through the elimination of all unnecessary regulations that hinder development and energy extraction.

Promoting American Energy Dominance by Urging the Governors of New York and New Jersey to Authorize Natural Gas Pipeline Construction

The Mullery amendment #5793 to a bill pertaining to the state's unemployment compensation law results in higher unemployment benefit payouts through the elimination of an automatic trigger that will occur in 2026. Unemployment benefits are funded through a payroll tax imposed on all businesses. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as increasing unemployment benefit payouts will inevitably lead to higher business payroll taxes, which, when coupled with other factors, may have an impact on company hiring and employee compensation decisions. Unemployment insurance should not be mandated and carried out by government to oversee, but rather an option for individuals and companies to purchase through the private marketplace.

Imposing Greater Tax Burdens on Businesses by Increasing Unemployment Benefit Payouts.

This bill creates a special weight limit exemption for commercial vehicles that are powered by electric batteries. Specifically, the bill allows these vehicles to exceed the maximum allowable gross weight by 2,000 pounds more than diesel or gas-powered trucks (80,000 pounds). Federal and state governments implement weight limits as the vast majority of roadway wear and tear is caused by heavy vehicles. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while there are multiple pros and cons to selecting an electric vehicle over a petrol-powered vehicle, this measure's favoring of electric trucks ultimately subjects taxpayers to higher infrastructure costs.

Increasing Taxpayer Infrastructure Costs by Creating a Special Weight Exemption for Electric-Powered Trucks.

This bill establishes a new condition for Medicaid eligibility (state-provided healthcare), which ensures a child is only enrolled into the program if their non-custodial parent does not have healthcare, otherwise they would be required to be enrolled on their non-custodial parent's plan as opposed to Medicaid. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill decreases government dependency and ensures that the state's Medicaid system serves only as the payer of last resort for healthcare. As a result, taxpayer funds are protected from abuse, and a greater amount of accountability is placed on parents.

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Abuse by Requiring a Child to be Enrolled on the Health Plan of their Non-Custodial Parent as Opposed to Medicaid.

This resolution calls on Congress to eliminate or reform emission testing regulations. The resolution is in response to federal clean air goals which has resulted in 25 counties across the state maintaining vehicle emission testing programs since 1995. Support is the Limited Government Position as significant advances in vehicular emissions technology and an increase in hybrid and electric vehicles makes emission testing for automobiles unnecessary. Testing mandates burden motorists with an added financial cost. Such regulations are especially problematic for car collectors that own multiple vehicles, due to the amount of time they waste testing, the miles that are added to their vehicles, and the increased risk for vehicle damage.

Reducing Unnecessary Regulations by Calling Congress to Reform Vehicle Emission Testing Mandates.

This bill establishes the "Lifeline Scholarship Program" which serves as a school voucher program for students who reside within a school district ranked in the bottom 15% in performance within the state. Under the program, parents would receive a scholarship of $6,697 to use towards the tuition of a private school. This amount would be deducted from the $19,200 per-student funding that the public school receives, allowing the school to still retain the other roughly two-thirds in funding. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill improves educational outcomes for all students by fostering competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding. Additionally, unlike some school choice initiatives which drive-up taxpayer costs, this measure protects taxpayers and ensures public schools retain a portion of their funding to cover overhead costs.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding School Choice via the Lifeline Scholarship Program.

This bill places a 45-day window on permit application decisions by the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in order to provide a predictable framework and improve the business climate of the state. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill improves the state's business climate by providing greater regulatory certainty and reducing delays that unnecessarily drive-up business costs.

Improving the State's Business Climate by Establishing a 45 Day Window on DEP Permit Applications.

The Boyle amendment #4028 to the small business tax reform package increases tax burdens on businesses by preventing the Section 179 deduction from being indexed to inflation, as is the case at the federal level. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this tax deduction utilized by countless small businesses will continue to shrink over the years due to inflation. As a result, more cash will be transferred to the government and companies will have less resources to invest and grow the economy.

Increasing Taxation by Preventing the Section 179 Business Deduction from Being Indexed to Inflation.

This bill prohibits outside groups from funding the administration of election operations. The bill is in response to the hundreds of millions outside groups spent in 2020 for election administration, including $10 million for the administration of election operations in Philadelphia. Support is the Limited Government Position as privately funding election operations introduces serious concerns over their integrity and fairness of election outcomes, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Increasing Election Integrity by Prohibiting Private Funds for Election Administration

This bill authorizes urban municipalities to seize any ATV or dirt bike that is operated unlawfully on public roadways or areas. The property is subject to forfeiture and upon a conviction is to be sold or destroyed. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as one of the foundational principles of our nation's Constitution is strong property rights. While government has a duty to uphold the rule of law to ensure societal safety and order, which it can do by increasing fines and imprisonment for vehicular violations, this measure weakens property rights while creating moral hazards, such as "policing for profit".

Weakening Property Rights through the Seizure and Destruction of ATVs and Dirt Bikes if Unlawfully Operated on Roadways.

This resolution brings 6 articles of impeachment against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, finding him "derelict in his obligations to the victims of crime, the people of the City of Philadelphia and of this Commonwealth and has failed to uphold his oath of office." Supporters of impeachment cite Krasner's prosecution record, which includes a 90% reduction in retail theft prosecutions and Krasner's office only achieving a 14% conviction rate on the cases that were prosecuted. Support is the Limited Government Position as protecting property rights and ensuring public safety serve as essential components of government. Krasner, who received nearly $1.7 million in campaign support from George Soros during the 2017 election, has demonstrated through countless statistical measurements that he has failed in his duty to protect Philadelphia and surrounding communities.

Strengthening Public Safety and Property Rights through the Impeachment of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for Failing to Prosecute Crime.

The "Keystone Opportunity Dairy Zone Act" authorizes government employees within the Department of Community and Economic Development to create "dairy zones" and provide tax exemptions, deductions, and credits to individuals and businesses within the zones for up to 10 years. This measure is expected to cost the commonwealth $15 million annually in lost revenue. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only do policies such as this measure provide competitive advantages to select companies and industries, but shift tax burdens to other individuals and businesses not favored by government. Instead of expanding government central planning, lawmakers should work to quicken the tax cuts in HB 1342 and remove regulatory barriers so the free market can spur investment in the most needed initiatives.

Expanding Cronyism by Providing Tax Exemptions to Government-Favored Dairy Processing Facilities.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's laws governing insurance to comply with two covered agreements between the United States and the European Union and United Kingdom concerning domestic companies operating in the EU and UK. If Pennsylvania does not adopt this amendment, domestic companies with operations in the EU and UK will be required to comply with stricter regulations and accounting standards. Support is the Limited Government Position as the state (along with the federal government) should work to protect all domestic companies from regulatory overreach by foreign governments which harms business competitiveness and profitability.

Protecting Domestic Insurance Companies with Operations in Europe from Costly and Excessive International Regulations.

The Longietti amendment #4330, to a bill concerning the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs, authorizes employees within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to make document requests to scholarship granting organizations that distribute tax credits that fund school choice vouchers. The amendment does not contain any limitations on the type of requests that may be made. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while scholarship granting organizations should be subject to strong oversight since they are awarding taxpayer funds, this open-ended measure is primarily designed to serve as a tool by anti-school choice advocates to harass these entities and subject them to costly and time-consuming reporting.

Attacking School Choice by Subjecting Scholarship Granting Organizations to Abuse through Open Record Requests

This bill makes "land banks" or entities formed by local governments eligible to serve as "conservators" under the existing Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act. That Act permits properties to be seized if they have been vacant for at least 12 months, in need of substantial repair and considered a public nuisance. Once seized from the property owner, the properties are handed to a "conservator" - and collects a fee based on 20% of their costs - who repairs and sells the rehabilitated properties. After a number of fees, court costs, and conservator costs are collected, the original owner is provided the remaining portion of the proceeds from the sale. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further worsens the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, which infringes on property rights and represents a textbook example of government overreach. Instead of growing the number of entities that can seize properties under this Act, lawmakers should work to incentivize the private sector to rehabilitate properties by reducing excessive building regulations, reforming zoning laws, and cutting crime in communities.

Infringing Property Rights by Further Worsening the "Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act".

This bill directs federal infrastructure funds to the Department of Environmental Quality to plug abandoned oil and gas wells. Additionally, the bill reforms bonding requirements (ranging from $2,500 to $100,000) to provide environmental protection while also ensuring companies are not hit with excessive bonding costs. The bill also authorizes  the state legislature, not the Environmental Quality Board, to be the authority to adjust bonding requirements over the next decade. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps better balance environmental protection with the need to maintain a business-friendly environment for oil and gas extraction. Furthermore, the bill strengthens government accountability by ensuring the legislature, which is accountable to voters, sets bonding levels as opposed to the Environmental Quality Board which is not held to this same level of oversight.

Strengthening Government Accountability by Providing Legislative Oversight of Bonding Requirements for Orphaned Gas and Oil Well Plugging.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework that allows autonomous vehicles to be tested and deployed in the state. Additionally, the bill increases penalties for the theft of catalytic converters, which are emission-control devices that contain valuable metal components. Support is the Limited Government Position as reducing government barriers to autonomous vehicle deployment will help reduce development costs, ultimately helping more quickly bring this innovative and pro-economic growth technology to the marketplace. Additionally, the bill helps strengthen property rights and dissuade crime by ensuring criminal penalties on catalytic converter theft better reflect the significant financial harm suffered by victims.

Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Autonomous Vehicle Innovation and Increasing Penalties for Catalytic Converter Theft.

This bill expands the definition of "farm vehicle" to include passenger vehicles if, like trucks and truck tractors, they are solely used for local agricultural deliveries. As a result, farmers will have lower insurance costs and not have to obtain yearly safety inspections for the vehicles. Additionally, the bill reforms regulations at fueling stations to allow greater flexibility in where emergency shut-off devices must be located. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure not only provides regulatory and financial relief to farmers, but it also benefits motorists by reducing the number of slow and heavy vehicles traversing roadways. Additionally, providing greater regulatory flexibility at fuel stations helps improve design layouts and unnecessary costs.

Reforming Regulations to Reduce Unnecessary Burdens Placed on Farmers and Fueling Stations.

This bill amends the state's Crime Victims Act to ensure victims of violent crimes are provided notice of the defendant's bail proceedings and are provided the opportunity to appear and offer comment. Support is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights serve as essential components of government. While it is critical all defendants be provided their Fifth Amendment right of "innocent until proven guilty", victims of crime deserve the right to communicate harms they allege throughout the arrest and arraignment process.

Increasing Public Safety by Ensuring Victims of Violent Crime have the Right to Appear at the Bail Hearing of the Defendant.

This bill establishes a taskforce to study the challenges, economic feasibility, financial impact, and the security requirements involved in turning the Port of Philadelphia into a LNG export terminal. Support is the Limited Government Position as exporting LNG from Philadelphia boosts American energy production and economic growth. It also opens the door for improving international relations and security by making the European market less reliant on Russian energy.

Boosting American Energy Production and International Trade by Establishing a Task Force to Study the Export of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from the Port of Philadelphia.

ILA

Craig T. Staats