Danielle Friel Otten

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 extends the Office of the Attorney General's concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute gun crimes in Philadelphia while also creating a new task force to investigate and prosecute the unlawful possession, use and transfer of firearms within the city. The bill is in response to policies enacted by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner that have resulted in minimal prosecution of individuals who have committed gun violence. Support is the Limited Government Position as ensuring public safety and protecting property rights 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.

Increasing Public Safety by Establishing a Task Force and Providing the State AG the Ability to Prosecute Criminals that Commit Gun Violence in Philadelphia.

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 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.

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 bill implements a $45.3 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which, when including federal American Rescue Plan funds, represents a spending increase of roughly 11%. The bill contains significant spending increases on social programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Low-Income Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PTTR) Program, a new Whole Home Repair Program, and over $250 million for additional affordable housing. Oppose 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.

Fueling Out-Of-Control Spending through a Budget with a 11% Spending Hike and Countless New and Increased Social Programs.

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.

The Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) program provides $1.97 billion in tax credits over the next 25 years to hydrogen producers, milk processors, bio-medical researchers and semi-conductor manufacturers. The bill is designed to incentivize businesses within these industries to move to the state. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as as it shifts tax burdens to other individuals and businesses not favored by government, providing select companies with competitive advantages over others. Instead of attempting to centrally plan the economy, lawmakers should utilize the $2 billion to cut taxes across all industries, which will allow the free market to provide far greater job and business growth.

Expanding Cronyism and Government Central Planning through $2 Billion in Special Interest Subsidies.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 resolution blocks the implementation of new charter school regulations imposed by the Wolf Administration. Specifically, the measure disapproves Department of Education Regulations (#6-349), which sets a series of regulations and requirements charter schools and cyber charter schools must abide by. Such regulations and requirements including providing comparable health benefits to employees that public schools provide, meeting new disclosure requirements when applying for establishment, posting non-discrimination and student selection policies on their websites, among other new rules. Support is the Limited Government Position as while all charter schools, which receive taxpayer funds, should be subject to oversight to ensure accountability, these onerous regulations are primarily designed to serve as barriers to charter school establishment and protect public schools from competition, reducing the quality of the state's education system.

Blocking Implementation of Excessive Charter School Regulations Imposed by the Wolf Administration.

This bill prohibits the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from regulating carbon dioxide emissions without the approval of the legislature. As a result, the bill blocks an executive order by the Wolf Administration which enters Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which serves as a carbon tax. The bill instead serves as a compromise, providing $250 million for carbon capture, abandoned well plugging and transition for coal communities. Support is the Limited Government Position as while a large portion of the bill's spending may be unnecessary, this "compromise" is certainly better than the state entering into the RGGI that is expected to increase state energy costs by billions of dollars while harming the competitiveness of the state's manufacturing sector.

Preventing Energy Costs from Skyrocketing by Ensuring the State does not Enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

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.

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 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

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 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.

This bill authorizes the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DNCR) to lease subsurface rights under state lands. As a result, companies would be able to pay the state to extract the oil and gas beneath state lands as long as their drilling originated from a wellsite that was not on state property. The revenue that is generated from the leases would be utilized to fund stream maintenance, clearing projects, and flood mitigation. Support is the Limited Government Position as not only does this measure boost domestic energy production which, grows the nation's economy, but also protects the environment and benefits Pennsylvania taxpayers through increased state revenue.

Boosting State Revenue and Energy Production by Authorizing Oil and Gas Extraction Under State Lands.

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

The "Poll Watcher Empowerment Act" permits all eligible registered voters of Pennsylvania to enlist as a poll watcher in any precinct and levies penalties against election officials who prohibit poll watchers from performing their official duties. Previously, poll watchers had to be a resident of the precinct they were appointed to. Support is the Limited Government Position as poll watchers play a critical role in maintaining election integrity and transparency, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic. Due to the fact a vote cast in any of the state's precincts has an impact on the outcome of a state-wide election, every precinct must be properly staffed with competent poll watchers, regardless of where the poll watchers reside.

Increasing Election Integrity and Transparency through the Poll Watcher Empowerment Act

This bill eliminates a tax barrier, one that only a handful of states imposed, which will encourage family-owned businesses to sell their companies to their employees as opposed to outside entities. Specifically, the bill relates to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and allows sellers of C corporations to defer 100% of capital gains tax when selling to their employees in an ESOP, if the funds are reinvested in certain securities. As a result, the state tax code will mirror federal Section 1042 rules. Support is the Limited Government Position as this pro-growth measure will benefit all family-owned businesses and help spur entrepreneurship, while providing greater stability and certainty to company employees.

Reducing Barriers for the Sale of Businesses to Employees by Aligning PA Tax Code with the Rest of the Nation.

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 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 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.

The Herrin amendment #3817 to a bill requiring legislative approval to enter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) represents a miniature "green new deal" by utilizing $750 million in federal COVID-19 funds for various environmental initiatives and projects, while requiring worker apprenticeships and adherence to state prevailing wage mandates. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only are these public works projects unneeded but subjecting these initiatives to the prevailing wage (a depression-era law which requires payment of above-market wages) unnecessarily drives up taxpayer costs. 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.

Advancing Run-Away Spending by Directing $750 Million of Federal COVID-19 Funds to Environmental Projects Subject to Prevailing Wage Mandates.

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 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 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 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 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.

ILA

Danielle Friel Otten