Legislation and Public Policy

APSCUF provides members important and timely updates on public affairs including the monitoring of state legislation and regulations that impact faculty for the SSHE institutions. In light of increased attention on the part of public policy makers, it is vital that APSCUF remain alert to changes and proposed changes undertaken that could compromise the quality of education at Pennsylvania's SSHE institutions.

We will regularly post information here about current happenings on the public policy scene affecting APSCUF members. The Legislative Update is provided by State APSCUF Governmental Relations Director Laura Statler.

LOOK UP YOUR LEGISLATOR!  SIMPLY CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC BELOW, TYPE YOUR ZIP CODE, AND YOUR LEGISLATORS WILL BE REVEALED.

Senate BILL 707, the ANTI-GAY Marriage Bill, Tabled in Judiciary Committee on March 16, 2010

Please note that APSCUF has been tracking Senate Bill 707, which would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage by defining marriage as being between a man and woman only.  Pennsylvania already bans gay marriage.  There are no current legal challenges to the statute in the courts.

APSCUF considers this legislation a threat to domestic partnership protections put in place by the last APSCUF contract. 

The Republican-majority Senate Judiciary committee voted 8-6 to table SB 707, introduced by Senator John Eichelberger.  Please note that the legislation can come up again at a future time.

The Judiciary Committee includes Senator Daylin Leach, who voted against SB 707 and has introduced his own legislation, Senate Bill 935, which would provide marriage equality in Pennsylvania.

Today’s vote seems to indicate that the Senate Republicans are focused on other issues, which should be the case, as very difficult budgets linger ahead.

For those of you interested in this issue and would like to provide feedback to senators, the following is a breakdown of the votes to table the legislation: 

Yes to Tabling the bill:  Pat Browne (R), Jane Earll (R), Mary Jo White (R), Daylin Leach (D), Lisa Boscola (D), Wayne Fontana (D), Michael Stack (D) and Jay Costa (D).

No to Tabling the bill: Chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R), Jane Orie (R), John Gordner (R), Jeffrey Piccola (R), John Rafferty (R) and President Pro Tempe Joe Scarnati (R)

If you have questions, or would like to be notified if this legislation re-appears, please contact Laura Saccente at lsaccente@apscuf.org.

SENATOR DINNIMAN ISSUES RESPONSE TO APSCUF MEMBERS REGARDING ARTICULATION PROVISIONS OF HB 1042

GOV. RENDELL PROVIDES MID-YEAR BUDGET BRIEFING

APSCUF LEGISLATIVE CONTACTS (ARRANGED BY CAMPUS)

PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PA SENATE

Maps of PA House and Senate Districts

PA House Legislative Districts -- Map

PA Senate Legislative Districts -- Map

APSCUF LEGISLATIVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES

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RETIREMENT SWITCH LEGISLATION INFORMATION

Important information on Retirement System Switch Legislation

APSCUF LEGISLATIVE FOCUS SERIES

*NEW*:  LEGISLATIVE FOCUS - APRIL, 2010

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 15 (Created September 5, 2008)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 14 (Created March 27, 2008)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 13 (Created October 30, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 12 (Created September 5, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 11 (Created March 29, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 10 (Created March 21, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 9 (Created January 29, 2007)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 8 (Created: October 27, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 7 (Created: September 1, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 6 (Created: June 6, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 5 (Created: April 13, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 4 (Created: January 20, 2006)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 3 (Created: August 4, 2005)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 2 (Created: July 8, 2005)

LEGISLATIVE FOCUS 1 (Created: June 17, 2005)

2005-06 State Appropriations Summary

APSCUF Legislative News

FINAL ACADEMIC FREEDOM REPORT!