AFA of PA ACTION ALERT
May 26, 2010
Issues (check corresponding number in ‘Details’ and ‘Action’ Sections)
1.) H.B. 325 – tax on natural gas extractions
2.) H.B. 1163 – comprehensive sex ed
Details
1.) On Monday the State House Appropriations Committee voted, strictly along party lines, to advance H.B. 325. This bill relates to volunteer firefighters’ tax status, but an amendment was quickly added before the Committee vote which will impose a severance tax of 8% of value plus 7 cents per thousand cubic feet, on natural gas extraction, giving Pennsylvania the highest comparable severance tax rate in the nation. It is on the House calendar TODAY for a final vote.
2.) H.B. 1163 was sent to the House Appropriations Committee on May 4th. Carefully read the underlined sections in the bill, these are the lines being added to the existing state’s sex ed law. The language includes the following: “Provide students with accurate information including the following – Side effects, health benefits, effectiveness, safety and proper use of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy. Discuss sexual activity as it relates to risk for STIs and pregnancy. Encourages youth to communicate with parents/guardians and other trusted adults about sexuality. Instructors are permitted to answer in good faith any questions initiated by a student or students that is germane to the material of the course. Instructions and materials shall be appropriate for use with, and shall not promote bias against, pupils of all races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexually active pupils, and pupils with disabilities.” (emphasis added)
Action Steps
1.) Contact your State House member by clicking here. Key in your zip code in the upper right hand corner. Ask your member of the House to vote ‘NO’ on H.B. 325 – Pennsylvania should become more business friendly, not drive businesses away with higher taxes.
2.) If your State House member is on the House Appropriations Committee, contact him or her and ask for a ‘NO’ vote on H.B. 1163. Requiring schools to teach explicit sex ed will not solve the problem of teen pregnancy nor stop the increase in teens contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
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