11/21/06-On a virtual party-line vote of 107-83, the House was unable to override Gov. Ed Rendell’s veto of a bill intended to aid small businesses in the state, including trucking operations.
The House vote fell short of the 135 “yes” votes needed to have the required two-thirds majority for an override. The margin was significantly different from the vote of 193-4 when the chamber originally approved the bill in May 2005.
HB236 required that prior to the adoption of any proposed regulation that could adversely affect small businesses each state agency must notify the Independent Regulatory Review Commission of its intent to adopt the rule.
The review period would have extended for 18 months after the implementation of the specific regulation.
The protection would have applied to businesses with up to 100 full-time employees or gross annual sales of less than $6 million.
Rendell said in his veto message that the legislation would increase the cost of operating the government unnecessarily. He said estimates from the state suggest that the cost of processing the more than 200 regulations that are proposed or revised annually could increase by as much as $1 million as a result of the bill.
“The bill purports to protect small businesses, but, in fact, it will place new burdens on our agencies and commissions and, thus, will drive up the cost of their regulatory duties as well as further drag out an already long process unnecessarily,” Rendell wrote.
The governor also said there are enough protections for businesses in current laws. This latest effort would only create another layer of red tape, he said.
Pickett said she plans to reintroduce the measure when the new legislative session begins in January.

11/14/06-Gov. Ed Rendell has vetoed a bill intended to aid small businesses in the commonwealth, including trucking operations.
HB236 required that prior to the adoption of any proposed regulation that could adversely affect small businesses each state agency must notify the Independent Regulatory Review Commission of its intent to adopt the rule.
The review period would have extended for 18 months after the implementation of the specific regulation.
The protection would have applied to businesses with up to 100 full-time employees or gross annual sales of less than $6 million.
Rendell said in his veto message that the legislation would increase the cost of operating the government unnecessarily. He said estimates from the state suggest that the cost of processing the more than 200 regulations that are proposed or revised annually could increase by as much as $1 million as a result of the bill.
“The bill purports to protect small businesses, but, in fact, it will place new burdens on our agencies and commissions and, thus, will drive up the cost of their regulatory duties as well as further drag out an already long process unnecessarily,” Rendell wrote.
The governor also said there are enough protections for businesses in current laws. This latest effort would only create another layer of red tape, he said.

11/2/06-The Senate voted 37-11 to approve a bill that is intended to aid small businesses in the commonwealth, including trucking operations. The bill, which the House already approved, has been sent to Gov. Ed Rendell’s desk.
Sponsored by Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Wysox, HB236 would require that prior to the adoption of any proposed regulation that could adversely affect small businesses each state agency must notify the Independent Regulatory Review Commission of its intent to adopt the rule.
The review period would extend for 18 months after the implementation of the specific regulation.
The protection would apply to businesses with up to 100 employees.
If signed into law, the rule would take effect 60 days after it is signed by the governor.
For bill status, call (717) 787-6732.