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Lawmakers return to session following summer break

The halls of the Capitol have been quiet for more than a month, but it won’t be like that for much longer. Monday marks the return of the legislative session fo...

The halls of the Capitol have been quiet for more than a month, but it won’t be like that for much longer.

Monday marks the return of the legislative session following a summer recess and now lawmakers have their work cut out for them.

While dozens of legislative proposals will most likely die before they get to Governor Tom Cobett’s desk, there’s still several bills that remain at the forefront of debate and discussion.

One of them is Senate Bill 76. If passed, it would eliminate school property taxes, by raising personal income tax.

"You can't reform it,” said Senator David Argall. “You can`t tweak it, you can’t adjust it, you can`t cap it. The only way to deal with the issue is to kill off the property tax."

Those who disagree, however, say Senate Bill 76 is simply a tax shift, trading one set of winners and losers for another.

Meanwhile, for some lawmakers, including the Governor, Pennsylvania’s $50 billion pension system is high on their list of priorities.

One option on the table is a hybrid plan which would blend elements of the existing system with one similar to a 401 K.

“The alternative would be to continue to tax not only the businesses, but the people in Pennsylvania and all the businesses in Pennsylvania more and more and more every year,” Governor Corbett said.

Another hot topic is Senate Bill 1182 which would legalize the use of medical marijuana.

"If there was something that could make someone who's suffering feel better, I think it's almost cruel not to consider,” said Representative Mike Regan.

Lawmakers have about a dozen voting days left in the 2014 session.

 

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