HARRISBURG - Two Republican lawmakers representing Northeast Pennsylvania are jumping in to tackle major issues as efforts continue to pass a state budget and a host of other bills.
Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, Pottsville, is targeting skyrocketing public pension costs. Sen. John Gordner, R-27, Berwick, has liquor sale reforms in his sights. Both Tobash and Gordner had prepared for action last week on their proposals in their respective chambers only to see things postponed by legislative leaders working to line up the necessary votes. Other lawmakers have offered pension and liquor proposals, too.
Lawmakers return to the Capitol today to reengage on these issues.
Tobash is sponsor of a proposal endorsed by Gov. Tom Corbett to reduce pension costs by billions of dollars for future state government and public school employees. Tobash is in his second term in the House. He proposes to combine elements of the traditional defined-benefit plan provided to public employees and the defined-contribution plans common in the private sector for new hires. The first $50,000 in annual income earned by a new employee would be calculated for retirement purposes under the defined benefit plan. Higher annual income for new employees above the $50,000 threshold would be calculated under the defined-contribution plan similar to 401(k)-style investments.
Tobash has been explaining the fine points of his proposal to both constituents in his district and colleagues in the GOP caucus. At a recent Capitol press conference, he stood by as a school district superintendent, recently retired teacher and college graduate from Schuylkill County gave statements of support.
Gordner offered an amendment last week seeking to bridge divides among senators over the liquor issue. He holds the leadership post of majority caucus chairman. He decided several weeks ago to develop a proposal that could attract the support of GOP senators leery of full-scale privatization of the state liquor stores as the governor has pushed for.
Gordner said he wants to make it easier for customers to buy wine and modernize the state liquor stores. His amendment includes expanding wine sales in the private sector, opening state stores on Sundays and allowing the sale of up to three six-packs of beer to go in taverns. The current limit is two six-packs.
Getting heavily involved with the pension and liquor issues is not for the faint-hearted. These are divisive issues followed by prominent interests with a major economic stake in the outcome. For example, unionized state store employees, beer distributors and grocery store owners are involved in the liquor debate.
Corbett has spent the past 18 months trying to convince a Legislature controlled by his own party to enact major pension and liquor legislation without success so far.
"We've been calling for pension reform for a long time," said Corbett spokesman Jay Pagni. "It's an issue that isn't going away."
Now both issues are on the front burner again as Pennsylvania faces at least a $1.2 billion state budget revenue problem. The governor said last week he wouldn't consider any state tax proposal to generate new revenue without action by lawmakers on pensions and liquor.
Gordner said his proposal, if adopted, could help balance the fiscal 2014-15 budget by generating $60 million up front from newly issued wine sale permits.
Tobash's proposal wouldn't affect the next budget and much of the debate over it focuses on the potential for pension savings over the next few decades.
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County, called last week for public hearings on the Tobash proposal to get a fuller understanding of its impact on younger employees and the obligations of state government and school districts.
"When Republicans in the House take hours behind closed doors to discuss an amendment and still can't get satisfactory answers, it means the proposal needs to be reviewed in much greater detail," Dermody said.
Pension reform will be on the House agenda this week, said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh.
In the Senate, it comes down to a finding a liquor plan that can get a majority of 26 votes.
"Work and discussions are continuing to try and develop a plan that will win 26 votes in the Senate - but we are still not there," said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester.