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In 2000 and 2001, I temporarily stopped big tobacco from pre-empting Philadelphia’s local tobacco control ordinance; introduced legislation to raise price of cigarettes, control teen use of cigarette vending machines, fine retail management for selling to underage youth, provide for undercover sting operations, and end the possibility of pre-emption of local tobacco ordinances. I understand that youth consumption of tobacco products is dramatically reduced when the price escalates.
In 1997, I introduced an amendment to the Budget which gave $50 million dollars to mass transportation across the commonwealth.
In 1989, I introduced and successfully secured passage of an amendment that guaranteed the right of all Pennsylvanians to use contraceptives. The amendment was one of only five pro-choice measures ever passed in the Pennsylvania legislature. In 1996, Governor Ridge cited the Josephs Amendment when he vetoed restrictive language in the contraceptive appropriations in the budget.
In 1990, I wrote and secured passage of the HIV Counseling Act, legislation which has saved lives by guaranteeing confidentiality of HIV records, and requiring pre-test and post-test HIV counseling. The law, a national model now being emulated in other states. I was also the first to unite the insurance industry, physicians, lawyers, labor unions, prison guards AIDS advocacy groups, and civil libertarians in a coordinated strategy against the transmission of HIV.
I authored the 1992 Insurance Policy Holder Protection Act that protects consumers from insurance company bankruptcy. I gained support for the act from consumer groups, the Pennsylvania insurance industry, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
I have been at the forefront of battles in the state legislature in which the freedom of speech and protest were at stake. I battled against state imposed censoring of adults who view the internet in public libraries. I am the only State House member with a perfect voting record on First Amendment issues. And I am the only member of the House of Representatives to vote against forced prayer in public schools and daily mandatory flag pledging in public and private schools.
I co-sponsored the first-ever dedicated funding source for SEPTA, facilitated the creation of the Center City Special Services District, secured increased funding -- more than $200 million more in 1991 -- for Philadelphia's children and youth, prisons and schools. Over the years, I have obtained over $150,000 $200,000 in special grants for the 182nd district's civic association, re-greening projects, town watches, andbusiness development and cultural institutions.
I was a co-sponsor of the Health Care Partnership Act, which will provide health care coverage for Pennsylvania children currently without health insurance. The plan, the Children's health Insurance Program (CHIP) is currently in effect and is a national model. It covers children whose parents are in jobs that do not offer this benefit, but who are not poor enough to qualify for medical assistance.
I formed and headed the bipartisan Task Force on Drug Offenders programs. The task force has drawn together district attorneys, public defenders, probation officers, drug and alcohol counselors, prison officials, clergy, neighborhood groups and others from all over the state to hammer out a consensus on common sense, cost effective methods of detaining and treating drug offenders.
I was an active member of the Philadelphia delegation Ad Hoc Task Force on Nuisance Bars, which worked with neighbors to shut down nuisance bars. The result of my work is the Nuisance Bar Program which the Liquor Control Board initiated and which is still in effect. My office actively aids individuals and civic organizations in their fights against nuisance bars. (link)
I am the co-sponsor of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which would draw upon federal housing funds to help first-time home buyers and nonprofit community development corporations secure financing for moderate-income homes.
I was a prime mover in the effort to amend the Hate Crimes Act, which passed and now provides special sanctions against crimes of vandalism and violence motivated by bigotry against race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, and now with this amendment sexual orientation.
I was the co-sponsor of the Fair Tax Plan, which provided Pennsylvania income taxpayers with a $9,500 standard deduction and a 5 percent tax on income above that amount. The plan would have reduced taxes for the poor and moderate income families, while at the same time raising an extra $1 billion over the then current tax system. Unfortunately, the corporate dominated legislature did not enact this measure.
I'm a co-sponsor of legislation which would mandate health insurance coverage for new mothers and babies where medical necessity dictates a post-delivery hospital stay of more than 24 hours.
I was instrumental in having legislation released from the Insurance Committee which would stop the common practice of insurers of punishing people who make good faith mistake in seeking emergency room care. Under this legislation no insurer could deny payment to a subscriber who had good cause to think her or his condition was life threatening.
Legislation co-sponsored by me ended the current insurance company practice of discriminating against victims of domestic abuse.
Angered about the fact that Pennsylvania has the highest bounced check fees in the nation, I introduced legislation which would prohibit banks from charging more than $1.50 for those who bounce checks and reduced to $1.00 the fee charged to those who deposit checks against insufficient funds.
Noting that nothing in tuition voucher legislation would prevent church schools from raising their tuition the amount of the voucher, I was a leader in the fight to defeat so-called "school choice," legislation designed to funnel millions of tax dollars to religious groups. I was instrumental in limiting the role of Edison, Inc. in the operation of the Philadelphia School District, and I oppose the privatization of public schools. I support Charter Schools.
Understanding that crime is an important issue for everyone, I strongly opposed the repealing of Philadelphia's gun control ordinance and continue to work for the instantaneous background checks and for prohibiting private citizens from owning automatic weapons. I supported the one gun a month initiative. Gun control is imperative after September 11; Pennsylvania must not become the source of weapons for every terrorist who wants firearms.
I co-sponsored the 1991 Family and Medical Leave Act to help workers who are sick or must care for a sick family member.