Issues

BPA, or bisphenol-A, is an estrogen-like chemical that is used in many hard clear plastic products and in the linings of some food and beverage containers, including some:

• Baby bottles and sippy cups
• Reusable plastic bottles and food containers;
• Drink and food cans;
• Dental sealants;
• Cash-register receipts.

New research suggests that we have underestimated our dietary exposure to BPA.

When a container made with BPA is heated, the chemical leaches into the food. When you eat that food the chemical goes into your body where it could cause a range of health problems:

• Breast and prostate cancer,
• Heart disease and diabetes,
• Obesity, and
• Autism, learning disorders and early puberty in children.

I have been sounding the alarm about the dangers of bisphenol-A for several years, and have introduced bills to remove this potentially harmful chemical from infant and toddler products in Pennsylvania. My latest bill, H.B. 192, is in the House Health Committee, but the chairman refuses to move the bill out of committee and send it to the full House for a vote

To reduce the amount of BPA in your body:

• Use fresh foods instead of canned products whenever possible.
• Avoid polycarbonates – plastics marked with recycling code #7 or the letters "PC."
• Look for plastics with recycling labels #1, #2, and #4 as they do not contain BPA.
• Avoid putting any plastic containers in the microwave.
• Wash all plastic containers on the top shelf of your dishwasher or by hand.
• Look for stainless steel reusable water bottles that do not have a liner as some metal bottles lined with an epoxy-based enamel coating could leach BPA.

The 2011-12 state budget may have been passed on time, but the aftermath is only about to begin for average Pennsylvanians. I voted against the budget because I believe it unfairly targets programs that help the middle class stay afloat, while continuing to give big business and natural gas industry executives free reign in Pennsylvania.

Gov. Corbett and Republican leaders forced a $27.7 billion budget through the legislature, refusing to return $785 million in surplus dollars to taxpayers, and failed to implement a fair tax on the natural gas industry or close a loophole that allows large corporations to dodge paying taxes in Pennsylvania.

Instead, they nearly eliminated state funding for a Pennsylvania program to help families in danger of losing their homes and keep surrounding property values from plummeting further due to foreclosures.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives opened its 2009-10 legislative session on Jan. 6, with 27 lawmakers taking the oath of office for the first time. House members unanimously

HARRISBURG, May 12 – The state House of Representatives today sent to the Senate a bipartisan package of bills that would further protect residents in long-term care facilities, House Democratic leaders announced.

Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, said the legislation would fix several deficiencies in current law and better arm patients and their families with information about Pennsylvania long-term care facilities and the doctors who work in them.

Among the proposals is a bill (H.B. 2036) that would impose harsher penalties when the neglect of a care-dependent person results in his or her death. Under the bill, individuals convicted of neglect that results in death could receive a prison sentence of up to 40 years, the equivalent of third-degree murder.

Since taking the majority, House Democrats have worked to make state government more transparent and accessible to the public. This week we reached the crescendo of that effort by delivering a historic bipartisan open records law that gives Pennsylvanians broad access to information about how their government works.

House Democrats move forward to reduce Pennsylvanians’ tax burden

HARRISBURG, Jan. 17 – House Democratic Leaders today hailed passage of a duo of components in the House Democratic Caucus’ tax policy, which sets the stage for deeper tax cuts for homeowners and low-income working residents who may not own property, but pay taxes on goods, services and wages that may be used to help fund Pennsylvania schools.

“We are buoyed by the news from Budget Secretary Masch that homeowners will reap the rewards from the successful gaming industry this year,” said House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. "But Pennsylvanians want more.”

House Democrats positioned for a vote a series of bills to give lawmakers a menu of opportunities to take property tax relief to the next level, as well as provide needed relief to low-income working families.