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1 of 1- Rongone
- Sentient Being
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- From: Keeping Calm, Sailing On
- Registered: 1/31/2015
- Posts: 2,872
Who says our state legislators don't get anything done?
Well . . . I think I may have said that.
But then I see important action like this being taken by our state senators:
Senate Approves Scavello Bill Boosting Littering Fines
Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Senator Mario Scavello (R-40) to increase fines for littering was approved by the Senate today.
Currently, fines for littering under Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) run from $50 to $300 for a first-time offense, and $300 to $1,000 for a second and subsequent offense. Senate Bill 973 boosts fines up to $2,000 for multiple offenses based on the size of weight and cubic feet of litter.
This legislation will also increase the littering fines outlined in Title 75 (Vehicles), with heavier penalties for littering from vehicles on highways, properties and water, including in an agriculture security area.
“I believe the current fine system is not a proper deterrent for this crime,” said Scavello. “The amount of trash along roadways and elsewhere is not just aesthetically unpleasant, it’s bad for the environment.”
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Man . . . That bill probably took a while to get through committees, attaching various amendments, discussion of legitimate concerns on the floor of the senate, prior to approval.
Let's just hope the house will quickly consider the bill, add on any needed amendments, bring the bill to a vote and hopefully agree to a compromise that will include the concerns of both houses for the benefit of all citizens of Pennsylvania.
Just like they have handled efficient consideration and passage of the state budget.
- flowergirl
- Exchanger
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- Registered: 2/03/2015
- Posts: 1,840
Re: Who says our state legislators don't get anything done?
Had the same thoughts this morning when reading that in the YDR.
- TheLagerLad
- Exchange Beer Snob
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- From: Bucks County, PA
- Registered: 1/29/2015
- Posts: 2,055
Re: Who says our state legislators don't get anything done?
Rongone wrote:
Well . . . I think I may have said that.
But then I see important action like this being taken by our state senators:
Senate Approves Scavello Bill Boosting Littering Fines
Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by Senator Mario Scavello (R-40) to increase fines for littering was approved by the Senate today.
Currently, fines for littering under Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) run from $50 to $300 for a first-time offense, and $300 to $1,000 for a second and subsequent offense. Senate Bill 973 boosts fines up to $2,000 for multiple offenses based on the size of weight and cubic feet of litter.
This legislation will also increase the littering fines outlined in Title 75 (Vehicles), with heavier penalties for littering from vehicles on highways, properties and water, including in an agriculture security area.
“I believe the current fine system is not a proper deterrent for this crime,” said Scavello. “The amount of trash along roadways and elsewhere is not just aesthetically unpleasant, it’s bad for the environment.”
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Man . . . That bill probably took a while to get through committees, attaching various amendments, discussion of legitimate concerns on the floor of the senate, prior to approval.
Let's just hope the house will quickly consider the bill, add on any needed amendments, bring the bill to a vote and hopefully agree to a compromise that will include the concerns of both houses for the benefit of all citizens of Pennsylvania.
Just like they have handled efficient consideration and passage of the state budget.
To be fair, as Pennsylvania waters feed the Chesapeake Bay, I think it can't hurt to raise the penalties to discourage people (and many times businesses) from polluting the environment. This certainly isn't game changing legislation, but isn't the worst thing ever.
I think you're going to see a lot of different United States of America over the next three, four, or eight years. - President Donald J. Trump
- flowergirl
- Exchanger
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- Registered: 2/03/2015
- Posts: 1,840
Re: Who says our state legislators don't get anything done?
Have any of you ever known an individual caught littering and fined or even heard of a case where someone was caught and fined? I agree--it's important legislation, but if this is the best PA can come up with considering the legislature couldn't even pass an annual budget, figure out a system to eliminate property taxes and many other really important pieces of legislation that constituents are begging for then their situation there is much worse than we thought. Good grief!
- Tarnation
- Administrator
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- From: Upstream where water's clean
- Registered: 1/29/2015
- Posts: 1,241
Re: Who says our state legislators don't get anything done?
Have any of you ever known an individual caught littering and fined or even heard of a case where someone was caught and fined?
Other than Arlo Guthrie on the legendary Thanksgiving Day Massacre immortalized in Alice's Restaurant.....no.
Life is an Orthros.