Post-budget round up

Capitolwire: Bills on fire-safe cigarettes, newborn screenings among those signed by governor.

By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire

HARRISBURG (July 21) — Gov. Ed Rendell signed more than 80 bills into law as part of the annual flood of legislation passed in the weeks after the state budget.

Since June 27, the governor stamped his mark of approval on everything from alternative energy and autism insurance coverage to infrastructure investment and education funding.

About one-third of the 82 bills signed were for various special state-funded museums, educational institutions and projects.

While these bills captured the attention of lawmakers, reporters and the public, many others flew under the radar.

On July 10, Rendell signed into law legislation that allows falconers, hunters who use trained falcons instead of weapons, to hunt closer to buildings and homes than state law previously allowed. To read a story on that bill, CLICK HERE.

That same day, he signed a $4.5 million pilot plan, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, that provides $100 income tax credits to 45,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in Pennsylvania for the 2008 tax year.