GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Election Results
Following a major election year , legislators returned to Capitol Hill in January to begin a new two-year legislative session , which runs from now through November 2014 . The legislature reconvenes after major victories for PDA in the 2011-12 session , including the passage and Governor Corbett ’ s signature on general anesthesia insurance coverage ( House Bill 532 ) and non-covered services ( Senate Bill 1144 ) legislation . The November election served as a renewed contract for returning incumbents , but a number of new faces will be spotted in the Capitol ’ s hallways after a few incumbents suffered general election defeats or retired .
Largely due to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ’ s rejection of new state legislative district lines in January 2012 , the makeup of the General Assembly generally remained the same . The unchanged districts , however , did produce a few surprises for Harrisburg .
In the State Senate , Democrats picked up three seats on Election Day , the biggest pickup for the party since 1970 and the largest swing since Republicans won four seats in 1994 . The party went three for three in open seats , picking up districts formerly held by Sens . Jane Earll ( R – Erie ), Jeff Piccola ( R – Dauphin ) and John Pippy ( R – Allegheny ). The districts will now be represented by Sean Wiley ( D – Erie ), Rob Teplitz ( D – Dauphin ) and State Rep . Matt Smith ( D – Allegheny ).
The state House largely stayed the same , with Democrats picking up one seat in Allegheny County , putting the chamber at 111 Republicans and 92 Democrats . In the Senate , Republicans also retained their majority with 27 seats , while the Democrats claimed 23 seats .
A week after the election , the House and Senate held their leadership elections . Democrats and Republicans choose their party leadership on an annual basis . The positions in leadership correspond with a higher salary and better pension benefits . For 2012-13 , almost all Democrats and Republicans kept their leadership positions in the House and Senate . There were two exceptions for House Democrats due to retirements . With the retirement of Rep . Jennifer Mann ( D – Lehigh ), Rep . Ron Waters ( D – Phila ) was elected Caucus Secretary . Rep . Neal Goodman ( D – Schuylkill ) replaced Rep . Ron Buxton ( D – Dauphin ) as Caucus Administrator .
The General Assembly will continue to determine your fate on dental-related issues , such as insurance practices , scope of practice , and small business ownership . PDA looks forward to working with
incumbents and ensuring newly elected legislators are updated on issues pertinent to the practice of dentistry .
Non-Covered Services Update
SB 1144 unanimously passed the House of Representatives in early October . Governor Corbett signed the legislation into law on October 25 . The bill , which went into effect 60 days after the Governor ’ s signature , will apply to new and renewed employer contracts . This legislation will be in effect for any contract that renews after December 25 , 2012 . SB 1144 was a significant win for PDA , and we are proud to have passed a bill that was so strongly opposed by the insurance lobby .
J A N / F E B 2 0 1 3 | P E N N S Y LVA N I A D E N TA L J O U R N A L 7