The Senate approved a comprehensive transportation improvement funding package on Wednesday by an overwhelming vote of 43-7 with strong, bipartisan support. The House approved the package by a vote of 113-85 on Thursday evening. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill into law Monday.

Pennsylvania cannot wait any longer to fix our failing roads and bridges. We either have to figure out a way to fix our roads or bridges, or watch them continue to fall apart. Ensuring the safety of Pennsylvanians is a core function of state government. With over 24 percent of our bridges deemed structurally deficient, I could not in good conscience risk the lives of Pennsylvanians. That's why I voted yes.In future weeks, I will share with all of you the lengthy list of long-delayed local highway and bridge projects which we will be able to complete, now that funding has been secured.On Aug. 1, 2007, the nation's eyes turned to Minnesota's Interstate 35, where the 40 year old bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River. Thirteen innocent lives that were taken that day, with 98 sent to the hospital. The chart illustrates that Pennsylvania is in much worse shape than Minnesota, with 24 percent of our bridges deemed 'structurally deficient'. I refuse to let a catastrophe like the one that occurred on Aug. 1, 2007 in Minnesota happen here in Pennsylvania.Potato package reformThe House of Representatives unanimously approved legislation on Thursday that would remove a long-outdated regulatory requirement on potato farmers. Under current law, Pennsylvania customers may only purchase bags of potatoes that equal less than 3 pounds or 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50 and multiples of 100 pounds. My bill, Senate Bill 1131, would remove these weight restrictions on potato packages for sale in Pennsylvania.This is another example of undue government intrusion that only frustrates consumers and taxpayers with another unnecessary bureaucracy. I am thankful that we are one step closer to repealing this obsolete restriction and allowing the market to dictate potato packaging.The bill will return to the Senate.Small games of chance billsThe Senate gave final approval Monday to legislation expanding Pennsylvania's small games of chance law and permitting 50-50 drawings at minor league home games. House Bill 1098 now goes to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law.The bill allows restaurants and taverns to apply for a license to operate pull-tab games, daily drawings or raffles, while requiring that 60 percent of proceeds from those games to be distributed to the state's General Fund. Five percent of the proceeds would be distributed to local governments.Senate Bill 1098 also changes requirements for certain nonprofit organizations that are currently licensed to operate small games of chance, including relaxed reporting requirements, clarifications to the distribution of proceeds and an increase in the amount of proceeds a licensed organization may retain.On Tuesday, the Senate concurred on House amendments to House Bill 290, a comprehensive measure amending provisions of the Small Games of Chance Act. These changes include the addition of allowable games, clarification of the term "public interest charities," drawings and prize limits, special raffle permits, record keeping, licenses and fees, location of games and enforcement responsibilities.State tuition assistance for National GuardThe Senate approved legislation amending the Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program to help ensure proper distribution of federal and state financial aid on Monday.Senate Bill 1115 clarifies that grants under the EAP will be applied after federal assistance programs such as the GI Bill and Federal Tuition Assistance. In addition, the legislation ensured that EAP funds are only used for tuition/fees, room/board and books as long as such costs are documented by the educational institution.Military physician incentive legislationThe Senate approved legislation intended to assist the Pennsylvania National Guard in its efforts to recruit and retain military resident physicians on Monday. The intent of the Military Physician Incentive Program in Senate Bill 403 is to use state Educational Assistance Program (EAP) funding to encourage those officers to continue their service in the National Guard.Although military physicians qualify for various federally-funded bonuses and incentive programs that include military obligations, none of them currently require continued service in the National Guard. Senate Bill 403 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.Government purchasing billsThe Senate approved legislation this week to make it easier for municipal officials to purchase used equipment from another governmental unit.Generally under the local government codes, municipal officials must advertise and bid contracts over $10,000. One exception to this requirement is to purchase used equipment, vehicles parts, etc. from a public utility.House Bill 668: Amends the Second Class Township Code and House Bill 669 amends the First Class Township Code to expand the exception to include the purchase of used equipment, vehicles, parts, etc. from another municipality, a county, school district, municipal authority, council of government or the state or Federal government.The bills now go to the Governor for his signature and enactment into law. Other bills receiving final legislative approval this week and sent to the Governor include:House Bill 27: Increases the penalties for certain types of harassment if the offender is violating a protection from abuse order when committing the harassment.House Bill 388: Gives municipalities an additional enforcement mechanism to collect delinquent property taxes.House Bill 714: Increases the penalty for stealing the Social Security number of a child in order to obtain a credit card, secure a loan, or buy property.Senate Bill 802: Modernizes and revises the Commonwealth's Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law.House Bill 1356: Extends the state Wiretap Act for five years to Dec. 31, 2018.