Amateur Radio tower legislation in Pennsylvania vote tomorrow

[Fansome]

To All,

   On Tuesday September 16, 2008 (tomorrow) the pending Amateur Radio
tower legislation in Pennsylvania comes up for a final vote.  Both
House Bill HB-1777 and Senate Bill SB-884 will face their final action
for 2008.  We are hoping for a positive outcome for this effort.
However, nothing is certain and should this effort come to an end you
can be assured that another effort will be made.  Anyone wanting to
make a final plea to his or her State Representative or Senator should
do so now.

   No matter what the outcome of tomorrow's vote is we should acknowledge
the following people for their efforts on behalf of this Amateur Radio
tower legislation effort.

1. George Brechmann, N3HBT.  It was George's effort that got Senator
Greenleaf to introduce and sponsor the legislation.  George also made
constant reminders for us to make contact with our state legislators
and kept us up to date on happenings.

2. Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf for his willingness to introduce the
legislation and sponsor it.  In addition his office did a lot of work
regarding the proposed legislation.

3. Eric Pauley an assistant in Senator Greenleaf's Office.  Eric did
much of the work and worked with Chris Imlay for the final wording of
SB-884.

4. Chris Imlay, W3KD, ARRL General Counsel.  Chris worked with Senator
Greenleaf's Office to ensure that the final wording of SB-884 was as
fair as possible.

5. David Eckman, WA3YVR.  Dave gave us his experience as a lobbyist in
Harrisburg and also represented us at meetings and helped keep us up to
date.

     I personally would like to thank these people for their efforts
and I would hope that all of you also pass along your "Thank
You".

Lastly, but certainly far from the least of all of these efforts goes a
very heart felt "Thank You" to all of you.  Everyone who took
the time to contact your State legislators did an awful lot to help
this effort.  Thank you again.

73,
Eric D. Olena, WB3FPL
ARRL Section Manager
Eastern Pennsylvania.

[Fansome]

To All,

     In keeping with tradition, I have been remined that Representative
Thank Yous should also go to,

 Ms. Kathy Watson who is the State Representative who introduced and
sponsored the House Bill (HB-1777). 

 My apology for the omission and anyother error I may have made.

73,
Eric, WB3FPL

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ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section
Section Manager: Eric D. Olena, WB3FPL
wb3fpl@arrl.org

[Fansome]

To All,

    N3HBT sends along from PA State Rep Kathy Watson that HB-1777 has
been passed out of committee and is being sent to the floor of the
General Assembly for a vote.

----
     
     No additional news on SB-884 as of 11:41 Hrs. Wed Sep 17.

73,
Eric, WB3FPL

[Fansome]

To All,

     The information below comes from Eric Pauley in Senator
Greenleaf's Office.  So Far so good.... KEEP UGING LEGISLATORS FOR
THIER SUPPORT, and PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION TO OTHERS.  --- even
Non-Hams can encourage legislators to support this legislation

73,
Eric, WB3FPL
----------------------------
I wanted to let you know that the amendment Senator Greenleaf offered
to SB 884 was approved today on the Senate floor. There was debate on
the amendment from Sen. Ferlo who represents the Pittsburgh area.  A
motion was made to table Sen. Greenleaf's amendment but it was
defeated by a vote of 21-29, along party lines. The amendment was
finally adopted 29 to 21, also along party lines. 
     Sen. Ferlo specifically objects to setting an "arbitrary" minimum
height of 65 feet below which local government may not restrict when
the FCC rule simply
says reasonably accommodate.

      That being said, SB 884, as amended, will be listed on the Senate
Calendar for a vote by the full Senate on Monday.

Thank you for getting the word out to ask for support for SB 884
sponsored by Sen. Greenleaf and HB 1777 sponsored by Rep. Watson.  Keep
up the good work of urging support.
/Eric Pauley

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ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section
Section Manager: Eric D. Olena, WB3FPL
wb3fpl@arrl.org

[Fansome]

To All,
  The information below comes from Senator Greenleaf's Office - Eric
Pauley.
-------------------------
     Just wanted to let you know that SB 884 passed the Senate today by
a vote of 49-1. The measure now goes to the House with only three
legislative days remaining.  It is unclear whether there will be enough
time to get the bill done by the close of session. A bill needs at
least
3 days before being considered and any amendments would require the
bill to come back on concurrence.  I believe the House Local Government
Committee plans to consider the bill when they receive it.
-----------------------
73,
Eric, WB3FPL

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section
Section Manager: Eric D. Olena, WB3FPL
wb3fpl@arrl.org