CMYK THE TIMES LEADER www.timesleader.com
HARRISBURG
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2011 PAGE 11A
GOP majority power has been hit or miss so far
Late-year acts set stage for ’12
By MARK SCOLFORO Associated Press
HARRISBURG — A year ago, the state Capitol was obsessing about the looming Republican takeover of the House and governorship, and how that would likely result in the movement of an array of legislation the GOP had long favored but was unable to enact. At this point, halfway through the current two-year legislative session, things have not entirely worked out that way. The out-ofpower Democrats would undoubtedly love to trade places, but Republicans have not always been able to sort out their internal disagreements on key issues. AP FILE PHOTO Republican numbers have helped them force through new Gov. Tom Corbett’s agenda made some headway in the GOP legisrules for civil lawsuits widely lature in 2011, but perhaps not as much as he might have hoped. supported by the business com- New challenges will join old ones in 2012. munity, but on a gun rights bill they were able to draw consider- ted state takeover of the city’s fi- vamped procedures for handling able Democratic votes to expand nances. It enacted tougher stan- suspected concussions among the use of lethal force in self-de- dards for abortion clinics, student athletes. changed the state’s Megan’s Law fense. A big prize eluded Corbett this More than 100 laws have been to force homeless and out-of- year, as school vouchers and enacted since late April, starting state offenders to register, and charter school regulation changwith a revision to the construc- banned “bath salts” and synthet- es languished. Both remain on tion code that repealed a man- ic marijuana. the potential agenda for 2012. After retired Penn State assistdate for fire sprinklers in new The governor and some Rehomes, a bill now known as Act 1 ant football coach Jerry Sandus- publican allies also came out of 2011. Over the past several ky was charged with child molesstrongly in favor of privatizing weeks, lawmakers made dozens tation, the General Assembly set the state liquor system, but that up an 11-member task of votes to push through proposal also hit a wall of orgaforce on child abuse to favored bills, and Gov. The out-ofnized resistance and faces an unexamine whether Tom Corbett announced power Demochanges or additions to certain future. Thursday he signed 23 crats would The debate that has gone on state law are warranted. into law. for years about collecting new The commission has a Lawmakers and the undoubtedly revenues from the booming Maryear to issue its report. governor spent the love to trade Lawmakers fulfilled cellus Shale natural gas drilling spring working on the places, but their once-a-decade re- in the state — and updating regustate budget. The verquirement to redraw lations over the industry — consion that passed shortly Republicans their own legislative dis- tinued inconclusively this year before midnight on the have not altricts as well as those of but is a candidate for action befinal day of the fiscal year ways been the Pennsylvania con- fore the session ends in the fall. met two of Corbett’s able to sort gressional delegation. A stated goals because it The list of other issues PennRepublican-backed pro- sylvania policymakers talked was produced on time out their posal to split the state’s about but could not resolve this and did not raise any internal diselectoral votes in presi- year includes shrinking the size broad-based taxes. agreements dential elections by con- of the Legislature, allowing huntAlong with the budget, the House and Sen- on key issues. gressional district— in- ing on Sunday, setting up a disasstead of the existing, ter relief fund for the flood-prone ate also gave Corbett a winner-take-all scheme state, tightening immigration renew law expanding his control over the public welfare — did not get even a committee strictions, and requiring voters to system, a change designed to vote and may be dead. produce identification. More stringent rules were imhelp him wring savings out of the A bill to revamp how DNA is massive state agency and reduce posed on Pennsylvania’s teen used in criminal investigations drivers, and all drivers were profraud and abuse. and trials passed the Senate and Some of this year’s new laws re- hibited from texting behind the sponded to issues that arose dur- wheel — although a proposal has a chance of getting out of the stalled that would require hands- House next year. ing 2011 or in the recent past. Other topics to watch for The General Assembly respon- free devices for drivers using cell movement on include revisions ded to the stalemate in the city of phones. Less closely watched legisla- to the Right-to-Know Law and Harrisburg over its municipal finances by making it more diffi- tion removed the “back tag” re- transportation funding, which cult for third-class cities to secure quirement for licensed hunters, Corbett studied but then set federal bankruptcy protection to expanded Sunday hours for beer aside in 2011. It’s a full-time Legislature, and address crushing debt and creat- sales and established the Safety ing a pathway to an unpreceden- in Youth Sports Act, which re- there’s always next year.
40
% OFF
JUST IN TIME FOR
CHOOSE FROM
100
THE HOLIDAYS!
$
GIFT CARDS
***
WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY NEW VEHICLE
NEW
2011 COROLLA
Model #1832 Stock# 43781 MSRP: $17,660
LOW PAYMENT!
99
$
*
OR
NEW
0
% APR f 60 for mos.†
WITH
1,500 1 500
$
Total Cash Back**
OR
2,000
$
2012 CAMRY L LOW PAYMENT!
139
$
*
100
per m mo. o. ffor 36 mos. lease with $2,999 down
OR NEW
2
.9% APR for 60 mos.†
OR
WITH
2,500
$
OTHER UNITS AVAILABLE
2,500
$
Total Cash Back**
Total al Cash Back sh B ackk**
2011 RAV4 20 2
Model #4432 #4 Stock# 44005 MSRP: $25,034
LOW PAYMENT! L
139
$
*
per m mo. o. ffor 36 mos. lease with $2,999 down
OR
1
.9% APR for 60 mos.†
WITH
1,500
$
Total Cash Back**
OR
2,000
$
37
OTHER UNITS AVAILABLE
Total Cash Bac Back ckk***
2012 HIGHLANDER LOW PAYMENT!
299
$
*
24
per mo. for 36 mos. lease with $2,999 down
OR 730620
823-3938
Total Cash Back ck****
Model #2514 #25 Stock# 43744 MSRP: $22,845
MON, TUE, & WED
WILKES-BARRE
OTHER UNITS AVAILABLE
Model Mode #6948 Stock# 43170 MSRP: $32,746
3 DAYS ONLY
642 S. MAIN STREET
56
per mo mo. o.. for 3366 mos. lease with $2,999 down
NEW NEW
Everything y g at
MAIN HARDWARE
OVER 627
NEW NEW
1
.9% APR for 60 mos.†
WITH
3,000
$
Total Cash Back**
OR
3,500
$
OTHER UNITS AVAILABLE
Total Cash Back ck**
2012 TACOMA REG CAB 4X4
Model Mode #7503 Stock# 43808 (V6 Engine, Manual) MSRP: $21,665
LOW PAYMENT!
179
$
*
59
per mo. for 36 mos. lease with $2,999 down
OR
3
.9% APR for 60 mos.†
WITH
1,500
$
Total Cash Back**
OR
1,500
$
OTHER UNITS AVAILABLE
Total Cash Bac Back ck**
In 2009 and 2010, Toyota Scion of Scranton was recognized with the prestigious President’s Award for excellence in each of a series of categories, including Customer Sales Satisfaction and Customer Service Satisfaction.
erence! We Make The Diff
3400 34 3 400 N. N. Main M in Ave, Ma Ave ve,, SC SCRANTON CRA RANT NTON NT O ON
570-489-7584
www.ToyotaScionofScranton.com www ToyotaScion nofScranton com
*All offers end close of business Saturday, December 31, 2011 or while supplies last. All offers exclude 1st payment, tax, tags, $125 processing fee and $650 acquisition fee on lease offers. Quantities as of 12/20/11. †Finance and lease offers require tier 1 plus credit approval through Toyota Financial Services. All leases are based on 12,000 miles per year. No security deposit required for all leases. Available unit counts include both in stock and incoming units for all model years and trim levels for series described. **Cash Back offers includes funds from Toyota of Scranton, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota Motor Sales combined. Vehicle must be in stock units --- Prior sales excluded. Customer must present ad at time of purchase. Camry cash back, APR and lease contracts must finance or lease through Toyota Financial Services. Tundra cash back and APR offer must finance through Toyota Financial Services. See dealer for details. ***Limit one card per customer. Card provided by dealership. 2011 Impact Advertising 11TSS-EVC-WTL122511