The Pennsylvania Senate on Monday unanimously passed a bill sponsored by state Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) that would increase penalties for those driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle with them when the violation occurs.

Under Senate Bill 539, the maximum fine for a first DUI offense would increase to $1,000 and 100 hours of community service, according to Rafferty's office. A second offense would carry a maximum fine of $2,500 and imprisonment of up to six months. Drivers convicted of subsequent offenses could be jailed for up to two years.

"Penalties must be increased when drunk drivers put minor passengers in danger," Rafferty said in a statement. "Hopefully, this will serve as a deterrent, especially for adults who drink and drive with children in the vehicle. This legislation will help keep our roadways safe for our children, other drivers, passengers and pedestrians."

The bill passed the Senate by a 49-0 margin.

State Sen. John Rafferty aims for dream job: Pa. attorney general (video) - pottsmerc.com

State Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th Dist., plans to announce Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, located at 2949 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA.

Rafferty is serving his third four-year term in the state Senate representing the 44th District, which stretches across Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties.

If he wins the race for attorney general next year, a special election will be held to complete the rest of Rafferty's state Senate term, which runs to the end of 2014.

Rafferty serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and is a member of Appropriations, Banking and Insurance, Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, and Judiciary committees.

Before running for the Senate in 2002, Rafferty was an attorney in private practice, focusing on education, real estate, zoning and business and estates law.

Before that, he served as Deputy Attorney General for Pennsylvania from 1988 to 1991, where he he was responsible for the Criminal Law Division and Grand Jury Investigations.

Rafferty is the first Republican in the race, joining three announced Democrats: Kathleen Kane of Lackawanna County, former Congressman Patrick Murphy of Bucks County and Dan McCafferty of Montgomery County.

Since the attorney general's office became an elected position in 1980, no Democrat has won the office.

The current attorney general is Republican Linda Kelly, who was nominated by Gov. Tom Corbett to complete the final two years of his term after Corbett was elected governor in 2010. Honoring a "gentleman's agreement" in the state Senate, which had to confirm Kelly's appointment, she agreed not to seek a full term as attorney general.

Sen. John Rafferty is planning a salute to area veterans in Pennsylvania's 44th Senate District with a veterans appreciation breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the SunnyBrook Ballroom in Pottstown.

Due to the capacity of the building, only those veterans who have pre-registered with Sen. Rafferty's office will be admitted as seating is limited. To register, call 610-831-8830

Pennsylvania's 44th Senatorial district includes parts of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties. In Berks County: Amity Township, Douglass Township and Robeson Township. In Chester County: Caln Township, Coatesville, East Brandywine Township, East Nantmeal Township, North Coventry Township, South Coatesville, South Coventry Township, Upper Uwchlan Township, Valley Township, Wallace Township, Warwick Township, West Brandywine Township, West Caln Township, West Nantmeal Township. In Montgomery County: Collegeville, Douglass Township, Limerick Township, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Lower Providence Township, Perkiomen Township, Pottstown, Royersford, Schwenksville, Skippack Township, Upper Pottsgrove Township, West Norriton Township, West Pottsgrove Township, Whitpain Township and Worcester Township.

PoliticsPA, a well-regarded political website, is reporting that Republican State Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. is planning a run for Pennsylvania Attorney General in 2012.

From a story by PoliticsPA Managing Editor Keegan Gibson:

He won't face a question of experience: Rafferty served as Deputy Attorney General from 1988 to 1991. In the PA Senate, he has built a reputation as a good legislator respected on both sides of the aisle. He chairs the Transportation Committee and serves on Appropriations, Judiciary, Law & Justice, Banking and Insurance and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

I've gotten to know Sen. Rafferty well over the years and he would make an outstanding Attorney General. He's a dedicated public servant who has moved up the ranks quickly in the state Senate. He's also big on constituent service, not an easy task in the expansive 44th State Senate District, which stretches across Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties.

Rafferty's likely opponent would be liberal Democrat Patrick Murphy, a one-term Congressman from Bucks County who lost his bid for re-election in 2010.

Read more about a possible Rafferty campaign at the link below:

Rafferty in for Attorney General

The man who will have a lot to say about whether Route 422 in Southeastern Pennsylvania ever becomes a toll road says any talk of tolling the highway is "premature."

Sen. John Rafferty Jr. (R-Montgomery), chairman of the powerful State Senate Transportation Committee, released the following statement Thursday regarding recent news accounts that Route 422 was being considered as a future toll road:

"There is no legislation pending in either the House or the Senate calling for the tolling of any specific roadways in Pennsylvania. And any thoughts or considerations of implementing tolling on any specific roads in the state to generate transportation funding are wholly premature. As chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, I have no plans to move anything adding tolling to Route 422 or any state roadway. In fact, we are currently in a holding pattern until the Governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Committee (TFAC) makes it recommendations later this summer. Even after that report is delivered, the Committee's recommendations are just suggested courses of action, not proposals that would necessarily become law."

Rafferty's 44th State Senate District includes many of the communities along the Route 422 corridor in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties and it's unlikely any plan to toll Route 422 will gain traction without his support.

State Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr., R-44th, will salute veterans who live in the 44th Senatorial District (parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties) during the third annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast at Sunnybook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Road, Pottstown.

The patriotic celebration, scheduled Oct. 30 from 8 to 10 a.m., will feature a keynote speaker and breakfast, and will honor the men and women who served and continue to serve in the armed forces.

For more information, or to register for the event, contact Sen. Rafferty’s office at 610-831-8830.

Due to the capacity of the building seating is limited and only those veterans who have pre-registered will be admitted. (More than 350 attended last year's event.)

Deadline for registration is Oct. 26.

The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr., R-44th Dist., that would require a "super majority" vote for school boards to raise property taxes.

From a press release issued by Rafferty's office:

Senate Bill 553 would amend the Public School Code to require all millage property tax increases to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote by the members elected to the board of school directors.

"Taxpayers are rightfully concerned that property taxes continue to increase, as does school spending," Rafferty said. "Many tax increases are being passed by a single vote. I believe there should be a compelling need and strong support by the board before property taxes go up."

Rafferty said his legislation would provide greater taxpayer protections and ensure that school boards of directors first seek to control spending before raising taxes.

"Taxpayers have repeatedly told us that they want a stronger say in taxing decisions," Rafferty said. "My bill will provide an added protection against tax increases because it will raise the bar when it comes to voting for an increase."

"This is an important move to rein in property tax increase and control spending," Rafferty added.

School boards in Pennsylvania have nine voting members, so at least six would have to support a property tax hike under Rafferty's bill.

Anything that makes it harder for school boards to raise taxes is a step in the right direction, but nothing short of the total elimination of school property taxes will solve Pennsylvania's school funding problems.

From the office of State Sen. John Rafferty Jr.:

Senate Transportation panel to hold hearings on funding issues

HARRISBURG - The Senate Transportation Committee kicked off a series of public hearings today on the transportation funding issues, according to Committee Chairman Senator John Rafferty, R-44th.

Rafferty said Pennsylvania faces crucial challenges in maintaining and enhancing its transportation network, and he wants input from those in the public and private sector on how to best allocate resources and generate needed revenue.

"Today we heard from PennDOT Secretary Alan Biehler who talked about projects that are planned and others that are on hold because of funding issues," Rafferty said.

"In upcoming hearings we hope to hear suggestions from those in the private sector on how we can make the best use of tax dollars and find innovative new ways to meet our growing needs."

Rafferty acknowledged that funding transportation needs is a major challenge, especially during an economic downturn, and said it is important to hear from those with expertise in the field to develop good policies and initiatives.

"Money is tight, and we are facing a huge revenue shortfall again this year," Rafferty said. "But highways, roads and bridges still need to be maintained and new networks built to accommodate growth and ensure that our economy remains strong. So we have to find ways to do more with less and take advantage of innovation."

The committee will hold a second hearing next week and additional hearings in the following weeks.

At a rally Tuesday at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, state Sen. John Rafferty (R-44) joined consumers, grocery and convenience store owners and others who say it is time for Pennsylvania to join 46 other states in reforming its beer sales laws.

Rafferty has introduced legislation that would provide consumers with greater convenience in purchasing beer and at the same time strengthen enforcement of beer sales laws.

From a release issued by Rafferty's office:

"It's time for Pennsylvania to move from an antiquated and unsafe system to one that is modern, safer and customer-friendly," Rafferty said. "Consumers should not be forced to purchases cases or kegs of beer if they desire a lesser amount. This proposal has overwhelming public support, and it will also help to crack down on underage beer sales through tougher enforcement."

Rafferty's bill would allow consumers to purchases six-packs in grocery and conveniences stores as well as at distributors. It would also require 100 percent "carding" for all beer sales with electronic age verification machines to ensure that minors are not purchasing alcohol illegally.

Rafferty's legislation would also provide for strengthened enforcement efforts and age compliance checks – to be funded through a $25,000 license conversion fee and annual fees of $2,500 which will generate millions of dollars annually.

More than four years ago, as chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, Rafferty conducted statewide hearings on underage drinking which focused on how minors obtained alcohol.

Rafferty said that 100 percent carding for all beer sales works. Since Market Café Restaurants at Wegmans began selling beer in May 2008, there have been more than 760,000 transactions with no violations. All sales are subject to the company's 100 percent carding policy.

"Selling beer, including Pennsylvania-produced microbrews, in stores gives consumers greater choices, and the protections in this bill will actually help to stop sales to minors," Rafferty said. "This is a slow transition from an unsafe antiquated system to a new modern system used in 46 other states – and one that Pennsylvania consumers are demanding."