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May 20, 2013, 1:38 pm
Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was the featured speaker at today’s Press Club Luncheon. Sen. Costa emphasized the need to expand Medicaid and discussed the urgency of getting a transportation bill done this summer. He fielded questions on a variety of issues including pension reform, the budget and liquor privatization. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
May 20, 2013, 12:10 pm
 Rock the Capital co-founder Eric Epstein speaks on opposition to Castille retention Government integrity group Rock the Capital today released a report, entitled “Put the ‘No!’ in November,” aimed at promoting opposition to the retention of Supreme Court Justice Ron Castille, who is running for 10-year retention in the fall.
Rock the Capital co-founder Eric Epstein said under the leadership of Justice Castille, the Pennsylvania judicial system “has devolved into a partisan branch of government…experiencing a crisis of confidence as a result of judicial malpractice, nepotism and petty personal rivalries.”
Advocate Tim Potts highlighted a number of issues, from the original Pay Raise scandal of 2005 to the Luzerne County Kids for Cash case, where he feels Justice Castille’s leadership has fallen short.
Also problematic, according to Rock the Capital, is Justice Castille’s age at the time of the election. Under current law, justices have to retire at age 70. Justice Castille, aged 69, would only be able to serve for one year of his ten year term.
Potts called for Justice Castille to participate in a public discussion where the two could debate the issued laid out in the new report. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
May 20, 2013, 8:57 am
PA JOBLESS RATE DECLINES, FEWER LOOK FOR WORK
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the state’s unemployment rate improved in April, but economists said Pennsylvania’s economy remains weak. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate dipped to 7.6 percent last month, down three-tenths of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in March, according to a monthly employment report released on Friday. But the decline has been accompanied by three-month contraction in the size of the labor force, an indication that unemployed workers may be giving up their search for jobs. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article.
VOTERS WON’T NEED ID TO VOTE TUESDAY
According to an article in the Patriot News, Pennsylvania voters will not have to show photo identification to participate in Tuesday’s primary election, according to state election officials. Though the legislature passed a law last year requiring state residents to show identification to vote, several groups have challenged the constitutionality of the new law in court. A judge ruled last year that the state had not given voters sufficient warning about the change, and postponed implementation until sometime after the November 2012 general election. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
STATE’S DREAM ACT HIGHLIGHTED
According to an article in the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice, a bill to remove a financial hurdle for young undocumented immigrants who want to attend a public college or university in Pennsylvania was in the spotlight last week at a Senate hearing on making higher education more accessible and affordable. The measure is called the Pennsylvania DREAM, or Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors, Act and would enable high school graduates who aren’t American citizens but have lived in the state for years to pay the lower in-state tuition rate at the state-owned and state-related universities and community colleges. Click here to read the Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice article.
PA LANDOWNERS GET CASH FOR MINERAL RIGHTS
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, you’ve heard of house flipping. Now, lease flipping has come to Pennsylvania’s natural gas fields. A wave of investment firms hoping to cash in on drilling in the Marcellus Shale is appearing in deed books across the region. They operate much like traditional land agents, negotiating with landowners to secure rights to the lucrative shale gas underneath the acreage. The difference? The landowners have already leased access to the land to gas drillers, and signing away the rights now can mean forfeiting any future royalties that may come with gas production. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.
Upcoming Meetings
11:00 a.m., Main Rotunda Rock the Capital to Make Announcement Regarding Retention of Chief Justice Ronald Castille
12:00 noon, Hilton Press Club with Sen. J. Costa (D-Allegheny)
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May 16, 2013, 5:08 pm
The House Children & Youth Committee today conducted a public hearing on House Bill 726. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks), amends Title 23 (Domestic Relations) to provide an updated definition of child abuse. Chairman Katharine Watson (R-Bucks) said the bill is based on the recommendations of the Task Force on Child Protection that issued its report last November. She added an amendment has been drafted to reflect the feedback the committee received from various stakeholders. Chairman Watson said she would like to have the legislation considered by the House before the summer recess at the end of June. Task Force Chair David Heckler and several stakeholders testified or submitted written testimony reflecting their views of the legislation and the amendment and offering suggested changes. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
May 16, 2013, 3:52 pm
The House Human Services Committee held a public hearing this morning on the effects of the budget cuts and new Block Grant Program on human services. Representatives from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), as well as panels for drug and alcohol service providers, human service providers, and legal representation testified on the cuts and program. Of all the testifiers, only George Hartwick and Brinda Carroll Penyak of CCAP supported the Block Grant Program and would like to see a voluntary expansion of the program. The remaining testifiers, as well as an outspoken Chairman Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) said the program was cutting funds from some of the most needy Pennsylvanians. Chairman DiGirolamo said he would like to see widespread testing of the pilot program before it is expanded to more than the original 20 counties.
PLS Subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story later this afternoon.
May 16, 2013, 9:11 am
HOUSE BUDGET BILL WON’T INCLUDE PENSION SAVINGS
According to an article in the Scranton Times, the House Republican majority plans to introduce a state budget bill before the month’s end that will reflect a tighter state revenue picture and not include any savings from curbing public pension costs, House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) said Wednesday. “The budget we are introducing has nothing to do with legislation that hasn’t passed,” he added. Bills were introduced in the House and Senate to implement the pension changes last week, but prospects for passage in the GOP-controlled Legislature are uncertain. Click here to read the Scranton Times article.
CONKLIN INTRODUCES TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PLAN
Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) yesterday introduced a transportation funding proposal he said is designed to incentivize adoption of alternative fuels and promote job creation in the commonwealth, while providing necessary funds to fix the state’s ailing roads and bridges. The three bill package includes legislation that would implement combined reporting, ease weight restrictions for vehicles retrofitted with alternative fuels, and institute a natural gas severance fee, using the revenues to build up compressed natural gas transportation infrastructure. Check out the Around the Capital section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
MICHAEL WOLF CONFIRMED AS HEALTH SECRETARY
According to an Associated Press article, the Senate has confirmed Michael Wolf to the post of health secretary. He’ll lead the 1,700-employee agency. The department’s mission includes promoting healthy and safe lifestyles, as well as the regulation of hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities. Click here to the Associated Press article.
NEW PHEAA GRANT BILL TARGETS MIDDLE CLASS
According to an article in the Scranton Times, a Senate bill to target new state higher education assistance grants to middle-class students would expand financial aid opportunities. The Senate bill would target grants to students of families who earn at least $80,000 but not more than $110,000 annually, providing a supplement to existing PHEAA grant programs that help low-income students. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) would give PHEAA officials authority to determine the size of grants based on the financial need of families in that income category, the annual funding available and the number of eligible applicants for the grant. Click here to read the Scranton Times article.
Upcoming Meetings
House Human Services
9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Public hearing on the effect of cuts and block grant on County Human Services
House Children and Youth
10:00 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
Public hearing on: HB 726 Petri, Scott Amends Title 23 re child abuse def
Independent Regulatory Review Commission
10:00 a.m., 14th Floor Conf Room, 333 Market St, Harrisburg
To consider the following regulations:
Reg. No. 2974 PA Liquor Control Board #54-72: Prize Limits for Events, Tournaments & Contests
Reg. No. 3004 State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure #16A-678: Referrals by CRNPS & PAS
Reg. No. 2931 State Board of Medicine #16A-4933: Prescribing
Reg. No. 2889 State Board of Pharmacy #16A-5423: Cancer Drug Repository Program
Reg. No. 2892 State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure #16A-677: Continuing Competency
Reg. No. 2915 PA Public Utility Commission #57-283: Marketing & Sales Practices for the Retail Residential Energy Market
Public Employee Retirement Commission
10:00 a.m., Room 461 Main Capitol
Regular meeting
House Democratic Policy Committee
11:30 a.m., Penn State Fayette’s Eberly Campus, Williams Building, Swimmer Hall, One University Drive, Uniontown
Public hearing on small games of chance Hearing Agenda
Senate Urban Affairs and Housing
1:00 P.M., Carbon County Courthouse Annex, Commissioner’s Conference Room, Third Floor, 2 Hazard Square, Jim Thorpe
Public hearing on the future of Main Street and Elm Street Programs Hearing Agenda
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May 15, 2013, 2:46 pm
 Rep. Conklin introduces transportation funding bills Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre) today introduced a transportation funding proposal he said is designed to incentivize adoption of alternative fuels and promote job creation in the commonwealth, while providing necessary funds to fix the state’s ailing roads and bridges.
The three bill package includes legislation that would implement combined reporting, ease weight restrictions for vehicles retrofitted with alternative fuels, and institute a natural gas severance fee, using the revenues to build up compressed natural gas transportation infrastructure.
Rep. Conklin said his plan would provide $866 million in the first year that could go to roads, bridges and mass transit, without increasing taxes paid by Pennsylvania citizens. He expressed hope the House Transportation Committee takes up the bills for consideration in short order.
PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for full details.
May 15, 2013, 11:47 am
The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held an informational meeting to receive an update on the formulation of the state Alzheimer’s plan and the Alzheimer’s Caucus. Secretary of Aging Brian Duke briefed the committee on the work of the Pennsylvania Alzheimer’s Disease Planning Committee that will be responsible for gathering the information and developing the state plan of action by February 2014. He noted the committee will be holding its first meeting on Friday, June 7, 2013. The committee also heard from the Pennsylvania Alzheimer’s Association on the work of the association and their state and federal issues. Finally, the co-chairs of the Alzheimer’s Caucus briefly discussed the future work of the caucus in educating members on Alzheimer’s issues.
The full story will be available in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
May 15, 2013, 9:20 am
 Under threatening grey skies this morning Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg set up a display of 16 “ghost bicycles” representing riders who died in the previous year to remind drivers and riders alike of the importance of safe riding habits.
Ross Willard, of Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg, urged riders to follow the rules of biking and always ride on the roads, not on sidewalks, which he deemed much more dangerous. He also reminded drivers that the law requires them to give cyclists four feet of space when passing. He pointed out cyclists relieve traffic and parking congestion and urged the government to incorporate bicycles into infrastructure planning. Willard stated, “biking is transportation” and argued it should be treated accordingly.
May 15, 2013, 7:47 am
LITTLE AGREEMENT AT LIQUOR PRIVATIZATION HEARING
According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, When it comes to selling alcohol in Pennsylvania, this much is clear: No one agrees on how best to do it. That lack of consensus was on display Tuesday in the second of three hearings before the Senate Law and Justice Committee, which is considering a hotly contested bill to privatize liquor sales. Witnesses represented sellers – beer distributors, supermarkets, hotels, bars, restaurants. Each wants something different from privatization, or “modernization,” as some call it. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.
HARNER EXPECTED TO BE NAMED PA EDUCATION SECRETARY
According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, a central Pennsylvania school superintendent who worked briefly as a Philadelphia School District administrator has emerged as the favorite to succeed Gov. Corbett’s outgoing education secretary. Administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said William Harner, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District just outside Harrisburg, is the front-runner to replace Ron Tomalis, who has run the Education Department since Corbett took office in 2011. Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley could not be reached for comment. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.
HUGHES TRIES TO FORCE VOTE ON MEDICAID EXPANSION
According to a WITF article, democratic state lawmakers are trying to force the Republican-controlled Senate to vote on a bill that would compel Governor Corbett to expand Medicaid eligibility under the 2010 federal health care law. A discharge petition has been filed in the Senate by Sen. Vincent Hughes (Philadelphia). The petition is designed to prevent the Public Health and Welfare Committee from bottling up the bill and force a Senate floor vote. Click here to read the WITF article.
STATE UNIVERSITIES PRESSURED TO END FIREARMS BAN
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, in a debate about personal safety and Second Amendment rights that is hot with emotion, a university can face anger no matter what it says. So perhaps not surprisingly, some of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities — under pressure to end campuswide firearms bans — are choosing their words carefully on an issue that could become a distraction in the week leading up to spring commencement at those schools.California University of Pennsylvania, one of seven State System schools that no longer bars weapons in open spaces, declined to discuss the matter Tuesday. Spokeswoman Christine Kindl referred inquiries to the State System of Higher Education, whose attorneys set the changes in motion last year by advising those schools that campuswide bans were not legally enforceable. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.
Upcoming Meetings
House Environmental Resources and Energy
9:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
To consider: HB 1325 Maloney, David Amends PA Sewage Facilities Act SB 196 White, Donald Amends PENNVEST re defs. and funding HR 223 Tallman, Will Res re supporting US Rep Thompson’s HR 979
House State Government
9:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Public hearing on the 2013 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Real Property Disposition Plan
9:00 a.m., Capitol Steps Bicycle Helmet Use Press Conference (unconfirmed)
Senate Education
9:00 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building
Public hearing on higher education accessibility and affordability including: SB 78 Greenleaf, Stewa Amends Higher Ed Schlr Law re elg of schls SB 420 Ward, Kim Act re student debt reduction SB 713 Smucker, Lloyd Amends Public School code re undoc individuals
House Aging and Older Adult Services
9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
Informational meeting to hear a presentation by the PA Alzheimer’s Association, including an update on the status of the Alzheimer’s State Plan
10:00 a.m., Main Rotunda Raising Awareness for Mental Health Month
House State Government
10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
To consider: HB 1020 Simmons, Justin Amends PA Election Code re school board cand
House Local Government
10:00 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol
To consider: HB 1122 Gingrich, Mauree Amends Title 68 re flexible planned community HB 1052 Freeman, Robert Amends PA Munic Plan Code re recreational fee HB 1223 Daley, Mary Jo Amends 1st Class Twp. Code re failure of ofcr HB 1228 Freeman, Robert Amends Town Councils Act re removal of ofcrs HB 1229 Freeman, Robert Amends 2nd Class Twp. re removal of officers HB 1225 Ross, Chris Amends Title 45 re publication of munic. codes
House Transportation
10:00 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
To consider: SB 679 Wozniak, John Act re Lt. Col. B.D. Wagner Memorial Highway To re-refer: HB 1202 Regan, Mike Amends Title 75 re eluding a police officer Informational meeting on public-private partnerships to immediately follow
10:30 a.m., Media Center Rep. Conklin to Discuss Transportation Funding Shortfall
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
To consider: HB 388 Parker, Cherelle Amends Municipal Claim & Tax Lien Law HB 390 O’Brien, Michael Amends 1st & 2nd Class Co Prop Tax Relief Act HB 391 McGeehan, Mike Amends Title 53 re installment payments HB 714 Baker, Matt Amends Title 18 re identity theft HB 764 Watson, Katharin Amends Titles 18 & 42 re online impersonation HB 770 Adolph, William Amends Title 75 re Appalachian Trail plates HB 1098 Payne, John Amends Small Games of Chance Act re prof sport HB 1123 Denlinger, Gordo Amends Priv Academic Schools ActHB 1201 Barbin, Bryan Amends Title 42 re changes in post-trial
Senate Education
1:00 p.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building
Public hearing on Common Core
Special Education Funding Formula Commission
3:45 p.m., Room 8E-B, East Wing
Organizational meeting
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