Pursuant to Act 62 of 2008, the committee conducted its first of two scheduled public hearings on the proposed merger of Highmark, Inc. and Independence Blue Cross. Testifying today in opposition to the proposed merger were representatives from the Geisinger Health Plan, the UPMC Health Plan, the Pennsylvania Insurance Federation, and the Center for American Process along with business consultant Richard Dreyfuss. Details later on the PLS Capitol Toolbox.
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Posted by Jeff | Tags: Freeman, gaming control board | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Banking & Insurance | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Ag Committee met to consider HB 2525, which amends the Dog Law. The bill was reported as committed with minimal discussion, but is expected to be rereferred back to the committee for further consideration tomorrow. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: Crane Operators, Dog Law | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Leave a comment | Share:
Senate L&I amended and reported both of the bills on its agenda this morning – HB 834 and SB 902. Check the Capitol Toolbox later on for the full story. Posted by Mike | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Press Conference - Governor, Senate Labor and Industry | Leave a comment | Share:
House Commerce held an informational meeting this morning on the current economic crisis affecting the US and how Pennsylvania is faring amidst the tumult. State Treasurer Robin Wiessmann reported the Treasury is in reasonably good shape given the situation, due in part to having diversified its holdings before the investment banks began imploding. The PA treasury had only .05% of its $18+ billion in investments exposed to Lehman Bros. when the investment bank went under. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Health Care, Investment, Treasury | Category: House Children and Youth, House Commerce, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Education committee met to consider SB 739 (which expands applicability for military personnel who are taking college courses to receive resident tuition rates at state owned institutions of higher learning). The bill was unanimously reported as amended. They also introduced the new Chancellor of the PA System of Higher Education, Doctor John Cavanaugh. Posted by Eric | Tags: railroads, state system of higher education | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Education | Leave a comment | Share:
The committee met to consider bills – SB 1573 was reported as committed and SR 375 and HB 44 were both amended. There was little discussion and nothing controversial. Posted by Rebecca | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Labor Relations committee met to consider HB 2445 (dealing with neighborhood blight). After some discussion surrounding the appropriateness of the Labor Relations committee to have this bill, an unsuccessful motion was made to recommend referring it to the House Urban Affairs Committee. Subsequently, an amendment was adopted removing portions of the bill dealing with sales and resales and conservatorships. The bill was then reported as amended. Check PLS later for a full report on the Committee meeting. Posted by Eric | Tags: Auditor General, Blight | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Judiciary, House Labor & Industry | Leave a comment | Share:
Resuming its meeting from earlier today, the committee continued its debate on House Bill 1400 amending the PA Human Relations Act regarding discrimination based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression”. After considerable discussion and debate, Chairman Josephs announced the bill would be held over. The committee reported out bills creating the Office of People with Disabilities; amending the Constitution regarding the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption Program; providing for identification devices and for subcutaneous implanting; and reasserting the Commonwealth’s rights over land within the bed of the Delaware River in the city of Philadelphia. The committee also reported out Senate Bill 986 banning bonuses to employees of Commonwealth agencies. See details later on PLS Capitol Toolbox. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Commowealth land rights, Cosmetology, diabled veterans real estate tax exemption, discrimination, ethnic intimidation, gender identity, minimum wage, prevailing wage, Recycling, sexual orientation, subcutaneous implanting | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Select, House State Government | Leave a comment | Share:
Senate Finance met to consider three bills but ended up adding SB 1584 and HB 1086 to the agenda prior to meeting. These two bills provide for divestiture of investments in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan. Senators Vance and Ferlo both voted against the legislation. Senator Vance has issues with taxpayer money having to be used to make up any losses. Senator Ferlo wanted the committee to consider removing Iran from the bill. Also, SB 1258 was amended and then there was a tie vote, 5-5 which caused the bill to be passed over. HB 1439 was passed over as well since the two are tied together. Then a proxy vote was changed and the two bills were passed out by a vote of 6-4, with Senators Eichelberger, Ferlo, Anthony Williams and Connie Williams voting in the negative. Look for the story later this afternoon on the Capitol Toolbox… After a lengthy discussion, the committee voted out House Bill 2375 banning the payment of bonuses to employees of a Commonwealth agency. Questions were raised regarding the timing of the legislation and whether it would be better to amend the Senate version so legislation could be enacted before the end of session. Also questions were raised regarding its application to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. A motion to table was defeated. Committee began debate on House Bill 1400 amending the Human Relations Act regarding discrimination based on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression”. Committee was forced to recess until the call of the chair because of the start of today’s floor session. Details later on PLS Capitol Toolbox. Posted by Jeff | Tags: discrimination, ethnic intimidation, gender identity, geologist, prevailing wage, sexual orientation | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Select, House State Government | Leave a comment | Share:
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