In a press release issued this afternoon, House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) announced he will introduce Governor Rendell’s proposed budget tomorrow, kicking off budget negotiations in earnest. He also reported that with April revenue figures worse than expected, Appropriations analysts are now projecting the state’s revenue shortfall to be at least $3 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal year. As always, stay tuned to PLS for the latest updates tomorrow and beyond, as the budget process careens onward.
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House Democrats to introduce Budget Bill on Friday; revenue shortfall now expected to hit $3 billionPosted by Mike | Tags: Blue Dog, Budget | Category: Senate Education, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Health Committee held a public hearing on the Department of Public Welfare’s “Smart Pharmacy” proposal. The committee questioned the department extensively on the proposal, and DPW maintained that the state will save money under the proposal without compromising patient care. The committee heard from consumers and MCOs who offered testimony in contradiction to the department’s claims that consumers will not be affected. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: Crime, DPW, JLCC, MCO, smart pharmacy | Category: House Gaming Oversight, House Health, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Children and Youth Committee held a public hearing today to discuss the dangers and prevalence of childhood obesity. Committee members heard testimony from doctors, nutritionists, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the president of the Brandywine Valley YMCA and the health program manager from the National Conference of State Legislatures Amy Winterfield. Discussed at length were the serious health dangers of childhood obesity, as well as the best practices towards preventing and treating overweight and clinically obese children. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: nutrition, obesity, PLCB | Category: House Appropriations, House Children and Youth | Comments are closed | Share:
AUDITOR GENERAL FINDS PLCB CONTRACT LEGAL BUT QUESTIONS THEIR JUDGEMENT According to Auditor General Jack Wagner, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) did not violate state law when they awarded a $173,820 employee training contract to the husband of one of their regional managers, but it did “exercise poor judgment.†General Wagner said, “In awarding a contract to the spouse of one of its regional managers, the PLCB should have anticipated the reasonable public questioning that would result over a potential conflict of interest, regardless of whether that conflict was an actual conflict or the appearance of a conflict.†He commended the PLCB and its Chairman Patrick Stapleton for recognizing the value of an independent review of the procurement process and for its cooperation in the examination including providing immediate and complete access to all of the relevant documents and personnel. He noted this cooperation enabled the department to complete the examination in fewer than five weeks. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox for the full story. LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE MEASURE TO REFORM SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING Representatives Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester) and Jim Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) today announced the Continue reading Eye Opener – April 30, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
Auditor General Jack Wagner said the employee training contract awarded by the PLCB to the husband of a PLCB regional manager was legal but they exercised bad judgement in awarding it. See the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: ambulatory surgical centers, Auditor General, COLA, contracts, non-controlled substances, PLCB | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Representatives Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester) and Jim Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) today announced the introduction of HB 704, legislation that would attempt to make Pennsylvania’s special education formula more equitable. Currently, funding is distributed to school districts based on an assumption that 16% of the student population needs special education. HB 704 would provide built-in accountability based on actual numbers of students needing such attention. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: PSU, special education | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) announced the introduction of legislation that would legalize medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Modeled on pending New Jersey legislation, Rep. Cohen’s bill would give Pennsylvania one of the strictest medical marijuana laws in the country. Though he acknowledged the political hurdles such a measure will face, Rep. Cohen remained optimistic medical marijuana will become a reality in the commonwealth, citing public opinion polls showing strong support for action. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) and Rep. Bernie O’Neill (R-Bucks), co-chairmen of the House Republican Policy Committee Task Force on Education and Job Training, hosted a hearing on educational remediation of college-bound students. The purpose of the hearing was to assess the factors driving the need for remediation courses in higher education and evaluate whether or not remediation may be costing students and Pennsylvania taxpayers significant amounts of money that would not be needed if the educational standards of K-12 public schools and institutions of higher education were aligned. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss HB 1041, which would allow licensed pharmacists to administer collaborative drug therapy management in an agreement with a licensed physician. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: cuts, drugs, medicine | Category: House Local Government, House Professional Licensure | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Education Committee held a public hearing today to discuss House Bills 1113 and HB 1336. HB 1113 and HB 1336 would require school staff to be more adequately prepared and trained to manage treatment of diabetes and asthma related incidents. Testifying to committee members were panels representing parents, clinicians, the Diabetes Association, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: airports, Asthma, corrections, Little Pine, police officers, Schools | Category: House Democratic Policy, House Education | Comments are closed | Share:
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