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The House Envi Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 80, which increases certain alternative energy standards in AEPS and establishes procedures for carbon sequestration. The committee heard from DEP and DCNR, GE Gasification and IBEW in support of the bill. PennEnvironment testified in opposition to the bill, while noting general support for some elements of the bill. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: AEPS, breast cancer, carbon capture | Category: House Education, House Env. Resources and Energy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee began two days of public hearings on S.B. 850, the budget bill approved by the State Senate. Members heard testimony from the Commonwealth Foundation and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. The members also heard testimony from three panels on the impact of the Senate proposal on healthcare, county services, and education. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: budget, Commowealth land rights, Department of General Services, education, Fumo, PUC | Category: Budget Hearing, House Agriculture & Rural Affairs, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
IRRC met this morning to consider two PGCB regulations (2695 and 2723) that were disapproved at the March 19th meeting. The board revised the two regulations, and with the new changes the commissioners unanimously approved the two regulations. Posted by Kim | Tags: motorcycle, PGCB | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Veterans Affairs, IRRC | Comments are closed | Share:
RECORDS SHOW RENDELL SUPPORTERS GET GRADUATION EXAM CONTRACT According to an article in the Tribune Review, Top officials with a Minnesota education company that won a $201 million Pennsylvania contract employ a Harrisburg lobbyist and donated $22,000 in campaign money to Gov. Ed Rendell, records show. Rendell’s administration last week awarded the contract to Data Recognition Corp. to develop high school graduation exams, though the Legislature hasn’t approved such exams. But Pam Enstad, director of communications for Data Recognition, said the company won the contract through competitive selection. She said there was no connection between the contract and campaign donations. Chuck Ardo, a spokesman for Rendell, denied the campaign money played a role. He said the state Department of Education, not the governor, awarded the contract. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS INDICATE THAT HIGHER TAXES LIKELY According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the Democratic members of the state House Appropriations Committee yesterday said they have no plans of approving the $27.3 billion budget proposal, adopted by Senate Republicans early this month. In a public forum held at Point Park University, Continue reading Eye Opener – May 21, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
KNOWLES WINS SPECIAL ELECTION According to an article in the Reading Eagle, complete but unofficial results show that Republican Jerry P. Knowles beat Democratic candidate William J. Mackey Jr. The special election for the 124th District seat in the House was held to fill the vacancy left by David G. Argall who was elected to the Senate. Knowles picked up 6,987 votes to Mackey’s 3,002. Knowles said that eliminating the school property tax will be high on his agenda and indicated that he would work with economic development groups to bring jobs to the district. Click here to read the Reading Eagle article. MELVIN VS. PENELLA IN SUPREME COURT RACE According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin won a spirited judicial contest yesterday, defeating two other judges to win the Republican nomination for a seat on the state Supreme Court. Judge Melvin, of Marshall, bested another Superior Court judge from Allegheny County, Cheryl LynnAllen of Hampton, and a Philadelphia Common Pleas judge, Paul P. Panepinto. With more than 90 percent of the statewide vote counted, Judge Melvin had well over 50 Continue reading Eye Opener – May 20, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
With 96% of precincts reporting at 7:55 a.m., Republican Jerry Knowles still has 70% of the vote over Democrat Bill Mackey, with 30%. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: special election | Category: Senate Education, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
The latest revenue projections have reached $3.2 billion, and Senate Republicans have unveiled a $27.3 billion budget bill that cuts deep into many Democratic initiatives. Nevertheless, House Democrats are committed to pushing their original prescription to cure the state’s fiscal woes, according to Johnna Pro, spokeswoman for House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia). Their proposal: Cut some spending, levy targeted tax increases, and use money provided by the federal stimulus and available in the state’s $750 million rainy day fund. Senate Republicans proposed not using any of the rainy day fund, not increasing taxes of any kind, and significantly reducing spending. “We cannot cut our way out of this problem,†Pro told PLS. “If we take away funding, we don’t take away the problems. We simply shift the burden to cities, counties, to the churches, to the charities, to the foundations. “If we have 100 people line at the food bank, and we provide the food bank with enough food for 50 people– there are still 50 people out there,†she said. The targeted tax increases include a new levy on smokeless tobacco and an increased fee for tobacco products, along with a tax on extracted gas in the Continue reading Revenue Shortfall Increasing, but House Democrats Sticking to Gameplan Posted by Mike | Category: Uncategorized | Comments are closed | Share:
LATEST REVENUE SHORTFALL PROJECTED AT $3.2 BILLION PLS has learned the House Appropriations Committee is now projecting the state’s revenue shortfall to reach $3.2 billion, according to Johnna Pro, spokeswoman to Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia). The new projection is the third revision of the budget shortfall in the last four months. The state initially pegged the number at $2.3 billion, increased it to $2.6 billion, and 10 days ago set the shortfall at $3 billion. The extra $200 million in projected revenue shortfall doesn’t appear to change House Democratic plans to bridge the gap. Pro said they still propose an array of cuts and targeted tax increases while using rainy day money and federal stimulus dollars to solve the problem. Stay tuned to PLS for continuing updates and ongoing coverage of the state budget process. RENDELL AGREED TO $201 MILLION GRADUATION EXAM CONTRACT According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Senate Republican leaders said Monday they were stunned that Governor Ed Rendell signed a $201 million contract with a Minnesota firm to develop a high school graduation exam even though the Legislature hasn’t approved such a test. They Continue reading Eye Opener – May 19, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
PLS has learned the House Appropriations Committee is now projecting the state’s revenue shortfall to reach $3.2 billion, according to Johnna Pro, spokeswoman to Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia). The new projection is the third revision of the budget shortfall in the last four months. The state initially pegged the number at $2.3 billion, increased it to $2.6 billion, and 10 days ago set the shortfall at $3 billion. The extra $200 million in projected revenue shortfall doesn’t appear to change House Democratic plans to bridge the gap. Pro said they still propose an array of cuts and targeted tax increases while using rainy day money and federal stimulus dollars to solve the problem. Stay tuned to PLS for continuing updates and ongoing coverage of the state budget process. Republican Senate hopeful Pat Toomey was featured at today’s Press Club luncheon, and spoke on subjects including the country’s current economic climate and his chances against a newly Democratic Arlen Specter. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. |
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