It was announced on the House Floor today that Rep-Elect Jerry Knowles (R-Schuylkill) will be sworn in at the start of session on Monday, June 8th at 1:00 p.m.
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Posted by Rebecca | Tags: generator, Generic Drugs | Category: Floor Update | Comments are closed | Share:
Representative Mike Gerber (D-Montgomery) took the podium today in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building to announce House Bill 1572, the Healthy Schools Nutrition bill. Designed to reduce the rate of obesity among school-aged children by requiring schools to provide healthier food choices and limit the number of junk foods made available, Gerber, along side Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said the bill will not only help to fight childhood obesity but also drive down health care costs for obesity related health problems. Rep. Gerber and Rep. Turzai were joined by a coalition of health advocates in supporting healthy food choices for school children throughout the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: PLCB | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
At a Capitol Hill news conference, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Group announced its 2009 Infrastructure Agenda for Pennsylvania. The agenda details Pennsylvania’s infrastructure needs in communications, energy, water, and transportation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: hardwoods, Infrastructure | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Insurance Committee met to consider HB 1 and HB 746. HB 1 was reported along a party-line vote. Several Republican members expressed concern over the lack of the committee process as well as the sources and amount of funding. HB 746 was reported as amended with all Republicans voting in the negative except Rep. Schroder. Republican members again expressed a concern over the lack of the committee process as well as concern over several technical aspects of the bill and amendment. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: Freeman, project delivery, small business | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Health, House Insurance | Comments are closed | Share:
In a press conference today, Representative David Levdansky (D-Allegheny) introduced legislation that would limit campaign contributions by individuals and political action committees. Standing alongside Representative Dan Moul (R-Adams), Representative Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), and representatives from various state organizations, Rep. Levdansky called the current system of unlimited campaign contributions “the Wild Wild West,” a situation that he calls dire and in need of reform. “I started on this legislation in the mid-1980s,” Rep. Levdansky said, “and the time is never better than now to enact it.” According to Rep. Levdansky and Barry Kauffman, the executive director of Common Cause, Pennsylvania is one of only five states left in the country that does not limit campaign contributions. Kauffman lauded the legislation, predicting that if passed, the reforms will “erase an ugly aspect of Pennsylvania’s political reputation.” Members from the AARP, Penn Future, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, and the Pennsylvania chapter of the League of Women Voters also spoke. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: Board of Vehicles Act, boating | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
House Rules and Approp both met briefly this afternoon. House Rules voted HB 1431 and HB 1480 to the floor, while HB 1376 was reported out of House Appropriations. Check the Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Agriculture & Rural Affairs, House Appropriations, House Republican Policy, House Rules | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Local Gov’t Committee met this morning to consider a package of four bills (HBs 1515-1520) which address ADA conflicts in municipal laws, but the entire package was held over because a drafting error was discovered just yesterday. The bills will be considered next week. The committee also had an informational briefing on HB 1390, which extensively provides for stormwater management. The committee heard from former Rep. Dave Steil, who has authored the bill in the past, and DEP. Members raised concerns about the cost of stormwater planning, but proponents argued the state should begin to lay the ground work now. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: ADA, recession | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Liquor Control, House Local Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee reported out five bills, including a resolution expressing opposition to the closing of the Scotland School for Veterans Children. Rep. Barbin told the committee he intends to offer an amendment on the floor that would address more concerns surrounding the potential closing of the school. Minority Chairman Fairchild expressed concern over the handling of this through legislative power. Chairman Melio said the committee could certainly take a look at HB 1552, which imposes a moratorium on the closure of the school. Check out the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: poll, veterans | Category: House Urban Affairs, House Veterans Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
Retired military generals from the organization Mission: Readiness released a report today called “Ready, Willing, and Unable to Serve” which cites “new statistics from the Pentagon showing that 75 percent of young people ages 17-24 are unable to enlist because they lack a high school diploma, have a criminal background, or are physically unfit, among other reasons.” Amy Dawson Taggert, national director for the organization, stated “Strong early learning programs like Pre-K Counts and Head Start, are core functions of public education that will help prepare young people for a successful life and ultimately qualify them for a career in the military if they so choose.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. The committee met to consider HB 1493. The bill was reported as committed with every Republican on the committee voting in the negative. Chairman James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) said for too many years the state failed to provide its fair share of public education funding which led to increases in property taxes. He stated HB 1493 “takes the second important step in investing in Pennsylvania’s schools.” Minority Chairman Paul Clymer (R-Bucks) said that the bill would lead to a tax increase which is “unacceptable in difficult economic times.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. |
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