June 2009
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PA Business Groups Unveil a Pro-Growth Agenda

Advocates of a business-growth plan for Pennsylvania held a press conference to release a report from businesses large and small statewide. Entitled “Growing Pennsylvania’s 21st Century Economy”, the report focuses on how to take advantage of global recovery by becoming more competitive, and lists public policy proposals to achieve this goal. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story.


House Republican Policy – 9:00 a.m.

The committee held a public hearing on unemployment compensation and on bill HB 1535. Committee members heard testimony  from the National Federation of Independent Business, the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and the Department of Labor and Industry. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Hundreds rally in support of Single-Payer Healthcare

Unions, nurses, doctors and others rallied in the Capitol today to urge passage of single-payer healthcare legislation in the house and senate, HB 1660 and SB 400. Chuck Pennachio, Executive Director of Healthcare for All PA, told the assembled crowd, “We are moving mountains because of you.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

House Labor Relations – 9:00 a.m.

The House Labor Relations Committee held a contentious public hearing on House Bill 1502 and House Bill 1503, which would require verification of employment eligibility for publicly funded construction jobs, as well as the construction industry as a whole. Testifying today were representatives of the S.E.I.U. and construction unions and associations. Specifically at the heart of the debate was the use of “e-verify,” a free online service that matches names and social security numbers to verify employment eligibility, and whether or not it is an acceptable tool for use in the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox Later for more information.

House Game & Fisheries – 9:30 a.m.

The House Game Committee held a public hearing this morning on HB 460, which would remove the requirement that a hunting license be displayed on a hunter’s clothing. The committee heard from the PA Game Commission in support of the proposal and from Scaff Enterprises, which manufacturers tag holders, in opposition to the legislation.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

Eye Opener – June 11, 2009

GOVERNOR SIGNS HEALTH BILLS

Governor Ed Rendell signed three health care bills yesterday that were part of his Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan and a fourth that was originally proposed as part of the Senate Republican package of health care bills. “I’d like to recognize the good work of the legislature in working together to pass these bills which will help provide health care coverage for thousands of uninsured Pennsylvanians, reduce the cost of health care and will improve health care quality for all Pennsylvanians,” Governor Rendell said in a press release. The House and Senate had passed almost identical health care bills and the Governor had urged them to work in a bipartisan manner to enact the bills since there was no disagreement on substance. The four bills the Governor signed are: HB 84, SB 189, HB 1089, SB 89. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the press release.

HOUSE BEGINS  DEBATE ON HB 1

According to an article in the Morning Call, the state House began a debate yesterday afternoon on a plan to add 85,000 people to Pennsylvania’s insurance program for low-income

Continue reading Eye Opener – June 11, 2009