REP. WHITE: SHOW ME 26 SENATORS WHO SUPPORT TAX HIKE
The Capitol chatter over Governor Ed Rendell and House Democratic leadership supporting an increase in the Personal Income Tax is nothing more than rumor and opinion, Rep. Jesse White (D-Washington) told PLS Tuesday. House Democratic leadership, despite what they might have signaled to the media, has not told its members to expect a tax hike in the face of $3.2 billion revenue shortfall, he said. “You hear whispers in the hall from everybody, but until it’s something that’s out there in the open I’m not going to consider it,” the lawmaker said. Gov. Rendell said last week raising the PIT should be considered, and House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) went as far on Thursday to tell The Tribune-Review such a broad-based tax increase will be necessary. Any tax hike will likely find little support in the Republican-controlled Senate, which has approved a $27.3 billion budget that doesn’t include any new taxes or fees. The governor has said he will reduce his original $29 billion proposal by between $400 million and $500 million, although those details have not been unveiled. Rep. White said most of his rank-and-file Democratic colleagues aren’t excited about a tax increase if leadership should ask for one. “I can say, from our caucus point of view, that’s not something we’re pushing for,†he remarked. “I can say that.†He added that proposing an increase seems pointless anyway until leadership can identify 26 senators who support it. Otherwise, Rep. White said, it won’t reach the governor’s desk anyway. “Look, if you want to talk about this, let’s talk about it from the point of view from showing me 26 senators who will vote ‘yes,’†he said. “But until then … why are we even talking about it?†Republican senators, who control 60 percent of the 50-member legislative body, have said repeatedly they won’t support a broad-based tax increase. Go to www.mypls.com and click “News and Views†to read the full interview. Budget Update will give a weekly look inside budget negotiations between the governor and four legislative caucuses as all sides try to grapple with what some now project will be a $3.2 billion revenue shortfall.
REPUBLICANS, ACTIVISTS GATHER TO PROTEST TAXES, SPENDING
House and Senate Republicans gathered with anti-tax advocates in the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday morning to protest possible increases in state taxes, spending and debt, a decision they say would further burden already struggling small businesses and citizens. The event, dubbed the Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers’ Protest, had a clear message: If everyday people have to reduce spending during difficult economic times, state government should do the same. Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler), the event organizer, thanked the roughly hundred people who attended, saying it “sends a very loud and clear message that Pennsylvania taxpayers are already paying too much.†He called the rally “historic.†Most groups who hold press conferences during budget season come asking lawmakers for more money, Rep. Metcalfe said. “Well, that time has come to an end,†he said. Kevin Shivers, Pennsylvania director of the National Federation of Independent Business, spoke next. He recited anecdotes of small businesses he’s dealt with whose owners have been forced to donate their own salary back into the business. “They have to make tough choices, so should you,†Shivers told lawmakers. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
COALITION PUSHES FOR NATURAL GAS SEVERANCE TAX
A coalition of environmental groups, municipality organizations, wildlife agencies and lawmakers joined together with Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) for a press conference that highlighted the need for a severance tax on natural gas in Pennsylvania. Jan Jarrett, President and CEO of PennFuture, stated “the Marcellus Shale offers us a tremendous opportunity to expand our supply of domestic fuel and through the proposed severance tax, bring revenue into the state…but it also offers a tremendous risk to the land, water, and wildlife.†She argued “it is only fair that a portion of the severance tax goes to protect the environment.†Jan Jarrett, President and CEO of PennFuture, stated “the Marcellus Shale offers us a tremendous opportunity to expand our supply of domestic fuel and through the proposed severance tax, bring revenue into the state…but it also offers a tremendous risk to the land, water, and wildlife.†She argued “it is only fair that a portion of the severance tax goes to protect the environment.†House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) said that Marcellus Shale offers great benefits to the state such as the opportunity to create thousands of jobs, but called the severance tax “essential†to ensuring that all of Pennsylvania will benefit from the natural resource. He stated House Democratic Leadership “feels strongly†about implementing the tax and said that they will be “actively negotiating†for it during budget talks. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
PA CHAMBER DECRIES THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry held its annual lobby day yesterday at the Capitol, with the topic of the yearly press conference being the Employee Free Choice Act. The Chamber’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Gene Barr, remarked that the Act, which is also referred to as “union card checkâ€, has three damaging provisions to Pennsylvania businesses, and hinders their ability to create jobs and improve the state’s competitive environment. Amid shouts of opposition from bystanders in the rotunda, Barr enumerated the problems that the Chamber has with passage of the act. First, he stated, the act would eliminate private ballots for union employees. Also, it would bring binding arbitration to private industry, which could have an adverse effect on job creation and does not allow employers or their workers to have a voice in the process. Lastly, Barr said that the act would increase penalties for business owners across the board. He stressed that the Chamber and its supporters do not represent Wall Street, but Main Street, the majority of whom are small to mid-size business owners. In reference to the obvious contrasting views of some in the audience, Barr noted that methods of intimidation and coercion will not silence them, and stated that their actions only prove how this intimidation can occur. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox for the full story.
Upcoming Meetings
House Aging and Older Adult Services
9:00 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
To consider: HB 1152 Mundy Act est. Dept of Aging & Long-Term Living (Note: there will be an amendment to this bill)
Senate Democratic Policy Committee
9:00 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building
Public hearing on the financial struggles of PA hospitals.
House Education
9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
To consider: HB 1602 Roebuck Amends Public School Code re school attendance HB 1442 Santoni Act re performance-enhancing drugs education HB 1618 Roebuck Act re high school dropout data collection
House Insurance
9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
Public hearing on: HB 215 Barrar Amends Insurance Company Law re reimbursement And also to consider: HR 333 DeLuca Resolution re Medicaid managed care orgs.
House Professional Licensure
9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
Public hearing on: HB 1188 Gergely Amends Medical Practice Act re definitions
Senate Law and Justice
10:00 a.m., Room 8E-A East Wing
To consider: SB 883 Waugh Act re est. PA Law Enforcement Officer Alert SB 894 Browne Amends Title 53 re commission powers & duties HB 48 O’Brien, M Amends Liquor Code re permits & licenses HB 115 Waters Amends Liquor Code re responsible management
Senate Communications and Technology
10:00 a.m., Room 8E-B East Wing
To consider: SB 621 Folmer Act re biometric & economic privacy/REAL ID SB 622 Wozniak Act re electronic swiping of DL or other ID SB 623 Kitchen Act re biometric protection SR 133 Folmer Resolution re American Recovery Act fund mgmt
Senate Appropriations
Off the Floor, Rules Committee Conference Room
To consider: SB 281 Orie Amends Public School Code re academic degrees SB 893 Piccola Amends Library Code re standards, state aid
Senate Rules and Executive Nominations
Off the Floor, Rules Committee Conference Room
To consider certain executive nominations.
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda to be announced
House Health and Human Services
Off the Floor, Room 60, East Wing
To consider: SB 47 Robbins Amends Public Welfare Code re county boards SB 446 Tomlinson Amends Vital Statistics Law registrations HB 825 Baker, M Act re electronic prescriptions & DOH HR 286 Hornaman Resolution re Shriners Hospitals for Children
