The Pennsylvania SchoolĂ‚Â Funding Campaign called on legislators to “maintain a commitment to the state’s new education formula” and urged lawmakers to support $418 million increase in basic education even if it requires a tax increase. Ron Cowell, President of the Education Policy and Leadership Center stated “We can’t tell kids to their schooling on hold until it gets easier for the Legislature to make the necessary funding decisions.” Anita Weikel, Pennsylvania PTA, said “without the proper increase in basic education funding, teaching positions will be trimmed, class sizes will increase and the quality of instruction will be sacrificed.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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The committee met to consider the nomination of Odelfa Smith Preston to the State Civil Service Commission. Preston briefly explained her professional background to the committee, and several senators spoke on her behalf. The committee unanimously voted to confirm her appointment. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Category: Senate Communications and Technology, Senate State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The Governor offered a breakdown this afternoon of the latest rounds of agreed-to cuts with legislative leaders. Following a meeting last night, a further $72 million in budget reductions was settled upon, which include $34 million from welfare, $14m from education, $7.5m from DCED and $6m from executive office lines. Governor Rendell said the bulk of the cuts are in the form of layoffs. He said he is optimistic he can find another $50 million, and legislators a further $50-70m to trim from the budget, though that still leaves a deficit approaching the billions. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee reported as amended HB 785 which excludes from the sales tax certain transactions involving aviation. The members also reported as amended a series of road/bridge designation bills including HB 1468, HB 1779, HB 1801, and HB 1826. Reported as committed were HB 1783, HB 1799, and SB 968. Also reported as amended was SB 48. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: PHFA, PIT | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Tourism and Recreational Development, House Transportation | Comments are closed | Share:
Representative Paul Drucker (D-Chester) was joined by other reform-minded Representatives in announcing legislation aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability. Rep. Drucker’s bill would create a constitutional amendment to reform the way voting districts are drawn in Pennsylvania. Rep. Drucker is also joining Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) in sponsoring a bill to require House members to pay 1% of their salary towards health-care benefits. Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester) announced she would introduce a bill to prohibit the issuing of bonuses to state employees, and Rep. Richard Mirabito (D-Lycoming) unveiled his intent to sponsor two bills, one of which will establish PennPORTAL, a searchable database of government expenditures, as well as a bill to restrict former legislators working for private companies being awarded state contracts. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: Ben Franklin Institutes, bonusgate, PennPortal, state contracts | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Rock the Capitol, Democracy Rising PA and the Pennsylvania Accountability Project gathered for a press conference today to commemorate the four year anniversary of the 2005 pay raise. Gene Stilp brought a scaled down version of the inflatable pig to mark the occasion and gave an overview of what has transpired since the “citizens woke up.” He indicated that many of the Clean Sweep candidates have not brought about government reform and stated “reform is dead” in the Legislature. He called on Pennsylvania citizens to get involved and challenged them to “learn about the issues and fight for better government.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. House Rules met this morning and reported out three bills. HB 620 and HB 1828 were voted unanimously, while HB 1824 was reported out along a party line vote with Republicans opposed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. The committee voted unanimously to report as amended SB 921 which amends the Board of Vehicles Act to address dualing and relocation and to approve Final Regulation 16A-5422 which increases certain specified fees of the Board of Pharmacy. The members also voted to report as amended HB 1188 defining the term “ophthalmic surgery” under the Medical Practice Act of 1985. Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) voted against the amendment and reporting the bill. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: banking, bars, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Vehicles Act, DCED, justice, Medical Practice Act, ophthalmic surgery, personal income tax, relocation | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Local Government, House Professional Licensure | Comments are closed | Share:
The subcommittee met today to consider three resolutions and one bill. HR 343 and HR 387 were unanimously returned to the full committee without amendments. HR 258 failed in subcommittee by a vote of 4-3, and HB 1752 was unanimously held in the subcommittee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Category: House Insurance, House Intergovernmental Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
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