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August 31, 2009, 6:12 pm
Governor Ed Rendell said Monday he no longer supports a natural gas severance tax this year, an unexpected announcement that adds a new wrinkle to ongoing budget negotiations and could temporarily shelve one of Pennsylvania’s largest public policy debates.
The governor had supported a tax on companies drilling in the state’s Marcellus Shale natural gas reserve despite protests the new levy could hurt the fledgling industry, particularly as the price of the gas continues to fall.
Republicans cheered the move though expressed doubt that the governor won’t try to levy the tax next year, while House Democrats said they still support the plan and think, if pressed, the governor would too this year.
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August 31, 2009, 3:09 pm
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell voiced his approval that the Conference Committee on HB 1416 will be reconvening tomorrow. Despite the unproductive nature of the committee’s first two meetings, the governor expressed confidence that partisanship and bickering will not color the remainder of the committee’s schedule. The governor noted that following talks with the industry and Republican lawmakers, he feels it is unlikely that a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas extraction will be a part of any agreement. He said it is fully possible that a budget is agreed to by the end of next week, and signed the week after. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
August 31, 2009, 8:37 am
SECRETARY WOLFF RESIGNS, NOMINATES REDDING
Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Friday that he will nominate Russell Redding as the new Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture secretary following the resignation of Dennis Wolff, which is effective Sept. 12. “Denny Wolff has worked hard over the last six and a half years to ensure Pennsylvania’s farmers have the resources they need to expand their business and ensure the state’s number one industry continues growing,†said Governor Rendell. “He’s worked effectively to implement my plan to ensure more farmers have ready access to affordable financing and the resources and guidance they need to expand, diversify or transition their operation. He’s also played a pivotal role in strengthening our food safety system and opening new markets to Pennsylvania’s producers.†Redding has served the department since April 1995, when he served as a deputy secretary. In 2003, he was named executive deputy secretary and assumed the day-to-day operational and administrative oversight responsibilities for the entire department. “Russell is one of the most respected individuals in Pennsylvania agriculture today,†said the Governor. “From his days growing up in Gettysburg, he has been actively engaged in the agricultural community. In his professional
Continue reading Eye Opener – August 31, 2009
August 28, 2009, 9:09 am
Effective September 12th, Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff will resign. Governor Rendell has nominated Russell Redding, a department executive deputy secretary. Redding’s nomination as secretary is dependent upon Senate confirmation.
August 27, 2009, 3:55 pm
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi today met with the media via teleconference to provide his perspective on the budget stalemate. Following optimism from the Governor yesterday, Senator Pileggi said negotiations have taken a step backward today with the House Dems announcement that the conference committee will reconvene next week. Senator Pileggi opined “no one believes the conference committee will lead to a resolution of the budget” and suggested he may not participate in the meetings.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening.
August 27, 2009, 3:52 pm
Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon) and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) held a press conference this afternoon to express their anger and disappointment that the Senate Republican leadership has once again lowered its proposed spend number from $27.5 billion to $27.1 billion. Rep. McCall said that the proposal by Senate Republican leadership yesterday proves that previous discussions have not been “genuine talks,” and that he was insulted by Senate Republican leadership insinuating that the new proposal was the “first step” towards a budget agreement. Rep. McCall and Rep. Eachus also discussed sources of sustainable-recurring revenue, HB 1828, and how the two leaders would now proceed to call back the conference committee on HB 1416 next week.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more information.
August 27, 2009, 3:01 pm
Governor Ed Rendell, joined by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) this afternoon announced the appointment of Joseph Dworetzsky and David Girard-diCarlo to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. The governor explained the nomination of Girard-diCarlo was made at the suggestion of Senator Pileggi. He praised the experiences of both nominees and argued they will both be valuable assets to the commission. Upon questioning, both Governor Rendell and Senator Pileggi confirmed that these nominations were in no way tied to the budget or Philadelphia pension legislation. The nomination of Dworetzsky was previously made to the Senate and a confirmation hearing was held by the Senate Education committee, however his nomination was withdrawn so that the two nominations could be submitted together. Senator Pileggi expects the two to be confirmed swiftly. Although he was unsure of the party breakdown of the five commission members, the Governor opined having members from both parties ensures that the board is not viewed as a partisan or political party.
The governor expects the two nominees to ask questions and be probing, noting that he hopes to meet with the five commissioners plus Mayor Nutter once the city and state budget issues are resolved. At the
Continue reading Governor Announces Nominations to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission
August 27, 2009, 1:05 pm
The committee held a public hearing on foster care and adoption initiatives. Committee members heard from a wide range of speakers including Secretary Estelle Richman of the Department of Public Welfare, who gave an overview of the Department’s initiatives and spoke about the positive impact Family Finding has had on permanency.  County commissioners, human service directors and representatives from the courts and other county entities from across the state tossed in their perspectives as well. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
August 27, 2009, 11:07 am
Surrounded by canines and their owners Governor Ed Rendell signed House Bill 39 today- a bill that will further protect dogs from inhumane and tortuous surgical practices. Once known as the “Puppy Mill Capital of the East,” HB 39 advances Pennsylvania’s animal protection laws and makes it one of the strictest states against animal abuses. Specifically, the law prohibits unlicensed veterinarians from surgically birthing a dog , debarking a dog, removing a dogs dewclaws, cropping a dog’s ears or docking the tail five days after the dogs birth. The law will also make it a third degree felony to steal a dog for the purposes of dog fighting. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
August 27, 2009, 9:39 am
House Minority Leader Sam Smith met with the media this morning to call on the Democratic leadership to bring the House back to session and act on the budget. He also questioned the ability of DPW Secretary Richman to make needed reforms in DPW to eliminate the abuse and fraud highlighted by a recent Auditor General report.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox early this afternoon.
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