Categories
|
April 29, 2010, 9:35 am
LEASE-MORATORIUM BILL LIKELY SET FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT WEEK
A bill that would impose a five-year moratorium on leasing additional state forest land for natural gas drilling will likely come up for a vote in the House early next week, a proponent of the bill told PLS. The legislation was set for second consideration today until being delayed until early next week. The measure, House Bill 2235, would impose a five-year ban on the state leases for natural gas extraction, a measure its supporters say is necessary to protect forestlands that have been ravaged in the past for their natural resources. Click here to read the News and Views article.
PSERS INCREASES STATE CONTRIBUTION RATE
According to an article in the Patriot News, One of Pennsylvania’s two largest public-sector retirement systems says it approved the first of what could be more contribution increases that taxpayers must pay. The Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System said Wednesday that the composite employer contribution rate for the 2010-11 fiscal year will rise to 5.64 percent. That’s up from the current 4 percent, an increase of more than $100 million over the expected contribution of about $280 million this year.
Continue reading Eye Opener – April 29, 2010
April 28, 2010, 12:23 pm
The Pennsylvania Federation of Injured Workers held a rally in the main rotunda of the capitol today to advocate for a more just workers compensation system and protections for workers. Several legislators spoke about efforts to improve workplace safety and the need for a better workers compensation system. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 28, 2010, 11:09 am
The House Urban Affairs Committee met this morning and amended and reported two bills. The first bill would reduce the time period for adverse possession to ten years in certain instances and the second would give persons joining 55+ manufacture home communities time to review the costs associated with the community before moving in. The members had extensive discussion on both bills, but they were ultimately reported with strong support. A scheduled presentation from DCED was postponed until the next meeting.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
April 28, 2010, 11:04 am
This morning Representative Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan group of legislators introduced HB 2462, legislation that would establish a Health Insurance Reform Implementation Authority, which would be tasked with coordinating new and existing health insurance options available to Pennsylvanians.
According to Rep. Shapiro, the bill would consolidate the healthcare-related operations of the Departments of Health, Public Welfare, and Insurance within a new authority, headed by a Chief Administrative Officer and guided by an advisory board. “My proposal would give residents one-stop shopping for their health needs, save taxpayer dollars by creating more efficiencies, ensure access to quality care and make us more nimble to make changes as the new law evolves,” he said in a statement. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 28, 2010, 11:03 am
House Education Committee reported out HB 1163 as amended by a margin of 14-12. The bill requires all school districts to provide comprehensive sex education to students. Rep. Chelsa Wagner, prime sponsor of the legislation, stated that the bill is necessary to curb teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
April 28, 2010, 10:47 am
Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) rallied with other legislators, stakeholders, and advocates to urge the Senate to pass HB 245 which would alter the Pennsylvania family caregiver program. Rep. Mundy noted the bill is the right thing to do from a human rights perspective and is fiscally responsible. Others noted how the bill will remove barriers to access for family caregivers who provide a costly service for free. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 28, 2010, 9:32 am
A special session of the Legislature called by Governor Rendell to deal with transportation funding will begin on Monday May 3rd at 2pm. Governor Rendell will address the General Assembly on the need to raise additional money for road and bridge improvements and for mass transit on May 4th at 1pm.
If you would like to sign up for our coverage of the bills, amendments, committee meetings, hearings, testimony, etc. of special session, click here to download our order form, which you can return by fax, email or mail. Thanks from the PLS Team!
April 28, 2010, 8:54 am
ELECTED OFFICIALS JOIN NRA AND OTHERS TO CHAMPION 2ND AMENDMENT
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) led a rally yesterday with a host of other legislators, the Attorney General and gun rights advocates to champion gun rights. Rep. Metcalfe said this is the fifth time this rally has been held, remarking it is held because the second amendment to the US Constitution is “second to none.” He said the right to keep and bear arms is not just about hunting but is instrumental to the God given right to defend oneself from criminal elements of society. Go to the press conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY PUSHES FOR NEW TAX ON SMOKELESS TOBACCO, CIGARS
Members of the American Cancer Society were joined on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) yesterday to urge lawmakers to add a tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars in an attempt to curb youth addiction and raise revenue for public health initiatives as well as the state’s General Fund. Sam Monismith of the American Cancer Society revealed that PA is the only state that
Continue reading Eye Opener – April 28, 2010
April 27, 2010, 12:23 pm
Members of the American Cancer Society were joined by Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) and Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) to urge lawmakers to add a tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars in an attempt to curb youth addiction and raise revenue for public health initiatives as well as the general fund. Sam Monismith of the American Cancer Society revealed that PA is the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco products and he noted it could generate between $60 million and $80 million per year for the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 27, 2010, 12:20 pm
Public/Private Ventures and the Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office held a press conference in the East Wing Rotunda today to mark the 10th anniversary of the first client served by Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitors in Pennsylvania. David Freed, District Attorney for Cumberland County emphasized that the program helps prevent child abuse and neglect and called the benefits of the program “dramatic and vast.” Former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele Ridge, stated that the “life trajectory of an entire family changes dramatically” as a result of the partnership and said 14,000 families have been serviced since the program began. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
|
|
