SPECIAL SESSION APPEARS SET FOR MAY 4
The legislature appears poised to begin its special session on transportation funding May 4 with an address by Governor Ed Rendell to both chambers of the General Assembly, multiple sources tell PLS. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that some lawmakers expect the governor to call the session then. A spokesman for the Senate Republican Caucus told PLS later in the day Tuesday that it is also his understanding it would start on May 4. “So I think it is a likely date to start the special session, but not set in stone,” said Erik Arneson, spokesman for the Senate Republican Caucus. Click here to read the News and Views story.
CORBETT FACES MORE CALLS TO STEP DOWN
A coalition of left-of center and good government advocacy groups gathered Tuesday morning to demand Attorney General Tom Corbett resign as the state’s chief prosecutor if he plans to continue his gubernatorial campaign. The advocates, many of whom have been critical of Corbett before, said many of the actions he’s taken, whether joining a lawsuit to overturn the recently signed federal health care bill or thus far prosecuting only House members in connection with his “Bonusgate” probe, raise questions about his impartiality. Some of them said even the perception of impropriety is reason enough for him to step down. “The people of the Commonwealth need to trust that the justice system will work impartially, but the clouds of accusation and suspicion that are engulfing Mr. Corbett are raising too many doubts,” said Michael Morrill, executive director of the left-of-center Keystone Progress. Click here to read the News and Views story.
COUNTIES CALL ON LEGISLATURE TO RESTORE HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING
The PA County Commissioners Association (CCAP) called on the legislature to adopt a timely budget and adequately fund human services. Joe Giles, Erie County Council Member and President of CCAP, said county officials and county professionals from different parts of the state came to Harrisburg today with one unified message for the legislature: “Protect the safety and well-being of our mutual constituents by adopting a fair and timely state budget.” He stated a fair budget is one that spares any further cuts to county human services categories and restores cuts to the Human Services Development Fund to provide flexible funding. Go to the press conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
LEGISLATORS GATHER IN SUPPORT OF EQUAL PAY ON EQUAL PAY DAY
A group of legislators gathered in the Main Rotunda Tuesday afternoon (also Equal Pay Day) to show support for legislative action to close the wage gap. Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) thanked Rep. Katharine Watson (R-Bucks) for taking charge on this issue calling her a “true champion” of equal pay. She also noted that Senator Lisa Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) is a champion of the issue as well. She said there is a rally every year on this day in order to seek equal pay and noted Susan B. Anthony only asked for equal pay for equal work. Go to the press conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
Upcoming Meetings
House Education
9:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
Public hearing on: HB 1803 Siptroth Amends Public School Code re CPR & AEDs
House Children and Youth
9:30 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
To consider: HB 2297 Bishop Amends Title 42 re dependent child disposition HB 2258 Briggs Amends Title 42 re sibling placement & visits HB 2338 Mundy Act re requirements for foster care children HB 2429 Samuelson Amends Title 42 re dependent child disposition
House Transportation
9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
To consider: SB 747 Rafferty Act authorizing PennDOT selling land HB 2030 Stevenson Act re Mercer County Veterans Highway HB 2253 Phillips Act re Sgt. Brett D. Swank Memorial Highway HB 2303 Kirkland Act re Judge Robert A. Wright Road HB 2305 Mirabito Act re Carl E. Stotz Little League Bridge SB 1115 Stout Act re Stan Musial Bridge naming HB 914 Houghton Amends Title 75 re ignition interlock HB 1171 Hanna Amends Title 75 re snowmobile/ATV registration HB 2246 Tallman Amends Title 75 re homicide by vehicle HB 2375 Longietti Amends Title 74 re transportation contracts HB 2381 Watson Act re George A. Penglase Memorial Parkway
Senate Aging and Youth
9:30 a.m., Room 156 Main Capitol
To consider: SB 699 Vance Act re protection of abused adults & reporting and a public hearing on the Department of Aging’s Integrated Care Option
House Professional Licensure
10:00 a.m., Room 302, Irvis Office Building
To consider the following Regulations: Reg. No. 16A-629 Reg. No. 16A-6212
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda to be announced
