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June 7, 2010, 5:34 pm
This afternoon Governor Rendell and DEP Secretary John Hanger provided an update on the Thursday night blowout of a gas well owned by Houston-based EOG Resources in Clearfield County. Secretary Hanger advised it has issued an order to EOG Resources, which the company has said it will comply with, halting all drilling, fraccing, and completing of unfinished wells for various periods of time. Resumption of activities may not resume without DEP approval. EOG’s statewide operations will be reviewed by DEP officials as well as an independent consultant.
Secretary Hanger said that depending on the results of the investigation, fines and reimbursement for the state money spent in containing the blowout may be levied.
On another topic, Governor Rendell also said advisor Kevin Feeley will be returning the $10,000 paid to him out of state coffers for public relations work. He will be reimbursed with money from the Rendell for Governor Campaign fund. Governor Rendell said it was “inappropriate” for Feeley to have been paid with taxpayer dollars, but said the work he is doing itself is appropriate, if needed he will continue to work, and be paid with campaign funds. Check the Press Conferences Section of the Capitol Toolbox
Continue reading Governor and DEP Secretary discuss ramifications of Clearfield gas well blowout
June 7, 2010, 1:54 pm
A rally was held outside of the Capitol this afternoon, by SEIU Healthcare, urging the legislature to increase the tax on oil companies, so to increase the money given to places such as nursing homes, hospitals, and home health care agencies. Check out the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 7, 2010, 1:32 pm
A bipartisan group of legislators led by Representatives John Galloway (D-Bucks) and Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) urged their House colleagues to support passage of two bills designed to curb building contractors from hiring illegal aliens. HB 1502 and HB 1503 would require contractors and subcontractors doing business in Pennsylvania to verify the eligibility of their employees using the E-Verify Program for new employees and the Social Security Number Verification Service for current employees. Violations by employers could lead to being barred from state projects or facing forfeiture of state licenses of certifications. Frank Sirianni, president fo the PA State Building & Construction Trades Council also urged support for the bills. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
June 7, 2010, 1:31 pm
The newly-created Economy, Business and Jobs Caucus, chaired by Senators Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery) and Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) held its first meeting this afternoon, and heard from various stakeholders on the need to create new, good-paying jobs in Pennsylvania. Richard Bloomingdale of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Gene Barr of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and Joseph Henchman of The Tax Foundation discussed the numerous issues facing the state as employment continues to stagnate, and offered suggestions on how to remedy the problem. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
June 7, 2010, 12:51 pm
The House Republican Policy Committee this morning heard from the PUC and natural gas industry about natural gas pipelines and whether additional oversight is needed. Both sides agreed that the PUC should have the authority to conduct safety inspections of natural gas pipelines.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
June 7, 2010, 12:36 pm
The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission held a public hear today on how to save money in the areas of technology, criminal justice and education. The Commission heard from a variety of testifiers including Kim Nelson, Executive Director of Government Solutions for Microsoft who gave an overview of “cloud computing” which could save the Commonwealth up to 50 percent on IT expenses. Richard Dieter, Executive Director of the Death Penalty Information Center explained that the death penalty has not had an execution in 11 years and said that it has drained millions of dollars from the criminal justice system. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
June 7, 2010, 12:07 pm
Lobbyists and lawmakers joined with the organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids at the capital today to discuss the need of funding for programs such as Pre-K Counts, Head Start, and educational child care, which works to teach kids responsibility and help them avoid a future criminal life.
For the full story, look in Capital Toolbox later this afternoon.
June 7, 2010, 10:39 am
This morning the Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign released a report entitled “Student Achievement Gains at Risk: Schools Cutting Staff and Programs as Revenues Decline” and urged the legislature to keep the governor’s proposed $354.8 million for basic education spending in the upcoming budget. Check the Capital Toolbox later for the full story.
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