Governor Edward Rendell joined three other governors in a media conference call to push for congressional extension of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). All four governors warned of the dire consequences of the failure to extend FMAP including massive layoffs of state and local workers and cutting of state programs. They also warned of the negative impact on the economy. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
|
|
|||
|
Rep. Matt Smith discusses merit selection This afternoon Governors Rendell, Schweiker, Ridge and Thornburgh joined with legislators and a broad coalition of interests known as Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts to push for a constitutional amendment that would allow merit selection of appellate judges. Lynn Marks, Executive Director of PMC and PMCAction, announced the release of a poll conducted in late May that shows 93 percent of Pennsylvanians want the opportunity to vote on a referendum on merit selection. 73 percent of those polled do not believe the most qualified candidates win elections, and 76 percent believe campaign contributions influence judicial decisions. Legislation has been introduced in both the House and the Senate by Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) and Senator Jane Earll (R-Erie) respectively. A constitutional amendment needs to be passed in two consecutive legislative sessions and then be approved via referendum. With the current legislative session ending in November, Governor Rendell speculated the question could make it on the ballot as early as spring 2011. The poll is available in its entirety on PMC’s website, judgesonmerit.org. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, including comments by Governor Rendell on a number Continue reading Governors past and present push for merit selection of judges Posted by Mike | Tags: constitutional amendment, Merit Selection | Category: Administration, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Members of the House met today with Act 101 directors from schools across the state, and spoke on the underfunded program, and the need of underprivileged students to have equal opportunity in high education. Rep. Johnson and others spoke of the cuts over the past five years, and the need to reverse the trend. Look up the full story in the Capitol Toolbox link, later this afternoon. Posted by intern | Tags: Act 101, Higher Education | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
House Approp met this afternoon and considered an amendment to HB 325 that provides for the vendor sales discount, taxes cigars, reduces the cigarette tax, imposes an eight cent tax on natural gas severed at the well head and another eight cents per thousand cubic feet. The two chairmen engaged in a lively conversation and the GOP agreed there is room for negotiation on these taxes if the Dems agree to lower the spend number. The bill was held in committee pending negotiations. Several other bills were reported as committed without discussion. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: Budget, cigarette tax, marcellus shale, severance tax | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee today reported seven bills for further action by the Senate. The committee reported as amended were SB 522 increasing the penalties for hit and run incidents which result in injury or death and SB 1049 increasing the penalties for DUI hit and run incidents which result in injury and death. Noting the increased costs to the Department of Corrections for the increased penalties have not been determined, Senate Jane Earll (R-Erie) voted “No” on the two bills. The committee also reported as amended SB 1305 and HB 1800. SB 1163, SB 1288, and SB 1320 were reported as committed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: hit and run penalties | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Transportation | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Communications and Technology Committee amended a bill this morning that would ban the implantation of identification devices under the skin. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Babette Josephs, was present to address the legislation with the committee. Some Senators expressed concern that the language was not strong enough, particularly Senator Mensch who stated that medical implantations can improve a person’s quality of life, and that the government should not prevent parents from making decisions for their children. Rep. Josephs stressed that the language of the legislation should specifically address the implantation of devices for identification purposes, but was unopposed to amendments seeking to clarify the language further. The bill was reported as amended from the committee and will likely be debated on the Senate floor. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story. Posted by lindsay | Category: Senate Communications and Technology | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the House Gaming Oversight Committee unanimously voted to report out SB 214, legislation that would ban the simulcasting of greyhound racing in the state. Though greyhound racing itself is already prohibited in Pennsylvania, it is currently still legal to simulcast races going on in other states. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: greyhounds | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Gaming Oversight | Comments are closed | Share:
Senator Stack and other lawmakers joined with small business and tavern owners at the Capitol today to discuss the need for allowing taverns all across the state to offer small games of chance to patrons. According to the legislators, money would be generated for the State, as well as charity organizations, all while avoiding taxation of the general population. For more details on the event, check out the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by intern | Tags: small games of chance, taverns | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Game and Fisheries Committee reported out legislation to provide for discounted fishing license fees for members of the National Guard (SB 301) and legislation allowing the Game Commission to establish an adult mentored hunting program (SB 535). The Committee also decided to pass over SB 1026 relating to elk hunting licenses. Posted by Eric | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Game & Fisheries | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this morning approved the nominations of Jim Cawley and John Coleman to the PUC. Cawley has been nominated for his second consecutive term; this would be Coleman’s first term. The nomination of Coleman sailed through with a few questions about Coleman’s background and ability to get up to speed on PUC issues. Several senators raised concern with Cawley’s tenure on the board, particularly a recent TV ad in which he appeared with the president of PPL. Ultimately Cawley’s nomination was also moved forward with four Democratic senators voting against the nomination. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: nominations, PUC | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure | Comments are closed | Share:
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © 2012 FYI by PLS - All Rights Reserved |
|||