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The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this afternoon adopted an amendment to HB 1489 that would levy a 35 cents per thousand cubic tax on the extraction of natural gas. Chairman George announced this bill will “play a key role” in the budget this year. The amendment provides for distribution of revenues to the General Fund, municipalities and counties, as well as other state agencies and to LIHEAP. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: Budget, LIHEAP, marcellus shale, natural gas, severance tax | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Env. Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Rendell revealed today that Pennsylvania’s nearly eight-week long tax amnesty window generated $261 million for the Commonwealth, $71 million more than estimates. After administrative costs and a payment to the Motor Vehicle License Fund, a total of $55 million will be plugged into the 2010-11 budget. The governor said that on the heels of the successful amnesty program he will look to ramp up the state’s tax collection measures, including asking the legislature to add $2.3 million to the Revenue Department’s 2010-11 budget for the purpose of adding 40 new revenue agents. The additional staff, he said, will mean an additional $33 million in tax collections for the state. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget | Category: Administration, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Appropriations Committee amended and then reported out HB 1838 (providing for the Veteran’s Commission). They also unanimously reported out HB 2030 (a highway naming bill) and SB 928 (providing for divestiture for certain groups with investments in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story Posted by Eric | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
At a Capitol Hill news conference, Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) announced her plans to introduce legislation amending Title 18 (Crimes & Offenses) requiring the immediate reporting of a violent crime to law enforcement officials. Under the legislation, failure to report the crime would be a misdemeanor in the third degree. Senator Ward named the bill “Jennifer’s Law” in memory of Jennifer Daugherty, a Westmoreland County resident who was tortured and stabbed to death earlier this year. Members of Jennifer’s family also participated in the news conference. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Joint house and senate Conservation Committee met today to discuss the benefits of green roofs, with the discussion led by Dr. Robert Berghage of Penn State University. Dr. Berghage said that green roofing has the capability to save Pennsylvania cities billions, as well as bring business energy costs down, and aesthetic value up. Check out the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the complete story. Posted by intern | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
United States Senator Bob Casey and Governor Rendell joined students and parents from over 20 school districts for a rally today to urge the General Assembly to support the proposed $354 million increase for basic education. “Restoring federal aid to the states is critical for Pennsylvania’s teachers and school districts,” Senator Casey stated. “It is a vital part of helping Pennsylvania and all states that have been hurt by the recession. That’s why I have been a strong supporter and will continue to fight to ensure we don’t make the strain on Pennsylvania’s teachers and state budget even worse.” Governor Rendell highlighted the improvements Pennsylvania students have made since the state funding formula was enacted and urged the Legislature to stay the course. “If the General Assembly does not deliver these needed funds, local school districts will be forced to offset the loss of state resources by making even deeper cuts to their academic programs and furloughing teachers.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
DEP RECORDS REVEAL HUNDREDS OF CONTAMINATION, LEAK INCIDENTS AT NATURAL GAS SITES IN LAST FIVE YEARS According to an article in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, a Times-Tribune review of records detailing gas drilling spills, leaks and contamination incidents revealed hundreds of problems at well sites since the beginning of 2005.It also found outdated and inconsistent record keeping by the environmental agency charged with regulating Marcellus Shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania. Unlike Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, New York, West Virginia and other gas drilling states, Pennsylvania does not keep a public database detailing spills or contamination incidents at oil and gas wells. Department of Environmental Protection files made available to The Times-Tribune through a Right-to-Know request reveal hundreds of examples of spills at natural gas drilling sites in the state during the last five years, recorded by at least 92 different drilling companies. Click here to read the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader article. PA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN ELECTED According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party has a new chairman: Pittsburgh lawyer Jim Burn. Burn was elected without opposition Saturday by the Democratic State Committee to succeed T.J. Rooney, a former Continue reading Eye Opener – June 21, 2010 |
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