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July 26, 2010, 9:24 am
CONAHAN PLEADS GUILTY
According to an Associated Press article in the Patriot News, a former judge in northeastern Pennsylvania pleaded guilty Friday to a racketeering conspiracy charge for his role in a kickback scheme that put juvenile defendants, many without lawyers, behind bars for sometimes minor offenses. Michael Conahan, 58, faces up to 20 years in prison after his plea in Scranton federal court; no sentencing date was set. Click here to read the Associated Press article.
PA HIGH-RISK INSURANCE POOL DELAYED
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, other states have begun accepting applications for new federally funded high-risk health insurance pools, but Pennsylvania’s Insurance Department is still working out the details of the program and has yet to announce the selection of a contractor that will operate the plan. That means the state is behind its own timetable for having the coverage pool up and running. The plan is meant to provide coverage for uninsured Pennsylvanians with preexisting health conditions who are unable to secure or afford coverage on the open market. The state is receiving $160 million in federal money, and possibly more in the future, to set up
Continue reading Eye Opener – July 26, 2010
July 21, 2010, 1:12 pm
Appearing before the Senate Transportation Committee, Governor Edward Rendell told the Senators “we have to move, we have to move now” on addressing the Commonwealth’s transportation funding problem. He noted that a Republican spokesman had commented that the legislature can wait until next year when a new governor takes office. Governor Rendell said, “We can’t.” He once again urged passage of an oil company excess profit tax and said he would support increasing the liquid fuels tax, increasing registration fees and increasing the oil franchise tax. Earlier this week, Governor Rendell sent a letter to legislative leaders asking them to return to Harrisburg on August 23 to continue the Special Session on Transportation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
July 21, 2010, 12:07 pm
The House Judiciary Committee held an informal workshop to discuss issues concerning magistiral district judges. The issue gaining the most attention was the funding of magisterial district judges and how to avert a funding crisis Chairman Caltagirone predicts will hit in Spring 2011. Also discussed was the efficacy and constitutionality of allowing magisterial district judges to file petitions for retention, rather than having to stand for re-election. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
July 21, 2010, 9:37 am
CORBETT DISCUSSES WAYS TO IMPROVE ECONOMY
According to an article in the Patriot News, cutting state government spending and giving tax breaks to Pennsylvania businesses will revive the state’s flagging economy and create jobs, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett said Tuesday. Corbett told a group of students and faculty members at Central Pennsylvania College in East Pennsboro Twp. that the tax cuts would bring employers back to the state and help them reach out and hire more people. “It’s not uncommon for somebody to tell me, ‘If my taxes were lower, I’d go out and hire another person or two or three or four,’” Corbett told the group during the town-hall-style campaign stop. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
MORE ORIE STAFFERS COME FORWARD
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, witnesses against Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) today testified that the McCandless Republican maintained no paid staff at her election campaign headquarters and relied, instead, on state Senate employees. “Depending on what the event was, the senator didn’t always have a campaign office,” said Joseph L. Smith, a former staff member who said he was assigned a variety of campaign
Continue reading Eye Opener – July 21, 2010
July 20, 2010, 9:39 am
RENDELL ASKS SPECIAL SESSION TO RECONVENE IN AUGUST AMID SENATE SKEPTICISM
Governor Ed Rendell on Monday pushed back by one month his request the special legislative session on transportation funding reconvene and vowed he remained optimistic lawmakers would seriously consider proposals to make up the half-a-billion-dollar gap in money for highways, bridges and mass-transit systems. But the delay was met with skepticism by one top Senate Republican official, who said the session is less of a priority than an array of other issues facing lawmakers this fall and added that the chamber won’t deviate from its expected return in late September. House lawmakers and officials were more optimistic but conceded the two sides need to make a lot of progress to reach a deal. Click here to read the PLS News and Views article.
RENDELL PREDICTS 700 LAYOFFS
According to an article in the Patriot News, state government job cuts are on the horizon, but they could wind up being fewer than the 1,000 that Gov. Ed Rendell has suggested. The targeted number is now 700, Rendell said Monday. The projection declined as officials analyzed the money allotted to their agencies in the recently
Continue reading Eye Opener – July 20, 2010
July 19, 2010, 1:08 pm
At a noontime news conference, Governor Edward Rendell asked the General Assembly to return Monday, August 23, to address the issue of transportation funding. He also announced he will present testimony on Wednesday, July 21, at the Senate Transportation Committee hearing on transportation funding. Governor Rendell said he will testify on the impact of the loss of $472 million in transportation funding due to the rejection of the tolling of I-80. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
July 19, 2010, 12:40 pm
The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on HB 1996, which would establish racial equality in capital sentences. Members heard from many stakeholders regarding the issue, all generally expressing support for the legislation. Some members, however, expressed concern over the real world need for the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
July 19, 2010, 9:41 am
POLL SHOWS CORBETT LEADING BY TEN
According to an article in the Patriot News, a Rasmussen Report released Friday has Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett holding a 10-point lead over Democrat Dan Onorato in Pennsylvania’s race for governor. The latest poll of likely voters in Pennsylvania shows Corbett picking up 48 percent of the vote. Onorato, the chief executive of Allegheny County, earns 38 percent. Five percent prefer some other candidate in the race, and 10 percent remain undecided. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
LAYOFFS BECOMING MORE LIKELY
According to an article in the Patriot News, Gov. Ed Rendell is beginning to doubt that Pennsylvania will receive $850 million from the federal government that it counted on to balance this year’s budget. Without that money, layoffs at all levels of government, as well as teachers and emergency workers, could soar far above the 1,000 layoffs Rendell said would likely come under the state’s $28 billion budget. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
LIBRARY FUNDING CUT
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, When Pennsylvania passed its spending plan this year, the area’s libraries again faced
Continue reading Eye Opener – July 19, 2010
July 15, 2010, 9:38 am
STATE EMPLOYEE UNIONS RECEIVE 30-DAY NOTICE OF IMPENDING LAYOFFS
According to an article in the Patriot News, the heads of the two largest state employees unions received notice this afternoon that layoffs are coming in 30 days. The 30-day notice is a requirement in their contracts before any furloughs begin. But neither the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 13 nor the Service Employees International Union Local 668 were advised of when the layoffs would occur or how many employees would be affected. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
TURNPIKE COMMISSION VOTES TO RAISE TOLLS
According to an Associate Press article, motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike soon will have a financial incentive to use E-ZPass, following approval of a new toll schedule that sets higher rates for people who pay with cash. The turnpike commission voted Tuesday to increase rates by 10 percent for cash customers, but only 3 percent for those who use E-ZPass, currently about two-thirds of all turnpike vehicles. Click here to read the Associated Press article.
CONGRESS UNLIKELY TO ACT ON FMAP
According to a post on the “It’s Our Money” blog on the Philadelphia Daily
Continue reading Eye Opener – July 15, 2010
July 14, 2010, 11:36 am
Bishop Jack Wisor of Just For Jesus held a rally today to discuss what he views as a crisis in Pennsylvania concerning homeless individuals. He spoke on what he described as “Hate groups” and “mobs” joining against his ministry, and called out state Senators and Representatives for their hypocrisy and lip service on these issues. “All that these people care about is votes!” said Wisor. He demanded that these lawmakers retire from service, and that the proper funding be redirected to taking care of the homeless.
For full details on the event, check out the Capitol Toolbox for full details.
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