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August 23, 2010, 9:32 am
GOVERNOR REVEALS NEW POLL SHOWING WIDE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Governor Rendell released the details of a survey Thursday conducted by pollsters Frank Luntz and Jeffrey Pollock that shows widespread support for transportation funding in the state. The poll, which was commissioned with funds from the Rendell for Governor Campaign account, found that 95% of respondents believe the quality of transportation infrastructure matters to the state’s economy. Three-quarters of those polled said they would support a tax on oil company profits and closing tax loopholes for those companies. A plurality of 48% supported increasing vehicle and driver fees to the rate of inflation. A gas tax hike, also pegged to the rate of inflation, was generally unpopular and received only 34% support. Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
LEADERS TO MEET WITH BIEHLER TO DISCUSS TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
According to an article in the Patriot News, the Rendell administration’s plan to solve the state’s transportation funding crisis will be presented today to House and Senate members by Allen Biehler of the state Department of Transportation. The announcement comes as lawmakers wrap up a series
Continue reading Eye Opener – August 23, 2010
August 19, 2010, 3:16 pm
IRCC approved the following regulations by unanimous vote: Reg. No. 2704 Dept. of Transportation #18-411: School Bus Drivers, Reg. No. 2705 Dept. of Transportation #18-410: Physical and Mental Criteria, Including Vision Standards Relating to the Licensing of Drivers, Reg. No. 2701 State Board of Social Workers, Marriage/Family Therapist and Professional Counselors #16A-6911: Code of Ethical Practice and Standards of Professional Conduct, Reg. No. 2821 Environmental Quality Board #7-451: Water Quality Standards Implementation, Reg. No. 2819 Environmental Quality Board #7-443: National PollutantDischarge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting, Monitoring and Compliance, Reg. No. 2802 Environmental Quality Board #7-444: Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers, Reg. No. 2859 State Board of Education #6-322: Academic Standardsand Assessment. Reg. No. 2785 Dept. of Agriculture #2-170: Canine Health Board Standards for Commercial Kennels was approved by a vote of 3-1. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
August 19, 2010, 2:11 pm
Governor Rendell
This afternoon Governor Rendell released the details of a survey conducted by pollsters Frank Luntz and Jefrey Pollock that shows widespread support for transportation funding in the state.
The poll, which was commissioned with funds from the Rendell for Governor campaign account, found that 95% of respondent believe the quality of transportation infrastructure matter’s to the state’s economy. 75% of those polled said they would support a tax on oil company profits and closing tax loopholes. A plurality supported increasing vehicle and driver fees to the rate of inflation, while gas tax hike, also pegged to the rate of inflation, was generally unpopular.
Governor Rendell also reported he will reveal his updated proposal for transportation funding on Monday, at a bicameral, bipartisan legislative caucus on the issue. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story and stay tuned to PLS on Monday for coverage of the transportation caucus.
August 19, 2010, 7:53 am
GOV: 1.9% IN AGENCY CUTS, 100 LAYOFFS ENOUGH TO BALANCE FMAP GAP
Governor Rendell confirmed yesterday that with $280 million less than anticipated in FMAP funds coming to Pennsylvania from the federal government, he has directed the state’s executive agencies to place 1.9 percent of their discretionary budgets into budgetary reserve, and has requested that all independent agencies do the same. In addition he reported that thanks to an above-average number of retirements this year, there will only need to be roughly 100 layoffs made of state workers to make up the deficit. Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
FBI RAIDS KELLER’S OFFICE
According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, FBI and IRS agents descended on the South Philadelphia office of State Rep. William F. Keller (D.-Philadelphia) and the home of Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Robert Mulgrew yesterday morning. FBI Special Agent J.J. Klaver confirmed agents from the two law enforcement organizations were at both locations, but declined to provide other details. He would not say if the agents were executing a search warrant. They were accompanied by uniformed Philadelphia police. Uniformed and
Continue reading Eye Opener – August 19, 2010
August 18, 2010, 1:50 pm
This afternoon Governor Rendell confirmed that with $280 million less than anticipated in FMAP funds coming to Pennsylvania from the federal government, he has directed the state’s executive agencies to place 1.9 percent of their discretionary budgets into budgetary reserve, and has requested that all independent agencies do the same. In addition he reported that thanks to an above-average number of retirements this year, there will only need to be roughly 100 layoffs made of state workers to make up the deficit.
Check the press conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story
August 18, 2010, 1:35 pm
The House Local Government held a public hearing on HB 2431, regarding the elimination of certain local governmental entities. The prime sponsor of the bill, Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks) testified in support of the legislation, while the rest of the testifiers spoke in opposition to the legislation in varying degrees. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the full story.
August 18, 2010, 12:15 pm
As part of its series of hearings on Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure funding needs, the Senate Transportation Committee today heard testimony on funding for rail freight, ports and aviation infrastructure. Those testifying stressed the importance of their industries to the Commonwealth’s overall economy and the need for continued state support. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
August 18, 2010, 11:50 am
The House Labor Relations Committee held a public hearing on HB 2278, the Pennsylvania Family and Medical Leave Act. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-Chester), prime sponsor of the legislation, gave an overview of the bill and said that it expands the Federal Medical and Leave Act to allow an employee to take time off to care for a sibling, grandparent or grandchild. She noted that 20 states have passed similar legislation and stated ”I truly believe this is something we need to offer.” The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the National Partnership for Women and Families offered testimony on the legislation. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
August 18, 2010, 9:37 am
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES STILL DISCUSSING NUMBER OF DEBATES
According to an WITF article, Democrat Dan Onorato and Republican Tom Corbett are still debating over how many debates to hold this fall. So far, one debate has been scheduled between Onorato and Corbett. It will take place September 27th at a Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry event in Hershey. That’s not enough for Onorato, who has called for up to 14 debates. “But, it doesn’t surprise me the first one he agrees to happens to be in front of the Chamber of Commerce in the middle of the state,” he says. “I’ll go to any corner of the state, in the middle of the state and I’ll go to that one. But I also challenge him to show up in the northeast, in the southwest, in the northeast – in the southwest and the northwest.” Corbett’s spokesman, Kevin Harley, says the Republican won’t “negotiate debates in the media.” Click here to read the WITF article.
RIDGE PUSHES FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE GAS DRILLING
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, former Gov. Tom Ridge yesterday afternoon called Marcellus Shale gas production a “transformative opportunity”
Continue reading Eye Opener – August 18, 2010
August 17, 2010, 5:05 pm
The House Local Government Committee held an informational meeting this afternoon on SB 1537 and SB 1429, both of which address municipal mergers and consolidations. The committee heard from the State Planning Board, academia, local government representatives, and representatives from the business industry. All testifiers were in general agreement on SB 1429, but the local government associations particularly took issue with SB 1357.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox late this evening.
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