CASH POURING INTO GUBERNATORIAL RACE

According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, As the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race barrels to an end, money is pouring in faster than ever – and not always going in a predictable direction. In the last week, Republican Tom Corbett and Democrat Dan Onorato have collected at least $7 million, according to daily reports filed with state election officials. Corbett has taken the lion’s share, more than $5 million, buoyed in part by two million-dollar payments in three days from a national group, the Republican Governors Association, and $480,000 from the state GOP. Click here to read the Philadelphia Inquirer article.

STUDENTS RALLY AGAINST UNDERAGE DRINKING & DRUG USE

Over 200 students representing 50 school districts across the Commonwealth conducted a Capitol Hill rally yesterday against underage drinking and drug use. The rally was part of a two day leadership conference conducted by Pennsylvania Students Against Destructive Decisions (PA SADD). According to PA SADD Program Coordinator Felicity DeBacco-Erni, this marked the tenth year for the rally and conference. She described the participants as “200 wise young individuals who make the choice everyday to get up and be drug and

Continue reading Eye Opener – October 28, 2010

GOVERNOR SIGNS STATE FOREST DRILLING MORATORIUM

Governor Edward Rendell held a conference call yesterday with reporters to announce that he has signed an executive order which prohibits the Commonwealth from leasing any additional state forest land for natural gas development and to urge action on a natural gas severance tax. Governor Rendell said a “recent and extensive evaluation of the state forest system” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was the impetus for the moratorium. “Their findings were clear,” he said. “We cannot lease any additional state forest land that would lead to further surface disturbance without significantly altering the ecological integrity and wild character of our state forest system.” Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.

LATEST POLLS SHOW CORBETT, TOOMEY PULLING AWAY

According to an article in the Scranton Times, Republican state Attorney General Tom Corbett has opened up a large lead over Democratic Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, according to the latest poll conducted by Franklin & Marshall College and co-sponsored by Times-Shamrock Newspapers and other media outlets across the state. Mr. Corbett led 42 to 30 percent among all

Continue reading Eye Opener – October 27, 2010

STATE FOREST DRILLING TO BE CURBED BY RENDELL ORDER

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Governor Ed Rendell plans a moratorium on further leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling after losing a grueling battle to enact a Marcellus Shale tax and watching Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett — who opposes a tax — take in campaign cash from natural gas companies. The governor will hold a news conference today in his hometown of Philadelphia, where he will “sign an executive order instituting a strategic moratorium on future drilling operations in the state.” Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article. 

OUTSIDE INTEREST GROUPS POURING MONEY INTO POLITICAL ADS

According to an article in the Patriot News, campaign advertisements are ubiquitous every fall, but this year, it’s not just the candidates or political parties pouring money into the races. Outside interest groups — from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to union groups — are spending much more freely following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January. In the last two months, three national advocacy groups have spent more than $441,000 on television ads in central Pennsylvania, according to

Continue reading Eye Opener – October 26, 2010