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November 30, 2011, 3:49 pm
The House Insurance Committee held a public hearing today on House Bill 1551, which addresses the credentialing process for physicians in the state. Chairman Nicholas Micozzie (R-Delaware) stated that House Bill 1551 would authorize the state to set the terms and conditions that both the insurers and physicians must follow during the credentialing process, provides for physician reimbursement during the credentialing process, and allows physicians the right to appeal if their application is rejected.
Chairman Micozzie commented that physicians claimed that the credentialing process was unnecessarily burdensome due to insurers, while insurers claimed that the length and burden of the process was the fault physicians who improperly fill out requisite forms. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
November 30, 2011, 11:28 am
Saying HB 11 “is a bad deal for the taxpayer and is a bad deal for the customer,” Auditor General Jack Wagner spoke out against the proposal to privatize the PLCB and thereby the state wine and spirits stores. Calling into question anticipated windfall revenues from the initial sale of the stores, Wagner noted other privatization efforts in recent history that have brought in less than anticipated revenues.
The press conference was held in advance of the Auditor General testifying at today’s House Liquor Control Committee’s hearing on the privatization measure.
The full story will be available later in the Capitol Toolbox.
November 30, 2011, 8:50 am
PILEGGI CONSIDERING US SENATE RUN
According to an article in the Morning Call, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, architect of this year’s plan to change how Pennsylvania’s electoral votes are counted, is considering jumping in to the crowded Republican U.S. Senate primary contest. “I have been approached by a number of people about the possibility of running for U.S. Senate,” Pileggi’s spokesman told PoliticsPA, which broke the story. If he gets in, Pileggi would join nine others vying for the chance to face Democrat Bob Casey in next year’s general election. Click here to read the Morning Call article.
RAFFERTY TO ANNOUNCE CANDIDACY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
According to an article in the Patriot News, Montgomery County Republican senator John Rafferty plans to announce his candidacy for the state’s top prosecutor position today. Rafferty has served in the state Senate since 2002. He currently chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. In recent years, he has pushed legislation dealing with gaming reform, changing the law to allow six packs of beer to be sold by beer distributors, groceries and convenience stores, and urged lawmakers to make texting while driving a primary offense. Click here to read the
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 30, 2011
November 29, 2011, 3:57 pm
The House Insurance Committee held a public hearing to discuss House Bill 1763, which deals with healthcare contracts between physicians and health insurers. Chairman Nicholas Micozzie (R-Delaware) indicated this legislation would authorize the state to regulate contracts between the insurers and physicians and would codify the terms and conditions of a national class-action settlement, the Love settlement, which will expire or has expired already. He stated this bill is not without controversy; physicians claim the lack of transparency by health insurance carriers has lead to payment denials or reductions while health insurers contend the expiration dates were put in place for a reason and there has been no evidence of unfair contract practices. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
November 29, 2011, 9:36 am
REP. MANN TO LEAVE HOUSE IN 2012
According to an article in the Morning Call, Rep. Jennifer Mann, a 13-year state House veteran with a hand in bringing Coca-Cola Park and a minor league hockey arena to Allentown, said Monday her current term will be her last. “I got a sense that it was time for a new challenge,” said Mann, 42, who has represented the city’s 132nd District since 1998. “I want to continue to make a difference in the community. But you don’t have to be an elected official to do that. It was time to tackle [things] in a new way.” Click here to read the Morning Call article.
STATE URGES CONSUMERS TO PAY SALES TAX ON INTERNET PURCHASES
According to an article in the Patriot News, online retailers scored big with Cyber Monday, and the state Department of Revenue doesn’t want to be forgotten. Anyone shopping online is supposed to pay the “use tax” — the equivalent of the 6-percent sales tax on goods purchased in Pennsylvania. The tax also applies to catalog shopping and buying goods in brick-and-mortar stores outside the state. The use tax has been on the
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 29, 2011
November 28, 2011, 9:10 am
STATE HAS ITS EYE ON INTERNET SALES TAX
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the commonwealth’s tax collectors have a chunk of digital coal for online shoppers on Monday, which is typically the biggest Web sales day of the year: a reminder that Pennsylvania residents are supposed to start paying sales taxes on 2011 online purchases in next year’s tax returns. The term “Cyber Monday” began as a marketing pitch in 2005 but has developed into a genuine phenomenon. The $1.03 billion in online sales on the Monday after Thanksgiving last year was the biggest Web sales day in history. The state’s Department of Revenue wants in on the action, too, and is using the day to promote a new line on the PA-40 income tax form, which asks households to disclose the amount of their heretofore untaxed online purchases. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.
STATE OPTING NOT TO PUT ADS ON ELECTRONIC SIGNS
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Pennsylvania drivers won’t see two-for-one pizza deals or holiday shopping offers flashing on electronic highway signs. The state has withdrawn a federal application seeking
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 28, 2011
November 23, 2011, 9:39 am
GOVERNOR CORBETT TRANSFERS HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE TO STATE POLICE
Governor Tom Corbett announced in a press release yesterday that the Governors’ Office of Homeland Security will soon move its operations to the Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Harrisburg. The Office of Homeland Security was merged into the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency during the previous administration. However, a recent review determined that relocating the office to the state police headquarters, where staff could partner with the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PACIC), would result in an even greater combination of intelligence gathering and sharing. Check out the Press Releases section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
AG DROPS PROSECUTION OF LAST HOUSE GOP DEFENDANT
According to an article in the Patriot News, John R. Zimmerman, the last of the remaining defendants in the House Republican “Computergate” scandal, has had all criminal charges against him withdrawn by the state attorney general’s office. Zimmerman’s attorney, Thomas Bergstrom, told The Patriot-News he received confirmation of the attorney general’s action late last week, without any prior consultation from prosecutors. “All I know is I got the order, and I was delighted to get it,” Bergstrom said
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 23, 2011
November 22, 2011, 8:59 am
GOV. CORBETT PROVIDES YEAR IN REVIEW TO PRESS CLUB
Gov. Tom Corbett was the featured speaker at this month’s Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon. He provided members of the press and guests with a review of the year since his election. Gov. Corbett noted it has been just over a year since his election and has been ten months and three days since his swearing in, something he called a “busy period of time.” He reminded those in attendance of his campaign promises of a balanced, on time budget; tort reform; property tax reform; increased transportation funding; a Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission; and a privatization panel. He then went on to discuss how his transition team looked at all operations of state government under the governor’s control and recommended the appointment of great cabinet members. Check out the Around the Capitol section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
POLL: VOTERS WANT MORE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Pennsylvania voters think the state should increase its funding for school districts, but they don’t want tax dollars to fund private education. The survey of 800 likely
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 22, 2011
November 21, 2011, 1:41 pm
Gov. Tom Corbett was the featured speaker at this month’s Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon and he provided those in attendance with a review of his first year in office from inauguration to present day. In his formal remarks, Gov. Corbett outlined the strides his administration has made in implementing his campaign promises. He also discussed how his team handled unanticipated circumstances like natural disasters while also remarking on the recent Penn State scandal.
Check the Around the Capital section of the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the rest of the story.
November 21, 2011, 8:52 am
HARRISBURG RECEIVER-DESIGNEE CONDUCTS FIRST NEWS CONFERENCE
“The problem is solvable” is the message to the people of Harrisburg from David Unkovic who is the person the Corbett Administration wants appointed as the receiver for the city. Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary C. Alan Walker, under the direction of the Governor filed a petition Friday with the Commonwealth Court to appoint Unkovic under the provisions of Act 47. Unkovic told reporters at the news conference, “I will undertake these duties with determination and also with humility.” He said, “The Mayor and City Council have worked hard under difficult circumstances to try to develop a recovery plan for the city.” Check out the Around the Capitol section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
NEW DELAY SOUGHT IN MUSTO TRIAL DUE TO ILLNESS
According to an article in the Wilkes Barre Citizens Voice, an attorney for former state Sen. Raphael J. Musto, claiming that Musto is too ill to help prepare for his Feb. 1 corruption trial, has asked a federal judge to postpone the trial until at least June 4. Musto’s trial date has already been extended once because
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 21, 2011
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