TURZAI NOT RUNNING FOR CONGRESS
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Mike Turzai’s off again, on again congressional bid is off again, he told the state House Republican caucus on Tuesday. The Republican House majority leader, who told party officials late last week that he was seriously weighing a bid for election in a newly drawn 12th Congressional District, said he will instead seek re-election to his state seat. Turzai, 52, of Bradford Woods, said he never made a concrete decision to run. He said Gov. Tom Corbett asked him recently to run, but he decided against it after his wife, Lidia, told him to consider the impact he’s making in his job. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Tribune Review article.
BICAMERAL DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP CALLS FOR FUNDING TO SAVE FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED SCHOOL DISTRICTS
A virtual bevy of both House and Senate Democratic leaders held a news conference yesterday to discuss funding for the financially distressed Chester Upland School District and other financially distressed school districts. House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) said the funding crisis in Chester Upland specifically has been caused by the current administration and has put a tremendous stain on the students, teachers, and administrators of the school district. Rep. Dermody indicated while yesterday’s meeting between the administration and the school district was encouraging, the promise to fund Chester Upland only through the end of the school year is not enough. He said Democratic leadership will hold the governor accountable to fund education to the extent required under the constitution. Check out the Around the Capitol section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
PIPPY WILL NOT RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Sen. John Pippy, R-Allegheny, announced Tuesday that he would not run this year for a third full term in the state Senate. Mr. Pippy, 41, served in the state House for eight years before being elected to the 37th District state Senate seat in 2003, an election he won while serving on active duty with the U.S. Army Reserves in Iraq. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.
DALEY URGES EXEMPTION OF STATE SALES TAX ON AIRPLANE SALES & MAINTENANCE
Rep. Pete Daley (D-Washington) yesterday announced the introduction of HB 1100, legislation that would exempt from the sales and use tax fixed-wing sales, parts, maintenance, and repair in Pennsylvania. The measure, according to Rep. Daley, would bring Pennsylvania onto even terms with neighboring states that do not charge sales tax on such items, drawing business and jobs away from the Commonwealth. According to Rep. Daley, Pennsylvania is the only northeastern state not to enact some form of meaningful tax reform on fixed-wing aviation. He said that as a result Pennsylvania employees only 2,900 people in the industry compared to 8,300 in Ohio and 9,400 people in New York. Check out the Around the Capitol section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full story.
Upcoming Meetings
House Aging and Older Adult Services
9:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
Roundtable discussion on the role of government in addressing elder abuse and adult protective services
9:30 a.m., Rotunda Balcony Rep. Reed: Creating a more competitive business climate through tax reform & close Delaware Loophole
10:00 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building Legislative Briefing on School Choice in PA
10:30 a.m., Rotunda Balcony Senate Democratic Caucus to Unveil Budget Priorities
11:00 a.m., Media Center Rep. Gerber, Rendell, Central PA Food Bank Director to discuss proposed SNAP changes
House Appropriations
Off the Floor, Room 140 Main Capitol
Agenda to be announced
Senate Transportation
Off the Floor, Rules Committee Conference Room
To consider: SB 1372 Greenleaf Act re Dr. Robert R. Kuhn Bridge SB 1382 Solobay Act re Ofcr John David Dryer Mem. Interchange HB 1091 Harkins Act re Michael D. Crotty Memorial Parkway
Senate Rules and Executive Nominations
Off the Floor, Rules Committee Conference Room
To consider: HB 1458 Tallman Amends Title 75 and executive nominations
