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February 29, 2012, 5:32 pm
The Secretary of the Department of General Services Sheri Phillips briefed the House Appropriations Committee regarding the department’s budget request as well as fielded questions from members about the activities of the department during the past fiscal year. Discussion topics included the new security policy blocking access to large group to certain areas of the capitol to the purchase of The Forum Place.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full recap. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 5:25 pm
Temple University responded to questions from the Senate Appropriations Committee members this afternoon, addressing a range of topics including the proposed cut to its budget, the impact on tuition and the school’s public mission, and the state of the university hospital.
Vice President Tony Wagner told the committee the cut proposed in the Corbett budget works out to 5 percent of its educational and general funds budget, contrary to assertions by the Corbett Administration that it is a 1.8 percent cut. Wagner said for that number to be accurate it would have to include the budgets for all of Temple’s activities, not just education spending which is the only way the money can be spent.
Larry Kaiser, Dean of the School of Medicine and Senior Executive Vice President for the Health Sciences, detailed the Temple University hospital’s work and noted its effective status as a relied-upon provider of last resort for healthcare in Philadelphia.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 4:50 pm
Secretary of Health Eli Avila came before the House Appropriations Committee this afternoon to discuss his department’s budget. Members questioned the secretary on proposals to transfer Tobacco Settlement dollars to DPW and on the elimination of funding for several other programs. The secretary defended the budget indicating that it will meet the department’s mission to protect the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 3:37 pm
This afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard from Penn State President Rodney Erickson. President Erickson’s opening remarks revolved around the history of the University and its land grant mission. He also focused on the importance of Penn State as a top-notch research university. Members asked President Erickson a wide variety of questions about the challenges the University has and will be facing.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 3:02 pm
A day after the one year anniversary of the end of the adultBasic health insurance program, a group of advocates and providers held a media conference call to recount the losses stemming from the end of the program. Several advocates, consumers, and providers discussed their experiences since the program ended and their struggles with alternative forms of health insurance.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 29, 2012, 1:25 pm
The House Appropriations Committee continued their budget hearings with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. William Griscom, President, stated they had 2,815 applicants and only accepted one in five students due to limited capacity. He said this past year they had 282 students graduate last year, which was the highest in the college’s history, and have a 95 percent job placement rate. He noted Pennsylvania should fund higher education based on performance measures that match the needs of the Commonwealth’s economy; not by spending more but investing what is being spent differently.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 12:56 pm
The Senate Appropriations Committee continued its budget hearings this morning with Lincoln University. Robert Jennings, President of Lincoln University, fielded questions from members on a variety of issues including the flat-funding of the state appropriation, increasing enrollment for African American males, and the status of construction projects on campus.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 29, 2012, 12:47 pm
Executive Director, John Arway, of the PA Fish and Boat Commission, presented the Commission’s annual report today to the House Game and Fisheries Committee championing the idea of imposing a fee for water access and looking towards ways to decrease the cost of licenses. Members asked a variety of questions ranging from marketing programs to the impact of Marcellus Shale drilling. Read the full story later on the Capitol Toolbox.
February 29, 2012, 12:23 pm
Disability rights advocates rally at the Capitol
Disability rights advocates rallied at the Capitol this morning to urge Gov. Tom Corbett and Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander to reconsider proposed changes to the DPW budget they warn would adversely affect Pennsylvania’s disabled population.
The planned consolidation of 37 organizations that provide fiscal agent and fiscal management services to Medicaid recipients who are getting home- and community-based services would limit choices and would create more opportunities for mistreatment, according to Linda Anthony, policy director for the Disability Rights Network.
At a recent budget hearing, Sec. Alexander explained the proposal is an effort to increase efficiency within the department. Theotis Braddy, executive director for the Central Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living, warned the change could in fact create “drastic, long-term increases for taxpayers,” in addition to jeopardizing the quality of care for recipients.
Stakeholders plan to continue the rally by marching to the Governor’s Mansion later in the day. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 29, 2012, 12:23 pm
The Senate Appropriations Committee started off today’s budget hearings with the University of Pittsburgh. Mark Nordenburg, Chancellor of Pitt, fielded questions from committee members on a variety of issues including the affects of the proposed budget decrease, the economic impact of Pitt on western Pennsylvania, and research being conducted at the university.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this evening for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
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