2012 February 22 | FYI by PLS

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Banking Dept budget hearing in Senate focuses on Securities Commission merger, national mortgage settlement

February 22, 2012, 4:38 pm

The Senate Appropriations Committee concluded its slate of budget hearings today with the Department of Banking, represented by department secretary Glenn Moyer.

The committee focused largely on two main issues throughout the hearing – the proposed merger of the department with the Pennsylvania Securities Commission, and a recent federal settlement with five national mortgage servicers that will result in upwards of $60 million dollars coming to the Commonwealth, in addition to separate payouts for many homeowners. Members expressed a bipartisan interest in using the money to restore funding to the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), which due to funding cuts has been unable to offer assistance to avert foreclosures since July 1 of last year.

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.

House Appropriations Talks Budget with Office of Attorney General and Office of Open Records

February 22, 2012, 4:37 pm

The House Appropriations Committee rounded out its second day of budget hearings meeting with the Office of Attorney General followed by the Office of Open Records. With OAG, the committee discussed specific line-items. With Open Records, many committee members voiced support for increasing the office’s line-item to better allow it to meet its mission.

Check the Capitol Toolbox later for both stories. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.

Senators Urge Governor to Take the Lead on Transportation Funding

February 22, 2012, 3:32 pm

Today the several members of the Senate Appropriations Committee from both political parties told PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch that it is time for Governor Corbett “to take the lead” in pushing for legislation enacting the recommendations of the Governor’s Transportation Advisory Commission. Although giving no timetable, Secretary Schoch said he expects the Governor to address the issue once certain parts of the General Fund Budget are addressed. Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman told Secretary Schoch, “I believe we’re ready to go in the Senate.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

Banking Secretary Briefs House Appropriations Committee

February 22, 2012, 3:20 pm

The House Appropriations Committee questioned Glenn Moyer, Secretary of the Department of Banking, during a budget hearing this afternoon. Sec. Moyer answered questions from members regarding the merger of the Department of Banking and the Pennsylvania Securities Commission, the joint state-federal settlement concerning mortgage foreclosure abuses, and the Dodd-Frank Act.

Look for the full story in the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today.

House Appropriations holds Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Treasury

February 22, 2012, 1:38 pm

The House Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing today with the Pennsylvania Treasury. Treasurer Robert McCord emphasized the Treasury is about “applying business logic, business discipline and business innovation to have the Treasury be a big profit center.” He stated the Treasury pays for itself at least four times over just from operations before getting any investment returns and he is very proud of the investment track record. He noted it is important to make sure the Commonwealth does not run the real risk of cutting spending in a way that costs the state more money in the next budget. Members of the Committee asked the Treasurer questions about the IT modernization project, the TAP program and the employee pension funds. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

House Approps Holds Budget Hearing with State-Relateds

February 22, 2012, 12:39 pm

The House Appropriations Committee continued its budget hearings this morning with the presidents of the state-related universities: Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln. The presidents called the proposed budget a “move toward privatization” of the universities and discussed the adverse effects the cuts would have on the universities. Committee members questioned the presidents about tuition increases, economic impact, and including the universities under the Right-To-Know Act. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.

Senate Appropriations Discusses Environmental Protection Budget

February 22, 2012, 12:39 pm

The Senate Appropriations Committee this morning held a budget hearing with DEP Secretary Mike Krancer. Members asked questions to ascertain the adequacy of the proposed budget and particularly discussed the need to protect the environment as natural gas drilling increases. Several members also asked about flood control funding, pointing out prevention is less expensive than recovery.

Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.

Eye Opener – February 22, 2012

February 22, 2012, 8:48 am

REDISTRICTING PANEL MEETS OVER HOUSE, SENATE MAPS

According to an Associated Press article, the Legislative Reapportionment Commission is preparing to hold its first meeting since the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the proposed General Assembly maps based on the 2010 census. The commission’s agenda for the Wednesday afternoon meeting in the state Capitol didn’t indicate whether the five-member commission will vote, but said only that there will be a discussion about the status of new proposed plans. Click here to read the Associated Press article.

SENATE TO DROP HIGH-END HEALTH COVERAGE

According to an Associated Press article, the Pennsylvania Senate is dropping its rare and expensive employee medical plan and increasing medical and drug co-pays, changes expected to save the state more than $1 million a year, according to the Senate’s top ranking lawmaker. The Senate Committee on Management Operations, whose nine members decide on employee benefits, approved the elimination of indemnity health plans in December, Senate President Pro-Tempore Joe Scarnati confirmed in a Feb. 9 letter to the Bucks County Courier Times. Click here to read the Associated Press article.

VEON NONPROFIT, LEGISLATIVE FUNDS WERE INTERTWINED

According to an article in

Continue reading Eye Opener – February 22, 2012

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Banking Dept budget hearing in Senate focuses on Securities Commission merger, national mortgage settlement

House Appropriations Talks Budget with Office of Attorney General and Office of Open Records

Senators Urge Governor to Take the Lead on Transportation Funding

Banking Secretary Briefs House Appropriations Committee

House Appropriations holds Budget Hearing with the Pennsylvania Treasury

House Approps Holds Budget Hearing with State-Relateds

Senate Appropriations Discusses Environmental Protection Budget

Eye Opener – February 22, 2012

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