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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, 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, 12:23 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.
February 29, 2012, 12:19 pm
The message from members of the House Appropriations Committee to Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch was “urge the Governor to show leadership on transportation funding.” The lawmakers had high praise for the Secretary and for the department but they expressed frustration with the Governor for not acting on the recommendations of his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. Secretary Schoch responded to questions on a variety of issues including funding, the status of the Commonwealth’s roads and bridges, mass transit funding, multi-modal funding, and the potential loss of professional engineers at the department. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
February 28, 2012, 5:00 pm
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee this afternoon to discuss their 2012-13 budget and the overall health of the state gaming industry.
With the PGCB’s budget paid for by the industry, focus rested on the board’s oversight of casino licensing and operations. In particular, committee members asked about the smoking ban in place among casino facilities, the ongoing presence of state police, and the prospects for what may happen with the license revoked by the Board from Foxwoods in Philadelphia. Members credited the board and the industry for generally living up to expectations with regard to property tax relief and improving the transparency and integrity of daily operations.
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 28, 2012, 3:39 pm
Secretary of Aging Brian Duke responded to questions from the members of the House Appropriations Committee on a number of issues pertaining to Pennsylvania’s increasingly aging population. The issues included the PACE/PACENET program, the funding formula for the Area Agencies on Aging, the waiting lists for various waiver programs, and the transitioning of seniors from nursing home care to home and community based care. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
February 28, 2012, 3:36 pm
The Senate Appropriations Committee continued budget hearings this afternoon with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). John Cavanaugh, Chancellor of PASSHE, and three PASSHE presidents fielded questions from committee members on a variety of issues including the impact of the proposed budget cuts, the economic impact of the universities, the status of union negotiations.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
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