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March 6, 2012, 11:38 am
This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee approved two bills sponsored by Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre) aimed at deterring underage alcohol abuse in State College and other university towns, and helping to ease the burden on taxpayers bankrolling vandalism cleanup and other consequences of public and underage intoxication. State College chief of police Thomas King testified before the committee on the seriousness of the situation in his town and the need for higher fines to provide a greater deterrent.
The committee also approved a number of other bills, including a measure by Rep. Tarah Toohill (R-Luzerne) dealing with best practices in juvenile courts in the wake of the Luzerne County “Cash for Kids” scandal.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
March 1, 2012, 1:47 pm
The secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry sat before the House Appropriations Committee this morning to discuss the department’s budget and programs to get Pennsylvanians back to work. Discussion focused on the governor’s proposed Keystone Works program, the impact of the closure of refineries in the Philadelphia area, and ensuring that Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate continues to decline.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story on the hearing. Not a PLS Capitol Toolbox subscriber? You can now purchase individual budget hearing recaps here.
February 21, 2012, 4:38 pm
The Senate Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing with Department of Health Executive Deputy Secretary Michael Wolf. The members asked questions about various line item reductions in the Department’s proposed budget and particularly expressed concern with cuts to research funding and the proposed merger of the PHC4 and Patient Safety Authority into the Department.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening.
February 13, 2012, 1:49 pm
The House Finance Committee this morning approved HB 2175, RACP reform legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny). The bill, which passed with a lone dissenting vote, now moves to the House Appropriations Committee, where Majority Council Jim Mann advised it will be amended to clarify language relating to the inclusion of community colleges. Following the vote the committee held a public hearing on HB 1877, legislation by Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) that would eliminate the 5 percent commission paid by counties to tax claim bureaus in cases where the county has hired a private contractor to collect delinquent taxes.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on both bills.
February 8, 2012, 11:33 am
The House Labor & Industry Committee today met to consider HB 1543, which exempts projects owned or held by nonprofit historical organizations or land conservancies from the requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act. Several amendments were offered and some adopted. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
February 6, 2012, 8:17 pm
The Conference Committee met tonight and approved of the conference committee report for House Bill 1950 along a 4-2 vote with both Democrats (Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne)) voting in the negative. The move clears the way for final passage of the fee legislation.
January 24, 2012, 11:12 am
By a vote of 16 to 8, the House State Government Committee reported out House Bill 153 which would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to reduce the number of House districts from 203 to 153 after the 2020 census. Proponents argued that the legislation will lead to more efficient government, sets a good example for the other branches of government to “do more with less”, and lead to more accountability. Opponents expressed concern with the impact on rural areas and constituent service, the fact the reduction does not apply to the Senate, and there is no guarantee the reduction will reduce costs. The legislation will go to the House floor for further action. In order to take effect, the legislation will have to be approved by two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then be placed on the ballot for approval by a majority of voters. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
December 15, 2011, 12:47 pm
On a straight party-line vote, the House State Government Committee voted to report as committed SB 1249 which provides the boundaries for Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts. An attempt by the committee Democrats to postpone a committee vote until Monday failed on a party-line vote. The proposed 7th congressional district and the changes in the districts in the Lehigh Valley were the main areas of contention during the lengthy meeting which was interrupted by a power outage in the Capitol Complex. The legislation will now go to the House floor for further consideration. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
December 14, 2011, 11:36 am
By a 6-5 vote, the members of the Senate State Government Committee reported as amended SB 1249 which draws the boundaries for Pennsylvania’s 18 congressional districts. The lines for the 7th congressional district in southeast Pennsylvania continues to cause the most controversy. Voting in favor of reporting the legislation were Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks), Jake Corman (R-Centre), John Pippy (R-Allegheny), Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) and Donald White (R-Indiana). Voting against reporting the bill were Minority Chairman Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) and Senators Michael Brubaker (R-Lancaster), Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester), Michael Folmer (R-Lebanon) and LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia). The Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on the bill later today and then it will be voted on by the full Senate. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
December 13, 2011, 4:38 pm
House Bill 1950, the Marcellus Shale impact fee bill, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee today, set for a final vote in that chamber. The bill, cleared the committee after Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) failed to amend the measure. Committee Majority Chairman Jake Corman (R-Centre) speculated the bill will likely end up in conference committee after it passes the Senate as the House and Gov. Tom Corbett have yet to agree on the language the Senate had previously amended into the bill.
Check the Around the Capital section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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