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August 17, 2011, 12:07 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing this morning to discuss issues stemming from Marcellus Shale Drilling. The committee heard from a professor at Penn State who discussed the impact of drilling on local governments. He particularly focused on a pair of studies regarding revenue changes to local governments from drilling activity. Advocates from Penn Future and 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania also testified on the need for protecting the common good of the commonwealth from the negative impacts of drilling.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
July 13, 2011, 1:14 pm
The House Democratic Policy held a public hearing today to discuss the state budget cuts. Legislators expressed frustration in their lack of involvement in crafting the budget, and testifiers spoke about how the cuts will be affecting areas such as education, services provided by counties, and citizens with disabilities. The committee discussed the long term and short term problems that will result from the budget and Chairman Sturla stated he does not “understand the logic behind it.”
Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later on for the full story.
May 26, 2011, 12:13 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee met today for a hearing on Human Services budget cuts in the state budget passed by the House earlier this week. Testifiers of two panels voiced their concerns about the effects of budget cuts on their agencies and organizations, which included the Drug and Alcohol Providers of Pennsylvania, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, United Way, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association, and County Commissioners Association. Panelists called attention to funds that are being eliminated or shifted by the budget cuts and asked that they be restored.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 7, 2011, 4:29 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing on SB 1. The committee heard from a number of organizations on the issue including the Philadelphia Black Alliance for Educational Options, the Education Policy and Leadership Center, the NAACP, and the Commonwealth Foundation. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
March 3, 2011, 12:48 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee met today to discuss the events that led to the end of the adultBasic health insurance program and possible options to resume the program or otherwise provide coverage to the 41,000 people that are now without coverage. Several proposals were discussed as well as the question of whether the Blues are legally obligated to provide funding.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
July 26, 2010, 5:09 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing to hear from Search and Rescue Organizations. The committee heard the funding plight of the organizations and also heard from state departments and agencies who offered ways to help the organizations. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
April 7, 2010, 7:00 pm
The Committee held a hearing at MaST Community Charter School to discuss the potential benefits of charter schools and how the school system in general can benefit from their existence. Rep. Boyle (D) explained the purpose of the hearing was to learn from the 10 years of charter schools’ existence and figure how to apply positive innovations to the public school system. The future of charter school expansion and possible adaptations to charter school funding were also discussed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for full story.
April 6, 2010, 5:51 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing this afternoon regarding the creating of a unicameral state legislature that would eliminate the state Senate and create one General Assembly. The hearing was held by Rep. Richard Grucela (D-Northampton) who is main sponsor on a unicameral legislature bill, HB 260, and Rep. Jaret Gibbons (D-Lawrence) who supports a unicameral legislature and is drafting his own bill that would establish a one-body legislature. The committee heard testimony by a panel of experts consisting of Dr. Joseph McLaughlin, Dr. Alan Tarr, and Dr. Jack Nagel. Rep. Gibbons lauded the ability of a unicameral legislature to be more efficient in costs and making policy. Discussion focused on the differences that interest groups have in bicameral and unicameral legislatures and whether a better system of bipartisan training for freshman members is needed to curb partisan divide. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the story.
March 15, 2010, 12:09 pm
The House Democratic Policy Committee held an informational briefing with Step by Step Learning. Mary Donecker, Vice President of Step by Step Learning, gave an overview of the organization and the results school districts were able to achieve. Administrative officials from the Pleasant Valley School District and the Union City School District testified to the benefits of Step by Step Learning and affirmed that the organization enabled the districts to improve student outcomes. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.
March 11, 2010, 12:05 pm
The House Urban Affairs Committee along with the House Democratic and House Republican Policy Committees held a joint informational hearing on land banks. Dan Kildee, executive director of the Center for Community Progress, made a power point presentation on the land bank program in Flint, Michigan and responded to questions from committee members. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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