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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Posted by Jeff | Category: House Democratic Policy, House Republican Policy, House Urban Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Republican Policy Committee held an informational meeting on HB 1909, as a follow up to a House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee hearing held last week. The members heard from three testifiers, all of whom argued that HB 1909 will be detrimental to Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s taxpayers. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: rate caps | Category: House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The committees held a joint public hearing on the 2010 Census. Philip Lutz, Assistant Regional Census Manager and Ben Ramos, Partnership Coordinator gave an overview of the census operation and discussed the challenges that they face including overcoming language barriers. Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) said the census is a “critical issue” because Pennsylvania may lose additional congressional seats which would impact the amount of funding the state will receive in the future. Chairman of the State Government Committee, Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) agreed and encouraged House members to join the Complete Count Caucus to ensure that Pennsylvania gets an accurate count. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: House Consumer Affairs, House Democratic Policy, House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy, House Select, House State Government | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee conducted a public hearing on Public-Private Partnerships (3Ps) as a method to modernize and expand Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure. Testifiers all warned that current transportation funding mechanisms cannot meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s transportation system and urged adding 3Ps to Pennsylvania’s “toolbox”. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the complete story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: P3s, SEIU, Sen. Specter, Transportation | Category: House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Republican Policy Committee held a public hearing this morning at H.B. McClure in Harrisburg to discuss House Bill 2010, the open contracting bill. Representative John Bear (R-Lancaster), the prime sponsor of HB 2010 said that his bill would eliminate the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) for publicly funded construction projects. Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) a co-sponsor of HB 2010, along with non-union contractors and construction association representatives argued that PLAs are discriminatory towards non-union workers and also drive up construction costs by reducing competition in the bidding process. Union representatives also testified to the committee and explained that PLAs protect local workers, ensure quality craftsmanship, and are not at all discriminatory. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: Project Labor Agreements, taxation, unions, voting | Category: House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee conducted a hearing on the resubmission of the Turnpike Commission’s application to the Federal Highway Administration to impose tolls on I-80. Members concentrated on the impact of tolling and the Commission’s hiring of a firm with no experience on transportation issues to assist with the application. Testimony was presented by Brian Chase, an independent consultant on public-private partnerships. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: P3s, United Judicial System | Category: House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
Along a party line vote this evening, the House Rules committee amended and reported out budget vehicle HB 1416. It now goes before the full House, where it will be the subject of debate this evening and likely into tomorrow. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story, text of the amendment, and ongoing coverage. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Republican Policy, House Rules | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee met to consider HB 1531. The bill was report as amended with the Republicans voting in the negative. The amendment eliminated the tax proposal on small games of chance but included a severance tax on natural gas, increase in cigarette tax, and a tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars. The amendment also set the tax on table games at 34 percent and a $20 million license fee. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. House Rules and House Approp met back to back this afternoon and reported the following bills unanimously without amendments: HB 348 (Rules), HB 692, HB 1593, HB 1614, and SB 607 (all from Approp). Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox. Posted by Kim | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Agriculture & Rural Affairs, House Appropriations, House Republican Policy, House Rules | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee met to consider one bill. HB 1828 was unanimously reported as amended. House Minority Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson)Â said Republican members voted to move the process along but stressed that they still have a number of concerns with the legislation and look forward to a spirited debate tomorrow. House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) said it is fitting that the debate will be tomorrow, September 11, because the amendment guarantees the collective bargaining rights of the police and firemen. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. |
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