The Coalition for Labor Engagement & Accountable Revenues (CLEAR), a coalition of eight public employee unions, today issued a report that they say would allow legislators to “balance the state budget without making draconian spending cuts that hurt children and families.” According to CLEAR, the report identifies $2.3 billion in specific recommendations that include closing corporate tax loopholes, cutting waste and abuse, and demanding greater efficiency in how government delivers services. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for complete story.
|
|
|||
|
The Pennsylvania Association of State-Related Students (PASS) held a press conference in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol to demand more funding for higher education. Students from Penn State University, Temple University, Lincoln University and the University of Pittsburgh spoke about how the budget cuts in education have caused tuition prices to rise, making it increasingly difficult to obtain a quality education. Elliott Griffin, Executive Director of PASS, stated investing in Pennsylvania’s universities means investing in the future of Pennsylvania. She emphasized “making higher education a priority involves proposing a responsible budget that includes reputable increases for Pennsylvania schools.” Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by intern | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Former Gov. Ed Rendell opposes SNAP asset tests Former governor Ed Rendell joined House Democrats today in urging Governor Tom Corbett to abandon plans to require an asset test for determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as food stamps. Gov. Rendell and Rep. Mike Gerber (D-Montgomery) advised they have both sent letters to Gov. Corbett conveying their concern about the tests, which would render ineligible anyone under the age of 60 who has more than $2,000 in savings and assets, or anyone over 60 or disabled with more than $3,250. Both contend that, among other things, the bureaucratic costs of administering the test outweighs any potential savings. Rep. Gerber warned asset tests could also lead to higher unemployment and greater strain on already-struggling private charities and churches. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Department of Public Welfare, food stamps, Rendell, SNAP, welfare | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Senate Democrats oppose asset tests Senate Democrats, along with Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia), today criticized the Corbett administration for its plan to implement asset tests to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. “It is appalling that the administration wants to punish those who are right at the edge of subsistence,” Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) said. “We should be encouraging low-income individuals to work their way out of poverty. Instead the administration wants to push them back down.” According to Sen. Kitchen the likely effect of asset testing, which under the administration’s plan will render ineligible anyone under the age of 60 who has more than $2,000 in savings and assets, or anyone over 60 or disabled with more than $3,250, will be to encourage such individuals to spend down their savings in an attempt to qualify. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) contended the measure will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers more money than it brings in. “Many states have done away with these tests because they unfairly punish those who try to do the right thing and do very little to eliminate waste and fraud,” he said. Check the Capitol Toolbox Continue reading Senate Democrats blast Corbett administration on asset tests for SNAP Posted by Mike | Tags: Department of Public Welfare, SNAP, welfare | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Rep. Daley introduces HB 1100 Rep. Pete Daley (D-Washington) today announced the introduction of HB 1100, legislation that would exempt sales and use tax on fixed-wing sales, parts, maintenance and repair in Pennsylvania. The measure, according to Rep. Daley, would bring Pennsylvania onto even terms with neighboring states that do not charge sales tax on such items, drawing business and jobs away from the Commonwealth. According to Rep. Daley, Pennsylvania is the only northeastern state not to enact some form of meaningful tax reform on fixed-wing aviation. He said that as a result Pennsylvania employees only 2,900 people in the industry compared to 8,300 in Ohio and 9,400 people in New York. Rep. Daley was joined by a bipartisan group of legislators in support of the bill, as well as members of the aviation industry. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: aviation, sales tax | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
To mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and a host of legislators held a press conference to build legislative support for the Women’s Right-to-Know Act (HB 1077). “I’m introducing this legislation because every woman deserves the right to be fully informed when considering the termination of her pregnancy,” Rep. Rapp stated. “This without question includes the right to choose whether or not to view an ultrasound of her child within 24 hours of undergoing an abortion.” Check out the Around the Capitol section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The Keystone Transportation Coalition today called on Governor Tom Corbett and the General Assembly to take action on the recommendations of the Governor’s Transportation Funding Commission that Coalition founder George Wolff said “would put state funding on firm ground for the first time in decades at only modest cost to an average transportation system user.” Wolff was joined by spokesmen from several organizations including the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, SEPTA, the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, the Keystone State Railroad Association and the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Governor's Transportation Funding & Advisory Committee, transportation funding | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
In a joint press conference today, advocacy groups Rock The Capital and Democracy Rising criticized Governor Tom Corbett for what they feel has been a failure on his part to enact government reform measures to increase transparency and improve government efficiency. Democracy Rising co-founder Tim Potts also released the results of a public integrity survey conducted by Terry Madonna Opinion Research that shows strong support for a variety of reform measures. Among them, Potts reported 93% of voters want a prohibition on public officials taking anything of value from those who try to influence them, while 82% support a 48-hour waiting period between the final amendment of a bill and its final passage vote. Eric Epstein, co-founder of Rock the Capital, called the reform pledges made by Governor Corbett during his campaign “a classic example of false advertising.” “While the public is rallying around reform in record numbers, Mr. Corbett remains isolated in a political cave, content to govern by fiat,” Epstein said. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. A coalition of environmental and citizens groups today conducted a Capitol Hill rally to urge the General Assembly to reject the two Marcellus Shale bills, H.B. 1950 and S.B. 1100. The groups specifically reject the provisions in the bill providing state preemption of local decision-making and zoning. Steve Hvozdovich, representing Clean Water Action, said, “This was a terrible idea in 2011 and remains a terrible idea in 2012.” Roberta Winters of the League of Women Voters argued, “These bills eliminate the treasured value of ‘local control’ by preempting the right of municipalities to protect the health, well-being and property of local citizens while collecting too little revenue to repair the impact of industrial level fracking on their communities.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: fracking. zoning, marcellus shale | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
PLS recently sat down with Attorney General Candidate Dave Freed to discuss his run for Attorney General. Below, are some excerpts from that interview. The full interview can be found on the PLS Capitol Toolbox in the “Around the Capital” section. Why don’t you introduce yourself and tell us why you are running for Attorney General? Well, I’m David Freed; currently Cumberland County District Attorney. I’m just beginning my seventh year as a DA. I was just elected to my second term. But it’s my seventh year because I finished out my predecessor’s term when he was elected judge. I was his first assistant for about five years and then took over as DA. I was elected to my own term in November of 2007 and just reelected in November. I am running because I believe that we need a prosecutor to continue to protect Pennsylvania’s families. Our party has done very well in hanging on to the office and running people with strong prosecutor credentials. I have the experience, the qualifications, and the drive…. Having a background as a prosecutor, let’s talk about a few of the things the Attorney General faces. First of all, a big issue Continue reading PLS Interview with GOP Attorney General Candidate Dave Freed Posted by Jason | Tags: Office of the Attorney General | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © 2012 FYI by PLS - All Rights Reserved |
|||