In response to a question from Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery), PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch said he expects meetings with the legislative leadership regarding transportation funding will begin in April after Governor Corbett returns from his European trade mission. Sec. Schoch briefed members of the Transportation Committee on the department’s proposed 2012-2013 budget. In his presentation and in response to lawmakers’ questions, Sec. Schoch addressed a variety of issues including: the end of the Accelerated Bridge Program; federal transportation funding; the department’s modernization efforts; public transit funding; and rail freight funding.
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Posted by Jeff | Tags: PennDOT, public transit funding, rail freight funding, road and bridge maintenance, transportation funding | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Transportation | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Republican Policy Committee today conducted a hearing on House Bill 1270 which would authorize the Commonwealth to enter into an agreement with other states to elect the President of the United States by National Popular vote. Under the agreement, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes would go to the presidential candidate that wins the popular vote nationwide instead of the candidate who receives the most popular votes in Pennsylvania. Proponents of the plan argued the agreement would lead to national campaigns run on national issues instead of “national campaigns run on regional issues.” Opponents questioned the constitutionality of the agreement and argued in favor of the current Electoral College process. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Electoral College, National Popular Vote Initiative | Category: House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this afternoon held a hearing on the state’s Civil Service Law, specifically reforms as they pertain to veterans. The committee heard from Auditor General Wagner, who reviewed a 2008 audit that found misapplication of the Veterans Preference Program; from veterans and veteran organizations, who highlighted the need to ensure veterans receive as much help as possible; and from the state Civil Service Commission, who provided an overview of the preference provisions and the applicability of the Civil Service Law. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox early this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: audits, civil service, Employment, veterans | Category: House Veterans Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Insurance committee held a public hearing this morning on legislation that would establish a new Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance within the Department of Community and Economic Development. Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver), prime sponsor of HB 717, characterized the hearing as a “timely opportunity” to discuss the legislation and the role of the Insurance Department as more of the federal Affordable Care Act comes online. Representatives from the Insurance Department, the insurance industry and other stakeholders testified on the issue. Sam Marshall, president of the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, indicated there is a feeling on the part of insurers that a new consumer advocate would complicate and confuse things for consumers, rather than streamline the complaint process. He noted however that dialogue on the issue is important going forward. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: affordable care act, consumer advocate, insurance | Category: House Insurance, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Commerce Committee this morning held an informational meeting on HB 1616, legislation sponsored by Rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster) that would create a new class of hybrid corporations known as Benefit Corporations. In his remarks, Rep. Denlinger explained B-Corps, as they are known, combine the profit-first philosophy behind traditional businesses with a focus on offering societal and environmental benefits. The initiative would provide freedom for such companies from focusing solely on maximizing profit for shareholders. A number of states have passed legislation establishing the B-Corp classification, including neighbors New York and New Jersey. PLS subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: business, corporate law | Category: House Commerce, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
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. Posted by Mike | Tags: Counties, RACP, taxation | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Finance, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Democratic Policy Committee this morning held a hearing to discuss the impact of past and potential future cuts to human services. The members heard from SEIU, county human services administrators, social workers, the Disability Rights Network, and the Council of Churches. Each testifier described the negative impact that cuts have had on their constituents and outlined reforms that could enable them to provide services more efficiently. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim | Tags: DPW, human services, public assistance | Category: House Democratic Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Finance Committee was briefed this morning by Majority General Counsel Stephen Tuckey on changes made in HB 2175 to the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Project (RACP – but pronounced RCAP) program. HB 2175, introduced by House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), amends a variety of RACP provisions contained within the Capital Debt Enabling Act. Among them, upon enactment the RACP debt limit would be cut from $4.05 billion to $3.5 billion, and would then decrease incrementally at various levels until it reaches $1.5 billion sometime after 2020. The bill redefines what constitutes an RACP project and overhauls the project review process, giving the Budget Office screening duties for application compliance. Tuckey noted HB 2175 also institutes a moratorium on project approvals for “lame duck” governors – prohibiting the approval of any project in the period between the election of a new governor and the date of his entry into office. Also, under the legislation all projects not authorized as of December 31, 2011 would expire and need to be re-listed in compliance with the updated requirements of the act. Check the Capitol Toolbox later the full story on the briefing and related coverage of Rep. Turzai’s press Continue reading Finance Committee briefed on Turzai RACP bill Posted by Mike | Tags: debt, RACP | Category: House Finance, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Urban Affairs Committee today conducted an informational hearing reform measures involving the Philadelphia Housing Authority PHA. Michael Kelly, Executive Director and HUD-appointed Administrative Receiver for PHA, told the committee members, “Since I arrived in December 2010, we have worked very hard to carry out a Recovery Plan to undo mistakes of the past and build a structure of strong, ethical and respectful business practices.” He outlined some of the specific changes that have been made in reforming PHA. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Philadelphia Housing Authority | Category: House Urban Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) conducted a lengthy public hearing on the issue of preventing and eradicating homelessness among the veteran population. Lawmakers received testimony and recommendations from several veterans’ organizations, community organizations specializing in veterans outreach programs and homeless veterans. A majority testified to the need for funding but also stressed the importance of assisting veterans transitioning from active duty back into civilian life. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: homelessness, veterans programs | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
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