FYI by PLS » Senate Community, Economic & Rec. Development

Senate Committee Reports City Management Board Bill

Jeff — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:37:51 +0000

On a straight party line vote, the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee reported as amended Senate Bill 1151. The legislation sponsored by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) provides for the establishment of a management board for distressed third class cities and empowers the board to implement the Act 47 plan. It also prohibits a distressed third class city from filing federal bankruptcy petitions. The proposal is in reaction to the lack of action by the Harrisburg Mayor and City Council to adopt the Act 47 plan. Proponents argue the legislation is needed because the city of Harrisburg appears heading towards bankruptcy which they predicted would be a “disaster.” Opponents expressed concern that the legislation usurps local government authority. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

DCED head clarifies PREP regional coordination proposal at Senate hearing

Mike — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:29:37 +0000

DCED Secretary Alan Walker spoke before the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee this morning on the topic of the proposed Partnerships for Regional and Economic Performance (PREP) contained in Gov. Corbett’s budget. The initiative would consolidate four economic development line items – Industrial Resource centers, Local Development Districts, Small Business Development Centers, and Industrial Development Organizations – under one consolidated line item with a total funding level of $12 million. Members voiced concern over unresolved details and the potential for inter-regional competition. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

Confirmation of new DCED Chief Walker reported from Senate committee

Mike — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:07:23 +0000

The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee unanimously voted this morning to approve the confirmation of Alan Walker as head of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Walker, a Clearfield County businessman and former head of both the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Coal Association, now moves one step closer to being confirmed by the full Senate.

At the same meeting the committee also voted on several bills and received testimony from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, Sands Bethworks and others on the state of the Commonwealth’s problem gambling initiatives. PLS Subscribers check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

Joint hearing discusses economic development accountability

Mike — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:30:52 +0000

This morning a joint hearing of the House Finance and Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development committees heard testimony from various stakeholders on companion legislation HB 2340 and SB 1279, which would require DCED to submit a unified economic development budget and increase reporting on outcomes from government subsidies. The bills also include a provision tying subsidies to certain wage average industry levels – something the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry said it opposes. In addition to the Chamber and DCED, representatives from the Keystone Research Center, the AFL-CIO and the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association offered testimony. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story

Senate Committee approves nomination of Austin Burke as DCED Secretary

Mike — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:55:30 +0000

This morning the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee unanimously voted to approve the nomination of Austin Burke as Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development. The nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a full vote. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the confirmation hearing.

Senate committee approves bill to put Foxwoods casino license up for statewide bid if revoked

Mike — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:06:12 +0000

This morning the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee approved an amended version of SB 831 that would put the casino license currently held by Foxwoods up for statewide bid (excluding Allegheny County) if it is revoked by the Gaming Control Board. Despite concerns raised by Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) that the action is premature, the amended bill passed by a vote of 12-2. Chair Jane Earll (R-Erie) said moving the bill along may serve to catalyze action on the issue.

At the same meeting the committee also received budget updates from the Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue and the State Police, with respect to their gaming oversight responsibilities. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

Senate Committee reports out bill to ban greyhound simulcasting, passes resolution on Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Mike — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:12:38 +0000

This afternoon the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee amended and reported out a bill that would ban the simulcasting of greyhound races in Pennsylvania. Prime sponsor Stew Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), along with Ann Bradley, president of Citizens Against Greyhound Racing, emphasized the bill does not legislate gambling, but rather tackles the issue of animal safety.

The committee also unanimously voted out a resolution recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Representatives from the Gaming Control Board and the Department of Health offered brief testimony updating members on the progress made in treating problem gambling in Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.

House/Senate joint hearing discusses lobbying status of Pennsylvania Casino Association

Mike — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:57:09 +0000

At a joint hearing of the House Gaming Oversight and Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development committees this morning, representatives from the Department of State, Common Cause PA, PAGR, as well as the Pennsylvania Casino Association (PCA) itself discussed current lobbying disclosure laws and how they pertain to the activity of the PCA. PCA Board Chairman and Counsel Richard Sprague maintained PCA is a trade association and has not done anything under current law to trigger a requirement to register as a lobbying entity.

Sprague revealed the PCA board is looking at various lobbying firms to represent the association, and advised upon hiring a firm the association will register under the lobbying disclosure law. He offered to register anyway if the joint committee were to acknowledge that PCA is guilty of no wrongdoing. Chairwoman Jane Earll (R-Erie) said a consensus opinion from members on that point is unlikely to be forthcoming, and told Sprague that at this point the burden is on them to register, or not. Check the Capitol Toolbox later on for the full story on the joint hearing.

Senate Committee reports out gaming bills

Mike — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:42:25 +0000

The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee voted out two gaming bills – SB 1033 and SB 1088 -Â this afternoon, both with amendments. The amendment to SB 1088, which was adopted unanimously, mirrors almost identically the language of reform bill SB 711, with one substantive difference – a new provision requiring the Pennsylvania State Police to administer background checks on all PGCB board members and top staff, instead of BIE.

The amendment to SB 1033, relating to table games, provides for a $15 million up front fee for Category 1 and 2 licensees, and a tax rate of 12% to be directed to the General Fund, and a tax rate of 2% to local shares. The same tax rates apply to Category 3 licensees, with a $7.5 million up front fee. The amendment and bill were both approved by a vote of 8-5, with Senators Ferlo, Gordner, Orie, Piccola, and Waugh voting in opposition.

Visit the Capitol Toolbox for the full bill and amendment text and summaries, and check back later for the full story.

Table Games voted out of Senate Committee

Mike — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:45:29 +0000

At an off the floor meeting this afternoon, the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development committee reported out Senator Tomlinson’s table games legislation, SB 1033, by a vote of 7-5. Senators Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny), John Gordner (R-Columbia), Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) and Mike Waugh (R-York) made up the ‘no’ votes.Â Chairwoman Jane Earll (R-Erie) advised that while the legislation is being moved forward, it will be re-referred back to the committee for substantive amendments – including language dealing with the Rivers Casino issue – at a later time. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.