The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee met this morning to consider the nomination of Major General Wesley E. Craig for Adjutant General of Pennsylvania. After listening to his opening remarks they asked question on topics ranging from veteran’s home and leadership changes to readiness capabilities before voting on the nomination. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Posted by Eric | Category: Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee conducted a public hearing on the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs’ estate recovery program. Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs Michael Gould presented an overview of the department’s program which deals with how residents of the state veterans’ homes and their estates contribute to the cost of their care. The Department of Public Welfare also provided an overview of their estate recovery program. The hearing was held in response to recent newspaper articles regarding family members of veterans residing in veterans not being aware of DMVA’s ability to recover costs from a veteran’s estate. Chairman Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) indicated the committee will conduct further public hearings to allow family members and veterans’ organizations to testify regarding the program. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Department of Public Welfare, estate recovery program | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Rendell’s Chief of Staff Steve Crawford appeared today alongside State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski and PEMA Director Robert French to update the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on what the administration is developing in response to the scandal that erupted over a single-source contract given to the Institute of Terrorism Research & Response (ITRR) to provide alert bulletins for potential threats to critical infrastructure in the state. Crawford acknowledged the bulletins were for the most part of questionable value, and confirmed they are no longer being produced. Moving forward, Crawford reported the administration would like to hire 4 new analysts to work within the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) to focus strictly on non-law enforcement information and data processing. The positions would be paid for out of the general government operations (GGO) budget, which Crawford encouraged the committee to sustain during budget negotiations next year. Check the Committee News section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, Infrastructure, intelligence gathering, PEMA, Pennsylvania State Police | Category: Administration, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
This morning the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing on a no-bid contract given to Israeli-based intelligence gathering firm the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response by the Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security. According to information provided at the hearing, ITRR issued tri-weekly bulletins containing “situational awareness” reports that detailed meetings, rallies and other events scheduled by a variety of citizen activist groups in Pennsylvania to a large and seemingly nebulous distribution list. PEMA Director Robert French and PA Homeland Security Director James Powers, who selected ITRR as the sole-source provider, defended the contract and the information provided by ITRR, while State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski detailed a variety of issues with the reports and the problems they created for law enforcement around the state. Chairman Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) called the revelations provided by the state police “stunning.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this morning voted to grant the chairman, Lisa Baker, authority to issue subpoenas in advance of the committee’s scheduled hearing to probe terrorist list contract. Chairman Baker explained she does not intend to use this authority, but needs it to ensure the requested officials can be compelled to testify if possible. Minority Chairman Farnese argued against the broad authority, pointing to a letter from Steve Crawford stating the requested officials will be available to testify. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim | Tags: marcellus shale, Subpoena, Terrorism | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee voted unanimously reported out as amended HB 1789 which imposes a prepaid wireless E-911 surcharge. After adopting amendments by Chairman Lisa Baker (R-Lackawanna) and Senator Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), the committee had a lengthy discussion on an amendment offered by Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) which would place the responsibility for collecting the surcharge on providers instead of local retailers. Senator Waugh eventually withdrew his amendment. The committee also reported as committed SR 205, HR 403, SR 287 and SB 384 and heard a presentation from Joseph Brooks, President of Liberty USO. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee heard testimony and addressed concerns regarding veteran housing and services throughout the Commonwealth. An issue of contention was the proposed changes SB 1076 would bring about in staffing procedures in the Commonwealth’s six Veterans’ Homes. Other concerns surrounded the elimination of funding for the Governor’s Veterans Outreach Assistance Centers in PA. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story. Posted by Kim | Tags: diabled veterans real estate tax exemption, veterans | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Veteran’s Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a public hearing to discuss and consider the nomination of four Army National Guard Colonels to be promoted to rank of Brigadier General. All four nominations were recommended favorably to the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason | Tags: Promotions | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee met to consider four bills. HB 933, SB 87, SB 960 were reported as committed. SB 1076 was reported as amended with three Senators voting in the negative. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the details. Posted by Jason | Tags: state-related universities, veterans | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee unanimously reported as committed SR 149 designating September 29, 2009, as “Pennsylvania First Responder Appreciation Day” and SR 150 designating September 27, 2009, as “Gold Star Mother’s Day” in Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Gold Star Mother's Day, Pennsylvania First Responder Appreciation Day, Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2009, surplus line insurers | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Democratic Policy, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness | Comments are closed | Share:
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