The Senate Democratic Caucus held a press conference today to outline their budget priorities and called on the governor to make job creation, tax fairness, education funding, shale and the restoration of funds for safety net programs budget priorities. Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) stated “we need a budget that moves Pennsylvania forward, not one that puts us in reverse.”  He said Senate Democrats have identified nearly one billion dollars in new revenues from smart policy changes, efficiencies and a responsible shale tax that can be used to pay for their agenda. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

Wind industry leaders, environmental advocates and legislatures gathered in Capitol to launch ChoosePAWind, a coalition to help educate consumers on the economic and environmental benefits of wind power in Pennsylvania.  Jim Spencer, President and CEO of Everpower stated “wind is an important part of a diverse energy solution for Pennsylvania.  Alongside natural gas, solar and other locally sourced options, Pennsylvania’s commitment to wind is another example of how our state is leading the national movement to produce more domestic energy.”  Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

The Pennsylvania Safe Homes Coalition held a press conference to encourage legislators to pass House Bill 2031 and Senate Bill 920, which will strengthen the requirements for carbon monoxide alarms in the homes in Pennsylvania.  Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) stated Pennsylvania is the national leader in carbon monoxide related deaths and poisonings and for the minimal cost of 20 to 30 dollars individuals can prevent this gas from endangering their lives and the lives of their families. Allyson Fulton, from Safe Kids Pennsylvania, said someone involved in just one carbon monoxide incident can have long-term health effects and children are among the most susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

The Joint Legislative Conservation Committee heard a presentation on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program.  Chairman Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) stated SFI has a long and distinguished history in Pennsylvania and a great record of success; the program works closely with the committee and forestry taskforce and is a valuable source of information and expertise. Nathan Fice, Program Manager, said SFI is an independent non-profit organization created by the American Forest and Paper Foundation in the early 90’s and is the largest single forest standard in the world with around 190 million acres certified in North America. Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

Auditor General Jack Wagner testified in front of the House Gaming Oversight Committee in support of House Bills 939 and 2002, which provide for audits of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and funding for these audits. He stated audits are a great way to ensure the Gaming Control Board is following the intent of the gaming law and other important laws, such as the Commonwealth Procurement Act and the Sunshine Act.  He indicated the Department of the Auditor General has a responsibility to make sure the Commonwealth and taxpayers are getting their fair share of gaming revenues and while these bills do not give special treatment to the Auditor General they would ensure equal treatment with other agencies that are paid for their gaming-related work by the gaming entities.  He added the Department of the Auditor General has had to push important audits of other departments to the side in order to complete these audits of the Gaming Control Board and if they were reimbursed by the gaming industry this would not happen.  Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.

The House Rules Committe voted today to move House Bill 1950 to the floor for concurrence after it was amended in the Senate. The bill moved with only Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Philadelphia) voting in the negative. Two amendments to the bill offered by Democratic members were defeated along a party-line vote. Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) encouraged his members to vote for the bill prognosticating this is likely the best bill the House will see, despite lacking desired environmental protections.

Governor Corbett signed into law Senate Bill 1183, which imposes tougher reporting standards and strengthens the state’s rule on convicted sex offenders. He stated this bill fixes several unintended flaws in Pennsylvania’s current Megan’s Law; extending the crime of failing to comply with Megan’s Law to out-of-state offenders that move, work, or attend school in Pennsylvania as well as homeless and transient sex offenders.  He said the law expands Megan’s Law to prevent group homes from providing residence to more than five sexually violent predators and broadens Pennsylvania’s law to make sexual contact with students and children a criminal charge of institutional sexual assault for volunteers, employees, or other individuals in the school or center for children.  He indicated the bill makes important changes in the current law to comply with the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.  He added this legislation increases the amount of information to be collected from sex offenders, expands the list of sexually violent offenses covered by the law and requires the state to publish more information about each offender on its website.  He noted the bill also requires the state police to move more quickly in sharing

Continue reading Governor Corbett Signs Bill to Toughen Sex Offender Laws

A press conference was held in the Capitol Rotunda today urging legislators to reject House Bill 1100 proposed by Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington), which eliminates the sales tax on corporate or private jets.

Sharon Ward, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC), stated Pennsylvania cannot afford a new tax break for wealthy individuals while at the same time cutting education by billions of dollars and 150,000 people off of healthcare. She said the PBPC believes this tax cut is unfair to middle class citizens, would cost between 10 and 14 million dollars, and is not the way to create the jobs Pennsylvania needs. She noted Pennsylvania has lost jobs over the past year; 13,000 jobs in education and 21,000 jobs across the state in the public sector. She explained that aviation organizations and manufacturing groups have been going from state to state arguing against sales taxes for repairs of jets in order to move jobs but  to pay for the bill, the tax break would have to create 6,500 jobs; double the number of people employed in this field. She emphasized this tax break does not help the middle class, will not create jobs and is a waste of funds.

The Joint Legislative Budget and Finance Committee met to discuss and release a report on public community and technical college programs in rural communities conducted pursuant to Senate Resolution 147.  Maryanne Nardone, Project Manager for the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, stated by 2018 nearly two thirds of all jobs will require some form of post secondary education training for the United States to remain highly productive and competitive in the global economy.  She said public community colleges have an important role in the increased demand for workforce skills and, despite the importance, none of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges are based in a rural county.  Look for the full story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.