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March 26, 2012, 3:17 pm
The Joint Legislative Conservation Committee this morning received an update from DCNR secretary Richard Allan on the state of DCNR, the Commonwealth’s state parks, and their economic contributions to Pennsylvania. Sec. Allan reported that in 2010, for every dollar invested in the state parks, $12 in value added income was returned to the Commonwealth. In addition Allan said the state parks, all-told, currently support 13,000 related jobs. He added in 2010 the parks attracted more than a quarter-billion dollars in sales from out-of-state visitors.
Sec. Allan detailed the other various work of DCNR, including its oversight of the timber industry and natural gas drilling on state lands, and informed the committee the moratorium on further leasing of state land for drilling remains intact and there are no plans currently to reverse it. He said that in 2012 the department’s focus will be on “getting back to basics” as its relates to the core mission of managing Pennsylvania’s state parks. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 8, 2012, 11:36 am
Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) was joined by Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) and dozens of his House colleagues this morning to announce the introduction of HB 2175, which proposes to reform the process by which the Commonwealth incurs debt for various projects. Among the many changes, the bill would reduce the amount of debt incurred under RACP each year to approximately $125 million, require notification of the legislators affect, require a public meeting to be held in the affected community, and require certain information to be posted online.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
December 21, 2011, 10:14 am
The Department of Community and Economic Development today announced Pennsylvania received a $29.2 million allocation of federal funding from the US Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Sec. C. Alan Walker announced Pennsylvania took a unique approach in its application for the funds by requesting “proposals from our local partners with a goal of maximizing investment and supporting the best projects.” The funds will be used by these local partners to provide capital for small business growth and entrepreneurial investment.
Also speaking at the press conference was Sen. John Gordner (R-Columbia) who is a board member of Ben Franklin Development Partners and the Life Science Greenhouses as well as other SSBCI fund recipients.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the rest of the story.
May 24, 2011, 12:29 pm
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.
March 1, 2011, 12:07 pm
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.
February 3, 2011, 12:25 pm
The House Appropriations Committee continued its series of informational meetings this morning relating to the economy and the state budget. This morning’s meeting consisted of a presentation by David Thornburgh and Sallie Glickman from the University of Pennsylvania Fels School of Government regarding economic development in Pennsylvania and strategies for economic development reform.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
September 14, 2010, 10:30 am
The House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee held an informational meeting with representatives of the tourism industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development to discuss dedicated funding for the tourism industry. Those who spoke at the hearing detailed how a decrease in General Fund monies for the tourism industry has had a negative impact on Pennsylvania’s tourism industry. Also discussed were possible dedicated funding sources so as to limit the need for General Fund revenue to help the tourism industry.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
June 29, 2010, 11:30 am
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
June 23, 2010, 10:55 am
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.
April 19, 2010, 11:21 am
This morning, House Democratic leaders announced the introduction of a bill package designed to create and retain jobs in the state while simultaneously offering measures to promote and encourage business growth. Democrats say the plan leverages programs that are already successful, and will repurpose current funding streams to target them more directly at the state’s immediate job and economic development needs.
The package, called PAJobsNow, consists of ten individual house bills, three of which have already passed the House and await Senate action. Check the press conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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