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April 26, 2012, 3:40 pm
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) met with the media today to preview the House’s upcoming legislative agenda.
Rep. Turzai began by noting the House Republican caucus has focused its agenda thus far on private sector job creation and fiscal and governmental integrity, while running many of the priorities the caucus identified while in the minority, including voter ID, reducing the size of the General Assembly, and implementing a Marcellus Shale impact fee.
Of immediate import, Rep. Turzai noted, when the House returns on April 30 the first priority will be business tax reform and reduction by the way of House Bill 2150.
Also discussed by Rep. Turzai were items relating to the budget, liquor store privatization and a reaction to the primary election.
Check the Capitol Toolbox’s “Around the Capital” section for the full story.
April 18, 2012, 10:53 am
Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele conducted a Capitol Hill news conference to announce a simplified process for individuals obtaining a non-driver photo ID to vote under Pennsylvania’s new Voter ID law. According to Sec. Aichele, the new process will help senior citizens in particular who have expired driver’s licenses. She explained, “If you had a Pennsylvania driver’s license or a non-driver license photo ID, in most cases you will not be required to bring a birth certificate or any other proof of identification or residence to request a non-driver photo ID for voting purposes.” Sec. Aichele also reminded Pennsylvania voters that they will be asked to show photo ID at the polls in the April 24 primary election but will not be required to produce the photo ID until the General Election in November. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
March 5, 2012, 12:09 pm
Protect Our Vote, a coalition of more than 40 organizations, hosted a rally in the Capitol Rotunda this morning to call on the Senate to reject HB 934, which would require all voters to provide identification before voting. Speakers condemned the bill as an effort to reduce voter turnout and argued that it will disproportionately affect senior and low-income voters.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon.
January 4, 2012, 9:39 am
DECEMBER COMES IN BELOW ESTIMATE
Secretary of Revenue Daniel Meuser reported yesterday that Pennsylvania collected $2.3 billion in General Fund revenue in December, which was $141.5 million, or 5.9 percent, less than anticipated, Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $11.6 billion, which is $486.8 million, or four percent, below estimate. Check out the Press Conferences section of the PLS Capitol Toolbox to read the full statement.
YORK OFFICIAL TO SEEK PICCOLA SENATE SEAT
According to an article in the Patriot News, York County Clerk of Courts Don O’Shell announced Tuesday he would seek the Republican nomination for the 15th Senatorial District being vacated by the retirement of Sen. Jeffrey Piccola. O’Shell was first elected as clerk of courts in 2003 and was re-elected for a third term in November. With the announcement, O’Shell becomes the second candidate to seek the nomination. Last month, John J. McNally III of Lower Paxton Township, until recently the Dauphin County Republican Party chairman, announced he would also enter the contest. Click here to read the Patriot News article.
SCARNATI WANTS ACTION ON IMPACT FEE
According to an article in the Scranton Times Tribune, a top Senate
Continue reading Eye Opener – January 4, 2012
September 27, 2011, 2:43 pm
The Senate’s Philadelphia Caucus held a press conference today to denounce the electoral plan proposed by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware). Caucus Chairman Senator Shirley Kitchen said the plan is “a blatant attack to curb voting” in urban areas. She said the move is motivated by politics, not reform. Senator Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia) further called the move “a political ploy to cancel out Philadelphia’s influence” and help Republicans win the 2012 election.
More will be available later in the “Around the Capital” section of the Capitol Toolbox
September 20, 2011, 2:24 pm
Senator Daylin Leach this afternoon criticized a plan by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) to allocate electoral college votes according to congressional district. Currently Pennsylvania is a “winner-take-all” state, with the entirety of its electoral college votes going to the winner of the popular vote.
“Permanently changing the rules which were created by our founders and which we’ve all lived by for centuries, especially in order to benefit a political party, is profoundly wrong,” Sen. Leach said in a statement.
Joining Sen. Leach were representatives from Common Cause/PA, RocktheCapital, the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, and Democracy Rising PA. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 10, 2010, 2:55 pm
Corbett names transition team
Governor-elect Tom Corbett today announced the members of his transition team, who will work over the next several months to shape the new administration as it comes into office in January.
Christine Toretti, Jack Barbour and Bill Sasso are co-chairs of the team. Leslie Gromis-Baker and Tom Paese will be co-directors, in charge of day-to-day operations. Charles Kopp has been named legal counsel, while Brian Nutt will serve as transition chief of staff and Kevin Harley will be transition spokesman.
Bob Asher and Laura Ellsworth were also named co-chairs of the Corbett/Cawley inauguration committee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 25, 2010, 1:35 pm
Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Tom Corbett was featured at today’s Press Club luncheon. Corbett answered questions ranging from who may succeed him as Attorney General to how he would make himself available to the press if elected governor. Corbett also addressed the campaign money he has received from drilling interests and its influence on his position against a Marcellus Shale severance tax. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 18, 2010, 9:47 am
Final Corbett-Onorato Debate Tonight
Gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett and Dan Onorato will square off tonight in the last of three televised debates. Tonight’s event will take place in Philadelphia beginning at 8:30 p.m., and comes just days after the pair debated Saturday night in Pittsburgh. According to Associated Press reports, Corbett responded to criticism about loopholes in his no-new-taxes pledge by expanding it to rule out increases in taxes, fees and even contributions to the state unemployment fund. Onorato said Corbett’s action showed he’s not prepared to govern the state.
House Session Relegated to Non-Voting
House leaders have informed members not to come to Harrisburg today, and the scheduled voting session has been modified to non-voting only. According to a letter from House Democratic leadership, the next scheduled voting session day remains November 8.
Media and Legislative Reporter Opening
Pennsylvania Legislative Services has an opening for a full time Media & Legislative Reporter. Duties are diverse but may include covering committee meetings and press events, developing individual issue oriented articles and stories, interviewing public officials, covering current legislative events, etc. Applicant must be detail-oriented, have strong writing and computer
Continue reading Eye Opener – October 18, 2010
September 9, 2010, 1:50 pm
Governor Rendell today provided details about a part of the federal healthcare reform act known as the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program; one of four aspects of the new law he intends to highlight as beneficial to the state in a series of press announcements. The program provides $5 billion in assistance to employers to help maintain coverage for retirees until they are eligible for Medicare. The governor said 103 employers in Pennsylvania, including the commonwealth itself, have signed up for the program. According to the governor the program will relieve $119 million in tax burdens associated with retiree healthcare costs for Pennsylvania taxpayers.
At the press conference Governor Rendell also commented on the Marcellus Shale severance tax, a Quran burning being planned by a Florida preacher, his characterization of some in the Republican Party as “whackos,” and his efforts to help Democratic candidates Dan Onorato and Joe Sestak. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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