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October 19, 2011, 2:08 pm
Moments after the House voted to concur in Senate amendments to SB 1151, sending the Harrisburg state takeover bill to Gov. Corbett for signature, mid-state legislators gathered to discuss the measure. Leading the remarks, Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) marked the bill’s passage saying, “This is a milestone day for the city.” He noted the measure, among other things, was necessary for the health and safety of the city’s residents and specifically prohibits a commuter tax. House Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Ross (R-Chester) said the measure was necessary as a recognition that “the deteriorating financial situation poses a threat to the health and safety of Harrisburg.”
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the rest of the story.
September 1, 2011, 11:57 am
Sen. Piccola speaks to reporters
A bemused Senator Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) spoke with members of the press today in reaction to a 4-3 vote last night by the Harrisburg City Council to reject Mayor Linda Thompson’s Act 47 proposal. The vote leaves Harrisburg in a precarious situation, and likely unable to fulfill bond payments and payroll obligations due in September if the state withholds funding until a plan is in place; a part of the law Sen. Piccola said he will ask Gov. Tom Corbett to enforce.
Calling the vote “irresponsible,” Sen. Piccola said City Council, by its actions, has taken a “huge step backwards” in efforts to put Harrisburg on a track towards fiscal stability. He criticized council members for failing to produce any type of solution and questioned the rationale behind consistent votes to quash the adoption of Act 47 measures. According to Sen. Piccola the capital city faces a “dire future” without some sort of plan in place, with the potential for state intervention to force implementation highly likely.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full
Continue reading Piccola: Harrisburg City Council “took a huge step backwards” with latest Act 47 vote
June 30, 2011, 8:35 pm
Rep. Ron Buxton (D-Dauphin) issued a statement this evening on the status of SB 1151, legislation by Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) related to the city of Harrisburg and Act 47:
“I am relieved the process has been slowed on Senate Bill 1151, which would establish a state\county management control board overseeing Harrisburg’s debt relief efforts. The bill had been rapidly moving through the legislative process since being introduced on June 17.
“Although Senate Bill 1151 was not taken up by the full House of Representatives before the legislature’s post-budget recess, it is anticipated that consideration will resume when the House reconvenes in the fall.
“Meanwhile this timely reprieve will afford the City of Harrisburg an opportunity to continue their work on the Act 47 report currently being reviewed by city officials without the prospect of immediate state and county oversight proposed in the legislation.
“Enactment of Senate Bill 1151 now would have abruptly pre-empted the jurisdiction of Harrisburg’s elected officials who are under a deadline to negotiate an acceptable Act 47 plan.
“Additionally, I have written the chairman of the House Urban Affairs Committee requesting public hearings on this issue over the summer recess since no public input has
Continue reading Buxton delivers statement on status of Harrisburg Act 47 bill
June 27, 2011, 1:57 pm
Act 47 Protest
Residents of the city of Harrisburg rallied today in front of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building to protest Senator Jeffrey Piccola’s (R-Dauphin) fiscal recovery plan for the city of Harrisburg under Act 47. The bill calls for the establishment of a management board consisting of two governor-appointed members and one member appointed by the county commissioners in the county where the distressed third-class city is located. The board would have the power to implement the recovery plan even if the city does not agree with the Act 47 coordinator’s plan.
Neil Grover, founder of Debt Watch Harrisburg, led the protest by outlining two major requests of Harrisburg residents. He asked onlookers to “object to Act 47″ and “demand an investigation by the federal government.” He noted how Senate Bill 1151, an amendment to Act 47, the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, would allow the state to essentially take over the city of Harrisburg. Protestors held signs expressing discontent with what Sen. Piccola is trying to accomplish. One protestor even went as far as regarding Piccola’s actions as “tyranny.”
Brad Koplinski, member of the Harrisburg City Council, urged citizens to “thank Sen. Piccola for getting us unified on this issue.” He
Continue reading Rally held to stop Piccola Act 47 fiscal recovery plan for Harrisburg
January 14, 2011, 3:15 pm
Rendell's final presser
Governor Rendell held the final scheduled press conference of his tenure this afternoon, announcing the location and first renderings of the new Susquehanna Art Museum. The museum will be located at the corner of Third and Calder Streets in midtown Harrisburg, and will be partially housed in the existing historic Keystone Bank Building. A separate addition will be constructed as well, resulting in roughly 20,000 square feet of space for exhibits, educational and conference space, and offices.
The state is providing $5 million in matching grant funding through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital (RACP) Program, with an interest rate on the borrowed money “the lowest we’ve probably ever had in any of our lifetimes,” according to the governor. Though a contract has already been signed, incoming governor Tom Corbett must also approve the proposal; something Gov. Rendell indicated the new administration does intend to do.
Gov. Rendell said he believes the new museum will be the “linchpin” in making Harrisburg an attractive place for residents and tourists. “I’m pleased the Commonwealth could play a role in this,” he said.
Rendering of the future Susquehanna Art Museum
Offering some final thoughts, the governor added he makes
Continue reading Rendell holds last scheduled press conference, announces location of Susquehanna Art Museum
October 1, 2010, 2:10 pm
Governor Rendell held a press conference announcing the resignation of the Director of the Office of Homeland Security James Powers, effective October 8, 2010. Rendell noted the resignation was a voluntary act that was indicative of his 30 years of public service. In his remarks, the governor stated “he is a good man who made a very significant mistake in judgment.” Also discussed at the press conference were revenue numbers for the month of September, the House’s passage of a tax on Marcellus Shale extraction, and the City of Harrisburg seeking Act 47 protection.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more.
December 9, 2009, 3:43 pm
House State Government met this afternoon and reported as committed three bills, including a joint resolution sponsored by Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) that would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution making the Insurance Commissioner an elected position. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 22, 2009, 10:51 am
Steelers star Jerome Bettis
Steelers legend Jerome Bettis was on hand this morning as the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) celebrated helping more than 6 million uninsured or struggling patients get needed medication. Bettis, along with Ken Johnson, the Senior VP at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, United Way PA President Tony Ross, Central PA Food Bank Executive Director Kendall Hanna and Harrisburg YWCA CEO Tina Nixon, emphasized the ongoing assistance PPA is providing to uninsured and financially struggling families in meeting their prescription medicine needs. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story.
September 25, 2009, 11:25 am
This morning roughly 500 health care workers, patients and families marched from the Capitol to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to demand that “big insurance” stop denying health coverage to Pennsylvanians. Organized by SEIU, the march culminated at the PA Chamber with a formal demand that Chamber President Floyd Wagner agree to a series of requests, including a commitment to not deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and a suspension of using resources to oppose President Obama’s health reform proposals.
Check out the release here
August 19, 2009, 10:20 am
The House Rules Committee met today to consider three bills. HB 1593, HB 39, and HB 1663 were unanimously reported as committed. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
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