The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee met today to listen to a briefing by Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) Acting- Secretary John Quigley on the department’s budget for the upcoming year, as well as more information on state park land leasing for natural gas drilling. During the meeting, Secretary Quigley explained how budget cuts have forced the department to forgo many projects such as road maintenance, pest control, and eduction services. Secretary Quigley also discussed at length the various drilling-related activities in the Marcellus Shale region, specifically how the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and DCNR are involved in regulating and maintaining the land in question. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by intern | Tags: Budget, international trade agreements, marcellus shale, weatherization | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
A coalition of Democrats, Republicans, sportsmen, and environmentalists today called for a budget that does not mandate drilling in Pennsylvanian’s state forests. Opponents of expanded drilling argued mandating a certain revenue amount from drilling, as the current budget proposal would do, hampers the ability of DCNR and DEP to protect state forests and threatens their future sustainability. Speaking for the coalition, Rep. Steve Santarsiero said the coalition is working on language in the House to reach a resolution on the budget issues and he opined this language, and the budget itself, can be completed by the end of the week. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this evening. Posted by Kim | Tags: Budget, international trade agreements, libraries, marcellus shale, natural gas, state forests, text messaging | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
According to Governor Rendell there are at least 10 “significant errors” present in the 3-caucus budget agreement, which he characterized as a “get out of town budget,” that would leave Pennsylvania in dire circumstances and, unless rectified, would ensure his veto. Among them, the governor pointed out the proposal assumes revenue growth of .81%, compared to Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg’s own estimate of zero growth. Apart from being indefensibly optimistic, the governor said using a revenue estimate other than what the Budget Secretary provides is something they don’t have the constitutional right to do. Other areas of concern laid out by the governor include overly-ambitious revenue estimates for Marcellus Shale land leasing, tax amnesty, small games of chance and DPW savings. Though he said he believes the agreed-to spending number of $27.945 is in the ballpark with some tweaking, the governor reported that unless the other areas are corrected he will veto the bill. A private meeting between the governor and leadership has been scheduled for Sunday at 8pm at the Governor’s Residence. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the press conference. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, international trade agreements, marcellus shale, Project Labor Agreements, revenue, small games of chance | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
At a press conference this morning, House and Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans detailed the elements of a tentative budget agreement they hope to move through the General Assembly next week. The proposal, which has yet to receive the governor’s seal of approval, calls for $27.945 billion in spending. Basic education will receive a $300 million increase, and roughly $1.2 billion in recurring revenue will be generated. The sources of recurring revenue include a delay in the Capital Stock and Franchise tax phaseout, the legalization of table games, increased Marcellus Shale land leasing, and a 25-cent increase in the cigarette tax, among other measures. The entirety of the Rainy Day Fund will be tapped for 2009-10, and a number of other one-time revenue sources will be implemented as well. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full details, and look for the story later in the day. Click on the following legislators’ names to listen to their comments: Senator Scarnati Rep. McCall Senator Pileggi Senator Mellow Rep. Eachus Senator Corman Senator Costa Rep. Evans Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, international trade agreements, marcellus shale, PennPortal, rainy day fund, resentencing guidelines, table games | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell voiced his approval that the Conference Committee on HB 1416 will be reconvening tomorrow. Despite the unproductive nature of the committee’s first two meetings, the governor expressed confidence that partisanship and bickering will not color the remainder of the committee’s schedule. The governor noted that following talks with the industry and Republican lawmakers, he feels it is unlikely that a severance tax on Marcellus Shale gas extraction will be a part of any agreement. He said it is fully possible that a budget is agreed to by the end of next week, and signed the week after. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Budget, child welfare, conference committee, international trade agreements, marcellus shale | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Ray Walker, Co-Chair of the Marcellus Shale Committee and Vice President of Range Resources, spoke at today’s Press Club luncheon on the potential benefits for Pennsylvania contained within the natural gas field. In his remarks, Walker cautioned against implementing a severance tax on gas extraction, and downplayed the risks of drinking water contamination as largely a product of the media. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: international trade agreements, libraries, marcellus shale, natural gas, Office of Open Records, Office of Small Business Advocate, press, Press Club, severance tax | Category: Face to Face, PLS, Press Club, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Leaders of the PA Natural Gas Caucus today announced the findings of a recent Penn State study on the future of the natural gas industry in PA. The study revealed the industry is expect to grow to nearly $15 billion by 2010, with $800 million in tax revenue for the state. Speakers, including Rep. Solobay and Rep. Ellis, argued that the state should pursue leasing more state land, not a severance tax, in order to capitalize on this growing industry. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: international trade agreements, marcellus shale, press, severance tax | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
House Republicans released details on their own $27.27 billion budget proposal today, one that would include “no new taxes.” To balance the budget, Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) said the proposal includes a tax amnesty program to collect an estimated $1.5 billion in back taxes, as well as leasing 390,000 acres of state-owned land for drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The budget is contained in an amendment (A02617) that has been filed to the Senate Republican’s proposal, SB 850. According to a House Republican press release, the details of the budget are as follows: $27.3 billion in spending No New Taxes Increases Funding For Schools Provides Essential Funding for Public Safety Needs Ensures Vulnerable Residents Receive Vital Support Funds State Parks, Hospitals, Universities, etc. Cuts Government Operating Costs Preserves the Rainy Day Fund for the Future Maintains Fiscal Responsibility Where will the funding come from? Eliminate 25 Cent Cigarette Tax Transfer to HCPRA (MCare fund) Maintain Capital Stock & Franchise Tax at current year’s rate (1.89 Mills) Rainy Day Fund Transfer Health Care Provider Retention Account Transfer Tobacco Endowment Account Transfer Marcellus Shale Land Lease Tax Amnesty Program Other Small Fund Transfers Additional Revenues Proposed by Governor Rendell Continue reading House Republicans unveil their budget proposal Posted by Mike | Tags: boycott, Budget, Capital stock and franchise, foreclosure, international trade agreements, marcellus shale, pennfuture, PennPortal, rain, rainy day fund, revenue | Category: Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Envi Committee met to consider two bills, both of which were reported as committed. HB 1155 was reported along a party-line vote due to concerns raised by the minority chairman that the bill impairs the property rights of mineral owners. HB 1205 was reported with five Republicans–Hutchinson, Causer, Christiana, Gabler and Rapp–voting in the negative due to concerns about the speed by which the bill moved through committee and the issue not being fully vetted. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: international trade agreements, marcellus shale, state affairs, water | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Education, House Env. Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Envi Committee met this morning to consider HB 1489, which institutes a tax on natural gas extractions. The bill was reported with an amendment that, among other items, exempts wells producing less than 60,000 cubic feet and divvys up the revenue among local governments and environmental funds. All of the Democratic members, except Rep. Wansacz, voted for the amended bill, and all of the Republican members, except Rep. Ross, voted against the amended bill. Several Republicans raised concern that the new tax will hurt the fledgling industry, particularly given the current economic situation. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: implementation agreements, international trade agreements, libraries, Local Government, marcellus shale, natural gas, retirement | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Education, House Env. Resources and Energy | Comments are closed | Share:
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