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January 7, 2010, 2:22 pm
Instead of the usual public signing ceremony before the media this morning, Governor Rendell signed table games legislation SB 711 into law in private, due to a number of “misgivings” he has with the bill. At a press conference afterwards, the governor cited worries over the amount of WAMs and pork in the legislation, which were inserted to secure the necessary votes among members. Nevertheless he reported that with the bill now signed, tables games will be up and running in as many casinos as possible by July, with license fees going a long way to meeting the additional $250 million in revenue needed by the state this fiscal year. He characterized votes in support of table games as “courageous,” and challenged those who voted against it to explain where they would make cuts to bridge the same revenue gap.
The governor also spoke on a variety of other issues, including the same-sex marriage, the 2010-11 budget, and the state of the Democratic Party. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
January 5, 2010, 1:12 pm
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Governor Rendell announced that due to cost savings efforts, cash grant payments for eligible families in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be increased by $100, and the program itself will be extended through April 2nd this year. In addition, the administration reported that if federal contingency funds are released, as has been the case in previous years, even more money could become available for certain LIHEAP participants, including seniors and those with children or disabilities.
The governor also commented on recent table games developments, and said that at this point he is “guardedly optimistic” about having a table games bill on his desk as early as tomorrow. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story.
December 22, 2009, 12:54 pm
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell announced a new $1.2 billion mortgage program intended to help spur home purchases in 39 counties statewide. The initiative, a partnership between PHFA, the US Treasury, FannieMae and FreddieMac will offer 11,000 long-term (30-year), fixed rate, low-interest mortgage loans, expand the Keystone First program with an additional $10 million in funding, and provide $50 million for approximately 450 new-home construction loans. More details on the program are available on PHFA’s website. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story, including the governor’s latest comments on table games, possible layoffs, and Bonusgate.
December 17, 2009, 3:15 pm
Governor Rendell advised this afternoon that if table games legislation is not signed into law by January 8th, he will be forced to order the layoff of upwards of 1,000 state workers to help make up the resulting $250 million revenue shortfall. The table games bill, SB 711, which was referred to the House Rules Committee today and will not be taken up again till January 5th, has stalled in large part due to disagreements over Category 3 resort licenses.
The governor said that despite a lack of table games at this point, he will sign a package of non-preferred legislation he had previously said he would withhold. He said he will do so to comply with a maintenance of effort requirement on the part of the four state-related universities. All other non-preferreds will receive a line-item vetoed 50 percent cut in funding, with the exception of the UPenn Veterinary School which will only receive a 12.8 percent cut. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
December 16, 2009, 6:48 pm
The Senate approved table games legislation on a close 27-22 vote Wednesday night, but changes the chamber made to the bill earlier in the day are already ruffling the feathers of leaders in the House, where the measure faces an uncertain future.
After receiving the bill Tuesday night following House approval, the Senate made several changes to it during a Rules Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon. The alterations include reducing the number of Category 3 licenses from three to two, and reopening the application process for the remaining unassigned resort casino license. The Senate also changed some of the language that directs table games tax revenue to local recipients.
Continue reading UPDATED: Table Games Future Uncertain
December 16, 2009, 1:28 pm
The committee reported as amended SB 711 providing for table games and gaming reform with six negative votes (Alloway, Corman, McIlhinney, Piccola, Robbins and Yaw). An omnibus amendment from Senator Pileggi was adopted with the same six senators voting “No”. An amendment to the Pileggi amendment offered by Senator Mellow to add a third Class 3 license was defeated by a voice vote. An amendment by Senator Alloway prohibiting a license being issued at a location within 12 linear miles of a national military park was also defeated by a voice vote. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the complete story.
December 15, 2009, 11:56 am
At his mid-year budget briefing this morning, Governor Rendell reported that five months into the fiscal year, Pennsylvania’s revenues are down by $217 million. The administration at this point projects a $450 million revenue deficit by the end of the fiscal year. The governor announced the state will take a “conservative approach,” and undertake a spending freeze of $170 million and recoup $50 million from prior-year unspent funds to help pull the state out of its shortfall. The action will leave the state with an anticipated $124 million overall surplus at year’s end.
The governor also spoke to the resignation of Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler, who he advised will be among those indicted at a press conference this afternoon by Attorney General Tom Corbett. He emphasized the charges against Stetler come from his time in the state House and not for any work done while part of the Administration. Giving the possible disruption the new charges will have on the House, the governor maintained it vital that table games legislation still be passed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
December 10, 2009, 12:52 pm
House Republicans fill the steps outside the House Chamber
House Republicans filled the steps outside the House Chamber this afternoon to express concern over what they consider to be a “hostage situation” regarding funding for some of Pennsylvania’s higher education institutions.
“This is the last group of hostages,” said Minority Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) alluding to several other groups, including state employees, whose funding they consider to have been leveraged by Democrats as part of the budget bargaining process.
Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks), who last night spearheaded an attempt to force votes on non-preferred funding for Penn State, Temple, Lincoln, Pitt and the UPenn Veterinary College, pointed out that today’s House Calendar shows each of the five bills was scheduled to be voted on today. The House is currently recessed until the Call of the Chair.
She noted she has spoken with Temple officials, who advised that at this point they may be forced to send out supplemental tuition bills to students to help make up the shortfall. Check the Capitol Toolbox for the full story.
December 3, 2009, 3:22 pm
Governor Rendell announced this afternoon that Harley Davidson’s board of directors met earlier in the day and have ratified a decision to remain at their York plant. He reported he is “gratified” by the news, but expressed disappointment that nearly 950 Harley workers will lose their jobs. By staying in York, Harley will receive $15.4 million in grant money from the state, a “very attractive package” the governor said helped beat back challenges from possible relocation sites in Kentucky and Indiana.
The governor also offered comments on a variety of other issues, including Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler’s invitation to testify before a grand jury on the Bonusgate scandal, table games, rate caps, and the future of DPW Secretary Estelle Richman, who he said has been offered a job with the Obama Administration. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 18, 2009, 1:08 pm
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell announced the release of the state’s first Autism Census Project Final Report, which reveals the number of autism cases in Pennsylvania is expected to rise among both children and adults for the foreseeable future. By 2010, the Governor stated, it is expected that roughly 25,000 Pennsylvanians will be living with autism. DPW Secretary Estelle Richman and members of the legislature’s Autism Caucus, including longtime autism advocate Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia) were also on hand for the report’s release.
Following the announcement, Governor Rendell commented on a number of other issues, including the need for campaign finance reform and reapportionment, merit selection for judges, the possibility of a constitutional convention, as well as nuclear energy, table games, and a grand jury investigation into the awarding of certain slots licenses in 2006. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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