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May 8, 2012, 1:50 pm
Representatives Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia) and Mike O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) today announced they plan to introduce legislation in the House that would redirect gaming funds currently going to provide wage tax reductions to the Philadelphia School District to prevent the possible closure of schools in the autumn.
According to the legislators the plan is being floated as an alternative to Mayor Michael Nutter’s plan to increase property taxes to help bridge the $90 million deficit facing the city’s schools. They said Mayor Nutter has warned that if funding is not found, facilities may be unable to re-open for the 2012-13 school year. Rep. Youngblood and Rep. O’Brien’s plan would inject $88 million into the school district’s coffers, and continue for up to five years if necessary.
“We want to make clear that we are not raising taxes with this legislation; we are just redirecting funds from the city’s gaming revenue, ” Rep. Youngblood said in a statement.
Rep. O’Brien advised the plan is currently being vetted with Republican staffers to assess its potential.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
February 13, 2012, 1:49 pm
The House Finance Committee this morning approved HB 2175, RACP reform legislation sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny). The bill, which passed with a lone dissenting vote, now moves to the House Appropriations Committee, where Majority Council Jim Mann advised it will be amended to clarify language relating to the inclusion of community colleges. Following the vote the committee held a public hearing on HB 1877, legislation by Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) that would eliminate the 5 percent commission paid by counties to tax claim bureaus in cases where the county has hired a private contractor to collect delinquent taxes.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on both bills.
July 27, 2011, 6:10 pm
House Republican leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) testified before the House Liquor Control Committee this afternoon on the merits of his HB 11, whose main thrust is to privatize the state’s liquor industry. The hearing, which clocked in at just under three and a half hours, featured extensive questioning from committee members on subjects ranging from jobs to taxation to the philosophical question of whether the state should be in the business of selling alcohol. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story on the hearing.
April 14, 2011, 12:19 pm
The House Finance Committee held an informational meeting with the Chamber, NFIB, accountants, and bankers to learn about issues affecting the various industries. Discussion largely focused on the business tax climate in Pennsylvania and how to improve it. There was also considerable discussion relating to sales taxes.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today.
April 13, 2011, 11:26 am
The House Finance Committee heard this morning from a variety of county and municipal organizations on their priorities for the upcoming year. Discussion focused around mandate relief, tax and pension reform, and the potential for a local impact fee on gas extraction. Tomorrow the committee will hear from private entities on their 2011 finance-related priorities. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
March 14, 2011, 12:24 pm
For the first budget hearing of the session, the House Appropriations Committee met to hear testimony from the Department of Revenue. Recurring topics of discussion included the Sale and Use Tax, the Bonus Depreciation, and an 8.3 million dollar transfer from PHEAA into the General Fund. Acting Secretary Dan Meuser also reported on the process of updating the Department’s old technology and the details of the modernization.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the complete story and ongoing coverage of the budget hearings.
January 24, 2011, 1:43 pm
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) spoke today at the monthly Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon. Topics discussed included: the reform agenda his caucus hopes to implement, school choice, and Marcellus Shale.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more details.
November 16, 2010, 3:32 pm
Governor Rendell announced this afternoon state investments totaling nearly $8 million for 21 projects around the state promoting alternative energies including natural gas and electric-power vehicles. According to the governor the investments will create 221 jobs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 14.5 million pounds. Among the projects receiving funding is Chester County-based Momentum Dynamics, which will obtain a $587,000 grant to help develop technology to charge electric and hybrid-electric vehicles wirelessly.
The governor also commented on the legislature’s unexpected return to voting session following the November election. He called the House’s override of his veto of school reform bill HB 101 “wrongheaded” and a move that will cost Pennsylvanians more in property taxes. He urged the Senate not to veto it when they come back into session, and also called on them to once again take up a Marcellus Shale tax measure upon their return. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
October 28, 2010, 11:17 am
Governor Rendell today highlighted a new study by think group the Tax Foundation, which ranked Pennsylvania 26th among states for overall tax burden, and second only to Delaware among nearby states. The governor noted the study was based on Pennsylvania’s statutory 9.99% corporate net income tax rate, which very few business actually pay. Most, he said, are classified as Subchapter S corporations and adhere to the personal income tax rate of 3.07%. In aggregate Governor Rendell said this makes the state’s effective business tax rate 5%, which would have put Pennsylvania in the top fifteen states overall.
When it comes to property taxes, the study ranks Pennsylvania 44th in the country, which the governor said needs to be addressed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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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