Archive
Corbett Budget Address Will Be Closely Watched By Public Unions
Scheduled For March 8
Political forecasters and Gov. Tom Corbett are downplaying the chance of a political “perfect storm” landing in Harrisburg early next month.
Mr. Corbett unveils his budget plan on March 8.
Contentious proposals to reduce the bargaining… Read the rest
Pennsbury School District In Uproar Over Contracts, Homework “Propaganda”
Fifth-graders at elementary school given assignment on teachers pay
In the middle of a contract dispute at Pennsbury School District, two fifth grade classes at Penn Valley Elementary School were given a homework assignment on what teachers should be paid.… Read the rest
School Choice Bill Causing Tea Party Civil War
Some believe S.B. 1 needs more work, others support it
The Tea Party movement in Pennsylvania is at war with itself over a major education reform measure.
Less than four months after helping sweep Republicans into full control of the… Read the rest
Grand Jury Probing Former Sen. Mellow
Extortion, money laundering, fraud being explored
Recently retired state Sen. Robert Mellow (D-Lackawanna) is under investigation by a federal grand jury in Scranton for alleged extortion, money laundering and fraud, according to an opinion released by the federal Third Circuit… Read the rest
Report Shows Pension Crisis Runs Deep At Municipal Level
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Scranton and others “severely distressed”
A recent report on the status of municipal pension plans in Pennsylvania found nearly half of all active local government employees are enrolled in a “severely distressed” plan, thanks to three of the… Read the rest
Possible School Choice Amendment Would Eliminate Statewide Vouchers
EITC would receive boost in funding instead
Attempting to address concerns of the teachers’ unions and other groups opposed to school voucher legislation, state Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) is preparing a pair of amendments to address the cost and accountability… Read the rest
Corbett’s Education Secretary Says Reform Is Urgent
Video Inside: “We don’t have the luxury of five years or ten years to turn around a system”
The man who will likely lead the Corbett Administration’s education policy expressed the urgency of educational reform Tuesday during remarks to the… Read the rest
Rafferty to Reintroduce Stalled Green Buildings Mandate
Would require government buildings to meet LEED certifications
State Sen. John Rafferty (R – Montgomery) is planning to reintroduce last session’s S.B. 728 which would mandate green building standards for government buildings.
The legislation would require all government buildings to… Read the rest
Senate Judiciary Considers Preventative Spending Over Prison Costs
Speakers advocate for evidence-based program funding
The state Senate Judiciary Committee met Tuesday morning to hear from three experts on how to reduce prison costs in Pennsylvania, an issue brought to the forefront last week by Auditor General Jack Wagner’s… Read the rest
Gaming Control Board Fears Personal Liability
Asks lawmakers to close possible loopholes
Allowing ex-officio members of the state Gaming Control Board (GCB) to participate in executive sessions of the board is causing members to fear their immunity from lawsuits and claims against their personal assets may… Read the rest