Archive
Lawmakers, administraton at odds over when to talk PA transporation
Dems call for special session
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Democrats and Republicans agree. Something must be done to address the fragile, aging infrastructure of Pennsylvania’s transportation system.… Read the rest
PA pushes for reports of campaign money to be filed online
Could be in place by 2013
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Campaign finance reports in Pennsylvania finally could be entering the digital age.… Read the rest
PA property tax elimination plan hits roadblocks
Would replace property tax with income, sales taxes
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — A Pennsylvania plan to eliminate property taxes and replace them with higher sales and income taxes hit its first roadblocks.… Read the rest
PA House panel OKs budget bill, locks in spending at $27.6B
GOP leaders aiming for June 13 passage
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republicans used some fancy parliamentary tricks to lock in spending at $27.6 billion for next year’s budget Monday.… Read the rest
PA bill looks to bolster ‘high-priority’ jobs in need of workers
Keystone Works moves from committee with bipartisan support
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Clark Trucking is looking for drivers, especially experienced, skilled drivers, who can haul water to Marcellus shale drilling sites in massive tractor-trailers.… Read the rest
Lawmakers pressure PA school districts to use savings
Vereb suggests legislative cap to reserve funds
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Some Republican lawmakers are outraged about the size of Pennsylvania school districts’ savings accounts.… Read the rest
Video: Sen. Corman says structural changes necessary in pension plan
Favors change to defined contribution plan
By: Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Reforms to the state’s pension system will have to address structural problems and not simply defer payments to the future, the chairman of the … Read the rest
Week in Review: What to fund, and how, in public education, internal agencies
Records show lawmakers spending $470K in food, event expenses
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG — Funding for public education is one topic sure to stir controversy during budget season, often pitting local districts against state lawmakers in arguments of … Read the rest
CORRECTED: Lawmakers spent $470K on meals, munchies
Sometimes including free lunches for constituents on taxpayer dime
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — When state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, D-Philadelphia, hosted dinner for 250 constituents as part of the 2011 Philadelphia Community Service … Read the rest
PA school districts have tripled savings in 15 years
As state spending on education increased, so did districts’ stash of cash
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As state funding for education increased in the past 15 years, many school districts set aside a hefty … Read the rest
Some 4.5M residents file taxes electronically
State saves $884K over last year
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Some 4.5 million Pennsylvania taxpayers chose to file personal income tax returns electronically, according to the Department of Revenue, representing about 75 percent of … Read the rest
Proposed budget cuts neuter internal watchdogs
Senate ups open records funding
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget for next year puts Pennsylvania's internal watchdogs on a shorter leash.… Read the rest
Congressman Pitts’ campaign contributions advance out-of-touch image
Biggest donors hail from inside D.C. beltway
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — U.S. Rep Joe Pitts came off as more than a little out of touch, when he suggested that former Israeli Prime Minister … Read the rest
Former PA school nears sale after three years
Seminary looking into purchase
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — For the past three years, Pennsylvania’s tried in vain to sell the 180-acre, 70-building complex known as the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children.
Each year, the … Read the rest
Federal EPA rules Dimock, PA, water is safe; contamination not caused by gas drilling
Northeast PA town attracted national attention from drilling opponents
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The town launched a thousand calls for shutting down Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry, but the federal Environmental Protection Agency has determined … Read the rest
Districts consider advertising in school buses to bring in revenue
Corbett administration urging districts to be creative, flexible
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As costs grow and tax increases become less palatable, Pennsylvania school districts could be targeting young consumers with ads in school buses … Read the rest
Bipartisan group calls for PA prison reform to save money
New group calls system broken, inefficient
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — State prisons don't always work the way they're supposed to.… Read the rest
PA school districts debate best use of $3.2B in reserve
Some reach into savings to balance budget; others see clouds on the horizon
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — At East Stroudsburg School District, business manager Patricia Bader oversees a reserve fund balance — one … Read the rest
Week in Review: PA budget plan moves forward, taxpayers up in arms
State spends $30 million to keep refinery open
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG — The state budget moved to the forefront this week after sitting on the back burner since Gov. Tom Corbett's budget address in February.
VIDEO: PA gov names receiver for debt-ridden capital
Was head of PA National Guard under three governors from 1999-2004
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Corbett has called up the military to help right the state capital. … Read the rest