Archive

Includes cuts to environmental, development, education agencies

General Fund Budget Cuts

Gov. Tom Corbett began cuts with his own office, trimming the budget from $6.4 million to $6.228 million.

The Attorney General’s Office was cut from $83 million to $82.2 … Read the rest

Amendment adds individuals’ conflict with police officers to ‘duty to retreat’

By Darwyyn Deyo, PA Independent

HARRISBURG — An amended proposal to extend the “Castle Doctrine” outside the home passed the state House Judiciary Committee on Monday.

State Rep. Scott … Read the rest

Analysts argue right-to-work will not mirror Wisconsin confrontations

On the heels of a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report ranking Pennsylvania as “poor” for state employment policies and job growth, Republican and Democrat legislators are gearing up for a right-to-work fight.… Read the rest

Taxpayers have spent $6.6 million already/JIM PANYARD

The chairman and a member of the state House Judiciary Committee are calling for a state investigation into continuing problems at the MinSec security facility, a for-profit corrections operation in downtown Hazleton.… Read the rest

Other ‘mandate relief’ measures are a high priority for this session

The Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association has high hopes for a number of “mandate relief” measures considered up at the Captiol, including three bills to abolish the mandated jury commissioner … Read the rest

Begins confirmation process for two cabinet members / JIM PANYARD

Gov. Tom Corbett’s nominee for the state Secretary of Corrections has been put on hold by the state Senate Judiciary Committee, at the request of Democrat members of the committee.… Read the rest

Could lead to federal challenge over state’s immigration authority

Announcing the introduction of 16 bills in the state Senate and state House, state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R – Butler) argued his National Security Begins at Home package would safeguard the … Read the rest

Katz details city’s fiscal problems / JIM PANYARD

Gov. Tom Corbett has named Samuel Katz, well-known entrepreneur and frequent political candidate, to the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA), which oversees and manages spending by the City of Philadelphia.

Mr. Katz, … Read the rest

Wagner pleased with emphasis on authority | BY: Jim Panyard

Gov. Tom Corbett will chair his first meeting of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Wednesday and it is likely no one is more pleased than New Jersey Gov. Chris … Read the rest

CORRECTED: Argues for preservation of public safety, public health in light of no new taxes or fees

Gov. Tom Corbett’s Budget Secretary, Charles Zogby, said Monday at the Pennsylvania Press Club the “day of reckoning” had come for the state’s … Read the rest

Health Care Compact pushing initiative to put states in charge of health care

Pennsylvania has the fifth highest per capita federal health care spending in the United States, according to data from the Health Care Compact Alliance (HCCA), an initiative … Read the rest

Folmer introduces bill, Corbett, PennDOT not talking

With the next federal deadline for the enactment of REAL ID around the corner, Pennsylvania’s governor and Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are keeping mum about the execution of the mandate in the commonwealth.… Read the rest

Training for industry work after other careers failed

In the midst of Marcellus shale development, Lackawanna College has established a satellite college in New Milford to train students to fill the industry jobs created in the midst of a recession.… Read the rest

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

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

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

PHEAA argues money was used for education and so served its purpose

A report from the American Institute for Research (AIR), a behavioral and social science research organization, found Pennsylvania spent $232.9 million between 2003 and 2008 on students who … Read the rest

Suggests if incapable, should be privatized or absorbed into Revenue Department

Auditor General Jack Wagner announced Thursday his office found so many errors in the State Tax Equalization Board’s (STEB) revised property values for 2008 it brings subsequent reports and … Read the rest

Democrats argue the reform is “lite,” will stall future progress

Legislation to create a searchable budget database for state government expenditures and investments unanimously passed the House Wednesday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

H.B. 15, introduced by … Read the rest

Donated over $9,000 to Corbett’s campaigns since 2004

Gov. Tom Corbett nominated Linda L. Kelly to as attorney general, replacing Acting Attorney General William H. Ryan, who took over the office on Jan. 18.

Ms. Kelly’s nomination leaves two remaining … Read the rest