Archive
What’s in your package? PA beer distributors call for six-pack sales
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — A simple six-pack of beer is becoming a focal point of the most substantive legislative debate on Pennsylvania alcohol laws since Prohibition.
A Tuesday afternoon Senate Law and Justice Committee on … Read the rest
Democrats pushing Gov. Corbett on Medicaid expansion
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Democratic leaders in the General Assembly say Gov. Tom Corbett has delayed long enough on a decision about expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania.
And if the governor won’t make a decision, they … Read the rest
Groups on right and left oppose Common Core standards in PA
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – They don’t always agree on education policy, but when they do, it’s to oppose an unfunded mandate on school districts.
The implementation of the so-called Common Core standards in Pennsylvania public schools … Read the rest
PA businesses could pay more for open records
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — North Cornwall Township Manager Robin Getz said she sees the municipality’s employees spending too much time fulfilling open-records requests made to earn someone else money.
That’s why she’s urging the state … Read the rest
For PA municipalities, it’s about seeking change, not dollars
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Across Pennsylvania, times are tough for local governments. About 41 percent of the state’s population live in a municipality facing some kind fiscal distress.
Yet Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed budget holds municipal … Read the rest
Supreme Court: PA House, Senate districts to stand
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Finally, Pennsylvania will have new legislative districts.
In a unanimous decision announced Wednesday, the state Supreme Court upheld a redistricting plan drawn by a commission of legislative leaders and ordered it to … Read the rest
PA drivers one step closer to paying higher fees, gas prices
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — In 1997 a postage stamp cost 32 cents, a dozen eggs about $1.17, and a gallon of gas about $1.32.
It was also the most recent time Pennsylvania lawmakers touched the state … Read the rest
Corporate tax overhaul passes PA House for second time
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – The state House on Monday voted to overhaul Pennsylvania’s corporate tax code, sending to the state Senate one of Gov. Tom Corbett’s top priorities for this year’s legislative session.
The bill … Read the rest
In an age of hacks, PA Senate addresses data breach security
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Digitized government data is no stranger to security breaches, but residents may at least be able to count on swift notification when their information is at risk.
The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed … Read the rest
Horrors! Private liquor spell doom for PA, groups say
By Eric Boehm| PA Independent
HARRISBURG – For most of the last two years, the debate over alcohol privatization in Pennsylvania has focused on the financial aspects of the Republican-backed plan to sell-off the state liquors.
But such bottom-line issues … Read the rest
Top PA senator still not sold on liquor store privatization
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Whether in a fast-food drive-through or with lawmakers in Harrisburg, people want to talk about liquor, said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson.
“I took my son to … Read the rest
PA lawmakers crafting new tax loophole for private aircraft
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s state sales tax code – already full of carve-outs for niche industries and special interests – is about to get a little more complicated.
The state General Assembly appears to … Read the rest
PA House passes abortion coverage ban in state health insurance exchanges
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – The state House gave bipartisan support to a bill that would block insurance plans offered through the state’s new health insurance exchanges from covering abortions.
Abortions would still be allowed in the … Read the rest
PA House committee shuts transparency loophole for Penn State, other universities
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – A much-maligned loophole in Pennsylvania’s Open Records Law may soon be closed.
The House State Government Committee approved a bill Monday afternoon to end the right-to-know exceptions for Pennsylvania’s four so-called “state-related” … Read the rest
How old is your justice? PA considers bumping up judge’s retirement age
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — For Pennsylvania judges, turning 70 means it’s time to retire whether they’re ready or not.
But in the face of constitutional arguments and spry septuagenarians of the modern age, state lawmakers are … Read the rest
Lawmakers call for abolishing PA Turnpike citing scandal, redundancy
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania has two transportation agencies. One controls more than 40,000 miles of state roads and 25,000 bridges, and another maintains 545 miles of tolled highway.
The former has seven executives, one for … Read the rest
Ran a red light? $100, please: PA proposal adds traffic fines for road repairs
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The latest proposal to fund repairs to Pennsylvania’s aging roads and bridges could mean steeper costs for all drivers, especially those with a lead foot.
Sen. John Rafferty, R-Montgomery, … Read the rest
PA prevailing wage changes advance, despite union, Democratic objections
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – A state House committee voted Tuesday to approve two bills that aim to chip away at a costly state mandate.
Prevailing wage laws are another front in the ongoing struggle between unions … Read the rest
Liquor privatization could fund roads, Republicans say (Video)
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – A group of Republicans pitched a plan Monday to use money from privatizing Pennsylvania’s liquor stores to rebuild some of the state’s transportation infrastructure.
The state expects to generate about $800 million … Read the rest
Corbett tax plan will reduce rates, chop pages from tax code
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — It’s going to take more than a decade, but the first small step to reducing Pennsylvania’s corporate income tax could be taken by the end of the spring.
A Corbett administration plan … Read the rest