Archive
PA House has mixed reaction to Toomey gun control negotiations
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Federal efforts to impose more extensive background checks on firearms purchases is having a ripple effect back at the Pennsylvania State Capitol.
Not only did a large group of Republicans urge Sen. … Read the rest
Western PA Amtrak service will probably depend on transportation package
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The Corbett Administration has agreed to spend $3.8 million annually to support passenger rail service in western Pennsylvania, but the state Legislature has the final say.
The House Transportation Committee heard Monday … Read the rest
Bipartisan effort to clean up Harrisburg targets special interest influence
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — That cozy, long-term relationship between politicians and special interest groups may be coming to an end in Pennsylvania.
Two state senators — one a Democrat, the other a Republican — are peddling … Read the rest
House OKd bill to fast track online investigations without judicial oversight
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – A bill to give law enforcement faster access to online information has moved through the state House and is headed for the state Senate.
Civil liberties groups warn that the proposal contained … Read the rest
PA lawmaker turns eye to municipal pension reform
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — A plan to overhaul municipal pension plans for police and firefighters could help some struggling cities in Pennsylvania deal with millions of dollars of pension debt.
It also could bring an end to a guarantee … Read the rest
Click and go vote: PA lawmaker proposes online registration
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — It’s possible in these days of instant connectivity to monitor nearly every financial, physical and social transaction using the Internet – from banking to travel, and from dieting to dinner reservations.
So … Read the rest
Big dippers: Three scoops into state coffers for re-hired state workers on unemployment
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Lawmakers are one step closer to barring state employees from collecting multiple state checks after they retire.
The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to ban “triple-dipping,” or the practice of … Read the rest
Week in Review: A new chapter for PA Supreme Court on the horizon
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG — After a whirlwind week where the House of Representatives passed a landmark bill to privatize state liquor stores, the spotlight turned from one branch of government to another.
All eyes were on the judiciary … Read the rest
PA liquor system turns border jumpers into bootleggers
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The Keystone State’s Prohibition-era liquor laws might encourage some residents to buy alcohol from other states and bring it back to Pennsylvania.
It used to be called bootlegging, which refers to the … Read the rest
Harrisburg-to-Pittsburgh rail to carry $3.8 million in costs annually
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Passenger rail service in western Pennsylvania will continue as long as lawmakers approve a transportation funding plan, Gov. Tom Corbett announced last week.
The Corbett administration reached a deal with the federal … Read the rest
Week in Review: Liquor and legislation in PA statehouse
By PA Independent Staff
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians may want to toast the House of Representatives. One half of the state’s General Assembly approved a plan to privatize the sale of wine and spirits with a historic vote this week.… Read the rest
Pre-privatization, beer lobby chips in to top PA lawmakers
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Liquor privatization in Pennsylvania is a decades-long battle with piles of money behind it.
Not surprisingly, the labor union representing state-owned store employees has given generously to state lawmakers on both sides … Read the rest
Privatization plan doesn’t toast to beer consumers, brewers say
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – It’s no secret Pennsylvanians love their beer.
But the industry behind those beers doesn’t love the plan to privatize Pennsylvania’s state-run wine and liquor system.
The privatization bill set to go before … Read the rest
They came for liquor, and left with a proposal
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — A belief in free markets pushed Roger Howard out his southern Chester County home early Monday. He wanted to be make it to Harrisburg, 70 miles away, by 7 a.m.
He … Read the rest
PA law enforcement wants easier access to your Internet activities
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Law enforcement officials say they should not have to go to a judge before seeking personal data about Internet users in Pennsylvania.
The state House is set to vote early next … Read the rest
Without changes, crime still pays a pension in PA
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — State employees convicted of rape, grand theft auto and even murder can still collect lifetime pensions under Pennsylvania law.
An attempt to change that is hung up, for now, in the state House … Read the rest
PA governor’s budget plans falls flat with House Dems
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House members, after three weeks of hearing about spending plans, finally had the chance to grill Budget Secretary Charles Zogby.
It all came down to the big-ticket policy changes proposed by … Read the rest
PA lawmakers have to face pension pain sooner or later
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — There is no easy way out of Pennsylvania’s pension labyrinth.
The state’s two public pension systems – the State Employees Retirement System, or SERS, and the Public School Employees Retirement System, … Read the rest
Snail mail slows PA’s campaign finance reports
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s antiquated campaign finance laws are again a topic for discussion.
But, once again, it’s hard to say whether things will change, despite what appears to be bipartisan support for taking things … Read the rest
Senator blasts PLCB private label wine, booze
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Whether you’re in the mood for Merlot or Moscato, the taxpayer-funded private label TableLeaf wine may have something to fit your taste.
That is, if you’re OK with buying government-subsidized alcohol.
Officials … Read the rest