Archive
Smith: Budget outlook ‘not rosy or easy’
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – After getting a first look at a mid-year budget briefing from the governor’s office, Speaker of the House Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, said budgeting for next year will be “not rosy … Read the rest
Award Pennsylvania electoral votes proportionally, Pileggi says
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania could become the nation’s first official “purple state.”
Arguing that it will more fairly represent the will of the people, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Chester, said Monday he plans … Read the rest
WATCHBLOG: Former Senate Leader Mellow sentenced to 16 months in prison
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Former Senate Majority Leader Robert Mellow, D-Lackawanna, was sentenced Friday to 16 months in prison for using legislative staff to conduct campaign activities.
Mellow was also ordered to repay $120,000 to … Read the rest
WATCHBLOG: Two departing state Reps to continue being paid by taxpayers
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – A pair of departing state lawmakers will get soft landings in new gigs as House staffers making $72,000 per year.
According to Kevin Zwick of Capitolwire, state Reps. Joe Brennan,… Read the rest
Report tees up property tax reform once again
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG —Legislative efforts for Pennsylvania property tax reform next session may build upon past proposals.
Or, the efforts might address some of the biggest cost drivers for local property tax increases.
It all depends … Read the rest
Pennsylvania lawmakers to make more than $83,800 next year
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers will get a 2.2 percent pay increase on Dec. 1, boosting their salaries to more than $83,000.
Russ Faber, chief clerk of the state Senate, confirmed to PA Independent… Read the rest
Failure to reform charter funding leaves pension bubble on the table
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The legislative quagmire that is Pennsylvania’s charter school funding formula once again went unaddressed this legislative session.
That means the state and school districts will continue giving excess pension contributions for … Read the rest
GOP should maintain House majority, but Dems look to chip away
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — State Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery, might feel like he has a target on his back.
This first-term Republican in a tightly contested swing district in the Philadelphia suburbs is exactly … Read the rest
Teens can have sex in Pennsylvania, but “sexting” could be outlawed
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG – Under state law, two 17-year olds in Pennsylvania can legally have sexual intercourse, but they might soon face fines if caught sending naked pictures via their cell phones.
Legislation headed to Gov. … Read the rest
Corman on tax credit: ‘Gotta be willing to … try something new’
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania needs to get innovative about fixing its unemployment — and that means letting business owners keep their employees’ tax withholdings.
“Let’s not be afraid of trying something new,” Senate Appropriations Chairman … Read the rest
Updated: Senate approves charter school reform bill after cutting key component
By Eric Boehm and Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — The state Senate approved a number of educational and financial accountability reforms for Pennsylvania’s charter schools, but it did so after removing a key component that charter school advocates … Read the rest
State wants jobs, but at what cost?
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania wants jobs, so much so that lawmakers are considering allowing employers to keep tax dollars.
But some fear the policy could be abused at the commonwealth’s expense.
Reimbursed lawmakers immune to turnpike toll hikes
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls continue to rise, lawmakers won’t necessarily feel the same pinch, because taxpayers cover that expense.
Much like workers in the private sector, lawmakers get reimbursed for mileage and … Read the rest
Ethics complaint: State rep. enriching himself, others with taxpayer-funded grants
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — An ethics complaint alleging that a sitting state representative directed tax dollars to a church for which he serves as pastor has shaken up a state House race in Delaware County.… Read the rest
Lawmakers rack up $100K in weekend per diems
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Contrary to popular belief, government sometimes runs on the weekends.
At least, it does in Pennsylvania, and taxpayers are picking up the tab for any related expenses.
An analysis of 2011 expense … Read the rest
Open records reforms, pension fixes could lose steam as Sandusky fades
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG - Leaving a rewrite of the state’s open records law on the back burner until 2013 could be bad news for anyone who hopes to see reforms in the wake of the Jerry … Read the rest
Sandusky ignites need for transparency, pension reforms, but they must wait
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s judicial system has brought some closure to the Penn State child molestation scandal with Jerry Sandusky being given a de facto life sentence Tuesday morning
But the Legislature has been eerily … Read the rest
Harrisburg’s debt reveals weaknesses in how state OKs borrowing
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Harrisburg’s incinerator debt was tied to inaccurate cost and revenue estimates, as well as a state approval process for borrowing that did not examine the wisdom of the city taking on this debt.
This … Read the rest
Lawmaker: Public officials, employees don’t deserve pensions if they are felons
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky won’t lose his public pension, despite being convicted of multiple sexual abuse charges.
Neither would a teacher convicted of assaulting his spouse or … Read the rest
Bill to borrow $1.6B means taxpayers stuck with $2.3B tab
By Eric Boehm | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania taxpayers will be on the hook to pay back $2.3 billion, after the state House approved a bill Wednesday to authorize more than $1.6 billion in new borrowing.
And some of that … Read the rest