A coalition of consumer and low income advocates as well as the AFL-CIO held a press conference today urging the Governor to reject the cuts that have been proposed by the Department of Public Welfare to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Lance Haver, Director of the Philadelphia [...]
The American Cancer Society held a press conference today in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol Building to inform the public on the health and economic benefits that would result from taxing all tobacco products. Sam Monismith, Chairman for the American Cancer Society Pennsylvania Division Board of Directors explained that [...]
AUGUST REVENUE COMES IN $19.9 MILLION BELOW ESTIMATESecretary of Revenue Stephen Stetler reported yesterday that Pennsylvania collected $1.6 billion in General Fund revenue in August, which was $19.9 million, or 1.2 percent, less than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $3.3 billion, which is $22 million, [...]
Auditor General Jack Wagner met with reporters Tuesday to again present a seven-item list of ways the state can save hundreds of millions of dollars, suggestions he hopes can help bridge the roughly half a billion dollar difference between Republican and Democratic budget proposals.
The list, which includes plans to reduce [...]
Democrats and Republicans continue to disagree about how budget negotiations should continue after Tuesday’s two-hour Conference Committee, a session that did little to reduce the roughly $500 million in spending difference between the two sides.
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) sent a letter to Democratic leadership Monday asking them to [...]
The Advocacy group Democracy Rising PA was joined by other reform-minded groups in holding a press conference in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol Building today to speak-out against the existence and process of legislative grants. Better known as WAMs or “walking around money,” legislative grants, according to the President [...]
The Conference Committee on HB 1416 met for several hours this morning, in the latest of public meetings to hammer out a budget agreement. Working towards a compromise spending number, the committee adjourned at noon to allow staff to review and compile a comparative spreadsheet containing both the $28.1 billion [...]
Auditor General Jack Wagner called on the Legislature and the Governor to “meets around the clock” until an agreement is reached on the state budget. Noting that the G-20 Summit will soon meet in Pittsburgh, “I am concerned that that two-month impasse is casting a negative image on the Pennsylvania economy [...]
GOVERNOR RENDELL APPLAUDS RECONVENING OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEEAt a press conference yesterday, Governor Rendell voiced his approval that the Conference Committee on HB 1416 will be reconvening tomorrow. Despite the unproductive nature of the committee’s first two meetings, the governor expressed confidence that partisanship and bickering will [...]
Governor Ed Rendell said Monday he no longer supports a natural gas severance tax this year, an unexpected announcement that adds a new wrinkle to ongoing budget negotiations and could temporarily shelve one of Pennsylvania’s largest public policy debates.
The governor had supported a tax on companies drilling in the state’s [...]
At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell voiced his approval that the Conference Committee on HB 1416 will be reconvening tomorrow. Despite the unproductive nature of the committee’s first two meetings, the governor expressed confidence that partisanship and bickering will not color the remainder of the committee’s schedule. The [...]
SECRETARY WOLFF RESIGNS, NOMINATES REDDING
Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Friday that he will nominate Russell Redding as the new Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture secretary following the resignation of Dennis Wolff, which is effective Sept. 12. “Denny Wolff has worked hard over the last six and a half [...]
Effective September 12th, Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff will resign. Governor Rendell has nominated Russell Redding, a department executive deputy secretary. Redding’s nomination as secretary is dependent upon Senate confirmation.
[...]Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi today met with the media via teleconference to provide his perspective on the budget stalemate. Following optimism from the Governor yesterday, Senator Pileggi said negotiations have taken a step backward today with the House Dems announcement that the conference committee will reconvene next week. Senator [...]
Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon) and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) held a press conference this afternoon to express their anger and disappointment that the Senate Republican leadership has once again lowered its proposed spend number from $27.5 billion to $27.1 billion. Rep. McCall said that the [...]
Governor Ed Rendell, joined by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) this afternoon announced the appointment of Joseph Dworetzsky and David Girard-diCarlo to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission. The governor explained the nomination of Girard-diCarlo was made at the suggestion of Senator Pileggi. He praised the experiences of both nominees [...]
The committee held a public hearing on foster care and adoption initiatives. Committee members heard from a wide range of speakers including Secretary Estelle Richman of the Department of Public Welfare, who gave an overview of the Department’s initiatives and spoke about the positive impact Family Finding has had on permanency. County commissioners, [...]
Surrounded by canines and their owners Governor Ed Rendell signed House Bill 39 today- a bill that will further protect dogs from inhumane and tortuous surgical practices. Once known as the “Puppy Mill Capital of the East,” HB 39 advances Pennsylvania’s animal protection laws and makes it one of the [...]
House Minority Leader Sam Smith met with the media this morning to call on the Democratic leadership to bring the House back to session and act on the budget. He also questioned the ability of DPW Secretary Richman to make needed reforms in DPW to eliminate the abuse and fraud [...]
GOVERNOR CONTINUES CALL FOR BUDGET WITH RECURRING REVENUEGovernor Ed Rendell met with the media yesterday to discuss the ongoing budget negotiations and once again called on the legislature to send him a budget, which he said he will sign provided that (1) it does not make [...]
The House Health & Human Services Committee held a public hearing today to listen to a briefing from Secretary Everette James and other Department of Health officials on a possible H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) outbreak in the fall. Secretary James provided an overview of the outbreak of H1N1 in the [...]
Governor Ed Rendell today met with the media to discuss the ongoing budget negotiations and once again called on the legislature to send him a budget and he will sign it provided that it (1) does not make any additional cuts to education and health care, and (2) it balances [...]
The House Health & Human Services Committee met today to vote on two bills and two resolutions. House Bill 816 was unanimously reported as amended by amendment A03334 and House Bill 1358 was also unanimously reported as amended by amendment A03590. House Resolution 380 and House Resolution 404 were both [...]
The Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign called on the Legislature and the Governor and the Legislature to pass the “right budget” at a press conference today, one which continues year two of the funding formula. School districts missed their second monthly state subsidy payment and local school leaders discussed the challenges they [...]
BUDGET IMPASSE FORCING SCHOOLS TO BORROW MONEYAccording to Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Unless a state budget passes in a hurry, school districts across the state tomorrow will miss out on their second state subsidy payment, estimated at $876 million. That will bring the total subsidy amount delayed [...]
The House Health & Human Services Subcommittee on Mental Health met today for a public hearing to address concerns with the reporting process and operating procedures for Mental Retardation Group Homes. Testifying in front of the committee were panels representing advocacy groups, providers, and consumers of mental health services. The [...]
GOVERNOR RENDELL DISCUSSES BUDGET AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STATEGovernor Ed Rendell was joined by Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) Secretary Sandi Vito to announce positive economic development news yesterday during the Governor’s press conference. Governor Rendell explained that an internal L&I memo showed that from [...]
The committee met to consider two bills. HB 1661 was reported as committed with Senate Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) and Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair) voting in the negative. HB 1828 was unanimously reported as amended. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
[...]Governor Ed Rendell and House Democrats were newly optimistic Monday about approving the budget after they said informal negotiations with Senate Republicans last week helped the two sides nearly agree on how much the state should spend, a key step toward striking a deal.
Their optimism, however, surprised Republicans. A GOP [...]
Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) Secretary Sandi Vito to announce positive economic development news today during the Governor’s press conference. Governor Rendell explained that an internal L&I memo showed that from July 25th to August 7th there were only five business closings as [...]
BUDGET IMPASSE STRAINING MANY PROGRAMSAccording to an article in the Patriot News, To most Pennsylvanians, this may have felt like a crisis-less budget impasse so far but for many people, this is beginning to change. Some pre-kindergarten programs may shut down. Day care centers serving parents [...]
IRRC met this meeting to consider four regulations, all of which were approved. The Commission also welcomed a new commissioner – Silvan Lutkewitte. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
[...]Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference today to announce the findings of an audit to the Department of Public Welfare’s Special Allowance Program. Auditor General Wagner said the program is “very important in helping people move from the welfare rolls to self sustaining employment” but the audit found that [...]
OVERRIDES FAIL; SENATORS LEFT PONDERING NEXT MOVEThe Senate’s failure Wednesday to override any of Governor Ed Rendell’s line-item vetoes left Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) calling on the state’s chief executive to re-engage the legislature, the only way the senator said Republicans and Democrats could reach [...]
The Senate’s failure Wednesday to override any of Governor Ed Rendell’s line-item vetoes left Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) calling on the state’s chief executive to re-engage the legislature, the only way the senator said Republicans and Democrats could reach a budget deal.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats [...]
Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) said she isn’t the only Democrat who thinks some of Governor Ed Rendell’s line-item vetoes should be overridden.
She’s just the only one to vote to do so.
“To think everyone is lock, stock and barrel on this just isn’t true,” she told PLS during a brief interview [...]
The Senate is currently debating the override of the Governor’s veto on SB 850 relating to PHEAA grant funding.
While the Republicans are arguing in favor of the override, the Democrats are stating that the entire budget needs to be resolved, so that “one hostage situation does not replace another.”
UPDATE: Senator [...]
House Republicans said Wednesday they will introduce a new budget bill that would mirror the $27.5 billion spend plan temporarily supported by Democratic “Blue Dogs” in early August, although the GOP proposal appears unlikely to meet any Democratic approval.
Minority Appropriations Chairman Mario Civera (R-Delaware) announced the plan on the House [...]
The committee voted unanimously to report as committed SB 969 which authorizes the Department of General Services to convey certain lands in the city of Altoona to the Altoona Regional Health System. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
[...]SB 901 was passed over yet again by the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee at an off the floor meeting today. Chairman Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) indicated the bill, and an amendment to it, should be ready for consideration by the committee in a week. SB 607 was reported out [...]
Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Bill Cosby and others at a press conference today to highlight the gains in academic achievement Pennsylvania students have made and urged passage of a budget bill that would adequately fund education. “No more cuts,” Cosby said. He emphasized the role teachers play in lives of young [...]
The Senate Finance Committee held a second hearing on municipal pension issues and how to finance pensions. The committee heard from the city of Philadelphia, local government organizations, and the PA Economy League to learn about possible solutions to addressing pension issues. Among the proposals discussed were optional county sales [...]
The House Rules Committee met today to consider three bills. HB 1593, HB 39, and HB 1663 were unanimously reported as committed. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
[...]House Finance met this morning and voted four bills out of committee. A fifth – HB 368 by Rep. Siptroth, was passed over due to his absence. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
[...]The committee voted unanimously to report H.B. 1869 with a recommendation it be re-referred to Appropriations. The bill amends Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) changing certain legal fees and charges in Philadelphia. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
[...]Senate Republicans said Tuesday they will try on Wednesday to override 16 of Governor Ed Rendell’s “bridge” budget line-item vetoes, action that, if successful, would immediately restore about $2.2 billion to public-welfare programs and higher-education grants.
The news is an unexpected twist to budget negotiations that have stalled badly since the [...]
The committee held a public hearing on municipal pensions and a municipal pension recovery program proposed by the Public Employees Retirement Commission and the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System. Committee members heard from wide ranging panel of testifiers that included the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, the Pennsylvania Economy League, and [...]
Famed television star and comedian Bill Cosby will visit the Capitol Wednesday to help Governor Ed Rendell tout a new national study showing improved student achievement in Pennsylvania schools.
The event will be held at noon in the rotunda.
The governor hinted at Cosby’s visit during a Tuesday press [...]
Today in the Reception Room filled with emergency first responders Governor Ed Rendell signed Senate Bill 240- a bill designed to improve the quality and efficiency of emergency medical services (EMS) throughout the Commonwealth. SB 240 amends the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1985 and will bring state EMS services [...]
Governor Ed Rendell reiterated during a Monday afternoon press conference that he remains committed to protecting funding for child-care services, a priority that requires revenue increases the Republican-controlled Senate has thus far steadfastly opposed. The governor, flanked by more [...]
Governor Ed Rendell reiterated during a Monday afternoon press conference that he remains committed to protecting funding for child-care services, a priority that requires revenue increases the Republican-controlled Senate has thus far steadfastly opposed.
The governor, flanked by more than 50 advocates of child-care services, acknowledged he eliminated those services’ funding [...]
LAWMAKERS HAVE HELD INFORMAL BUDGET TALKS, BUT DEADLOCK REMAINSHouse Democrats and Senate Republicans confirm to PLS that legislative leaders have quietly met informally for budget negotiations since Governor Ed Rendell signed a “bridge” budget, although spokesmen for each group said the discussions led to little progress. [...]
Governor Ed Rendell today named Gary Tuma as his new press secretary, effective Monday, August 17.
“Gary Tuma is a veteran newsman who brings a variety of perspectives to the job – he has been a reporter covering the Capitol, a press secretary at a cabinet agency, and a press secretary [...]
Governor Rendell issued the following statement regarding the Philadelphia Eagles’ signing of Michael Vick:
“I believe that I don’t have to take a back seat to anyone in my commitment to helping protect all animals, and specifically our dogs and puppies. I am enormously proud of the progress we have made through [...]
Rep. William Adolph (R-Delaware) was joined by Rep. Mario Civera (R-Delaware), Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) and Rep. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) at a press conference today at Delaware County Community College to urge the Senate to override the Governor’s PHEAA grant blue line. Rep. Adolph indicated that a co-sponsorship memo for a [...]
LAWMAKERS HAVE HELD INFORMAL BUDGET TALKS, BUT DEADLOCK REMAINSHouse Democrats and Senate Republicans confirm to PLS that legislative leaders have quietly met informally for budget negotiations since Governor Ed Rendell signed a “bridge” budget last week, although spokesmen for each group said the discussions led to [...]
House Democrats and Senate Republicans confirm to PLS that legislative leaders have quietly met informally for budget negotiations since Governor Ed Rendell signed a “bridge” budget last week, although spokesmen for each group said the discussions led to little progress.
“Informal discussions have been going on daily since the stop-gap budget [...]
At a press conference this afternoon, House Minority Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) asked that Democratic Leaders reconvene the House and bring a Tax Code bill up for a vote as soon as possible. Convinced the votes do not exist to pass a tax increase in the House at this point, [...]
At a public hearing that began at 9 a.m. and lasted into the afternoon, the House Gaming Oversight Committee heard from a number of stakeholders on the merits of bringing table games to Pennsylvania. Casino operators, representatives of the Commonwealth’s equine industry, tourism industry, and research firm Innovation Group were [...]
The committee voted unanimously to report as committed SB 1047 which amends the Rail Freight Preservation & Improvement Act to allow certain railroad companies to perform work at their own costs with company forces without putting the contract out for contract. Minority Chairman Barry Stout (D-Washington) expressed concern with the [...]
PHILLY SALES TAX BILL MIGHT GET SENATE APPROVAL IN LATE AUGUSTThe Senate will begin considering a bill designed to ease Philadelphia’s budget crisis on Wednesday, the start of at least a two-week process in the chamber Democrats have already said has been too-long delayed. House Bill [...]
Governor Rendell held a press conference today at the East Shore Area Library to discuss the significant role libraries play in the Commonwealth. He called them “critical” to children’s education as well as providing Internet access and resources to the community at large. He stated that the budget impasse is [...]
The committee reported as amended HB 1663 appropriating money for fiscal year 2009-2010 from the State Gaming Fund for the operations of the Gaming Board and the operations of the Department of Revenue, the State Police and the Attorney General with respect to their responsibility under the Act. On a [...]
HOUSE DS INTRODUCE NEW VIDEO-POKER BILLDemocrats on Monday introduced a new version of video-lottery legislation, a signal they are intent, despite concerns from the Senate, to push the proposal as part of a package of options to help the state bridge its gaping budget gap. The [...]
The committee voted to report as committed nine bills providing appropriations for the Public School Employees’ Retirement Board; the State Employees’ Retirement Board; the Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs; the Workmen’s Compensation Administration Fund; the Public Utility Commission; the Office of Consumer Advocate; the Office of Small Business Advocate; [...]
The committee voted unanimously to report as committed the following bills: SB 240 amending Titles 35 and 75 regulating emergency medical services systems; SB 563 amending the Mechanics’ Lien Law; and SB 862 providing for the conveyance of certain lands in Centre County. The members also voted unanimously to re-refer [...]
Democrats on Monday introduced a new version of video-lottery legislation, a signal they are intent, despite concerns from the Senate, to push the proposal as part of a package of options to help the state bridge its gaping budget gap.
The new measure, House Bill 1921, would earmark 50 percent of [...]
Democratic Senators held a press conference today in front of the Lt. Governor’s office to urge Senate Republicans to quickly pass a bill that would allow the city of Philadelphia to impose a 1% city sales tax increase. Senate Democratic Floor Leader Robert Mellow (D-Lackawanna) explained that he has been [...]
RENDELL DISCUSSES IMPACT OF BUDGET IMPASSE ON HIGHER EDUCATIONGovernor Rendell called on the Legislature to send him a budget bill that “adequately funds higher education” at a press conference Saturday at Harrisburg University. “I refused to sign SB 850 because we can and must do better,” [...]
At a press conference today at Harrisburg University, Governor Rendell called on the legislature to send him a budget bill that adequately funds higher education. ”I refused to sign SB 850 because we can and must do better,” he said, and indicated that the bill “slashes PHEAA grants by $21 million.” The governor [...]
Governor Rendell signed HB 1648 into law this morning, paving the way for the creation of an Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice to investigate the recent juvenile justice scandal surrounding the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Given the magnitute of the number of youths affected, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief [...]
The Senate Approp Subcommittee on Program Performance held a meeting to learn about performance based budgeting. The subcommittee heard from representatives of Virginia’s successful Council on Funding and SAS Institute, a provider of business intelligence. The subcommittee learned about the successes Virginia has had in measuring outcomes and about performance [...]
The commission voted to approved the following regulations:
No. 2661 Municipal Police Officers’ Education & Training Commission #17-75: Retired Law Enforcement Officers Identification & Qualification Cards
No. 2732 Environmental Hearing Board #106-9: Practice and Procedure
No. 2717 Environmental Quality Board #7-404: Bluff Recession and Setback
The deemed approved regs included:
No. 2725 Public Utility Commission [...]
In a conference call this morning, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center recommended that lawmakers and the governor should “just walk away” from a proposal to adopt a single sales factor into the Pennsylvania tax code. PBPC Executive Director Sharon Ward said incorporating the measure would add another business tax [...]
GOVERNOR SIGNS SB 850; STRESSES IT IS NOT A BUDGETGovernor Rendell bluelined and signed SB 850 yesterday, emphasizing it is merely legislation to enable state workers to get paid, and is not a budget in itself. The governor said he hopes the bill will send legislators [...]
The House unanimously elected Tony Barbush as its new Chief Clerk. As Session wrapped up today, Speaker McCall announced tomorrow will be a non-voting Session day in the House. Friday could also turn into a token Session day, he said. He also announced the Conference Committee on HB 1416 will [...]
The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee met off the floor this afternoon, so that Chairman Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) could update members on the status of on again-off again voting meetings scheduled through the week. He said the shuffling has been due to amendments being drafted to SB 901, which [...]
House Democrats and Governor Ed Rendell’s proposal to raise money by legalizing video lottery machines isn’t likely to receive Senate Republican approval.
To put it mildly.
“Video poker is probably the worst public policy idea that’s been advanced in Pennsylvania in a generation,” Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) told reporters Wednesday [...]
The House Appropriations Committee met today to consider four bills. House Bill 721, HB 843, and HB 1231 were unanimously reported as committed. HB 1710 was reported as committed with Republican members voting in the negative. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
[...]
The House Rules Committee met today to consider one bill. House Bill 1902 was unanimously reported as committed. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
[...]
The House Education Committee met unexpectedly this afternoon to consider SB 281, which was unanimously reported with a negative recommendation. Several Republican decried the process, but ultimately voted for the motion in order to move the bill forward.
Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later [...]
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) spoke to the media live from his Glen Mills District Office shortly after the Governor signed the “bridge budget.” Senator Pileggi said that he could find no rationale behind the governor’s blue lines besides “leverage.” He doesn’t believe the “farcical conference [...]
Governor Rendell signed SB 850 today, emphasizing it is merely legislation to enable state workers to get paid, and is not a budget in itself. The governor said he hopes the bill will send legislators back to the table to negotiate “anew and in earnest.”
Following the governor’s [...]
The committee voted unanimously to report as committed HB 1789. The legislation amends the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act to establish a method of collection for pre-paid, E-911, wireless service. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
[...]
RENDELL TO SIGN BRIDGE BUDGET
Governor Ed Rendell will sign budget legislation authorizing state employees to be paid at 11:00 a.m. today in the Governor’s Reception Room, Main Capitol.
GOVERNOR SIGNS HB 1770, OFFERS UPDATE ON WHAT’S NEXT FOR BUDGETFollowing a decisive House vote yesterday, HB [...]
A day after House Democratic leadership publicly announced it will no longer consider increasing the personal income tax, Governor Ed Rendell said Tuesday he is waiting for lawmakers to show him a plan that will raise enough revenue for Pennsylvania to enact a responsible budget.
Whether they plan [...]
Following a decisive House vote yesterday, HB 1770 was signed into law by Governor Rendell this afternoon, putting into place the opportunity for Pennsylvanians who have run out of unemployment benefits to receive up to seven additional weeks of payments.
The governor also offered his thoughts on where [...]
Meeting a second time today, the committee voted to report as committed HB 1861 amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedures) further providing for deposits into account and for distribution of funds. The committee Democrats were joined by Minority Chairman Mario Civera in voting for reporting the [...]
The committee met to consider two bills and one resolution. HB 11 was reported as amended with Rep. Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne) joining the Republicans in the voting in the negative. SB 736 was reported as committed with Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) voting in the negative. HR 424 was [...]
The committee voted unanimously to report as committed HB 620, HB 666, HB 1330, HB 1884, SB 112, SB 366 and SB 921. Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster) was the only “No” vote on reporting as committed HB 1847. HB 1884 was reported as committed with the committee [...]
The committee unanimously reported as committed HB 666 authorizing DGS to grant and convey certain lands and submerged lands in the 39th Ward of Philadelphia. On a party line vote, the committee reported as committed HB 1858 which authorizes counties except Allegheny and Philadelphia to levy a [...]
The House Judiciary Committee met this morning to consider five bills, all of which were reported as committed except HB 1876 which was amended. The amendment to HB 1876 generated a considerable amount of discussion, as it gutted the language of the bill and added new language [...]
Representative Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia) held a press conference today in the Media Center of the Capitol Building to outline the budget priorities he believes are most critical to the State of Pennsylvania and to urge the Conference Committee members to get back to work and produce a [...]
RENDELL REITERATES DEMAND THAT SENATE RS COMPROMISEGovernor Ed Rendell reiterated again Monday that he has agreed to billions of dollars in spending reductions despite no such compromises from Senate Republicans, a stubbornness he says has prolonged budget negotiations. The GOP-controlled Senate must agree [...]
House Democratic leaders publicly said Monday they will no longer consider increasing the personal income tax after reaching a deal with “Blue Dog” Democrats to abandon support of their own Republican-approved budget proposal.
Budget debate is now likely to shift from talk of PIT hikes to an array [...]
House Speaker Keith McCall (D-Carbon), House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne), and Rep. Nick Kotik (D-Allegheny) fielded questions from the media outside the Lt. Governor’s Office after session today. Rep. McCall confirmed that the “PIT is off the table…and it hasn’t been a point of discussion in well [...]
Governor Ed Rendell reiterated again Monday that he has agreed to billions of dollars in spending reductions despite no such compromises from Senate Republicans, a stubbornness he says has prolonged budget negotiations.
The GOP-controlled Senate must agree to raise some “reoccurring revenues,” he said, even if it makes [...]
On a party line vote, the committee voted to reconsider their vote on HB 1858 as amended from last week. The bill authorizes counties to impose sales or use and occupancy taxes and for an optional sales and use tax for Philadelphia. The committee then voted to [...]
