Capitol Ideas

• A Few Minutes With Chris Doherty.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. This morning we offer you another of installment of conversations with the 2010 gubernatorial field. Last week, you may recall, we brought you a conversation with Montgomery County Commissioner (and Democratic candidate) Joe Hoeffel. Scranton Mayor... [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 8:35am EST
  by John Micek

• Advice From The Gerlach Campaign.

  Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jim Gerlach ... ... says he's come up with at least two ways for Attorney General Tom Corbett to shed that whole "conflict of interest" thing that's been plaguing him as he simultaneously runs for governor and... [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 2:45pm EST
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: Thank You, Thanksgiving.

  Good Afternoon, Everyone. Welcome to a special, pre-holiday edition of Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast. We may already be packing our bags for the long holiday weekend, but that doesn't mean that we're slacking off when it comes to giving... [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 1:38pm EST
  by John Micek

• Monday Morning Coffee.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. As is our custom, we're a little pressed for time this morning. So we'll dispense with the hackneyed plot devices that usually occupy this space and offer you (in the spirit of recession) a gimmick-free, unadorned,... [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:02am EST
  by John Micek

• Rep. Metcalfe Gets New Post.

  In Yet Another Instance ... ... of life imitating volleyball, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, has been named the new ranking Republican on the House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. He replaces Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester, who's becoming the senior GOP member on... [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:30pm EST
  by John Micek

• The Fight Over Health-Care Reform.

  We Get A Lot Of Press Releases ... ... here at Capitol Ideas World HQ -- scads of 'em in fact. It's one of the benefits and the banes of leading the glamorous life of a newspaper reporter. Everyone has...' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:08am EST
  by John Micek

• Capitol Ideas Will Return ...

  ... later today. [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:41am EST
  by John Micek

• Best. Video. Ever.

  This Just Came Over The Transom ... ... from the state Department of Health. It's a music video instructing elementary school kids on how to dodge the spread of the dread H1N1 virus. Before we go any further, we'll make...' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:40pm EST
  by John Micek

• Thursday Lightning Round.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. It's a rainy Thursday morning here in our fair Commonwealth's seat of government. We're feeling severely undercaffeinated this morning. Thus, we're going to jump right into the usual mix of gossip, innuendo and outright fabrications you've...' [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:15am EST
  by John Micek

• Catching Up With Some Old Friends.

  Back In April ... ... you may recall that we introduced you to Bill Grumbine of Kutztown, and his 16-year-old daughter, Emily. At the time, the father-daughter team were among the throngs of Second Amendment fans who flocked to Harrisburg... [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:57pm EST
  by John Micek

• Rendell: I Want To Spend My Last Year On Gov't Reform.

  Gov. Ed Sketched Out ... ... has sketched out a series of government reform proposals that includes judicial merit selection, hard caps on campaign contributions and a citizen-led redistricting commission that he claims are "essential" to restoring public trust in... [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:14pm EST
  by John Micek

• No Raises For You.

  Just Like Their Constituents ... ... state lawmakers, judges, along with Gov. Ed Rendell and his cabinet, will be going without pay raises this year. This morning, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released new information on the economic marker... [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:32am EST
  by John Micek

• A Few Minutes With Joe Hoeffel.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. Democratic gubernatorial candidate (and current Montgomery County commissioner) Joe Hoeffel stopped by Capitol Ideas World HQ yesterday for a quick, (re)introductory chat. More astute readers may recall that Hoeffel, a former state lawmaker, congressman and Rendell... [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 8:32am EST
  by John Micek

• Sam Smith Speaks Publicly On Bonusgate Arrests.

  House Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, just swung by the Capitol newsroom to talk about last week's arrests. 1. On What He Knew: "I think that, if what is alleged is accurate, it bears out that I was given misleading..." [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:44pm EST
  by John Micek

• Santorum Endorses Corbett's Guv Run.

  The Mainstream GOP Wagon-Circling Continues. Here's the text of a letter Our Rick sent out seeking support -- both moral and financial -- for Attorney General Tom Corbett's gubernatorial bid. Now a question: Will PA's conservative community gnash its teeth... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 2:47pm EST
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: Chatting With Daylin Leach.

  Good Afternoon, Fellow Seekers. We're back with a special mid-week edition of Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast (TM). Providing concrete proof that the ranks of those brave enough to actually talk with us are growing, we sat down for a...' [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 2:15pm EST
  by John Micek

• Rolling The Dice -- Again.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. It's officially the middle of November and if, over your corn flakes and orange juice, you're asking yourself, "Hey, whatever happened to them there table games they were talking about last month?" well, you've come to... [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:19am EST
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: All Bonusgate Edition.

  Greetings, Fellow Seekers. We've fought off some epic technical gremlins to bring you this week's edition of Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast (TM). We're batting for the cycle this afternoon, First, we take a look at the nuts-and-bolts of Attorney... [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 5:14pm EST
  by John Micek

• Senate Panel Tackles Prison Overcrowding.

  No One’s Ever Lost An Election ... ... by promising to lock up the bad guys and throw away the key. But what happens when you start running out of places to put them? That’s the question the Senate Judiciary... [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 1:25pm EST
  by John Micek

• Union Boss: State Employee Layoffs Coming Today?

  The Head Of Pennsylvania's Biggest ... ... state employees union says he's prepping for layoffs for state employees. David Filliman, the head of Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, tells the Associated Press that... [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 11:03am EST
  by John Micek

• Monday Morning Coffee.

  Happy Monday, Everyone. So, did anything happen while we were away? Wow ... did it ever. While we were off taking a few days' constitutional in lovely Pittsburgh with Mrs. Capitol Ideas, Attorney General Tom "I'm a Republican But Don't...'" [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:00am EST
  by John Micek

• Bonusgate Update, Part Deux.

  Here's The Latest, Via The AP: HARRISBURG _ Ten defendants in the state attorney general's legislative corruption investigation are awaiting trial following a series of hearings in a suburban Harrisburg courtroom. District Judge William Wenner on Friday conducted preliminary arraignments... [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 6:08pm EST
  by John Micek

• Bonusgate Update.

  Here's the latest from the AP: "HARRISBURG, Pa. - Hearings for the 10 defendants charged in the state attorney general's legislative corruption investigation [began this morning] in a courtroom on the outskirts of Harrisburg. Friday's court appearances before District Judge..." [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:48pm EST
  by John Micek

• Friday Morning News Round-Up.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We're coming to you from scenic Pittsburgh this morning. So, like the rest of you, we're reading about yesterday's Bonusgate charges against former House Speaker John M. Perzel and others in the local newspapers. Without any... [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 8:04am EST
  by John Micek

• Some Bonusgate Reaction.

  Reaction This Afternoon's Announcement Is Filtering In. Here's House Minority Leader Sam Smith, R-Jefferson: “Our leadership team has viewed this investigation, from the start, as a turning point and catalyst for change that will result in more efficient and effective... [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:09pm EST
  by John Micek

• Perzel, Others Charged In Bonusgate Probe.

  Former State House Speaker John M. Perzel ... ... of Philadelphia is among the House Republicans who are facing charges in Attorney General Tom Corbett's Bonusgate probe. The charges were announced at a press conference this afternoon. From The Associated... [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 4:52pm EST
  by John Micek

• Today Is Veterans Day.

  And On The Eleventh Hour ... ... of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause to remember those who have given so much. And we'll do that by continuing a Capitol Ideas tradition. From World War I, here's... [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:50am EST
  by John Micek

• Argall Leaning Against Run In PA-17.

  State Sen. David Argall ... ... said he's pooh-poohed the opportunity to run against U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D-17th District, next year. Argall, R-Schuylkill, says he's told national Republicans to "please keep looking for anotehr candidate" to put up against... [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 3:37pm EST
  by John Micek

• Scranton Mayor Doherty Makes Guv Bid Official.

  Fresh off Re-Election ... ... to a third term, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty said today that he intends to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010. Doherty made the widely expected announcement during an event in downtown Scranton. In... [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 3:00pm EST
  by John Micek

• A Few More Post-Election Thoughts.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. Here's some post-election analysis that was supposed to run in the Mothership Publication, but, for reasons of space, never quite made the cut. We're sharing it with you this morning instead. HARRISBURG _ It's only been...' [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 8:27am EST
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: The Not Entirely Belated Election Wrap-Up Edition

  Good Afternoon, Everyone. Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast (TM) returns this afternoon to sift through the still-smoldering remains of last week's electoral returns. And we're thinking the Big Thoughts: Was last week a referendum on the first year of the...' [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:00pm EST
  by John Micek

• Monday Morning Coffee.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We hope you like some rampant speculation to go with your Wheaties, because the talk is that this week will finally be THE WEEK that Attorney General Tom Corbett charges Republicans is running at a fever... [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:53am EST
  by John Micek

• Why Don't We Get Invited To These Parties?

  And To Think We Were Home Watching "Gossip Girl" On The DVR. Instead, we could have been in Philly last night for a $1,000-a-head (or $1,500-a-couple) reception for Attorney General Tom Corbett's gubernatorial campaign. Our thanks to the anonymous Capitol... [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 8:43am EST
  by John Micek

• Reports: Changes Afoot In House GOP Caucus.

  Brett Feese ... ... the former state lawmaker-turned-House GOP counsel has resigned, the Post-Gazette reports. Feese, who was paid $197,000-a-year, put in his last day of work on Tuesday. House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin tells the P-G that Feese, who... [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 7:47pm EST
  by John Micek

• Knox Rolls Out Reform Agenda.

  Democratic Gubernatorial Canidate Tom Knox ... ... rolled out his plan to reform state government this afternoon. And in a respectable nod toward Web 2.0, he even spent some time taking real live questions from real live voters. It was... [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  by John Micek

• Thursday Lightning Round.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. For obvious reasons, it's a pretty big day here at Capitol Ideas World HQ. Our beloved New York Yankees took home their 27th World Series title last night, defeating the tenacious Philadelphia Phillies, 7-3, at home... [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 9:14am EST
  by John Micek

• Some Post-Election Thoughts.

  File This One Under ... ... Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: If you say that 2009 will be the dry run for the 2010 mid-terms often enough, you'll get exactly what you expected. Republicans had a pretty good night nationwide and here in...' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 8:32am EST
  by John Micek

• Panella Concedes In High Court Race.

  Republican Joan Orie Melvin ... ... has won a hard-fought race to become Pennsylvania's newest state Supreme Court justice. From the Associated Press: "HARRISBURG, Pa.—Republican Joan Orie Melvin has been elected to Pennsylvania's highest court. The 53-year-old Melvin beat 54-year-old..." [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:26pm EST
  by John Micek

• A Capitol Ideas Exit Poll: How Did You Decide To Vote Today For Supreme Court?

  Answer The Questions Below ... ... and then compare the results with your friends. What Swayed You In The PA Supreme Court Election?(survey software) [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:03pm EST
  by John Micek

• Live Tweeting.

  We'll Have ... ... some summary stuff here later tonight. In the meantime, you can get up-to-the-minute updates from our Twitter page. We'll be posting results there for the foreseeable. [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:07pm EST
  by John Micek

• Some Statewide Flavor.

  With 15 Percent Of Statewide Precincts Reporting ... ... here's what the unofficial picture holds in the race for state Supreme Court: In Lancaster Co., it's Panella over Orie Melvin, 54.3 percent to 45.7 percent, with 8.09 percent reporting. In... [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:20pm EST
  by John Micek

• The First 6.25 Percent Reports.

  The Early Returns Are Trickling In: Democrat Jack Panella leads Republican Joan Orie Melvin 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent. And in New Jersey, if you're wondering, NBC News says the fight between Republican Chris Christie and Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine...' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:03pm EST
  by John Micek

• Some Early Returns.

  This One's Taking Place Entirely ... ... entirely in the imagination of viewers of the ABC soap "One Life to Live," but the residents of Llanview, Pa., are being treated to a brutal mayoral contest between one Vicki Davidson and... [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:57pm EST
  by John Micek

• Court Reformers Say: PA Supreme Court Race Sets Fund Raising Record.

  Saving Us A Few Steps ... ... the folks at Pennsylvanians For Modern Courts have run the numbers and concluded that this year's Supreme Court contest between Republican Joan Orie Melvin and Democrat Jack Panella was a bank-buster. Fueled by... [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:24pm EST
  by John Micek

• Today Is Election Day.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. It's the first Tuesday in November in an odd-numbered year. And, if tradition holds, that means roughly 25 percent of Pennsylvania's registered voters will head to the polls today to vote for a host of municipal... [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 8:57am EST
  by John Micek

• Afternoon Drips And Drabs.

  Here's A Few Snacks To Get You Through ... ... until dinner. All are high in sugar. Guaranteed to give you a buzz until quitting time. Faster Than You Can Say Federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act ... ... U.S.... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 3:05pm EST
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: Drivin And Cryin' Edition.

  Good Afternoon, Everyone. This week's edition of Pennsylvania's Only Statewide Political Podcast (TM) finds the loyal PAU crew battling through some technical gremlins to bring your recommended daily allowance of political gossip, sports anecdotes and grilling tips. Here's what you'll...' [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 12:35pm EST
  by John Micek

• Monday Morning Coffee.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. The first Monday of November finds us in fine fettle, if a little sleepy from staying up too late to watch our beloved New York Yankees dispatch the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 on their own turf. But... [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 8:19am EST
  by John Micek

• Rendell To Lawmakers: Pass Table Games Already.

  Gov. Ed renewed his call this afternoon for state lawmakers to tie up one of the remaining loose ends in this year's epic budget debate - the legalization of table games at Pennsylvania's slot-machine casinos. In a conference call with... [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 2:39pm EDT
  by John Micek

• It's Friday, We're Easily Amused.

  And We're Also Buoyed ... ... by the Yankees' Game 2 win over the Phillies last night. So we figured we'd pass along this amusing little trifle. For some time now, we've been getting e-mail from a group billing itself... [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 11:45am EDT
  by John Micek

• In Final Days Supreme Court Race Goes Negative.

  Yeah, We Know ... ... you're asking yourself, "What? It's not negative already?" But brace yourselves, fellow seekers, because the state of affairs in the contest between Republican Joan Orie Melvin and Jack Panella has apparently gotten so bad that...' [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 9:20am EDT
  by John Micek

• Turnpike Commission Redux.

  Well, We Started Our Day ... ... with a story about the PA Turnpike Commission, and now we're ending our day with one as well. If you were with us this morning, then you know that an online industry trade...' [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 7:00pm EDT
  by John Micek

• PA Turnpike Responds To Web Story.

  Here's The Turnpike Commission's ... ... officially official response to a Web story claiming that the agency was raided by the FBI last week. It comes from Turnpike CEO Joe Brimmeier: “It never happened. The FBI did not visit any... [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:06pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Best Use Of 1980s Music In A Political Attack.

  Sadly, There Is No Such Grammy Award ... ... but if there were, we're pretty sure Republican Pat Toomey's Senate campaign might be a nominee. The Lehigh Valley Republican busted out Culture Club's 1984 hit "Karma Chameleon" to note the...' [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 12:58pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Ex-Sestak Aide Joins Lentz's Campaign.

  A Former Aide ... ... to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, Vincent A. Rongione, has joined Democrat Bryan Lentz's effort to win Sestak's 7th Congressional District seat. Lentz, a state House member from Delaware County, put out a statement today announcing... [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 11:12am EDT
  by John Micek

• Turnpike Commission Update.

  A Spokesman For The FBI's Philly Field Office ... ... said this morning that investigators did not raid the offices of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission last week -- contrary to a published report indicating that agents had seized computer hard... [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 10:20am EDT
  by John Micek

• Babette Josephs: AG Can't Run For Guv.

  Fresh From The Capitol Ideas Mailbag ... ... here's a co-sponsorship memo being circulated by House State Government Committee Chairwoman Babette Josephs, D-Philadelphia, that would bar the attorney general from running for governor until two years after he or she... [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:52am EDT
  by John Micek

• Feds Raid Turnpike Commission?

  The Online Trade Magazine ... ... Toll Roads News reports this morning that the FBI raided the offices of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission last week, seizing computer hard drives. The online trade reported that: "The agents returned and spent most..." [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 9:02am EDT
  by John Micek

• Wagner Responds (Sort Of).

  Auditor General Jack Wagner ... ... says the Rendell administration needs to change its tune when it comes to awarding no-bid contracts. At a news conference this afternoon, Wagner, who's also running for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010,... [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 3:12pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Rainy Tuesday Morning Roundup.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. Should we talk about the weather? Should we talk about the government? Hi. Hi. Hi. Hopefully, you'll forgive us for channeling our inner Michael Stipe, but we couldn't think of a better way to back into... [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 9:37am EDT
  by John Micek

• Orie Melvin: "Pay to Play" In Rival Panella's Courtroom.

  Republican state Surpeme Court candidate Joan Orie Melvin accused her Democratic competitor, Jack Panella, of Northampton County, of being in the financial thrall of the Philadelphia trial bench and said new rules are needed to limit the influence of money... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 5:03pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: You Can't Tell The Players Without A Scorecard.

  Good Afternoon, Everyone. With the Frankenbudget behind us and table games on hold, the PAU crew lives up to its billing this week by going deep on the 2010 campaigns. Here's what you can expect from this week's edition of... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:55am EDT
  by John Micek

• Monday Morning Coffee.

  The Only News That Matters. Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We could begin this morning's post by sarcastically noting that today marks the start of yet another week without an agreement to allow table games at Pennsylvania's slot-machine casinos. Or we... [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 9:11am EDT
  by John Micek

• Sestak: Specter Is A General Election Loser.

  Good Evening, Everyone. We bring you a special, late-week edition of Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast. Our special guest today is U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7th. And unless you've been trapped under something heavy for the last six or so...' [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:54pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Thursday Lightning Round.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. Things are a little slow this morning, so we'll just offer some quick, bullet-point headlines to help get your morning started. We'll be back a little later today with a more complete update, along with the... [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 9:02am EDT
  by John Micek

• Wednesday Morning Warm-Up.

  Reminding Us That ... ... you can't turn your back on this joint for more than a minute, we were surprised to learn that more than 1,000 people rallied in support of healthcare reform here yesterday. The calls for a...' [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 8:46am EDT
  by John Micek

• PA GOP: President Not A Communist After All.

  The PAGOP Appears To Have .... ... ditched the Web ad it was running last week on behalf of state Supreme Court candidate Joan Orie Melvin in favor of one that doesn't compare the nation's chief executive to a regime...' [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 8:05pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Capitol Ideas Will Return ...

  ... on Wednesday. See you then. [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 8:49am EDT
  by John Micek

• On The Road With Politics As Usual.

  Greetings, Fellow Seekers. Sorry we're late. Our dance card has just been packed. But we couldn't let the day end without a special, on-the-road edition of Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast. Today's edition was recorded outside Gov. Ed's office, where... [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 5:25pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Talks Continuing On Table Games.

  Legislative Leaders ... ... met for nearly two hours this afternoon to resolve a week-old deadlock over legalizing table games at Pennsylvania's slot-machine casinos, emerging with an agreement ... to keep talking about how to resolve a week-old deadlock over... [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 1:46pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Author Bissiner Upbraids Rendell For Budget Mess.

  Is This Gov. Ed's Walter Cronkite Moment? Author Buzz Bissinger, who chronicled Gov. Ed's rise to national notoriety as America's Mayor in his book "A Prayer for the City," lets him have it with both barrels in the pages of... [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 10:23am EDT
  by John Micek

• PA To Save $$ By Exporting Prison Inmates?

  Here's A Closer Look ... ... at a story we first brought you last week on how Pennsylvania may send some of its prison inmates out-of-state to ease a massive space crunch. It was to have run in Big Paper,... [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 8:11am EDT
  by John Micek

• Tailgunner Joan (Orie-Melvin)?

  We Were Surprised To Learn Today ... ... that, in addition to being tough on crime, Republican state Supreme Court candidate Joan Orie-Melvin also apparently has no tolerance for Communists. Or that might be the impression the politically unsophisticated are... [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:21pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Rainy Friday.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. It's a cold and gray day here at Capitol Ideas World HQ, and the decidedly wintry weather has sapped our motivations somewhat. But because we live to serve you, the faithful Capitol Ideas reader, we're going...' [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 9:33am EDT
  by John Micek

• $50 On Red.

  Well, We're Coming Up On A Week ... ... since Gov. Ed scrawled his signature across The Frankenbudget and Senate Republicans have officially started turning up the heat on House Democrats to reach a deal to legalize table games at...' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 9:29am EDT
  by John Micek

• More Fun With Polls.

  Someone Should Serve Gov. Ed ... ... a few Alka-Seltzer with his lunch today. The Democratic governor may well end up with a case of heartburn once he takes a gander at his dismal approval ratings (38-53 percent) in a... [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 12:22pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Unitentional Irony Department: Tom Corbett Edition.

  If You're Looking For AG Tom Corbett ... ... around noontime today, the chances are pretty good that you'll find him at a star-studded reception for Bob McDonell, the Republican nominee in Virginia's closely watched gubernatorial race. So what's so... [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 9:53am EDT
  by John Micek

• What It Really Means When You Hold Up The Non-Preferreds.

  Annie Bontempo is disappointed, but not surprised, to find that that state funding for Penn State University has become a political football while lawmakers scramble to complete a final piece of work on this year’s state budget. “It’s my senior... [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 8:10am EDT
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: The Budget Hangover Edition.

  Good Afternoon, Everyone. Pennsylvania's Only State Government Podcast returns this afternoon to try to make some sense out of the fall-out from The Frankenbudget. Thrill as PAU regulars John L. Micek of The Morning Call and Alex Roarty of PoliticsPA... [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 1:18pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Treasury Department Field Trip.

  Good Morning, Everyone. We've just returned from a brief jaunt to the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, where the printing presses and high-tech wotsits are working overtime to process some $2.4 billion delayed payments to school districts, social service agencies and veterans...' [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 11:28am EDT
  by John Micek

• First Tuesday (Post-Budget, That Is).

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We're back here at for the first time since Gov. Ed signed The Frankenbudget into law on Friday. We've returned to find our normally clean office space awash in snack wrappers, bits of paper, upended chairs... [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 9:18am EDT
  by John Micek

• Gone Fishin'.

  We're Back Tomorrow. Happy Columbus Day, everyone. We're taking the day off. See you all back here on Tuesday. [...]
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  Posted: October 12, 2009, 7:44am EDT
  by John Micek

• No Champagne Corks, Only A Sigh Of Relief.

  HARRISBURG _ Gov. Ed Rendell signed the $27.8 billion Frankenbudget bill into law late tonight, effectively bringing down the curtain on one of Pennsylvania's longest and most bitterly fought political dramas. The new budget plan provides a modest increase in... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 10:16pm EDT
  by John Micek

• House and Senate Have "Agreement in Concept" On Fiscal Code.

  HARRISBURG _ House and Senate leaders say they have “an agreement in concept” on key piece of legislation that allows for implementation of the state budget. After days of back-and-forth, it appears House and Senate leaders have agreed to the... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 3:28pm EDT
  by John Micek

• A Note About Table Games.

  Senate Democratic Leaders ... ... say a vote on table games will probably come Tuesday of next week (the Legislature is out of session for Monday's Spanish Imperialist Holiday ... sorry, Columbus Day.) Apparently, House leaders are pushing for an... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 2:16pm EDT
  by John Micek

• After 101 Days -- Frankenbudget One Stop Away From The Governor.

  After 101 days, Pennsylvania’s general fund budget is one stop away from Gov. Ed Rendell’s desk. The Senate voted 42-7this afternoon to concur in the $27.8 billion spending plan already approved by the state House. Rendell could sign the bill... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 1:38pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Senate Moves Fiscal Code Bill.

  HARRISBURG _ The state Senate has just voted 35-14 to approve legislation that helps implement the general fund budget. House and Senate negotiators were still trying to reach agreement on what’s known as the “fiscal code” bill, which provides destination... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 1:33pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Senate Moves Gaming Bills To The House.

  HARRISBURG _ The state Senate voted 29-20 this afternoon to approve legislation legalizing poker, blackjack, roulette and other table games at Pennsylvania’s slot machine casinos. But the bill is still a long way from becoming law. As of midday, negotiators... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 12:43pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Midday Budget Update.

  HARRISBURG _ The state Senate is still on track today to send Pennsylvania’s long-delayed state budget to Gov. Ed Rendell, but negotiations on a key piece of legislation needed to implement the spending plan are ongoing. The Senate is expected... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 11:38am EDT
  by John Micek

• Putting The Pieces Together.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We're comfortably ensconced here at Capitol Ideas World HQ, where we've just watched a NASA spacecraft hurtle headlong into the moon all in an effort to gain some additional ingots of knowledge about the universe. While... [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 8:11am EDT
  by John Micek

• Tea-Time Budget Update.

  The state House and Senate continued to move key pieces of the long-delayed state budget into position for final approval today, with a flurry of activity in the two chambers. The Senate could vote as soon as Friday on the... [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 5:15pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Best Unintentionally Hilarious Press Release.

  We Received This Missive From House Democrats ... ... last night: "House Democrats fought successfully to defeat proposals to increase the Personal Income Tax and the sales tax. House Democrats also defeated a plan that would have imposed a “small..." [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 8:56am EDT
  by John Micek

• The First 100 Days.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. We'd say there's light at the end of the tunnel, but just like Wile E. Coyote, we've been hit by a train one too many times to get overly optimistic. Still, the ways things were looking... [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 8:32am EDT
  by John Micek

• The End Is Near (But Maybe In A Good Way).

  The State House Signed Off On ... ... on an amended $27.8 billion budget plan that boosts spending on basic education by $300 million even as it cuts funds earmarked for the state Department of Public Welfare included in a... [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 10:08pm EDT
  by John Micek

• House Passes Senate-Approved Tax Bill; Budget Vote Looming.

  From The Patriot-News: "The state House voted 102-96 to approve a tax package that the Senate approved on Tuesday to support a $27.8 billion budget. That bill now goes to Gov. Ed Rendell for his signature. This bill raises about..." [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 6:12pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Around The Dial With Dan Onorato.

  It's A Well-Established Fact ... ... that the books a politician reads, the television shows they watch, and the music they enjoy will tell you as much about them as their position on property tax reform; health-care reform and other... [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:35am EDT
  by John Micek

• Wednesday Lightning Round.

  Good Morning, Fellow Seekers. As is so often the case, Day 99 of the debate over The Frankenbudget finds us severely undercaffeinated and unusually pressed for time, so we're going to keep this morning's entry on the brief side. For...' [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 8:57am EDT
  by John Micek

• Early Evening Budget Update.

  The State Senate On Tuesday ... ... signed off on key components of a budget package intended to pressure the state House to end Pennsylvania's four-month-old budget stalemate. But partisan rancor and bickering over $12 million in discretionary funding in... [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:15pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Politics As Usual: Special Deep In The Bunker Edition.

  Greeting True-Believers: We're a little late getting this one out the door, but please join John L. Micek of The Morning Call; Alex Roarty of PoliticsPA and Pennsylvania Legislative Services and Scott Detrow of Public Radio Capital News for a...' [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
  by John Micek

• Onorato Declares For Governor.

  Allegheny County Executive Dan "Drinks Tax" Onorato ... ... swung through town earlier this afternoon to lift the veil on the carefully guarded secret that is his gubernatorial candidacy. Fresh off a stop in Philadelphia, where he kicked off an... [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 2:02pm EDT
  by John Micek