November 5, 2009, 9:56 pm
Two House Republican aides who have been questioned as part of the attorney general’s “Bonusgate” investigation have resigned, The Post-Gazette reports.
Brett Feese resigned Thursday from his post as the House Republican caucus’ chief legal counsel, the paper reported. His departure came a day after Al Bowman, staffer for the House Policy Committee, gave his two weeks notice.
House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin denied either resignation had anything to do with the government public corruption investigation.
November 5, 2009, 12:54 pm
Representatives Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery), Eugene DePasquale (D-York) and Ron Waters (D-Philadelphia) along with representatives from President Obama’s organization, “Organizing for America†(OFA), held a press conference to highlight the need for health care reform. Read the full story later today on the Capitol Toolbox.
November 5, 2009, 12:41 pm
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission met today to consider six regulations. The regulations were: No. 2773 Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board #125-104, No. 2753 Environmental Quality Board #7-432, No. 2797 Environmental Quality Board #7-439, No. 2663 State Board of Pharmacy #16A-5420, No. 2720 State Board of Dentistry #16A-4617, and No. 2729 State Board of Nursing #16A-5124. All regulations were unanimously voted as in the public interest and carried though the commission. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 5, 2009, 12:30 pm
The House Children and Youth Committee amended and reported out HB 1907 and HB 1303 this morning, measures relating to adoption agency records and breastfeeding respectively. HB 1977, providing for a comprehensive, annual state plan relating to child daycare and early childhood development programs was tabled following objections by members to the consideration of a late-filed amendment. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 5, 2009, 11:43 am
The committee conducted an informational meeting on the recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision in the consolidated cases of Commonwealth v. Omar and Commonwealth v. O’Connor finding the Pennsylvania statute on trademark counterfeiting unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. Representatives from the District Attorneys Association, the International Anticounterfeiting Coalition and others offered suggestions for amending the statute in order to comply with the court decision. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
November 5, 2009, 9:11 am
RENDELL SAYS TABLE GAMES DELAY COULD CAUSE REVENUE SHORTFALL
According to an article in the Scranton Times Tribune, Governor Ed Rendell warned Wednesday that continued delay in passing table-games legislation could lead to a shortfall in revenue needed to balance the state budget. The governor said the delay is a major concern and he will be forced to put other state appropriations in reserve if a bill does not reach his desk soon. Governor Rendell met with leaders of the four legislative caucuses to discuss the state tax rate on table-games profits. While no agreement was announced, the pace of talks has picked up in advance of the return of House lawmakers to session Monday. The Senate is scheduled back in session Monday, Nov. 16, but could return earlier if an agreement is reached. The $27.8 billion state budget enacted last month cannot be balanced without an estimated $200 million in table-games revenue. Click here to read the Scranton Times Tribune article.
WAGNER DEALS OUT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GAMING BILL
Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference yesterday to discuss what he would like to see included in table games legislation that is currently being considered. He focused primarily
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