November 16, 2009, 6:37 pm
It’s that time again – PLS is looking for interns.
For the spring of 2010 we are offering two different types of internships:
An IT Intern will assist with the development and maintenance of various websites and online databases. Responsibilities would include database administration and website maintenance. Ideally the candidate would have knowledge in at least one of the following: (1) MS SQL and ASP/C# or DotNetNuke; (2) PHP and MySQL. Preference will be given to candidates who possess knowledge in both fields. Candidate must have strong familiarity with standards-compliant HTML and stylesheets.
A Legislative Intern will engage in a number of activities, including attending hearings, committee meetings and press conferences and writing articles or reports on those events, summarizing legislation and assisting in the maintenance of our website, as well as general office duties such as scanning, faxing and photocopying. The ideal candidate will have an interest in politics and/or the political process, excellent writing skills and be familiar with computer programs such as Adobe Creative Suite and the Microsoft Office. This is a great opportunity to get involved with politics and the legislative process.
Interns will be compensated and we are willing to work with interns and their schools to ensure that
Continue reading PLS is looking for interns
November 16, 2009, 5:23 pm
He might be indicted, but John Perzel showed up to work in Harrisburg on Monday.
The former Speaker of the House participated in the afternoon’s voting session despite Attorney General Tom Corbett charging him with 82 criminal counts last week in connection with alleged misuse of more than $10 million in taxpayer money. The charges against Perzel and 9 others connected to the House Republican Caucus were the second wave of Corbett’s public corruption investigation, known as “Bonusgate.â€
November 16, 2009, 4:18 pm
Bishop Jack Wisor of the First Apostles’ Doctrine Church held a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda today to discuss “Just For Jesus Challenge Homeless Outreach.†He said the initiative “attacks the problem, not the solution†and has provided “food, shelter, clothing and personal care” for over 400 people. He also spoke about “the abuse of power by police, judges and agencies.†Wisor indicated that the town of Brockway tried to shut down his church-run homeless shelter citing zoning code violations but failed because a zoning inspector and borough police officer broke into the church by crawling through a window after church officials denied them entry to conduct an inspection. He said the government violated his first and fourth amendment rights and continues to do so with “zoning and UCC codes that prevent churches from helping the homeless.â€Â Wisor argued that “cities and towns are illegally housing the homeless in tent cities, abandoned buildings, and under bridges†and believes the “open doors of a church†offers the best possible environment for them.
November 16, 2009, 1:54 pm
The House Health & Human Services Committee held a public hearing today on House Resolution 585 of 2006. HR 585 directed the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, of the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a parent panel which would study family and community access to drug and alcohol treatment programs. At the hearing, committee members heard numerous testimonies from parents of children whose lives have been severely affected by addiction and the lack of available treatment resources. The Pennsylvania Parent Panel Advisory Council (PPAC) reported its findings and recommendations to the committee, which included creating a cabinet-level position for the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more information.
November 16, 2009, 1:42 pm
Secretary of Administration Naomi Wyatt announced this afternoon that a further 319 state employees will be furloughed, beginning today. The layoffs come across 10 state agencies, with DEP and PHMC the hardest hit, losing 138 and 85 employees respectively. PHMC will also be mothballing a number of programs and facilities. Savings as a result of the job cuts are estimated to be $7.9 million this fiscal year and $16.7 million over the next 12 months. In addition to the furloughs, Secretary Wyatt also reported the state will leave roughly 2,200 state government positions unfilled this fiscal year. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 16, 2009, 1:30 pm
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing this morning on the issue of prison overcrowding in Pennsylvania. The Committee heard testimony from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, the Pennsylvania Prison Society and the ACLU. A number of recommendations were given to the committee to slow the growth of our prison population. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
November 16, 2009, 11:03 am
The Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention Commission which includes representatives from such groups as Common Cause/PA, the Commonwealth Foundation, Democracy Rising PA, and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, today announced publication of The Citizen’s Guide to a Modern Constitutional Convention and renewed their call for a convention to revise Pennsylvania’s Constitution. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
November 16, 2009, 9:30 am
PERZEL PLEADS NOT GUILTY
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Fresh from being fingerprinted and still in handcuffs, former state House Speaker John Perzel vowed yesterday to fight 82 criminal charges filed against him in a government corruption investigation. Mr. Perzel spoke briefly with reporters as he entered a Dauphin County district judge’s office for arraignment. “This investigation has gone on for a long time. There are hundreds of allegations that have been made. I am looking forward to proving my innocence in court,” said Mr. Perzel, the only one of the case’s 10 Republican defendants to speak to reporters yesterday. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.
RECOUNT ORDERED FOR SUPERIOR COURT SEAT
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the Pennsylvania secretary of the commonwealth on Friday ordered a statewide recount in the race for Superior Court after Republican Temp Smith declined to waive his right to an automatic recount triggered when the vote is within a half percent. The recount could cost taxpayers as much as $1.3 million, State Department officials said. “All I can say is that I presume the government budgets for this sort of thing when
Continue reading Eye Opener – November 16, 2009
