At a press conference this afternoon, Auditor General Jack Wagner encouraged the state legislature to ban public funds from being used in risky “swap” contracts. A special investigation conducted by the Department of the Auditor General found that a number of school districts and local governments throughout Pennsylvania had made these type of contracts. The Auditor General highlighted Bethlehem School District which entered into 13 swap contracts and has already lost $10.2 million in public funds. “Risky transactions should not be made with public funds,” said the Auditor General. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the story.
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Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Governor Rendell announced the release of the state’s first Autism Census Project Final Report, which reveals the number of autism cases in Pennsylvania is expected to rise among both children and adults for the foreseeable future. By 2010, the Governor stated, it is expected that roughly 25,000 Pennsylvanians will be living with autism. DPW Secretary Estelle Richman and members of the legislature’s Autism Caucus, including longtime autism advocate Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia) were also on hand for the report’s release. Following the announcement, Governor Rendell commented on a number of other issues, including the need for campaign finance reform and reapportionment, merit selection for judges, the possibility of a constitutional convention, as well as nuclear energy, table games, and a grand jury investigation into the awarding of certain slots licenses in 2006. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: amusement taxes, Autism, campaign finance, Clean and Green, constitutional convention, Environmental Hearing Board, gaming, nuclear energy, Pennsylvanis Turnpike, Reapportionment, resentencing guidelines, table games, University of Pittsbugh, unlawful hunting | Category: Administration, PLS Interview, Press Conference | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee held a public hearing to listen to the results and recommendations found in the study “Improving End-of-Life Experiences for Pennsylvanians.” Committee members heard testimony from medical professionals and advocates, as well as from Secretary John Hall from the Department of Aging, who suggested that more needs to be done to encourage people to having “end-of-life” discussions before it is too late. Dr. Joseph Straton spoke about some of the misconceptions about hospice care and the importance of raising awareness for the resources that are available to residents of the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more information. Posted by PLS Intern | Tags: hospice, University of Pennsylvania | Category: Freemium Content, House Aging, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The committee conducted a hearing on the resubmission of the Turnpike Commission’s application to the Federal Highway Administration to impose tolls on I-80. Members concentrated on the impact of tolling and the Commission’s hiring of a firm with no experience on transportation issues to assist with the application. Testimony was presented by Brian Chase, an independent consultant on public-private partnerships. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: public/private partnerships, Tolling I-80, United Judicial System, universal healthcare | Category: House Professional Licensure, House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
REPUBLICAN FLOOR LEADER SAM SMITH DISCUSSES PERZEL ALLEGATIONS Republican Floor Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) met with reporters yesterday to respond to questions surrounding the recent charges filed against former Speaker of the House, Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia). When asked, Rep. Smith cautiously answered questions regarding his knowledge and involvement in renewing GCR and Aristotle contracts for the Republican Caucus, and told reporters that he always asked if the contracts were legal and to what legislative purpose they served. Rep. Smith indicated that after reviewing the allegations in Attorney General Tom Corbett’s presentment- if they are true, he can’t help but say in hindsight that he “should have seen something.†Rep. Smith also expressed disappointment with the allegations because he said he always believed the caucus spent a lot of time and effort in making sure campaigns and daily government operations were kept separate. Check the Capitol Toolbox to read the full story. REP. ROHRER ANNOUNCES BID FOR GOVERNOR According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, promising smaller government and the elimination of school property taxes, state Rep. Sam Rohrer last night made a three-way fight of the race for the Republican nomination for governor. The Berks County Continue reading Eye Opener – November 18, 2009 |
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