Members of the Governor’s Tourism Partnership met with members of the House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee today to discuss funding options to boost state tourism funding. Mickey Rowley, Deputy Secretary for Tourism, for the Department of Community and Economic Development, moderated the discussion that centered on finding methods to restore the state tourism funds that were cut in last year’s budget. The group considered methods used in other states such as taxes and performance based caps. Chairman Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Philadelphia) said the state needed to find “a source of dedicated funding” in order to offset past and future budget cuts. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: Tourism | Category: House Tourism and Recreational Development, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
Budget Season 2010 began in earnest this morning as the House Appropriations Committee met with consultancy Global Insight and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to discuss Pennsylvania’s 2010 economic outlook. Global Insight Group Managing Director Jim Diffley told members to expect continued negative employment growth in 2010, but positive income and retail sales growth. He noted Pennsylvania may not see a return to peak employment levels until 2012, but said there are encouraging signs beginning to emerge in the state and nationwide. UPDATE – 12:57 pm: The second panel of today’s budget hearing featured members of the community bank industry as well as credit unions and the President of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC). Frank Pinto, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers stated “community banks are not the problem, they’re the solution.” He explained that community banks have $90 billion and “97 percent is spent and reinvested in Pennsylvania.” Pinto said the state treasurer puts $150 million into community banks but that is small compared to the amount invested in Wall Street. Sharmain Matlock-Turner, President of the GPUAC, explained how Community Development Financial Institutions have been ”a key player in helping to create jobs” and Continue reading House budget hearings kick off with updates from Global Insight, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, community bankers and Administration Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: banking, Budget, DCED, Economic Development, Federal Reserve, global insight, jobs | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO ENSURE ACCURATE COUNT IN 2010 CENSUS Governor Rendell held a press conference yesterday to announce the creation of the 2010 Census Advisory Panel and outlined other steps that will be taken to ensure an accurate count of every Pennsylvania citizen. Governor Rendell said Pennsylvania was undercounted by 102,000 people during the 2010 census and stressed that many federal grant programs determine the amount of funds a state will receive solely on the basis of population. Franco Harris and Ana Ortiz will co-chair the Advisory Panel and members of the business community, academia, labor organizations and many others will be participating. “Help us reach the goal line so we can continue to be a championship state,” Harris said. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox l for the full story. RENDELL SAYS ARAMARK HAS 1 MONTH TO CLEAN UP CAFETERIA Hours after it was revealed the Capitol cafeteria failed another food-safety inspection this week, Governor Ed Rendell told food-service company Aramark on Wednesday that it has 30 days to clean up its act before his administration ends its state contract. But critics charge the company should lose its contract immediately after failing another inspection less than a month after the Continue reading Eye Opener – January 28, 2010 Hours after it was revealed the Capitol cafeteria failed another food-safety inspection this week, Governor Ed Rendell told food-service company Aramark on Wednesday that it has 30 days to clean up its act before his administration ends its state contract. But critics charge the company should lose its contract immediately after failing another inspection less than a month after the cafeteria was closed for similar violations. In December, inspectors from the Agricultural Department reported the cafeteria was infested with mice, whose droppings littered the food-preparation area. The cafeteria was closed and the infestation reportedly removed, but a new inspection Monday revealed, among other violations, rodent droppings in meal-preparation equipment and food not stored at the proper temperature. Governor Rendell held a press conference this afternoon to announce the creation of the 2010 Census Advisory Panel and outlined other steps that will be taken to ensure an accurate count of every Pennsylvania citizen. Governor Rendell said Pennsylvania was undercounted by 102,000 people during the 2010 census and stressed that many federal grant programs determine the amount of funds a state will receive solely on the basis of population. Franco Harris and Ana Ortiz will co-chair the Advisory Panel and members of the business community, academia, labor organizations and many others will be participating. “Help us reach the goal line so we can continue to be a championship state,” Harris said. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. The Senate Communications and Technology Committee held a public hearing on the proposed strategic plan for PHIX the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange. The Committee took testimony from the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform and from TechQuest of Pennsylvania. Discussion centered around opening up PHIX to the bidding process or implementing Delaware’s already successful exchange program. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the entire story. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: electronic transmission of identifying information, Health Care, information technology | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Communications and Technology | Leave a comment | Share:
This morning the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a public hearing to discuss the treatment of wastewater generated as a byproduct of drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Large quantities of water are needed for the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process that enables recovery of natural gas in the shale, and representatives from DEP, the drilling industry, water treatment companies and environmental advocates testified on safety concerns and other issues surrounding the topic. Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford) commented that he believes “American ingenuity” will play a large part in rising to the challenge of treating so much wastewater. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: dep, marcellus shale, natural gas, wastewater, water treatment | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Finance Committee this morning held the second in a series of hearings on the status of pensions. The committee heard an overview of the national situation from TIAA-CREF and then heard from retirees, who requested a COLA, and school administrators, who outlined the issues they are facing and offered solutions to mitigate those issues. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: pensions, PSERS, public pensions, SERS | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Finance | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Republican Caucus held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday morning to announces two bills that would prevent any federally mandated insurance. “Any health care legislation coming from the federal government should recognize that states can craft innovative, effective solutions to their own health care problems without intervention from Washington,” Rep. Stan Saylor stated.” Rep. Matt Baker, introduced HB 2053, the “Health Care Freedom Act.” He said the legislation would “preserve individual rights to not take part in a government-run health care plan, and work to preserve the patient-doctor relationship.” Rep. Curt Schroder unveiled HB 2179. He explained that the bill is a “joint resolution which proposes and amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution protecting a citizen’s right to choose his or her own health care and to purchase health care insurance from the company of his or her choice.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. The committee voted to report out legislation dealing with municipalities without police departments receiving 50% of fines from tickets issued by the State Police in those municipalities. The legislation, SB 225, was reported as amended. Also reported as amended was HB 67 dealing with restrictions and requirements of junior drivers with regard to use of wireless electronic devices, additional passengers, seat belts and additional hours of driving with a learner’s permit. Chairman John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) told the committee that the bills are being reported but discussions with continue with the House Transportation Chairs and other stakeholders before any final action by the Senate and House. The committee also reported various road/bridge designation bills including SB 1115, HB 692, HB 1783 and HB 1799. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: bridge designations, distracted driving, Pennsylvania State Police, road designations | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Transportation | Leave a comment | Share:
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