The House Appropriations Committee continued its 2010 budget hearings by holding a question and answer session with Consumer Advocate of Pennsylvania, Sonny Popowsky and the Small Business Advocate of Pennsylvania, William Lloyd about their office’s submitted budget for the next fiscal year. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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The committee held a public hearing on SR 228 and took testimony from many experts in the area of political ethics. Chairman Pileggi stated the purpose of the hearing was to generate commentary and to learn about how others deal with the issue. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the details of the hearing. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: Ethics, Senate | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Rules | Leave a comment | Share:
House Approp held a budget hearing with the PUC this afternoon. The members asked questions generally relating to electricity rate caps, the viability of PGW, and alternative energy. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: electric rate caps, PGW | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
A report detailing the projected benefits of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) was released by Ryan Pletka, Black & Veatch’s project manager for global engineering. According to the report if HB 80 or SB 92 is signed into law the Commonwealth will see an overall reduction in energy prices along with an increase in jobs related to alternative energy through 2026. Check Capitol Toolbox later for full story. Posted by Joe McGarrity | Tags: AEPS, alternative energy, Clean and Green, Energy | Category: Press Conference | Leave a comment | Share:
The PA Commission for Women, Senator Mary Jo White and Representative Tim Briggs hosted a bipartisan press conference to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Every speaker stressed the importance of athleticism in grade school and high school, saying that it helps girls grow into responsible, self-assured women with limitless opportunities. They called for the passage of Senator White’s SB 890 and Rep. Briggs’ HB 2061 that encourage public schools to comply with Title 9 and for the Department of Education to post athletic information from school districts across PA on their website. Other advocates at the press conference included Terry Fromson of the Women’s Law Project, female student athletes from Northern York High School, a former Philadelphia girls basketball coach and the Athletic Director of Susquehanna Township School District. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Lindsay Andrews | Tags: girls, public schools, sports | Category: Press Conference | Leave a comment | Share:
Though the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is not funded through the state’s General Fund, PGCB Chairman Greg Fajt appeared before the House Appropriations Committee today to request authorization to spend $37.39 million in FY 2010, in addition to $2 million set aside for local law enforcement grants. The total represents an overall increase of $3.6 million, or 10.8% over last year. Chairman Fajt said the increase is necessary due to the expected opening of three more casinos in 2010, in addition to the extra staff that will be needed to implement and monitor table games. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: Budget, casinos, gaming, PGCB, property tax, table games | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
Leaders of the PA United Way, numerous community service organizations, the financial sector, and academia held a press conference in the Capitol rotunda to implore the General Assembly and the Governor to pass a timely and substance based budget. The speakers recounted the difficulties that were faced during the budget impasse and how the most vulnerable in their communities were negatively affected. Tony Ross, President of the United Way of Pennsylvania recounted how the impasse put substantial risks on community based service and explained the budget is needed to “protect the social safety net.” Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Joe McGarrity | Tags: Budget, United Way | Category: Press Conference | Leave a comment | Share:
The committee conducted a public hearing on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and S.B. 1124 which proponents say would provide needed program oversight and consistent program parameters. The Department of Public Welfare along with the PA Utility Law Project and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia expressed opposition to the bill while the Energy Association of PA testified in support of the measure. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: LIHEAP | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Public Health and Welfare | Leave a comment | Share:
The committees held a joint hearing on the establishment of the Independent Fiscal Office. Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) said the Office would give members of the Legislature the “tools and powers to meet their Constitutional mandate.” He stressed that the Office would provide transparent and unbiased information and provide for fiscal stability, accountability and informed public debate. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story. The House Appropriations Committee kicked off its budget hearings today with the state’s two largest public retirement systems — SERS and PSERS. The members asked about recommendations to mitigate the looming 2012 rate spike and discussed the health of the two funds. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: PSERS, public pensions, rate spike, SERS | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
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