The House Judiciary’s Subcommittee on Family Law held a public hearing on HBs 418, 463, and 1639. The lengthy and often times emotion-filled hearing heard from many parts of the community affected by the current domestic relations law as it relates to parental custody and domestic violence. The committee also took testimony from several members of the general public. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: Child Custody, domestic violence | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) said Thursday he will seek re-election despite facing charges connected to the attorney general’s wide-ranging public corruption investigation, known as “Bonusgate.” “There’s so much at stake for the families of the 50th District,” he said in a statement, “that I am prepared to continue fighting to represent their interests in Harrisburg. It’s a cause to which I have devoted my entire career.” DeWeese, a former majority whip this legislative session before the indictment forced him to step down, has been a majority leader and speaker of the House in previous sessions. He has served in the legislature since 1976. In a press release issued this afternoon, Senator Barry Stout (D-Washington) announced he will not seek re-election and will retire after his current term ends in November. Following is an excerpt from the release, which PLS subscribers can view in its entirety on the Capitol Toolbox. Not a PLS subscriber? Click here to inquire about a free trial. “I am grateful for all the kindness and courtesy that has been extended to me over the years by so many people, but it is time to conclude my career in public service and retire,” Stout said. Stout served three two-year terms in the state House of Representatives before being elected to the state Senate in 1977. He said he is stepping aside because of health related challenges stemming from an accident that fractured his pelvis. “In order to represent my sprawling, diverse and dynamic district, I have to be able to actively function throughout the five counties I represent and in Harrisburg,” Stout said. The 46th District includes parts of Washington, Greene, Westmoreland, Beaver and Allegheny Counties. Stout said the credit to his long service belongs to “my loving family, wonderful staff and constituents Continue reading Senator Stout announces retirement The Department of Labor and Industry announced today the release of the first part of a study entitled The Pennsylvania Green Jobs Report, which shows that a combined public/private investment of $10 billion dollars over the next two years will generate 115,000 green industry jobs. Speaking on a conference call, L&I Secretary Sandi Vito reported that Pennsylvania expects green job growth in five sectors – Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Pollution Prevention & Environmental Cleanup, and Agriculture & Resource Conservation. The $10 billion in new funding, she said, will be borne out of a combination of new energy policies and investments, including federal energy tax credits and recovery funding, as well as the requirements of the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS). Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: environment, green technology, jobs | Category: Press Conference | Leave a comment | Share:
Former House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) will announce Thursday at 4 p.m. if he will seek re-election this year. DeWeese, the majority whip earlier this year, was forced to give up his post after being indicted in the attorney general’s wide-ranging public corruption investigation, known as “Bonusgate.” He has been the caucus’ majority leader and speaker of the House in previous sessions. DeWeese has served in the legislature 34 years. Senate Republicans issued a press release this morning announcing they will not convene in a “Lame Duck” session after the November 2nd elections this year. Read an excerpt below, and check the Capitol Toolbox for the entire release. “In the spirit of openness and transparency, the Senate will not convene for a lame duck session after the November 2 elections,” said Senator Scarnati. “We are announcing this now to provide plenty of time for everyone – the Governor, the House and the Senate – to plan ahead so that this year’s legislative work is completed before the election.” “For the past three years, one of our priorities has been to make the Senate’s work more transparent to the public,” said Senator Pileggi. “The Senate did not have a lame duck session in 2008, and it worked very well. This decision is in line with our efforts to rewrite Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, to strengthen the Sunshine Law, and to improve the operation of state government.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania hosted a teleconference to discuss legal and social ramifications of Pennsylvania’s proposed sexting legislation. Vic Walczak, Legal Director for the ACLU of PA said HB 2189 is “fatally flawed” and would “make minors criminals.” He indicated that a similar law was passed in Ohio and was later declared unconstitutional. Marsha Levick, Deputy Director & Chief Legal Counsel for the Juvenile Law Center said if the bill becomes law, all of the teens engaged in the “consensual sharing of photos could be prosecuted and become ineligible for college loans, scholarships, military service and employment.” Andy Hoover, Legislative Director for the ACLU of PA said the House Judiciary is scheduled to consider HB 2189 on Tuesday, February 9. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. ONORATO TO ANNOUNCE TEAMSTER ENDORSEMENT According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will be in Philadelphia today to herald an endorsement from the Pennsylvania Council of Teamsters. It is the first major labor union endorsement in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor. The announcement was calculated to give the Onorato campaign a sense of momentum heading into a weekend meeting of the Democratic State Committee. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article. SENATE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS OUTLINES BUDGET PRIORITIES Flanked by most members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Minority Leader Robert Mellow (D-Lackawanna) and Senate Minority Appropriations Chairman Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) outlined the caucus’s budget priorities for the next fiscal year. Senator Mellow began his remarks by detailing the trials and tribulations of last year’s budget season and stated the last thing anyone wants to do is to revisit what happened last year. He continued by detailing the five main budget priorities of the caucus. They include: an on-time budget with no broad-based tax increases; maintaining education progress; Investing in job growth and economic development; targeting state resources to wisely save tax dollars; and retooling failed or failing Continue reading Eye Opener – February 4, 2010 |
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