The House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee conducted a public hearing on legislation establishing a senior alert system to aid in the recovery of missing endangered adults with mental impairments. Testimony was presented by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; the Pennsylvania State Police; and the Department of Aging. All three testified in support of the concept of such a system but offered suggestions on how to strengthen the legislation. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: alzheimer's disease, dementia, Department of Aging, senior alert systems | Category: House Aging, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Local Government Committee met this morning to consider a package of Senate Bills that would bring PA law into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Law and the PA Human Services Act, which was reported with amendments, and to discuss a package of bills that would affect the ability of school boards to appeal property tax assessments. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: ADA, property taxes, spot assessment | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Local Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
This afternoon the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee amended and reported out a bill that would ban the simulcasting of greyhound races in Pennsylvania. Prime sponsor Stew Greenleaf (R-Montgomery), along with Ann Bradley, president of Citizens Against Greyhound Racing, emphasized the bill does not legislate gambling, but rather tackles the issue of animal safety. The committee also unanimously voted out a resolution recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Representatives from the Gaming Control Board and the Department of Health offered brief testimony updating members on the progress made in treating problem gambling in Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: Department of Health, greyhound racing, PGCB, problem gambling | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Community, Economic & Rec. Development | Leave a comment | Share:
This morning the committee heard about findings and conclusions reached by the Wildlife Management Institute, the firm tasked with conducting the audit. The audit also offered suggestions to the committee on how to better manage the deer population in the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Joe McGarrity | Tags: conservation, deer management, hunting | Category: House Game & Fisheries, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The House and Senate Local Government Committees held a joint hearing with the Department of Community and Economic Development to learn about the community services block grant program, which provides services and activities to address the root causes of poverty in communities. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: block grant, poverty | Category: House Local Government, Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Local Government | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission held a hearing on cost savings today with members of the Executive Branch. Secretaries Naomi Wyatt, Mary Soderberg, and James Creedon testified on the ways the Rendell Administration has focused on cost-savings. Of particular note was a discussion about reducing the commonwealth’s fleet of automobiles. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full write-up. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: Budget, Federal stimulus, state vehicle fleet | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment | Share:
This morning the House Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing to discuss draft legislation that would allow for municipal electricity aggregation in Pennsylvania. Chairman Joe Preston (D-Allegheny) explained the idea would be to allow municipalities or groups of municipalities to contract with electricity suppliers on behalf of residents, on an opt-out basis. In principle it would mean lower rates for many more individuals, and a lower cost of customer acquisition for energy providers. PUC Chairman Jim Cawley was among several to express support for municipal aggregation, and various electricity suppliers, the state consumer advocate, and the boroughs association offered suggestions for refining the idea. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: deregulation, electricity, municipal electricity aggregation, public utilities | Category: House Consumer Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The Public Employee Retirement Commission (PERC) held its first meeting of the year this morning. At the meeting, the commission appointed Anthony Salomone as its new Chairman with Carville Foster stepping down from that post. Also, in light of the retirement of Dr. Richard Aronson, the commission greeted Ureneus Kirkwood as a new member of the commission. After reviewing an actuarial note, the commission discussed the pension crisis with representatives of PSERS. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: pension spike, PERC, Public School Employees' Retirement Board | Category: PERC, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Finance Committee held a public hearing today concerning the implementation of Act 32 of 2008 concerning the consolidation of wage tax collectors. Testifying was a panel from the Department of Community and Economic Development, a panel of local government organizational stakeholders, and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. The DCED said they are not fully funded and, therefore, cannot fully help with the start-up costs while many of the local stakeholders complained about voting disparities and a lack of available grants. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for all of the details. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: DCED, taxes, unfunded ma | Category: House Finance, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing this morning on HB 1625. The committee took testimony from child advocates and the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jason Gottesman | Tags: sentencing, sexual abuse of children, sexual violence | Category: House Judiciary, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Leave a comment | Share:
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