The committee members questioned PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler on a variety of transportation issues. Those issues included: the tolling of I-80; the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; high speed rail; transit funding; use of federal stimulus dollars; agricultural transportation; and snow removal. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: agricultural transportation, high speed rail, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, snow removal, Tolling I-80, transit funding | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing with the Department of Public Welfare. Several members discussed cuts in the proposed budget, specifically to hospitals and for mental retardation services. Acting Secretary Dichter repeatedly lamented the difficult choices that had to be made in crafting the budget. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this evening. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: Hospitals, Medicaid | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
It was the Senate’s turn to hold a budget hearing with the four State-Related Universities – Pitt, Temple, Lincoln and Penn State. The Senate focused less on discussing the aftermath of last year’s lengthy budget delay and more on how to move forward financially. Effects on both state and local economies the state-related universities have along with how a lack of state funding would affect those economies in the long run accounted for much of the discussion. Check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon for the full story. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: Higher Education, Lincoln University, Penn State University, Pitt, Temple University | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall responded to a number of questions from committee members on a variety of issues including: federal waiver programs; the Office of Long-Term Living; senior centers; Area Agencies on Aging; integrated care; nursing home care; and funding from the State Lottery. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff Cox | Tags: area agencies on aging, Department of Aging, federal waiver programs, nursing home care, Office of Long-Term Living | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing with Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, Secretary of the Department of Education. Members inquired about the Keystone Exams, the Costing Out Study, decreased funds for libraries and safety in public schools. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Jeffery Beard, Secretary of the Department of Corrections, and Board of Probation and Parole’s Chairman Catherine McVey fielded questions from members of the committee regarding the upcoming budget. A number of issues concerning inmate recidivism to prisoner health-care and overcrowding were raised and addressed during the hearing. Corrections is requesting an 8% increase over the current fiscal budget raising their budget by $136.8 million. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Joe McGarrity | Tags: Budget, corrections | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Members inquired about the National Guard’s involvement in Haiti and potential relief work in Chile; Deborah Stubljar, Deputy Secretary of Administration for the Department also fielded questions regarding veterans’ homes, the Civil Air Patrol and deployments. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. The Senate Appropriations Committee held a budget hearing with the Department of Environmental Protection. Members asked about funding for the department, specifically regarding the Black Fly and West Nile Virus spraying programs, and about increased drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: black fly, marcellus shale, west nile virus | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
This morning the Senate Appropriations Committee met with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to discuss its 2010-11 budget request. Chairman Greg Fajt told committee members the board is requesting an overall budget of $37.018 million; a 9.7.% increase over last year. Much of the increase, he said, is due to the additional staff needed to monitor newly legislated table games, and an additional three casinos expected to come online in the upcoming year. Check back later on the Capitol Toolbox for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: Budget, casinos, gaming, table games | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Appropriations Committee met this afternoon with Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor John Cavanaugh. The Chancellor answered questions ranging from articulation among the institutions to the price of textbooks and developments in e-learning. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike Howells | Tags: Higher Education, PASSHE, textbooks | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Leave a comment | Share:
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