The committee held a public hearing on the Education Empowerment Act. Chairman Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) said an updated version of the Empowerment Act is required as part of No Child Left Behind and would focus on getting every school district to meet AYP requirements. He acknowledged that there were controversial measures in the proposal including merit pay for teachers and turning failing schools into charter schools but stressed that he is not afraid to propose “bold solutions” because Pennsylvanians are tired of “expensive failures.” Minority Chairman Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) emphasized that the “current system does not work for many students” and said the “education of every child will be the new civil rights movement.” Secretary of the Department of Education, Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, gave an overview of the state’s application to the Race to the Top grant program and committee members heard from other stakeholders such as the PSEA and the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools on the proposed Empowerment Act. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
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Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) has been elected Democratic Whip, with support of 53 members of his caucus, including the Allegheny County delegation. He replaces Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Greene), who resigned earlier this week after being charged by Attorney General Tom Corbett. Rep. Dermody currently chairs the Urban Affairs Committee and last session served as Caucus Secretary. Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, commented it was clear the caucus leadership needed someone from the western part of the state. Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: construction code, Democratic Leadership | Category: Senate Education, Update | Leave a comment | Share:
The Morning Call is reporting that House Democrats will meet tomorrow at noon to choose a new Whip. Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Greene) resigned his position as Whip yesterday following his indictment by Attorney General Tom Corbett. According to the report, candidates for the position include: Peter Daley, D-Washington Posted by Kim Collins | Tags: leadership election, Wireless E-911 Emegency Services Fund | Category: Senate Education, Update | Leave a comment | Share:
The Senate Education committee met to consider several bills. A presentation was given on the merits of SB 1073 by Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning Harriet Dichter, and HR 424 was brought up for discussion and a presentation by officials from the Valley Forge Military College. SB 1073, Sb 1086 and SB 1135 were reported as amended, and SB 1011 was reported as committed. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. House Democrats said Tuesday they plan to conduct “business as usual” on the floor despite news the attorney general will announce another round of “Bonusgate” charges at 1 p.m.  ”It’s going to be a busy day, but we think we’re going to get a lot done,” said Bob Caton, spokesman for Keith McCall. He said the House has no plans to abandon table games legislation, set to come up for a vote on third consideration later today. Caton also said the House does not plan to suspend the rules to consider bill earlier today. Posted by Kim Collins | Category: Capitol View, LBFC, News and Views, Senate Education, Senate Environmental Resources and Energy, Update | Leave a comment | Share:
Various media outlets are reporting that Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler has resigned. PLS will provide updates as they become available. The Post-Gazette has an article on the resignation and its presumed relationship to Bonusgate. The governor has confirmed that Secretary Stetler has resigned and will be indicted this afternoon in Bonusgate. He has named Dan Hassel to act as Revenue Secretary. Governor Rendell today announced DPW Secretary Estelle Richman is stepping down, effective December 31, to become Chief Operating Officer at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The governor named Deputy Secretary Harriet Dichter as the new secretary. Dichter currently serves as Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning for the departments of Public Welfare and Education. She leads state efforts to bolster early education and care for Pennsylvania children, overseeing planning, program and policy development and implementation for a total investment of $1.3 billion. In case you missed it, we have moved out of our old offices at 614 North Third Street here in Harrisburg, and are now settled in down the road at the Payne Shoemaker building. Our phone and fax numbers remain the same (717.236.6984p, 717.236.5097f) but our official mailing and visiting address is now: Pennsylvania Legislative Services As always, you can get in touch with us electronically at mypls@mypls.com. Posted by Mike Howells | Category: PLS, Senate Education, Update, live blog | Leave a comment | Share:
As you probably know by now, PLS is moving a few blocks south to the 11th floor of the Payne-Shoemaker building, 240 North Third Street. We are happy to announce that we will all be on one floor and we’ll have an elevator! Beginning at 5:00 today (Friday) PLS will close and will remain closed until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 30. What does this mean for our clients? It means PLS will have no phone service and our email will be sporadic at best. Rest assured, we will be monitoring any legislative activity that may occur, but (barring any major events) input to mypls.com may be delayed a few hours or days. As part of the move we are selling several pieces of office furniture, including desks, filing cabinets and partition walls. You can find the complete list here on FYIbyPLS.com. All prices are negotiable as we want this stuff gone! If you or your business could use any of these items please respond electronically via the ad or call our office at 717.236.6984 and ask for Kim. We would like to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your continued support of PLS. After bursting at the seams of 614 North Third Street for too long, we are excited to announce that PLS will soon be moving to new – and larger- digs – several blocks south on the 11th floor of the Payne-Shoemaker building, 240 North Third Street. We plan to move Thanksgiving week, and will be closed during that time, with sporadic email and telephone service until we are settled. We expect to be fully operational again by Monday, November 30. As part of the move we are selling several pieces of office furniture and other office supplies. Their Craigslist ads are posted below. All prices are negotiable. If you or your business could use any of these items please respond electronically via the ad or call our office at 717.236.6984 and ask for Kim. Posted by Mike Howells | Category: PLS, Senate Education, Update, live blog | Leave a comment | Share:
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