by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell says he’s decided on an additional half-billion dollars worth of cuts to his original budget, but he’s waiting until next week to announce them.
He’ll share the details with his cabinet in the coming days, and then release the figures.
House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says he doubts Rendell is interested in meeting the GOP halfway, and he’s skeptical the governor’s cuts will be substantial.
"Why can’t he come out today? Why can’t he come out right now and let the people of Pennsylvania know what he supports and what he doesn’t? And further, exactly specify to everybody how he intends to fund—I mean, right now it’s still a 29 billion dollar budget. How will he fund it?"
There’s roughly 1.5 billion dollars separating the Senate Republican budget rejected by the House Appropriations Committee this week, and the 29 billion dollar spending plan Rendell announced in February.
The majority of debate at the Capitol this week has centered around the need for a personal income tax hike, which some Democrats are supporting.
11 June 2009
Biden returns to Cumberland County bridge
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Vice President Joe Biden says the $787-billion federal stimulus package is doing its job to turn the economy around.
During the Obama Administration’s heavy push for the measure in February, Biden visited a crumbling bridge in Carlisle, Cumberland County to press the need for infrastructure reform.
Construction on the span began today, and Biden returned with Governor Rendell and Senator Arlen Specter to promote the progress they say the legislation is making.
Biden says the stimulus is creating jobs, and circulating money through the economy.
"But it’s building a whole new foundation for crumbling infrastructure that has gone unattended for a long time, to the degree we think it should. We’ve made some good progress since that day in February, and this bridge and the workers here to fix it up are symbols of what we’re able to do."
Both Biden and Rendell said Specter’s support for the legislation was a critical part of its passage.
Specter was one of just three Republicans to vote “yes” on the stimulus.
That stance won him scorn from GOP hard-liners, and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the party.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Vice President Joe Biden says the $787-billion federal stimulus package is doing its job to turn the economy around.
During the Obama Administration’s heavy push for the measure in February, Biden visited a crumbling bridge in Carlisle, Cumberland County to press the need for infrastructure reform.
Construction on the span began today, and Biden returned with Governor Rendell and Senator Arlen Specter to promote the progress they say the legislation is making.
Biden says the stimulus is creating jobs, and circulating money through the economy.
"But it’s building a whole new foundation for crumbling infrastructure that has gone unattended for a long time, to the degree we think it should. We’ve made some good progress since that day in February, and this bridge and the workers here to fix it up are symbols of what we’re able to do."
Both Biden and Rendell said Specter’s support for the legislation was a critical part of its passage.
Specter was one of just three Republicans to vote “yes” on the stimulus.
That stance won him scorn from GOP hard-liners, and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the party.
10 June 2009
Schroder wants federal video poker investigation
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The top Republican on the House Gaming Oversight Committee is asking federal authorities to help the state police investigate illegal video poker machine vendors.
Chester County Representative Curt Schroder says Pennsylvania officials aren’t doing enough to crack down on the industry, which he says makes millions of dollars a year off the estimated 17,000 illegal machines thought to be in operation throughout the commonwealth.
Major John Lutz, who heads the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, says right now the agency conducts a few vendor investigations each year, but that federal officials are already involved.
"Virtually every vendor investigation we do involves the US Attorney’s office and the Department of Justice. And they bring the Internal Revenue Service in with them."
Schroder says taking out video poker vendors would eliminate a major justification for imposing a state-regulated video poker system in Pennsylvania bars.
The Gaming Oversight Committee has yet to hold a formal vote on that legislation, which Governor Rendell is backing.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The top Republican on the House Gaming Oversight Committee is asking federal authorities to help the state police investigate illegal video poker machine vendors.
Chester County Representative Curt Schroder says Pennsylvania officials aren’t doing enough to crack down on the industry, which he says makes millions of dollars a year off the estimated 17,000 illegal machines thought to be in operation throughout the commonwealth.
Major John Lutz, who heads the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, says right now the agency conducts a few vendor investigations each year, but that federal officials are already involved.
"Virtually every vendor investigation we do involves the US Attorney’s office and the Department of Justice. And they bring the Internal Revenue Service in with them."
Schroder says taking out video poker vendors would eliminate a major justification for imposing a state-regulated video poker system in Pennsylvania bars.
The Gaming Oversight Committee has yet to hold a formal vote on that legislation, which Governor Rendell is backing.
09 June 2009
Anti-tax rally fills Capitol
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- An anti-tax rally put together by Butler County Republican Representative Daryl Metcalfe drew about eighty people to the state Capitol rotunda this morning/yesterday.
As lawmakers debate filling a likely $3.2 billion deficit through budget cuts, tax increases or a mix of both, the crowd made its choice clear.
Geraldine White came from Venango County with a big cardboard sign: "Borne free, but taxed to death. We speak—please, no more taxes."
White says she doesn’t buy the argument that targeted tax increases are needed to deliver essential state services.
"No. In today’s economy you have to spend what you bring in. No more."
White and other rally attendees said they’re still upset Governor Rendell created a new state job for former Democratic representative Dan Surra earlier this year.
Surra is making $100,000 a year to promote the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- An anti-tax rally put together by Butler County Republican Representative Daryl Metcalfe drew about eighty people to the state Capitol rotunda this morning/yesterday.
As lawmakers debate filling a likely $3.2 billion deficit through budget cuts, tax increases or a mix of both, the crowd made its choice clear.
Geraldine White came from Venango County with a big cardboard sign: "Borne free, but taxed to death. We speak—please, no more taxes."
White says she doesn’t buy the argument that targeted tax increases are needed to deliver essential state services.
"No. In today’s economy you have to spend what you bring in. No more."
White and other rally attendees said they’re still upset Governor Rendell created a new state job for former Democratic representative Dan Surra earlier this year.
Surra is making $100,000 a year to promote the Pennsylvania Wilds.
08 June 2009
House panel rejects Senate budget
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The budget passed by Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate has been rejected by the House Appropriations Committee.
The panel voted 20-14 to kill the measure, which Democrats say would cut spending at drastic rates.
During two hours of debate, Allegheny County Democrat Dan Frankel said county and municipal governments would have to pick up the slack if the commonwealth reduced spending at levels suggested by GOP lawmakers.
"Much of this process, about cutting at the state level, means shifting to the local level. Whether it’s the county governments or school districts, that’s what Senate Bill 850 does. It shifts responsibility."
Republicans called the meeting a charade, complaining Committee Chairman Dwight Evans wouldn’t let lawmakers propose amendments to the budget.
Governor Rendell is expected to announce an additional 400 to 500 million dollars in cuts to his original spending plan in the near future.
The General Assembly has until June 30th to reach a final spending plan.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The budget passed by Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate has been rejected by the House Appropriations Committee.
The panel voted 20-14 to kill the measure, which Democrats say would cut spending at drastic rates.
During two hours of debate, Allegheny County Democrat Dan Frankel said county and municipal governments would have to pick up the slack if the commonwealth reduced spending at levels suggested by GOP lawmakers.
"Much of this process, about cutting at the state level, means shifting to the local level. Whether it’s the county governments or school districts, that’s what Senate Bill 850 does. It shifts responsibility."
Republicans called the meeting a charade, complaining Committee Chairman Dwight Evans wouldn’t let lawmakers propose amendments to the budget.
Governor Rendell is expected to announce an additional 400 to 500 million dollars in cuts to his original spending plan in the near future.
The General Assembly has until June 30th to reach a final spending plan.
Casey wades into budget debate
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Senator Bob Casey is the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to lambaste a budget passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
He joined Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak at East Pennsboro High School in Enola, Cumberland County, to decry education cuts in the Senate’s budget.
The Republican plan would reduce state spending, and use 728 million in stimulus dollars to keep overall funding at a level pace, while Governor Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget.
Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere.
"At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy—people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams—the worst thing we can do is cut education funding."
Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue.
The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it has no chance of becoming law.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Senator Bob Casey is the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to lambaste a budget passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.
He joined Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak at East Pennsboro High School in Enola, Cumberland County, to decry education cuts in the Senate’s budget.
The Republican plan would reduce state spending, and use 728 million in stimulus dollars to keep overall funding at a level pace, while Governor Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget.
Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere.
"At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy—people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams—the worst thing we can do is cut education funding."
Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue.
The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it has no chance of becoming law.
05 June 2009
Gleason: Toomey will be more competitive than polls suggest
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Robert Gleason says Pat Toomey may be more competitive in next year’s Senate race than recent polls suggest.
The latest Quinnipiac University survey gave Democrat Arlen Specter a 9-point lead over Toomey in a potential 2010 match up—that’s a slight improvement for the Republican since Quinnipiac’s earlier poll.
But Gleason argues Toomey’s conservative stance could appeal to voters if the Democrat-controlled Congress overreaches this term.
"With what is going on in Washington, and with the liberals going over the top, spending our poor country into the doldrums, I’m not so sure a message by Pat Toomey won’t be very responsive. He could be very successful."
Pennsylvania’s Democratic chairman, TJ Rooney, says he’s trying to avoid a competitive primary next year.
But Gleason doesn’t agree.
He says he’s encouraging any and all potential candidates to jump into the race.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Robert Gleason says Pat Toomey may be more competitive in next year’s Senate race than recent polls suggest.
The latest Quinnipiac University survey gave Democrat Arlen Specter a 9-point lead over Toomey in a potential 2010 match up—that’s a slight improvement for the Republican since Quinnipiac’s earlier poll.
But Gleason argues Toomey’s conservative stance could appeal to voters if the Democrat-controlled Congress overreaches this term.
"With what is going on in Washington, and with the liberals going over the top, spending our poor country into the doldrums, I’m not so sure a message by Pat Toomey won’t be very responsive. He could be very successful."
Pennsylvania’s Democratic chairman, TJ Rooney, says he’s trying to avoid a competitive primary next year.
But Gleason doesn’t agree.
He says he’s encouraging any and all potential candidates to jump into the race.
04 June 2009
Pharmacist group says Rendell's drug plan easier said than done
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Association’s executive director says Governor Rendell’s proposed changes to the commonwealth’s prescription benefit programs would cut into drug stores’ bottom lines.
Rendell wants to lower the reimbursement rate Pennsylvania pays pharmacies.
He says that would bring it down to the amount stores are spending for drugs, but Pat Epple claims it would actually be lower.
She says even with an increase in dispensing fees, pharmacies would lose money.
"Should 30,000 people be added to the rolls? It’s hard to argue against that, but I’m not really sure where that money’s going to come from. And our point is it shouldn’t come from on the backs of pharmacies. They have to stay in business, too, and if pharmacies close we accomplish nothing. We would just put more people out of work."
Rendell says the savings gained by adjusting costs would allow the program to increase its income rates and expand by 30-thousand people.
He also wants to increase the discount manufacturers provide Pennsylvania so that it’s even with the rate given to Medicaid.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- The Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Association’s executive director says Governor Rendell’s proposed changes to the commonwealth’s prescription benefit programs would cut into drug stores’ bottom lines.
Rendell wants to lower the reimbursement rate Pennsylvania pays pharmacies.
He says that would bring it down to the amount stores are spending for drugs, but Pat Epple claims it would actually be lower.
She says even with an increase in dispensing fees, pharmacies would lose money.
"Should 30,000 people be added to the rolls? It’s hard to argue against that, but I’m not really sure where that money’s going to come from. And our point is it shouldn’t come from on the backs of pharmacies. They have to stay in business, too, and if pharmacies close we accomplish nothing. We would just put more people out of work."
Rendell says the savings gained by adjusting costs would allow the program to increase its income rates and expand by 30-thousand people.
He also wants to increase the discount manufacturers provide Pennsylvania so that it’s even with the rate given to Medicaid.
Dems have high expectations for Specter this weekend
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Senator Arlen Specter faces his new party for the first time this weekend, when he addresses the annual State Democratic Committee Meeting in Pittsburgh.
Allegheny County party chairman Jim Burn says he and other party leaders are looking forward to hearing their new ally explain himself.
"All of them are anxious to hear what he has to say about, a, why he switched. And b, what will his platform be, with respect to issues and values that are important to the Democratic voters and residents of the state?"
Both Burn and Dauphin County chair Diane Bowman say they want to hear Specter spell out his stance on the Employee Free Choice Act.
He's seen as the key swing vote on the measure in the Senate.
State Chairman TJ Rooney says he's confident Specter can win over the crowd.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Senator Arlen Specter faces his new party for the first time this weekend, when he addresses the annual State Democratic Committee Meeting in Pittsburgh.
Allegheny County party chairman Jim Burn says he and other party leaders are looking forward to hearing their new ally explain himself.
"All of them are anxious to hear what he has to say about, a, why he switched. And b, what will his platform be, with respect to issues and values that are important to the Democratic voters and residents of the state?"
Both Burn and Dauphin County chair Diane Bowman say they want to hear Specter spell out his stance on the Employee Free Choice Act.
He's seen as the key swing vote on the measure in the Senate.
State Chairman TJ Rooney says he's confident Specter can win over the crowd.
02 June 2009
Rendell offers plan to expand PACE and PACENET
by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell is asking lawmakers to OK a series of changes to the PACE and PACENET programs he says would help 30-thousand more seniors access prescription drug benefits, while saving the commonwealth millions of dollars.
Rendell says tweaking the way Pennsylvania's prescription drug benefit programs buy drugs would let the commonwealth expand income eligibility caps to $30,000 for individuals, and $40,000 for couples.
Right now, those limits are $23,500 and $31,500, respectively.
Rendell says that can happen by requiring pharmacies to sell drugs to the commonwealth for the amount they purchased them at, instead of the manufacturers' suggested price.
"But anybody who's bought a car or seen an infomercial on TV knows that that rarely is the price that customers really pay for anything. So we'll pay pharmacists based on the cost they actually paid for the medication. Fair to them and fair to us."
Rendell's proposal would also make drug manufacturers give Pennsylvania the same drug discount they provide to the federal government for Medicaid.
He says those changes, plus a series of other adjustments, would let Pennsylvania expand coverage to 30,000 more people, while saving more than 60 million dollars.
Public Radio Capitol News
(Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell is asking lawmakers to OK a series of changes to the PACE and PACENET programs he says would help 30-thousand more seniors access prescription drug benefits, while saving the commonwealth millions of dollars.
Rendell says tweaking the way Pennsylvania's prescription drug benefit programs buy drugs would let the commonwealth expand income eligibility caps to $30,000 for individuals, and $40,000 for couples.
Right now, those limits are $23,500 and $31,500, respectively.
Rendell says that can happen by requiring pharmacies to sell drugs to the commonwealth for the amount they purchased them at, instead of the manufacturers' suggested price.
"But anybody who's bought a car or seen an infomercial on TV knows that that rarely is the price that customers really pay for anything. So we'll pay pharmacists based on the cost they actually paid for the medication. Fair to them and fair to us."
Rendell's proposal would also make drug manufacturers give Pennsylvania the same drug discount they provide to the federal government for Medicaid.
He says those changes, plus a series of other adjustments, would let Pennsylvania expand coverage to 30,000 more people, while saving more than 60 million dollars.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
