by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 8 March 2006) -- A member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is downplaying a dispute some say has slowed the panel’s progress.
At issue is whether the supplier market for slots parlors should be wide open or should be divided into two or five regions.
The panel has been unable to reach a consensus.
But Commissioner Mary Colins says observers are making too much of the argument.
"The supplier issue is something which we will resolve," Colins says. "It is something that the board works on day in and day out. We are patiently evaluating all aspects of it, and we will resolve it."
Colins noted the board did agree to allow the application process for slots to move forward anyway.
No final decisions will be made until a resolution is reached on the question of supplier regions.
Wednesday, 8 March 2006
Hoeffel bows out of LG race
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 8 March 2006) -- Joe Hoeffel dropped out of the Democratic race for lieutenant governor today – less than 24 hours after officially filing to run.
Governor Rendell did not want him to run against incumbent Catherine Baker Knoll.
An event in Harrisburg was supposed to be Hoeffel’s launch announcement but turned into a joint appearance with Rendell where both said ending this campaign was in the best interest of the party.
"I thought and still think that I could build a better team for the future. But the governor is the decision-maker here," Hoeffel said.
"I have heard with almost unanimity from people – from local elected officials to countywide elected officials in the southwest – again, the burden of having two southeasterners on the ticket would be very difficult for them," Rendell said.
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Valerie McDonald Roberts and two others are still challenging Knoll, but Hoeffel was considered to have the best shot at unseating her.
Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews is the only Republican candidate and the running mate of GOP gubernatorial hopeful Lynn Swann.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 8 March 2006) -- Joe Hoeffel dropped out of the Democratic race for lieutenant governor today – less than 24 hours after officially filing to run.
Governor Rendell did not want him to run against incumbent Catherine Baker Knoll.
An event in Harrisburg was supposed to be Hoeffel’s launch announcement but turned into a joint appearance with Rendell where both said ending this campaign was in the best interest of the party.
"I thought and still think that I could build a better team for the future. But the governor is the decision-maker here," Hoeffel said.
"I have heard with almost unanimity from people – from local elected officials to countywide elected officials in the southwest – again, the burden of having two southeasterners on the ticket would be very difficult for them," Rendell said.
Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds Valerie McDonald Roberts and two others are still challenging Knoll, but Hoeffel was considered to have the best shot at unseating her.
Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews is the only Republican candidate and the running mate of GOP gubernatorial hopeful Lynn Swann.
Tuesday, 7 March 2006
Official: gaming licenses by December
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 7 March 2006) -- A top state gambling official says slots parlor licenses will be awarded soon.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Commissioner Mary Colins offered the update at the second annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress in Harrisburg.
"Our next goal is – which we have set for ourselves – is to in fact issue the 22 permanent licenses by the end of this year," Colins said.
Colins said “22…licenses,” but she seemed to mean 14. There are 14 licenses available for 22 applicants.
Colins said upcoming hearings across the state will comprise a large part of the body of evidence used to make decisions about where parlors will go.
Separately, there was talk early Tuesday that the state House would act Tuesday night on tweaks to the gaming law. They were pulled from the calendar by midday but are expected to be debated soon.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 7 March 2006) -- A top state gambling official says slots parlor licenses will be awarded soon.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Commissioner Mary Colins offered the update at the second annual Pennsylvania Gaming Congress in Harrisburg.
"Our next goal is – which we have set for ourselves – is to in fact issue the 22 permanent licenses by the end of this year," Colins said.
Colins said “22…licenses,” but she seemed to mean 14. There are 14 licenses available for 22 applicants.
Colins said upcoming hearings across the state will comprise a large part of the body of evidence used to make decisions about where parlors will go.
Separately, there was talk early Tuesday that the state House would act Tuesday night on tweaks to the gaming law. They were pulled from the calendar by midday but are expected to be debated soon.
Need for foreign-language nurses outlined
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 7 March 2006) -- New policies should make it easier for foreign-language nurses to get certified in Pennsylvania.
It’s something experts say the commonwealth needs as badly as the nurses themselves do.
The best example might be Puerto Rico. Nurses there train and earn certification, but if they come to Pennsylvania, they must pass an English-language test, and this is often difficult for them.
It’s not just that they want the jobs. It’s that Pennsylvania needs more foreign-language nurses – with growing and aging populations whose native tongues are Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Vietnamese.
Representative Curtis Thomas – a Philadelphia Democrat – says a regulatory board has agreed to make some changes "that now allow for a two-year window of opportunity to take and pass the exam in order to practice in Pennsylvania."
"So six months to one year is out. We now have two years – a two-year window of opportunity," Thomas says.
The state will also use an incumbent worker training program to help nurses study. Partners include Temple University and the Hospital Healthcare Workers Union.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 7 March 2006) -- New policies should make it easier for foreign-language nurses to get certified in Pennsylvania.
It’s something experts say the commonwealth needs as badly as the nurses themselves do.
The best example might be Puerto Rico. Nurses there train and earn certification, but if they come to Pennsylvania, they must pass an English-language test, and this is often difficult for them.
It’s not just that they want the jobs. It’s that Pennsylvania needs more foreign-language nurses – with growing and aging populations whose native tongues are Spanish, Russian, Chinese or Vietnamese.
Representative Curtis Thomas – a Philadelphia Democrat – says a regulatory board has agreed to make some changes "that now allow for a two-year window of opportunity to take and pass the exam in order to practice in Pennsylvania."
"So six months to one year is out. We now have two years – a two-year window of opportunity," Thomas says.
The state will also use an incumbent worker training program to help nurses study. Partners include Temple University and the Hospital Healthcare Workers Union.
Monday, 6 March 2006
Casey brief supports pay raise suit
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 6 March 2006) -- Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert Casey Junior is speaking out against the pay raise lawmakers approved for themselves last year – even though he himself is named in a pay raise lawsuit.
In July 2005, state legislators – in the middle of the night, without public debate – voted to raise their own pay, as well as the salaries of judges and executive branch officials. They reversed themselves four months later.
There’s a lingering lawsuit over “unvouchered expenses,” which enabled some lawmakers to collect extra money immediately. Some never paid it back.
Casey has filed a brief supporting Dauphin County activist Gene Stilp, the petitioner. He agrees with Stilp that the pay raise and the collection of unvouchered expenses were both unconstitutional.
"And at the same time, in a larger sense, even beyond the lawsuit, I think it’s an obligation of every public official to do everything you can to prevent the erosion of public confidence in government. And I think this action eroded confidence in government," Casey said.
The situation is complicated by Casey’s being a respondent in the case. That’s because his office, the treasurer’s office, cut all the checks.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 6 March 2006) -- Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert Casey Junior is speaking out against the pay raise lawmakers approved for themselves last year – even though he himself is named in a pay raise lawsuit.
In July 2005, state legislators – in the middle of the night, without public debate – voted to raise their own pay, as well as the salaries of judges and executive branch officials. They reversed themselves four months later.
There’s a lingering lawsuit over “unvouchered expenses,” which enabled some lawmakers to collect extra money immediately. Some never paid it back.
Casey has filed a brief supporting Dauphin County activist Gene Stilp, the petitioner. He agrees with Stilp that the pay raise and the collection of unvouchered expenses were both unconstitutional.
"And at the same time, in a larger sense, even beyond the lawsuit, I think it’s an obligation of every public official to do everything you can to prevent the erosion of public confidence in government. And I think this action eroded confidence in government," Casey said.
The situation is complicated by Casey’s being a respondent in the case. That’s because his office, the treasurer’s office, cut all the checks.
Swann plan unconstitutional, expert says
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 6 March 2006) -- A property tax plan sketched out by Lynn Swann over the weekend is illegal and unconstitutional, according to an expert on tax policy.
Swann – the Republican challenging Democratic Governor Ed Rendell – unveiled his proposal during a speech to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
He said he wants to base tax rates on the last sale price of a home, meaning long-time homeowners would pay less than recent movers.
But Penn State economist Tim Kelsey says this would require amending the state constitution.
"Under Pennsylvania’s constitution," Kelsey says, "there’s a uniformity clause that requires objects that are being taxed to be treated uniformly – which is why here in Pennsylvania, when we re-assess, we re-assess all properties at the same time.
"If you instead base the value of taxation on the value when the property is sold, the basis for taxation will vary dramatically within any one district."
A spokeswoman for Swann’s campaign said more specifics on the plan will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 6 March 2006) -- A property tax plan sketched out by Lynn Swann over the weekend is illegal and unconstitutional, according to an expert on tax policy.
Swann – the Republican challenging Democratic Governor Ed Rendell – unveiled his proposal during a speech to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
He said he wants to base tax rates on the last sale price of a home, meaning long-time homeowners would pay less than recent movers.
But Penn State economist Tim Kelsey says this would require amending the state constitution.
"Under Pennsylvania’s constitution," Kelsey says, "there’s a uniformity clause that requires objects that are being taxed to be treated uniformly – which is why here in Pennsylvania, when we re-assess, we re-assess all properties at the same time.
"If you instead base the value of taxation on the value when the property is sold, the basis for taxation will vary dramatically within any one district."
A spokeswoman for Swann’s campaign said more specifics on the plan will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Thursday, 2 March 2006
Private toll roads could be in PA's future
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 2 March 2006) -- Pennsylvania could soon have roads that are built entirely with private dollars – proposed by private companies that are banking on potential profit.
State lawmakers who support the concept call it a natural next step in the evolution of surface transportation.
Virginia’s about to try it. Washington’s Capital Beltway is really crowded, especially on the Virginia side, but the state said it did not have the billions of dollars it would take to upgrade the highway.
Enter private enterprise, which has said it will construct new lanes by itself in exchange for the right to collect its own tolls.
This could work in the state’s most congested corridors – along the Schuylkill in Philadelphia, for example, or southbound, westbound or eastbound out of downtown Pittsburgh.
House Transportation Committee Minority Chair Keith McCall – a Lehigh Valley Democrat – said that while this would be new to the States, it’s not a totally original idea.
“The Europeans have completely private roads," McCall said. "It really never, I think, gained footing here.”
McCall and Republican Rick Geist plan to develop legislation together to authorize such projects.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 2 March 2006) -- Pennsylvania could soon have roads that are built entirely with private dollars – proposed by private companies that are banking on potential profit.
State lawmakers who support the concept call it a natural next step in the evolution of surface transportation.
Virginia’s about to try it. Washington’s Capital Beltway is really crowded, especially on the Virginia side, but the state said it did not have the billions of dollars it would take to upgrade the highway.
Enter private enterprise, which has said it will construct new lanes by itself in exchange for the right to collect its own tolls.
This could work in the state’s most congested corridors – along the Schuylkill in Philadelphia, for example, or southbound, westbound or eastbound out of downtown Pittsburgh.
House Transportation Committee Minority Chair Keith McCall – a Lehigh Valley Democrat – said that while this would be new to the States, it’s not a totally original idea.
“The Europeans have completely private roads," McCall said. "It really never, I think, gained footing here.”
McCall and Republican Rick Geist plan to develop legislation together to authorize such projects.
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