by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 29 June 2006) – In a major development – negotiators reached a tentative budget deal at the state Capitol, where busy officials did begin the day by reacting to the flooding.
Governor Rendell activated the National Guard, declared disaster emergencies in 46 counties and said it will be a day or two before the determination is made on whether to seek federal aid.
"We try to be accurate. We try not to just throw everything in because we want to have credibility with FEMA. When we ask for a county, we want them to believe there’s a credible amount of damage. And FEMA independently reviews our estimates," Rendell said.
Lawmakers, facing a Friday night deadline, pressed forward on the budget, and by mid-afternoon, leaders announced a compromise. Overall spending jumps at least six percent.
Separately, later, the House voted to declare English the official language of the commonwealth, 122 to 70, after a motion to defer the debate failed by a 96-96 tie.
Away from the legislature, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved licenses for so-called "suppliers," who will acquire slots machines and sell them to casinos.
A board member who had insisted on awarding licenses geographically dropped his demand, allowing the panel to head off regulatory intervention that could have delayed parlor openings by a year.
Thursday, 29 June 2006
Tuesday, 30 May 2006
Group: pensions flawed at state, local levels
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 26 May 2006) – Potential pension shortfalls have been a concern at the state level for a while, but this past week brought reports of local problems, specifically in Pittsburgh and York.
One group thinks both problems – state and local – are serious.
The conservative Commonwealth Foundation is calling on policymakers to address fund gaps now, before they get bigger.
Pittsburgh’s shortfall alone is already $469 million, and the city’s pension fund, as it stands, could meet only 44-percent of its obligations.
The foundation’s Matt Brouillette says it’s hard to say whether local or state difficulties are more concerning.
“It’s a lot easier to quantify it at the state level and to see how large and enormous it is, but when you stack these things upon the locality, your school district, it is difficult to get your mind around how troubling these systems are,” Brouillette says.
Brouillette says government should accept the same reality that has set in across the private sector: that defined-benefit pensions are outmoded and must be replaced with defined-contribution plans.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 26 May 2006) – Potential pension shortfalls have been a concern at the state level for a while, but this past week brought reports of local problems, specifically in Pittsburgh and York.
One group thinks both problems – state and local – are serious.
The conservative Commonwealth Foundation is calling on policymakers to address fund gaps now, before they get bigger.
Pittsburgh’s shortfall alone is already $469 million, and the city’s pension fund, as it stands, could meet only 44-percent of its obligations.
The foundation’s Matt Brouillette says it’s hard to say whether local or state difficulties are more concerning.
“It’s a lot easier to quantify it at the state level and to see how large and enormous it is, but when you stack these things upon the locality, your school district, it is difficult to get your mind around how troubling these systems are,” Brouillette says.
Brouillette says government should accept the same reality that has set in across the private sector: that defined-benefit pensions are outmoded and must be replaced with defined-contribution plans.
Thursday, 27 April 2006
House Democrats roll out tax cut plan
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 27 April 2006) – State House Democrats have set their corner of the stage for budget talks by rolling out a business tax cut plan.
House Democrats would slightly accelerate the phase-out of the capital stock and franchise tax; increase the research and development tax credit limit; and phase in greater emphasis on sales in reporting corporate income.
They would also lift the cap on net operating losses, often carried forward by high-tech startups, to $3 million. While Representative David Levdansky – the caucus’ numbers man – said that might mean the most for businesses, it was the smallest of the four cuts Democrats were pushing, confessed leaders Mike Veon and Bill DeWeese.
A reporter asked whether the caucus considered taking the cap to $4 million, $5 million or $6 million. Veon's one-word reply: "No." DeWeese followed up, saying that the subject of net operating losses "has been under discussion with the administration, and this is realistic."
The press conference came just a few days before the election break, giving lawmakers and Governor Rendell something to mull over before negotiations begin in earnest in late May.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 27 April 2006) – State House Democrats have set their corner of the stage for budget talks by rolling out a business tax cut plan.
House Democrats would slightly accelerate the phase-out of the capital stock and franchise tax; increase the research and development tax credit limit; and phase in greater emphasis on sales in reporting corporate income.
They would also lift the cap on net operating losses, often carried forward by high-tech startups, to $3 million. While Representative David Levdansky – the caucus’ numbers man – said that might mean the most for businesses, it was the smallest of the four cuts Democrats were pushing, confessed leaders Mike Veon and Bill DeWeese.
A reporter asked whether the caucus considered taking the cap to $4 million, $5 million or $6 million. Veon's one-word reply: "No." DeWeese followed up, saying that the subject of net operating losses "has been under discussion with the administration, and this is realistic."
The press conference came just a few days before the election break, giving lawmakers and Governor Rendell something to mull over before negotiations begin in earnest in late May.
Wednesday, 15 March 2006
Gettysburg, Philadelphia could see slots changes
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 16 March 2006) -- The Gettysburg countryside and Philadelphia were singled out by the state House as it passed changes to the gaming law:
Gettysburg, because the House unanimously approved an amendment banning slots parlors from Adams County, where one has been proposed.
Philadelphia, because lawmakers singled out the city as corrupt – too corrupt to site casinos, anyway. Only Philadelphia would be stripped of local zoning authority.
This did not sit well with many Democrats, including House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese.
"I don’t think it will stand judicial overview," DeWeese said. "This was already hurled back at us once. The jurists said that the local entities, the local municipalities, would be involved in the zoning effort."
The bill faces an uncertain future when it is returned to the Senate, which revised the gaming law in several ways but not in these ways.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 16 March 2006) -- The Gettysburg countryside and Philadelphia were singled out by the state House as it passed changes to the gaming law:
Gettysburg, because the House unanimously approved an amendment banning slots parlors from Adams County, where one has been proposed.
Philadelphia, because lawmakers singled out the city as corrupt – too corrupt to site casinos, anyway. Only Philadelphia would be stripped of local zoning authority.
This did not sit well with many Democrats, including House Minority Leader Bill DeWeese.
"I don’t think it will stand judicial overview," DeWeese said. "This was already hurled back at us once. The jurists said that the local entities, the local municipalities, would be involved in the zoning effort."
The bill faces an uncertain future when it is returned to the Senate, which revised the gaming law in several ways but not in these ways.
Committee moves gay marriage amendment
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 16 March 2006) -- A proposed state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage cleared a Pennsylvania House committee today.
Dozens of lawmakers, aides and observers packed into a hearing room that was too small. The crowd extended out the door.
Sponsor Scott Boyd – a Lancaster County Republican – said there was no need for public hearings.
"A constitutional amendment requires, in Pennsylvania, a voter referendum," Boyd said. "What broader public hearing can you have than a voter referendum, where each individual – not just selected interest groups – has the ability to go and vote on this issue?"
Democrat Louise Bishop of Philadelphia said this is not what Pennsylvanians want.
"My constituents – including the religious community – want me to vote no. It’s explosive. From Lancaster to Allentown to Philadelphia County, I have had e-mails, and 90 percent of them want a ‘no’ vote," Bishop said.
This amendment could be timed to the 2008 presidential election.
A motion to table the bill failed on a tie vote, with two Republicans – Dave Steil and Katharine Watson of Bucks County – joining every Democrat in an effort to block its advance.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 16 March 2006) -- A proposed state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage cleared a Pennsylvania House committee today.
Dozens of lawmakers, aides and observers packed into a hearing room that was too small. The crowd extended out the door.
Sponsor Scott Boyd – a Lancaster County Republican – said there was no need for public hearings.
"A constitutional amendment requires, in Pennsylvania, a voter referendum," Boyd said. "What broader public hearing can you have than a voter referendum, where each individual – not just selected interest groups – has the ability to go and vote on this issue?"
Democrat Louise Bishop of Philadelphia said this is not what Pennsylvanians want.
"My constituents – including the religious community – want me to vote no. It’s explosive. From Lancaster to Allentown to Philadelphia County, I have had e-mails, and 90 percent of them want a ‘no’ vote," Bishop said.
This amendment could be timed to the 2008 presidential election.
A motion to table the bill failed on a tie vote, with two Republicans – Dave Steil and Katharine Watson of Bucks County – joining every Democrat in an effort to block its advance.
Monday, 13 March 2006
Groups: not everyone wants to ban gay marriage
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 13 March 2006) -- Opponents of a gay marriage ban – rallying at the state Capitol – said there’s no room for discrimination in the state constitution.
Gay marriage is already disallowed in Pennsylvania, but there’s a push to reinforce the message with a constitutional amendment.
Interest group leaders and several lawmakers – all Democrats – said it would do nothing to protect traditional relationships, as sponsors claim.
Representative Mike Veon of Beaver County is the House Minority Whip and the only lawmaker in leadership who appeared.
"House Bill 2381 is a small piece of legislation," Veon said. "That small piece of legislation is filled with very small ideas."
The Reverend Paul Fullmer of Lebanon Valley College added historical perspective.
"People of faith, we rightly look back with great pride to good work that our congregations undertook in the abolition of segregation and the abolition of slavery. Yet if we speak in support of an amendment like House Bill 2381, we support the very discrimination that we find so reprehensible in generations of the past," Rev. Fullmer said.
The amendment could be presented to voters in 2007 or 2008.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 13 March 2006) -- Opponents of a gay marriage ban – rallying at the state Capitol – said there’s no room for discrimination in the state constitution.
Gay marriage is already disallowed in Pennsylvania, but there’s a push to reinforce the message with a constitutional amendment.
Interest group leaders and several lawmakers – all Democrats – said it would do nothing to protect traditional relationships, as sponsors claim.
Representative Mike Veon of Beaver County is the House Minority Whip and the only lawmaker in leadership who appeared.
"House Bill 2381 is a small piece of legislation," Veon said. "That small piece of legislation is filled with very small ideas."
The Reverend Paul Fullmer of Lebanon Valley College added historical perspective.
"People of faith, we rightly look back with great pride to good work that our congregations undertook in the abolition of segregation and the abolition of slavery. Yet if we speak in support of an amendment like House Bill 2381, we support the very discrimination that we find so reprehensible in generations of the past," Rev. Fullmer said.
The amendment could be presented to voters in 2007 or 2008.
State plans energy workshops
by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 13 March 2006) -- A mild winter has helped to reduce the burden higher energy prices placed on Pennsylvanians over the past few months.
But the state and federal government are still offering some advice to businesses trying to plan for the year ahead.
They’ll deliver the advice at workshops around the state in April and May.
Officials will outline strategies for conserving energy and saving money.
Managers whose companies operate on July-to-June fiscal-year calendars are beginning work now on 2006-2007 budgets, so the timing could be useful.
State Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Charlie Young says last year was the first year for these sessions, and response was good.
"This is very much aimed right at the business community. It’s for small- and medium-sized businesses. We’re also encouraging local government officials to attend," Young says. "It’s going to be an emphasis on easily implemented, highly effective energy management measures."
Free advance registration is required for the events – in Norristown and Bethlehem in April and in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ridgway, Elk County in May.
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 13 March 2006) -- A mild winter has helped to reduce the burden higher energy prices placed on Pennsylvanians over the past few months.
But the state and federal government are still offering some advice to businesses trying to plan for the year ahead.
They’ll deliver the advice at workshops around the state in April and May.
Officials will outline strategies for conserving energy and saving money.
Managers whose companies operate on July-to-June fiscal-year calendars are beginning work now on 2006-2007 budgets, so the timing could be useful.
State Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Charlie Young says last year was the first year for these sessions, and response was good.
"This is very much aimed right at the business community. It’s for small- and medium-sized businesses. We’re also encouraging local government officials to attend," Young says. "It’s going to be an emphasis on easily implemented, highly effective energy management measures."
Free advance registration is required for the events – in Norristown and Bethlehem in April and in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Ridgway, Elk County in May.
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