Sunday NewsClips

Editorial: State Treasurer On No-Tax Pledge
State Dems Likely To Revisit Fray On Endorsements
Whispers: Eddie Fast & Loose With Truth
Rarely Used Death Penalty Costly
Bumsted: Shale Fee, Price Of Privatization?
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Saturday NewsClips

Judge: No Dismissal Warranted For Perzel
Trial Postponed For Republican Corruption Scandal
Editorial: State Worker Union Hypocrisy
Editorial: Late-Night Lift Raises Eyebrows
Corrections: Beyond Prisons To Communities
No GOP Allowed In Pittsburgh Labor Day Event
Harrisburg Financial Recovery Plan Deadline Approaching
Harrisburg Mayor's Revised Fiscal Plan Will Include Commuter Tax
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Aug. 1 PA Environment Digest

August 1 PA Environment Digest now available. Click Here to print this Digest.

SRBC Hosts 2 Hearings On Natural Gas Regulation Changes

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is reminding the public of two hearings to be conducted on August 2 and August 4 to explain and receive public comments on proposed regulatory revisions, most of which regard the approval of natural gas projects, addition of new definitions, renewals of expiring approvals, restructuring of water source approvals and incorporation of certain policies and practices into regulation.
The two public hearings will be held on:
-- August 2, 10:00 a.m., Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., Harrisburg, Pa.
-- August 4, 7:00 p.m., Holiday Inn Binghamton Downtown, 2-8 Hawley St., Binghamton, N.Y.
Persons planning to present oral testimony at one or both public hearings should provide prior notice, if possible, to Richard Cairo, General Counsel, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17102, Phone: 717-238-0423, ext 306, Fax: 717-238-2436 or send email to: rcairo@srbc.net.
The deadline for comments August 23. Click Here to read more….

Friday NewsClips

Lawmakers Wants To Turn Liquor Stores Over To Private Industry
State Store Sales Split The GOP
Bill Would Replace One Liquor Monopoly With Another
Corbett Big Fan Of Film Tax Credit
Corbett Signs Law Keeping Court Filing Fees
Transportation Funding Commission Readies Report
DeWeese Lawyers File Challenge To Corruption Case
Rep. Metcalfe May Have Used Tax Money To Attend Conservative Conferences
Happy Hour Gets Happier In PA
Supreme Court Authorizes Payments For Juvenile Victims
Slots Revenue Drops At Mohegan Sun, Mount Airy Drops
Harrisburg Council Cancels Act 47 Re-Vote
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Thursday NewsClips

State Stores Sale Divides GOP
Rep. Turzai Pushes Liquor Bill
Turzai Grilled Over Bid To Sell Liquor Stores
House Leader Seeks Diverse Private Liquor Market
Lawmakers Look At Liquor Store Privatization
Private Booze Sales: Turzai Makes A Case
GOP Leader Tackles Liquor Issue
Sturla: No Chance Privatization Passes
State Store Union Air War Over Privatization
Corbett: Federal Shutdown Won't Disrupt PA
Feds' Fiscal Woes Won't Disrupt PA Aide Says
Dermody: Capitol Partisan Split
PA Tops In High Risk Health Insurance Push
Feds To Study Small Business Health Insurance Rates
Judge Agrees To End ACORN Lawsuit
Former Rep. Ruffing Chased, Nabbed For Non-Support
Regional Foreclosure Activity Drops Dramatically
John Street Won't Be On Philly Ballot
Pittsburgh's Fiscal Overseer In The Dark
Column: Window Closing On Harrisburg's Debt Plan
Column: It's Time To Work To Save PA's Cities
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Wednesday NewsClips

Turzai Lone Witness At House Hearing Today
Buying Alcohol In Philly Tough, Pricey
What Locals Have To Say About Liquor Store
Perzel Team: Notes Were Shredded
PA Budget Cuts Appear To Hit Poorer School Districts Harder
PA Analysts Ponder Possible Default Fallout
Editorial: City Of Scranton Should Pay Attention To City Of Harrisburg
State Sees Green In Red Light Camera
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Tuesday NewsClips

State Treasurer Criticizes No-Tax Pledges
Treasurer Calls Corbett's No-Tax Pledge Bad Idea
Treasurer: Feels Like Government By Talking Point
Blog: Corbett Tied His Hands With No-Tax Pledge
Editorial: Panel Has Good Fixes For Transportation
Editorial: Penn State Must Find Ways To Cut Costs
Editorial: Public Interest Detour
Handling Of Zogby Matter Could Hurt Governor
Lt. Cawley Comments On Issues In NE Visit
Gasoline Supply Chain Subject To Kinks
Scientist Aims To Improve PA Wines
Harrisburg Council Sets Re-Vote On Act 47 Plan
Harrisburg Council Members Will Not Back Off Tax Push
Rep. Buxton Opposes Harrisburg Commuter Tax
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Monday NewsClips

Orie Attorney No Stranger To High Profile Cases
Advocates For Poor Worry About Corbett's Changes
Lobbying Should Be Public Process
Editorial: PA Needs To Get Serious About Obesity
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Sunday NewsClips

Some Hope To Add To Lawmaker's Daunting Agenda
Editorial: Senate GOP Leader Rejects Good Sense On LCB
State Worker Union Leaders Cash Big Paychecks
Op-Ed: PA Transportation Investments Benefit Everyone
Bumsted: Status Quo? Try Nonpro
Kanjorski's Campaign Committee Still Active
Patrick Henderson: Corbett's Point Man On Energy
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Saturday NewsClips

Liquor Privatization: Two Chambers, Not Same Mind
Editorial: Include Beer In Liquor Reform
Corbett Trooper Picked Up Budget Secretary's Wife After DUI
Arson Bill Part Of Debate Over Mandatory Sentences
Harrisburg Mayor Says She's Working With City Debt Stakeholders
With Release Of Marcellus Report, Lawmakers Say It's Time To Act
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

July 25 PA Environment Digest Now Available

July 25 PA Environment Digest now available.  Click Here to print this Digest.

Lt. Gov. Cawley: Marcellus Shale Commission Issues Final Report

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley Friday released the final report of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, taking the first step toward developing a comprehensive and strategic plan for responsible natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

            The unanimously-adopted report contains 96 policy recommendations that include tougher regulations for drilling, doubling fines for violations, creating jobs in related industries and promoting the use of natural gas vehicles.

            "Today, Pennsylvania is taking an important, first step toward creating tens of thousands of jobs and leading the nation toward energy independence and doing so in an environmentally responsible way," said Cawley.  Click Here to read more...

Lt. Gov. Cawley: Marcellus Shale Commission Issues Final Report

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley Friday released the final report of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, taking the first step toward developing a comprehensive and strategic plan for responsible natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

            The unanimously-adopted report contains 96 policy recommendations that include tougher regulations for drilling, doubling fines for violations, creating jobs in related industries and promoting the use of natural gas vehicles.

            "Today, Pennsylvania is taking an important, first step toward creating tens of thousands of jobs and leading the nation toward energy independence and doing so in an environmentally responsible way," said Cawley.

            Some of the key recommendations the panel made to Governor Corbett include:

-- Increasing the distance between gas well sites and streams, private wells and public water systems;

-- Posting more information online for the public;

-- Tougher civil and criminal penalties for violators;

-- Assisting PA companies to do business with natural gas industry;

-- Training Pennsylvanians to work in the industry; and

-- Developing "Green Corridors" for vehicles powered by natural gas.

            "This commission brought the industry, environmental groups and local government leaders together to the same table where we methodically and publicly worked out these comprehensive recommendations," said Cawley.      

            Gov. Corbett formed the 30-member commission in March, giving them 120 days to develop recommendations on all aspects of natural gas drilling.  The commission held 21 public meetings, heard 60 expert presentations and reviewed more than 650 emails and letters from the public.

            A copy of the report is available online.

Related Blog Posts

PA Environmental Council Calls For Special Session On Marcellus Shale Issues

CBF Urges Passage Of Science-Based Measures To Protect Environment From Drilling

Enviro. Groups On Marcellus Commission Call Report Meaningful First Step, More Needed

Friday NewsClips

Scarnati Says Liquor Store Divestiture Not Top Senate Priority
Senate Leader: No Rush On Taking Booze Biz Private
Senate To Move Slow On Sale Of Liquor Stores
Liquor Store Privatization Hits Major Roadblock
Drive To Privatize LCB Hits A Big Roadblock
Op-Ed: Corbett Needs To Think Long Term In PA Budget
Editorial: Roads, Transit To Get Help?
Editorial: Businesses Paying For Unemployment Fund Debt
Grand Jury To Continue State Gaming Board Probe
Relative Unknown To GOP Wants U.S. Senate Seat
Editorial: Kanjorski Tight-Lipped On Future Plans
Lawmakers Demand End to Highmark-UPMC Dispute
10 Percent Toll Increase For Cash Customers By Turnpike
PA Jobless Rate Rises To 7.6 Percent
Piccola Asks Governor To Help Block Harrisburg Commuter Tax
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Computers Back In Operation At DEP After Shutdown

Computers are back and operating at the state Department of Environmental Protection after a problem caused by a contractor error during scheduled maintenance forced workers to stay off their computers throughout the morning.

NewsClip: Computers Back In Operation At DEP After Shutdown

DEP Hit With Significant Computer Problems

The Harrisburg Patriot-News reported Workers at the state Department of Environmental Protection were greeted this morning with a warning not to turn on their computers. Those who got that word after they had already logged on found whatever was on their hard drives seemingly disappear, a worker said.

NewsClip: Computer Problem At DEP Brings Workers To Virtual Standstill

Thursday NewsClips

State Services, Assets To Receive Scrutiny
Editorial: Governor Should Heed Transportation Commission Ideas
Editorial: Reasonable Map For State Transit
Gaming Board Renews Presque Isle Downs Casino License
Editorial: Higher Stakes For Teenagers, Casinos
Wagner Receives National Award For Accountability For 2nd Time
John Baer: More Beer Facts
Urgency Will Force Harrisburg Officials To Work Together
Rejection By Council Is Golden Opportunity For Harrisburg Mayor
Lawsuits Back In Play After Harrisburg Council's Act 47 Plan Rejection
How Did Harrisburg Get Millions In Debt?
Harrisburg Incinerator: History Of The Project
Name Suggestions Pour In For Corbetts' New Puppies
Penn State Gets Unflattering Recognition From GQ Magazine
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

House Releases Fall Session Schedule

The House just released their fall session schedule--

House (New)
September 26, 27, 28
October 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Senate
September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 14, 15, 16
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Wednesday NewsClips

New Corbett Panel To Look At Selling State Assets, Privatizing Services
Transportation Panel Urges Raising Drivers' Fees, Gas Tax
Editorial: Reasonable Map For Roads
Largest State Union OKs 4-Year Pact
Blog: New Radio Ad Hits Turzai State Store Sale Bill
Editorial: Small Games, Big Need
Grand Jury Hears From Another Mellow Staffer
Harrisburg Council Votes Down Act 47
Harrisburg Council Rejects Act 47 Plan, Raises Tension
Harrisburg Mayor In Damage Control As Council Rejects Act 47 Plan
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Tuesday NewsClips

Cost Of Driving Could Be Going Up In State
Fees, Taxes Would Rise To Fund Transportation
Corbett Panel Eyes $2.7 Billion For Transportation
Transportation Panel Issues Recommendations
Panel Proposes Funding Mix To Fix Roads, Bridges
Transportation Panel Urges Raising Drivers' Fee, Gas Tax
Commission Approves Recommendations To Fund Transportation
Op-Ed: The Case For Corbett's No Tax Increase Stand
Corbett To Get 3rd Commission Going To Study State Issue
State Worker Union Ratifies Contract To Freeze Pay
Stop-And-Go Shops Win A Legal Battle Over Alcohol Sales
John Baer: State Store Workers Bite Back
GOP Senators Hope To Regulate UPMC-Highmark Divorce
Senate To Weigh In On Health Care Dispute
New Owners Of Track-Casino Sound Familiar
Tuition Going Up At Three State-Related Universities
LCCC Remains Important Part In Region's Growth
Editorial: Prudent To Probe School Test Cheating
Cumberland County DA Considers Run For Attorney General
Challenger To Charlie Dent Surfaces
Santorum Tells NH Voters To Give Until It Hurts
Dauphin County Democrats Have Registration Edge, Not At Polls
PA 8th In Highest Mortgage Closing Costs
Report: State's Middle Class Under Siege
Harrisburg Mayor Wants Council To Adopt Act 47 Plan
Harrisburg Mayor Would Introduce Plan Identical To Act 47
Column: Act 47 Plan Sacrifices Harrisburg For Incinerator Debt
Editorial: Act 47 Plan Is Right Choice
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Transportation Commission Recommends New Fees, Higher Taxes To Fund Improvements

In contrast to concerns about not adopting a Marcellus Shale severance tax for statewide environmental restoration, Gov. Corbett's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission today unanimously recommended $2.7 billion in new transportation taxes and fees to finance highway, bridge and mass transit maintenance and improvements, according to reporting by Capitolwire.com.
           The recommendations do not include a higher gas tax, however, the biggest increase will hit motorists because the Commission proposed to uncap the Oil Company Franchise Tax on gasoline which would raise about $1.36 billion.
           The changes would be phased in over five years, and according to the Commission, would cost a driver traveling 12,000 miles a year $24 the first year increasing to $26.06 the fifth year.
           Overall, the proposal would provide--
-- $481 million for state highways and bridges in year one, $1.99 billion by year five;
-- $80 million for local highways and bridges in year one, $332 million by year five; and
-- $200 million for mass transit in year one, $404 million by year five.
           Other recommendations include:
-- Raise the driver’s license and vehicle registration fees by the consumer price index for 2012, then raising them three percent a year annually. For vehicle registration, it would rise from $36 a year to $49. On a tractor-trailer, of 80,000 pounds, the fee would go from $1,687 to more than $2,200 annually. That would raise $412 million initially, $574 million by year five. The commission discussed raising the registration fee for truckers over five years;
-- Cap the $570 million the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation annually pays for state police;
-- Move about half of that sum, $300 million of that $570 million, from the PennDOT budget to the general fund;
-- Restructure Act 44 to move $200 million from highways to mass transit, $200 million for transit, no net change;
-- Changes to bring in $67 million initially, $222 million by year five;
-- Increase the local mass transit match to 15 of new money if local option source, small games of chance, enabled by law, is required to draw state dollars: $29 million in year two, $118 million by year five;
-- Send 2 percent of all state sales taxes to transit: $44 million in year two, $172 million by year five;
-- Modernization and cost-savings to fund roads, highways and bridges: $10 million in year one; $66 million by year five. Those would include higher fines and fees for various activities. Also nearly $6 million for renewing licenses and registration every two years; and
-- Transit fees: 2 percent of all sales tax; $172 million by mid-2016; $50 million from small games of chance for transit local share or local funding.
           The final report and executive summary are available online.

Monday NewsClips

New State Website to List All Revenue, Expenditures
Editorial: Nonunion State Workers Getting Hurt
Midstate District Attorney Considers AG Run
Op-Ed: PA Redistricting Could Tighten PA Races
Editorial: Liquor Privatizing Concerns
HACC President Looks To Cut Costs For Students
Editorial: Improve Voucher Bill
Editorial: Tables Games Will Worth The Gamble
Movers, Shakers To Buy Lawrence County Race Track Casino
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Sunday NewsClips

Bumsted: Cawley Breaks The Mold
Whispers: You Scream, We Scream
Turzai's Liquor Bill Complex
Editorial: That's The Spirit! Privatizing Liquor Stores
Penn WATCH Law Will Shine Light On Spending
PA Same-Sex Couples Who Decide To Marry
Million Spent On Waste Spaces In PA
Toomey Leader On Federal Debt Question
Harrisburg Lawyer Running For U.S. Senate
Bill Would Repeal Religious Garb Ban
Op-Ed: Harrisburg Not Only City In Financial Trouble
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Saturday NewsClips

Marcellus Commission Recommends Impact Fee, Forced Pooling
Penn State Approves 4.9 Percent Tuition Increase
PSU Raises Tuition, But With Restraint
IUP To Cut 52 Positions Due To Budget Shortfall
PA Students Rank High In College Debt
Editorial: Harrisburg Dickers Over Liquor Privatization
Editorial: More Egg On Health Secretary
Altimire, Critz Top Money List For Western PA
Santorum Low On Cash, Poll Numbers
Editorial: Union Embezzling
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

July 18 PA Environment Digest Now Available

July 18 PA Environment Digest now available.  Click Here to print this Digest.

Governor's Marcellus Commission Recommends Impact Fee, Forced Pooling

After a day-long meeting punctuated by lots of discussion, the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission finished work on about 100 recommendations which included urging the adoption of an impact fee, a general statement on forced pooling of natural gas properties and a bigger role for county conservation districts in regulating drilling operations for erosion and sedimentation problems.

            The final report was passed unanimously by the Commission, but some Commission members noted not all the recommendations were supported by each member.

            Members of the Commission each had the recommendations before them, but the text of the proposals were not available to the public online before the meeting or to the audience attending as handouts.  All that's known about the recommendations was gleaned from verbal comments made at the meeting.

            Each of the four work groups: Environmental Protection and Public Health, Local Impacts and Emergency Response, Economic and Workforce Development and Infrastructure reported generally on agreed-to recommendations. The recommendations were then voted on in groups or individual recommendations were called out by number and discussed or changed.

            New recommendations, in particular by environmental groups, were suggested, discussed and voted on, but again the text of the changes were not available.  Click Here for more....

Marcellus Commission Adopts Impact Fee, Forced Pooling Recommendations

After a day-long meeting punctuated by lots of discussion, theGovernor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission finished work on over 100 recommendations which included adoption of an impact fee and forced pooling of natural gas properties.

           The final report was passed unanimously by the Commission, but some Commission members noted not all the recommendations were supported by each member.

           A motion by Lt. Gov. Cawley, who Chaired the Commission,to make all the initial recommendations made to the Commission public was passed by the full Commission.

           A copy of the complete set of recommendations and an additional paper on Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania will be reviewed by the Governor and released on July 22.

           Details will be available in the July 18 PA Environment Digest.

NewsClips

Corbett Drilling Panel Recommends Fee On Industry

Corbett's Marcellus Commission Recommends Impact Fee, Forced Pooling

PA Shale Panel Recommends Drilling Fee, Forced Pooling

Corbett Drilling Panel Recommends Fee On Marcellus Industry

Advisory Commission Recommends Marcellus Impact Fee

Marcellus Commission Ends Day, Passes 100 Recommendations

Friday NewsClips

Analysis: Liquor Privatization's Potent Cocktail
State Has Thirst For Taxes On Liquor
John Baer: Booze Battle
Budget Eliminates WAMS, Gives Agencies More Power
State Panel Has $2.7 Billion Plan For Roads, Bridges, Transit
Transportation Commission To Vote On Recommendations
Education Secretary Orders Standard Test Review
Editorial: Sound Rules For Level Field For Appellate Judicial Races
Judge Rules Orie Appeal Frivolous
Editorial: Lawrence County Casino Bid Has A Way To Go
New Head Of Allegheny Bar Association Wants To Help
Marcellus Gas Panel Will Vote On Issues
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Thursday NewsClips

Corbett's Legislative To-Do List
Corbett Blames Teacher Layoffs On School Districts
Corbett Says School Districts To Blame For Their Budget Woes
Column: PA Budget Hurts The Students Who Can Least Afford It
Editorial: Harrisburg, Small On Sacrifice
Turzai Liquor Plan Draws Cheers, Jeers
Liquor Store Proposal Would Auction Licenses
Can Pennsylvania Give Up Booze?
Turzai Proposal Calls For Selling State Liquor Stores
Last Call For The LCB?
Liquor Bill Favors Big Retailers, Grocery Stores
Liquor Store Workers Union Wary Of Privatization Plan
State Democrats Oppose GOP Liquor Plan
Central PA Have Mixed Opinions On Liquor Store Privatization
Customers Like Liquor Privatization Idea But Question Rationale
Lawmakers Hear Testimony On Direct Wine Shipment
Voters' Voice In PA School Budgets Muffled
State Examines Why School Test Report Ignored
Op-Ed: Fixing Education Takes More Than Another Mandate
CCAC Freezes Hiring Due To County Budget Cut
LCCC Axes 5 Managers Due To Cuts
Editorial: Secretary Of Health Needs To Chill
Highmark Sues UPMC Over Misleading Ad Campaign
Editorial: Enact Tougher Ethical Standards
Obama Won't Hold PA GOP Says
Republicans Target Obama In Pennsylvania
Survey: Retirees In PA Not Well Off
Corbett Encourages Harrisburg To Adopt Act 47 Plan
Editorial: City Of Harrisburg Solutions
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Rep. Turzai Legislation Gets Pennsylvania Out of the Alcohol Business

To move Pennsylvania out of the post-Prohibition era by allowing the private sector to sell wine and spirits, House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) will unveil legislation to privatize wine and liquor sales in the Commonwealth.

            “Should Pennsylvania be in the business of selling alcohol? Is this a core government function? I don’t think so, and the large majority of Pennsylvanians agree,” Rep. Turzai said.  “The current system is antiquated and out of touch.  It’s time to end the statewide monopoly and give consumers better selection and more convenience.”

            Currently only two states, Pennsylvania and Utah, have complete control over wholesale and retail operations.  Rep. Turzai’s legislation would privatize the wholesale and retail operations of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. 

            House Bill 11 will continue to generate annual revenues through a reformed tax structure, which includes elimination of the 18 percent Johnstown Flood tax and the 30 percent markup by the PLCB. These taxes and charges would be replaced with a fairer gallonage tax. The state will also receive tax revenues from the new retail and wholesale businesses that would be created.

            In addition this legislation also strengthens law enforcement supervision of alcohol sales and enhances alcohol safety and awareness programs. 

            The proposal enhances enforcement of liquor laws by providing concurrent jurisdiction for state and local police; requiring retail managers and employees to attend R.A.M.P. (Responsible Alcohol Management Program) training; mandating the use of I.D. scanners with age verification software; requiring retail operations to be maintained in a separate area dedicated to the sale of liquor and all retail store employees to be at least 21 years old; and subjecting retail licensees to “age compliance checks” to ensure against selling to minors. 

            Licensees who fail to adhere to these standards will face heavy penalties and possible suspension or revocation of their licenses. 

            Under this proposal, the PLCB’s role will focus solely on regulation, enforcement and education, removing the conflict of interest that currently exists by having the same entity promote and regulate alcohol sales.

            Current PLCB employees displaced by privatization will receive the following opportunites: hiring preference in other state jobs; tax credits for employers who would hire them full-time; and education grants to help retrain employees to perform other jobs.

            The current monopoly system was created in 1933 by then-Gov. Gifford Pinchot, who said the PLCB’s mission was to make liquor sales “as inconvenient and expensive as possible.” 

            Over the past few years, the PLCB has attempted to improve customer service with miserable results.  In 2009, the PLCB paid $173,000 for an outside company to provide its employees with courtesy training. 

            The organization also spent more than $4 million a year on advertising and millions of dollars on a “rebranding effort” – even though the PLCB has a monopoly on the market in Pennsylvania.  Also, the wine kiosk program has fallen short of projected sales.  As a result, Wegman’s has recently decided to decommission 10 wine kiosks in its Pennsylvania stores. 

            A June 14 Quinnipiac University statewide poll shows 69 percent of Pennsylvanians polled are in favor of selling the state liquor stores.  Numerous newspapers from across the Commonwealth have also called for privatization of the PLCB. 

            “This is a proposal whose time has come,” Rep. Turzai said. “It’s time to put Pennsylvania in step with the rest of the country.”

NewsClips

Turzai: Liquor Store Privatization Top Fall Priority

Latest Liquor Privatization Plan Released

Liquor Store Proposal Would Auction Licenses

Wednesday NewsClips

Corbett Outlines Fall Agenda
Corbett's Legislative To-Do List
Turzai Plan Would Double Liquor Retailers
Corbett Won't Say How Liquor Sales Should Be Privatized
Corbett: School Districts Have Themselves To Blame
Op-Ed: Corbett's First Budget Deserves A D
Editorial: No New Taxes Translates Into Higher Tuition
Corbett Defends Health Secretary
Former Mellow Political Aide Testifies Before Grand Jury
Editorial: No Serious Challenger To Casey
State Isn't Sure About Health Insurance Exchanges
State Threatens To Intervene In Highmark Dispute With UPMC
State On Sideline In Highmark-UPMC Dispute
Analysis Finds Irregularities In School Test Scores
Report On School Test Scores Raises Possibility Of Cheating
Editorial: State Should Probe School Test Scores
Op-Ed: Really Rethinking Prison Budget
New Operator OK'd For Lawrence County Harness Track
Majority Of Harrisburg Council Uncomfortable With Act 47 Plan
Op-Ed: Harrisburg's Sovereignty Is About More Than City
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Senate Fall Session Schedule

The Senate announced its Fall voting session scheduled today--
September 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
October 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31
November 1, 14, 15, 16
December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14

Tuesday NewsClips

No Pay Raise Forthcoming For Nonunion State Workers
Editorial: Corbett Vetoes Ill-Considered Property Tax Assessment Bill
Editorial: Legislature Should Take Lead On Property Reassessments
Budget Secretary's Wife Faces DUI Charge
Wife's Arrest Won't Hurt Budget Chief's Status
State Has Few Takers for Federal Mortgage Foreclosure Program
Vietnam Veteran Mulls U.S. Senate Run
PA Racing Commission To Decide On Track Transfer
Republicans Give Themselves More Money Than Democrats
Capitolwire.com reports the new budget for the General Assembly gives Republicans in the Senate and House $12.5 million more for their operations than Democrats. Historically, funding to operate Republican and Democratic staff in the General Assembly has been the same regardless of which party was in power. The split means Republicans get about 52 percent and Democrats 48 percent. Republicans say that's proportional to the percentage split in party membership in both chambers.
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Monday NewsClips

Nonunionized State Workers Upset Over Paycheck Imbalance
Guv Scores A C On First Budget Test
State Budget Cuts Up Burdens For Schools
Budget Brings Mixed News For Courts, Legal Services
Student Financial Aid In PA Gets A Boost
Editorial: Budget Harms Major State Initiatives
Editorial: An Expensive Budget Cut, Day-Care
Are You Smarter Than A State Legislator?
Table Games Driving Success Of PA Casinos
Hollywood Casino's Table Games Compare To Competitors
Website To Give Access To State Financial Information
New State Prison To Be Built In Montgomery County
Slots For Attorney General, Auditor General To Be Open
No Serious Candidate Emerges To Challenge Casey
Casey Holds Most Of The Cards In Re-Election Run
Former Rep. Mascara Dies At 81
State Health Secretary Buys Special Jackets
Secretary Of Health Got Himself A Badge, Jacket
Allegheny Assessment Delays Causing Confusion
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

Sunday NewsClips

Editorial: Are You Smarter Than A State Legislator?
Bumsted: Last Call For Liquor Monopoly
Editorial: Pop Cork On Private Liquor Sales
Analysis: Tables Games Bring In Younger Crowd
Casino Table Games Skew Toward Young Crowd
State Inspectors Cite Allentown Abortion Clinic
Williams Hands off Legislator's DUI Case
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest

Saturday NewsClips

Corbett Uses First Veto On Reassessment Moratorium
Corbett Vetoes Reassessment Moratorium For Washington County
Pitt Sharply Raising Tuition For In-State Students
Pitt Increases Tuition For PA Students 8.5 Percent
Modest Tuition Hike, Cuts On Way At Penn State
School Districts Endure Budgetary Perfect Storm
State Budget Cuts Hit Literacy Program
Editorial: Property Tax Vote Is A Start, Not Reform
Turzai Kicks Off Privatization Push On Liquor
Bill To Abolish LCB May Arrive Next Week
Poll: Liquor Sales Privatization
House Bill Would Kill 18 Percent Liquor Tax
Poll: Legalization Of Weed Gets The High Sign
Tables Draw Profit For State At Rivers Casino
Casey Bullish On Re-Election
Hawkish Toomey Likes Battles Closer To Home
MacNett Joins Conrad O'Brien Law Firm
NE Bankruptcy Filings Fall 12.8 Percent
Harrisburg Gets Final Act 47 Plan

Harrisburg City Council Sets Date For Act 47 Plan Vote

Mayor: Final Act 47 Plan Will Lead Harrisburg Back To Prosperity
Click Here for today's Environmental NewsClips

July 11 PA Environment Digest Now Available

July 11 PA Environment Digest now available.  Click Here to print this Digest.

CBF: Settlement With DEP Expands Drilling Permit Reviews In Special Protection Waters

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Department of Environmental Protection have reached a settlement in CBF’s 2009 appeal of three Marcellus Shale drilling permits which prohibits DEP from using its expedited permit review process in High Quality and Exceptional Value special protection watersheds and for well pads in or on a floodplain.

            “In the nearly two years since we began this appeals process, DEP has made significant strides to improve the environmental safeguards with regards to drilling in the Marcellus region, and we commend them for those efforts,” said Ehrhart. “However, while the settlement means strengthened protection for our waters, this one victory does not mean that all the issues regarding permitting and environmental protection for development of the Marcellus Shale are resolved.  CBF, through our partnerships and position on the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Committee, is continuing to advocate for improvements to safeguard our environmental resources.”  Click Here for more....

Friday NewsClips

Turzai To Order New Round In State Store Debate
Corbett Signs 46 New Laws
A New Source Of Budget Numbers In Harrisburg
Slots Success Builds PA Tax Relief For Homeowners
One Year Of Table Games At Erie Casino
Government Reformers Call For PA Citizens To Refocus On Reform
Corbett's New Appointee May Not Lead Parole Board For Long
Corbett Signs Bill Allowing Sunday Motorcycle Sales
Violations Of Sunshine Act To Cost More
PA Needs To Go On A Diet
Op-Ed: Constables Serve Useful Purpose
DeWeese Questions Philadelphia Prison's Cost
Editorial: No Forged Justice, Orie Trail Must Go On
Editorial: HBG Black Leaders Question Act 47 Plan
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Thursday NewsClips

PA Welfare Chief Wields $400 Million Ax
Welfare Overhaul Under Way
Corbett Nominates Lawyer, GOP Figure To LCB
PA Wine, Spirit Sales Break Record
Grading Corbett's Education Ideas
Student Leaders Reflect On PA Spending Fight
Op-Ed: When Did Public Education Become Public Enemy No. 1
Court: Deloitte DPW Bid Award OK
Ex-Candidates Add Court To Lawsuit Over Closed District Justice Office
Editorial: Jury Commissioner Should Be An Easy Verdict
Veterans Group Loses Appeal In Small Games Of Chance Dispute
CCAC President Named To National Commission
Property Assessment Reprieve Lawsuit Eyed By Allegheny County
Brace For Oil Futures Bubble To Burst
DEP Secretary's Dad's Donation Riles State Democrats
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PANPHA Becomes LeadingAge PA

PANPHA, an association of not-for-profit senior services, is changing its name to LeadingAge PA to better reflect the organization’s movement away from a traditional nursing home care structure to one that focuses on the entire spectrum of senior care services that are now available in the 21st century.

            “LeadingAge PA speaks to our efforts of emphasizing a broader spectrum of senior services,” says President and CEO Ron Barth. “Given the reality that Pennsylvania’s 85-plus population is one of the largest in the nation, the sheer numbers of elderly who will need round the clock extensive health and rehab services that can only be provided by long-term care facilities will not shrink. At the same time, we have to do a better job of ensuring that seniors who can be cared for in their homes have the opportunity to do so. Not-for-profit members of LeadingAge PA have createda robust, 21st century system of services to address those needs in care settings that seniors prefer.”

            LeadingAge PA has released a video interview with Barth discussing the name change on its website, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter feed. Links can be found at the following:

-- Website: www.leadingagepa.org

-- Twitter: www.twitter.com/leadingagepa

-- YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/LeadingAgePA

-- Facebook: www.facebook.com/leadingagepa

            Founded in 1963, LeadingAge PA (formerly PANPHA) is a trade association representing over 350 not-for-profit providers of services, housing, and health care for aging seniors throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Corbett Nominates Joseph Brion To Liquor Control Board

Gov. Tom Corbett today nominated Joseph E. “Skip” Brion, of West Chester, Chester County, to serve as a member of the Liquor Control Board.

            Brion is a managing partner at the law firm of Buckley, Brion, McGuire, Morris & Sommer in West Chester. Since 1988, he has served on the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. He has also served on a number of other boards and civic organizations.

            Brion holds a bachelors degree from St. Joseph’s University and earned his law degree from the Villanova School of Law. He and his wife, Glenda, have two adult children.

            Upon confirmation by the Senate, Brion will succeed Thomas Goldsmith, whose second term as a member of the PLCB has expired.

Wednesday NewsClips

Corbett Not Interested In Philadelphia, Among Other Things
Forgery Of Orie Papers Confirmed
Secret Service: 3 Documents In Orie Trial
State Stores Had Record $2 Billion In Sales
Gaming Revenue From Slots Continues To Grow
Charitable Groups Adding Up Impact Of Budget
PA Schools Top Highest Tuition List
PHEAA Raises Size, Number Of College Grants
Who Killed PA's Foreclosure Rescue Programs?
Released PA Inmates Often Go Back In
Opinions Vary On Expansion Of Castle Doctrine
State Universities to Provide Health Benefits For Same-Sex Couples
Jobless Benefits Abuse Rate Hits 11.6 Percent
Editorial: Property Assessment Moratorium Should Cover All
Editorial: Emergency Call For Public Disclosure
Casey's War Chest Reported At $3.1 Million
Losers Far Outspent Election Winners In Lehigh
City, County Leadership Questioned In Harrisburg Act 47 Plan
Harrisburg's Final Act 47 Plan To Go Public On Friday
Controller: Harrisburg Mayor's Direct Deposit Release Disingenuous
Editorial: Capital Region Must Learn To Work Together
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