January 7, 2015
January 6, 2015
Democratic Chair Of House Education Committee Says School Funding Top Priority
Rep. James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia) Democratic Chair of the House Education Committee said school funding must be the top priority for 2015.
"As we begin a new session, I look forward to working to improve education in Pennsylvania, and that has to include restoring more of the school funding that has been cut during Gov. Corbett's four years,” Rep. Roebuck said.
“Philadelphia has been especially hard-hit by those cuts, but the impact has been statewide,” added Rep. Robuck. “Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf begins his term January 20, and school funding has to be a top priority along with dealing with the $2 billion deficit Gov. Corbett is leaving behind. We already know there are common-sense ways to generate funding, such as a reasonable tax on gas drilling and closing corporate tax loopholes."
Rep. Hennessy Outlines His Priorities For House Aging And Adult Services Committee
Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) Tuesday was named the Majority Chair of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee and outlined his priorities for the coming year.
"It is a privilege to be reappointed to chair the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee and I will continue to be a strong advocate for our seniors who comprise a large part of the population of our Commonwealth," said Rep. Hennessey. "We have challenges to face in the coming session and I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to ensure that our programs for seniors remain effective, and to improve them wherever we can.
"I'm pleased we were able to work with the administration in crafting a comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease State Plan in the previous session and, in the months ahead, we will implement vital parts of it as we continue to battle this devastating condition," said Rep. Hennessey. "The Committee will work hard to continually improve efficiencies with our senior programs. I look forward to getting started in this new year."
January 5, 2015
PA Slot Machine Revenue Up Nearly 6 Percent In December
The Gaming Control Board reported Monday slot machine revenue for December shows an increase of 5.82 percent in gross revenue generated over December of 2013.
According to the report, the play of slot machines at the 12 casinos produced over $10 million more in gross revenue this year, $188,426,686, compared to the $178,059,128 in gross revenue generated in December of last year.
The average combined number of slot machines operating daily was 26,377 in December of 2014 compared to 26,591 in December of 2013.
A more complete report is available online.
Gov.-Elect Wolf Names Eileen McNulty To Revenue, Dennis Davin To DCED
Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf Monday named his first two cabinet members: Eileen McNulty as Acting Secretary for the Department of Revenue, his old post, and Dennis Davin as Acting Secretary for the Department of Community and Economic Development.
“At a time when our Commonwealth faces serious financial and economic challenges, Dennis and Eileen have the much-needed experience and ability to help me find innovative solutions to move Pennsylvania forward,” said Gov.-Elect Wolf. “Pennsylvania is 50th in job growth and we are facing a deficit of $2 billion or more. Dennis brings nearly 30 years of economic development experience and Eileen has worked in public finance for 25 years. Each will bring a unique background and a fresh perspective to my administration.”
Both nominees will have to be confirmed by the Senate.
Eileen H. McNulty served as the quality assurance director in the Office of Comptroller Operations, part of the Office of the Budget, for Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, she was the deputy accountability officer for the commonwealth’s Stimulus Accountability Office.
Before becoming deputy accountability officer, McNulty was the chief financial officer with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
From 2003 to 2006, McNulty served as executive deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and she served as revenue secretary under Governor Casey from January 1991 through January 1995. McNulty graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Economics.
McNulty served as secretary of the Department of Revenue under Gov. Robert P. Casey, executive deputy secretary of the Department of Revenue under Gov. Edward G. Rendell, and worked in a variety of finance roles with the House of Representatives.
McNulty was instrumental in the implementation of new compliance programs to improve revenue collections and she helped modernize operations by transitioning to electronic funds transfer for payments.
Dennis M. Davin is the director of Allegheny County Economic Development. He also serves as the director of the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority and executive director of the Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Development Authority, Higher Education Building Authority, and Residential Finance Authority.
Davin is also an active board member of the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Before serving as director of ACED, he was regional director of the Governor’s Action Team for Southwestern Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he worked at the Urban Redevelopment Authority for eight years before becoming the URA’s director of housing. Dennis also served as the Pittsburgh Housing Development Corporation’s deputy executive director.
Davin led revitalization efforts in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and has been the catalyst for projects like “Allegheny Places,” the county’s first comprehensive plan on land use, transportation, housing, economic development, infrastructure, and greenways.
Davin oversees 75 employees and implements site development, job creation initiatives, community development, and affordable housing projects for the county.
House Announces Committee Chairs For New Session
Speaker-Designate Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County) Monday announced the appointments of both Republican and Democratic committee chairmen for the 2015-16 Legislative Session, which begins January 6.
“These House committees will tackle the serious issues facing Pennsylvania and, through public hearings and meetings, vet those issues and proposed solutions with the public,” Turzai said. “These men and women of both caucuses will lead the way in preparing legislation for the full House to consider.”
Turzai made the following appointments, which are unofficial until announced on the House floor:
Aging and Older Adult Services
Republican: Rep. Tim Hennessey (Chester)
Democrat: Rep. Steve Samuelson (Lehigh)
Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Republican: Rep. Martin Causer (Cameron) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. John P. Sabatina (Philadelphia) - NEW
Children and Youth
Republican: Rep. Kathy Watson (Bucks)
Democrat: Rep. Louise Bishop (Philadelphia)
Commerce
Republican: Rep. Adam Harris (Franklin) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (Philadelphia)
Consumer Affairs
Republican: Rep. Robert Godshall (Montgomery)
Democrat: Rep. Peter J. Daley (Washington)
Education
Republican: Rep. Stan Saylor (York) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck (Philadelphia)
Environmental Resources and Energy
Republican: Rep. John Maher (Allegheny) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Greg Vitali (Delaware)
Finance
Republican: Rep. Bernie O’Neill (Bucks) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Jake Wheatley (Allegheny) - NEW
Game and Fisheries
Republican: Rep. Keith Gillespie (York) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Ted Harhai (Westmoreland) - NEW
Gaming Oversight
Republican: Rep. John Payne (Dauphin) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Nick Kotik (Allegheny) - NEW
Health
Republican: Rep. Matt Baker (Bradford)
Democrat: Rep. Florindo (Flo) Fabrizio (Erie)
Human Services
Republican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (Bucks)
Democrat: Rep. Angel Cruz (Philadelphia)
Insurance
Republican: Rep. Tina Pickett (Bradford)
Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca (Allegheny)
Judiciary
Republican: Rep. Ron Marsico (Dauphin)
Democrat: Rep. Joseph A. Petrarca (Westmoreland) - NEW
Labor and Industry
Republican: Rep. Mauree Gingrich (Lebanon) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Marc J. Gergely (Allegheny) - NEW
Liquor Control
Republican: Rep. Chris Ross (Chester) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa (Allegheny)
Local Government
Republican: Rep. Kate Harper (Montgomery)
Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman (Northampton)
Professional Licensure
Republican: Rep. Julie Harhart (Lehigh)
Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw (Allegheny)
State Government
Republican: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (Butler)
Democrat: Rep. Mark Cohen (Philadelphia)
Tourism and Recreational Development
Republican: Rep. Dave Hickernell (Lancaster) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (Delaware)
Transportation
Republican: Rep. John Taylor (Philadelphia)
Democrat: Rep. William F. Keller (Philadelphia) - NEW
Urban Affairs
Republican: Rep. Scott Petri (Bucks) - NEW
Democrat: Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone (Berks) - NEW
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Republican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (Delaware)
Democrat: Rep. Christopher Sainato (Lawrence)
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