January 9, 2015

Corbett Appoints Erik Arneson Director Of Office Of Open Records

Gov. Tom Corbett Friday announced the appointment of Erik Arneson as executive director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Arneson has served as communications and policy director for former Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi since 2005. In that role, he was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and the inception of the Office of Open Records (OOR).
"Erik's policy, legislative and communications skills are a perfect fit to lead Pennsylvania's efforts to maintain open and transparent government response to its citizenry," Gov. Corbett said. "He has been a fierce advocate for the public's right to know and I am confident that he will serve the commonwealth well."
Arneson was instrumental in the negotiation and passage of the Good Samaritan Law for drug overdoses and the state Library Code modernization. He also served as the spokesperson for Senator Pileggi and the Senate Republican Caucus.
He will serve a six-year term and until a successor is appointed and qualified. His salary will be $140,000 and is set by the executive board.
Arneson replaces Terry Mutchler, who served as executive director since the inception of the Office of Open Records and is leaving public service to pursue a career in the private sector. A lawyer and former journalist, she was appointed to a six-year term by former Gov. Ed Rendell.
"On behalf of the entire commonwealth, I thank Terry for her tireless efforts and dedication to the people of Pennsylvania," Gov. Corbett added. "Through her commitment to government openness and transparency, she has helped usher in a new age of government access. We are all better for it."
"I'm extraordinarily grateful for Governor Corbett's confidence in me, and I thank him for this appointment," Erik Arneson said. "I look forward to the challenge of leading the Office of Open Records. Terry Mutchler has done an amazing job of establishing the OOR as a strong, independent office. It has been an honor to work for Senator Pileggi, the architect of Pennsylvania's Open Records Law, over the past eight years. His commitment to transparency and open government is second to none."
"Erik has my 100 percent support," Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware County) said. "He is eminently qualified for the position, and this appointment is well deserved. I have no doubt that he will serve the citizens of Pennsylvania well in the critically important Office of Open Records. I also want to thank Erik for his service to the Senate over the past 18 years."
Arneson, a Temple University graduate, was a reporter prior to joining public service. In addition to his commonwealth service, Arneson is an accomplished columnist and fiction writer. He resides in Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County.
NewsClips:
Senate Aide To Head PA’s Open Records Agency
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Updated Senate, House Voting Schedule

The Senate and House both updated their voting schedules this week--
Senate
January 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28   
February 2, 3, 4, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25       
March 2, 3, 4
April 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13       
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30     
House
January 14 (non-voting), 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
February 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25
March 2, 3, 4, 30, 31
April 1, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
May 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
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January 8, 2015

Philly.com: Grand Jury Recommends Criminal Charges Against Attorney General Kane

Philly.com reported late Thursday the special prosecutor and grand jury investigating allegations that Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane leaked secret information to a newspaper have found evidence of wrongdoing and recommended that she be criminally charged, according to numerous people familiar with the decision.
The panel concluded that Kane violated grand-jury secrecy rules by leaking investigative material in a bid to embarrass political enemies, sources said.  Click Here to read the entire story.
NewsClip: Grand Jury Recommends Criminal Charges Against Kathleen Kane
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Corbett Accepts Long-Term Care Commission Report, Recommendations

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday announced his acceptance of the Long-Term Care Commission Report, which proposes recommendations and a strategic approach for improving the state’s long-term services and supports system for persons with disabilities and older adults.
"This report builds on the commitment of the Healthy Pennsylvania plan to ensure quality care for those who most need our help, including older Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvanians with disabilities," Gov. Corbett said. "I thank the secretaries of Human Services, Bev Mackereth, and Aging, Brian Duke, who served as co-chairs, as well as the commission members, advisors and public meeting participants for sharing their experiences and suggestions throughout this process.“The recommendations in this report form an effective strategy and foundation for strengthening Pennsylvania’s long-term care system."
Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest percentage of residents aged 60 years and older. There are 1.7 million Pennsylvanians with physical disabilities needing assistance in their communities. Both of these populations, including Pennsylvanians aged 85 and older, are expected to increase in the coming years.
The report was developed by the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Commission, which Governor Corbett created by executive order on Jan. 31, 2014. It reflects a consensus from commission members on how to respond effectively to meet the challenges involved in improving LTSS and identifies four recommendations with goals and strategies for implementation, including:
— Improve care coordination in the LTSS System by developing a coordinated, integrated demonstration program and conducting an analysis to identify and address service gaps and barriers.
— Improve service delivery by streamlining the Medical Assistance LTSS eligibility process, increasing education to promote personal planning for LTSS needs, expanding access to evidence-based health and wellness programs, increasing housing options, providing increased support to unpaid caregivers, and elevating the profession of direct care workers.
— Improve quality and outcomes in the LTSS System by adopting a uniform assessment for all LTSS levels of care and expanding Health Information Exchange and Electronic Health Record initiatives to providers.
— Make the LTSS system more fiscally sustainable by serving the greatest number of individuals, providing the Department of Human Services budget flexibility, and reviewing the LTSS rating setting and reimbursement systems for all providers.
"Research shows that nearly 70 percent of individuals who reached age 60 in 2012 are expected to need long-term care services at some point during their lifetime,” Secretary Duke said. “The commission looked carefully at ways to strengthen these services to help individuals obtain them in the most coordinated and effective manner. The resulting recommendations will guide Pennsylvania's leaders in improving the LTSS system for the benefit of those who rely upon it."
“I am proud of the work that the commission carried out in creating recommendations that will help some of our most vulnerable residents,” Secretary Mackereth said. “Each year the demand for Medicaid long-term care services continues to grow. The report will help us move forward in developing a more efficient system."
The commission, along with the departments of Aging and Human Services, conducted regional public meetings and gathered written comments to obtain expertise from organizations, subject-matter experts and caregivers in developing the final recommendations.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Long-Term Commission webpage.
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Gov.-Elect Wolf Names Pedro Cortes To State, Denise Smyler As General Counsel

Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf Thursday named two more cabinet choices—  Pedro Cortes as his nominee for Secretary of State and Denise Smyler as General Counsel.
“I am pleased that Denise and Pedro will be joining my administration,” said Gov.-Elect Tom Wolf. “Denise has a long record of excellence and experience working with multiple levels of government, and Pedro vastly improved operations at the Department of State during his previous tenure. Pedro’s experience will help me enhance the democratic process in our commonwealth and ensure Pennsylvanians can better exercise their right to vote and expediently file business documents. Each of these individuals will be an asset to my administration.”
The Senate will need to confirm the nomination of Cortes.
Pedro Cortés, a native of Puerto Rico, began his career in 1993 at the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. From 2003 to 2010, Pedro served as secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov. Edward G. Rendell, making him the first confirmed Latino cabinet member and longest serving secretary of state in Pennsylvania history.
Prior to being appointed secretary of the Commonwealth, Pedro served as executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs for three years beginning in March 2000.
Currently, Pedro is a partner with the law firm of Haggerty, Goldberg, Schleifer and Kupersmith. He holds a J.D. from Penn State Dickinson School of Law, M.P.A. from Penn State Harrisburg and B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts. Pedro currently resides in Harrisburg with his wife, Lissette Lizardi-Cortés, and their daughter, Gabriela.
Pedro Cortés is the longest serving secretary of state in Pennsylvania history. During his prior seven-year tenure, the department improved elections, reduced the processing time of business filings from 36 business days to one day, spearheaded the nation’s first statewide electronic notarization program, and reduced the time it took to review professional and occupation licensure complaints. He also has a proven record enfranchising voters.
Cortés was the first Pennsylvanian to become president of the National Association of Secretaries of State in the association’s 104 year history.
Denise Smyler is the founding attorney and owner of the Smyler Firm, which united with Wadud Ahmad and Joseph Zaffarese to form Ahmad, Zaffarese & Smyler, LLC in September 2013. In 2011, Mayor Michael Nutter appointed Denise to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Board. Mayor Nutter also picked Smyler to serve on the nominating panel for the Board of Property Assessment Appeals.
Previously, Denise worked as an assistant district attorney and as legal counsel to the Philadelphia Prison Commissioner before being appointed chief legal counsel to the Philadelphia Police Commissioner.
While serving as counsel to the Prison System and Police Department, Denise also advised and represented the city in State and Federal Court proceedings relative to labor matters and worked on drafting and negotiating contracts on behalf of city agencies. Denise has a degree from New York University and earned her J.D. from Georgetown University.
Denise Smyler has significant legal experience in government, serving as an assistant district attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office from 1987 to 1993. She was also the first woman to serve as counsel to the Philadelphia Police Department. Smyler founded and successfully operated a multi-attorney law firm concentrating in municipal finance matters and civil defense litigation for 16 years.
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