October 1, 2015

State Collected $2.7 Billion In Tax Revenue During September

Pennsylvania collected $2.7 billion in General Fund revenue in September, bringing fiscal-year-to-date collections to $6.7 billion, Secretary of Revenue Eileen McNulty reported Thursday.
In September 2014, the state collected $2.6 billion in revenue.
Sales tax receipts totaled $783 million for September, bringing the category’s year-to-date total to $2.5 billion.
Personal income tax revenue for the month was $1.2 billion, bringing the year-to-date total to $2.8 billion.
Corporation tax revenue was $517.9 million for the month, bringing the year-to-date total to $650 million.  
Inheritance tax revenue was $71.5 million for the month, bringing the year-to-date total to $228 million.
Realty transfer tax revenue was $36.2 million for the month, bringing the year-to-date total to $136.8 million.
Other General Fund tax revenue – including cigarette, malt beverage, liquor, and table games taxes – totaled $121.5 million in September, bringing the year-to-date total to $351.5 million.
Non-tax revenue totaled $23 million for the month, bringing the year-to-date total to $80.4 million.
In addition to the General Fund collections, the Motor License Fund received $223.6 million for the month. Fiscal year-to-date collections for the fund – which includes the commonly known gas and diesel taxes, as well as other license, fine and fee revenues – total $676.7 million.
September collection data does not include a comparison against anticipated amounts because monthly revenue estimates are not yet finalized.

PennDOT Accepting Applications For Multimodel Projects Oct. 3

PennDOT announced Thursday it will begin accepting applications on October 3 for funding transportation improvement projects under the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
“The fund allows us to assist communities with needed transportation improvements that otherwise may not move forward,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “This process represents an opportunity for worthwhile local projects to secure the support needed to come to fruition.”
PennDOT will evaluate the applications and make selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.
The Multimodal Fund was created by Act 89, enacted in November 2013, Pennsylvania’s far-reaching transportation funding plan. The fund addresses road and bridge projects. Also through the fund, transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian and bicycle modes obtained dedicated sources of funds for the first time, putting the modes on a firmer footing for future initiatives.
PennDOT has $40 million in grants available for fiscal year 2016-17. Applications are due by December 18, 2015. PennDOT expects to announce grant recipients early next year for the funding that becomes available in July 2016.
For more information, visit PennDOT’s Multimodal Program webpage.

Attorney General Kane Charged With Additional Perjury, Related Crimes

The Tribune Review reported Thursday the Montgomery County District Attorney filed an additional charge of perjury and related crimes against Attorney General Kathleen Kane.  Kane will have to report to District Court for arraignment on these charges and to set bail.  Click Here for the full story.

House Judiciary Committee Moves Bill To Create Commerce Court

The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday amended and reported out House Bill 323 (Grove-R-York) creating a Commerce Divisions within the PA Superior Court.
“By establishing these specialty divisions, Pennsylvania takes an important step for growing our economy,” said Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin), Majority Chair of the Committee.  “It has been proven that businesses locate their operations based off the integrity, efficiency and predictability of the legal system.”
This legislation is modeled after the successful Commerce Case Management Program in Philadelphia.  The creation of this specialty division within the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia fostered a specialty amongst judges hearing commerce cases.  
Over the last decade the result has been effective, efficient and predictable rulings from Philadelphia judges on complex business cases. Commerce Courts at the local level are not isolated to Philadelphia, as other CCPs have established Commerce Courts to handle complex business cases within their jurisdiction.    
This legislation promotes the same specialization at the state level.  
These business cases include corporate acquisitions, mergers, dissolution, liquidations or other matters concerning corporations, limited liability companies, trusts, sole proprietorships and corporate partnerships.
“Obviously, there will be instances where companies may not agree with court rulings. However, by creating a transparent and efficient process that business owners can rely on, more job creators will open their business in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Marsico.  “The result of the improvement in our legal system is not only more Pennsylvania businesses, but more Pennsylvania jobs.”
A sponsor summary of the bill is available.

Gaming Board Releases 2014-15 Annual Report

The Gaming Control Board Thursday released its 2014-2015 Annual Report.  In addition to an encapsulation of statewide and per casino gaming revenue generated during the fiscal year, the report also highlights:
-- Breakdowns of slot machine and table game tax revenue for each casino including amounts distributed through the Local Share Fund to counties and municipalities that host a casino;
-- Reports  and pertinent statistical figures from all of the Gaming Control Board's key bureaus;
-- A list of all Board meetings and Executive Sessions held during the fiscal year;
-- Revenue and expenditures during the fiscal year by the Gaming Control Board, along with breakdowns of employment at the agency by bureau and by minority and gender representation; and,
-- A report on the Gaming Control Board's efforts in citizen outreach.
A copy of the report is available online.

Thursday NewsClips

Click Here  for Today's PA Environmental News