August 6, 2016

Saturday PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

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August 5, 2016

August 8 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Aug. 8 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Here are just a few of the headlines--
On Monday DEP issued its 2015 Annual Report on the Oil and Gas Regulatory Program which once again shows the number of violations by conventional oil and gas well drillers far exceeds the number of violations by unconventional (Marcellus and Utica Shale) drillers.
The report also shows a dramatic decrease in the number of new well permits issued by DEP (which affects revenue DEP needs to support its program), a decrease in the number of new wells drilled (which affects the revenue collected under the Act 13 drilling impact fees), and another increase in natural gas production.
Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Executive Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, issued this statement following the Department of Environmental Protection’s release of its draft Integrated Water Quality Report, which does not include a recommendation that the Lower Susquehanna River be declared an impaired waterway as it relates to the struggles of its smallmouth bass population.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Monday released a new report, Cumulative Water Use and Availability Study for the Susquehanna River Basin, which shows about 9 percent of the watersheds in the basin, almost all in Pennsylvania, show a potential for water use limitations and warrant further limitation.
The Foundation For PA Watersheds Wednesday called on Pennsylvanians to contact their member of Congress and urge them to support federal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase funding for mine reclamation projects that will lead to economic development in coal communities suffering the impacts of the recent downturn in the mining industry.
The legislation has been introduced by Kentucky Congressman Hal Rogers as HR 4456, the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More Act of 2016 or the RECLAIM Act of 2016.

The Foundation for PA Watersheds is accepting notices of intent to file a grant application, the first step in its grant making process, until August 15, with grant applications due September 19.
DEP Declares Drought Warning In Potter, Drought Watch For 34 PA Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday issued a drought watch declaration for 34 Pennsylvania counties and a drought warning declaration for Potter County following a meeting of the Commonwealth Drought Task Force where members evaluated recent data that indicate conditions for water supplies are continuing to deteriorate.

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority is proud to announce four students from Park Forest Elementary School Zero Waste Team in State College Area School District will be headed to the White House August 16 to receive the President's Environmental Youth Award.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Tuesday announced registration is now open for Keep America Beautiful’s K-12 Recycle Bowl Competition designed to invigorate student participation in recycling.  KPB encourages educators in Pennsylvania to get their students involved in this national competition.  Last year 12 schools were part of the competition in Pennsylvania.
The PA Environmental Council Thursday announced it has received a $20,000 grant from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund to complete feasibility assessments for three potential hydropower projects in Western Pennsylvania state parks.
For the second time in a week, volunteer firefighters from Pennsylvania have answered the call to battle wildfires raging in two Western states, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Friday.
The Grey Towers mansion in Milford, Pike County, is open for free, self-guided tours on August 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in honor of Gifford Pinchot’s 151st birthday.
To read the Digest, visit: www.PaEnvironmentDigest.com.  Click Here to print the entire Digest.
PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates.
Additional Tools--
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Questions?: Send email to David Hess at: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com
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Friday PA Capitol Digest NewsClips

I’ll Eat Rat Poison First: Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York) was very clear to PennLive.com about not voting for Hillary Clinton no matter what Trump says: "I'm not walking in and voting for Hillary. I'll start my car and leave the garage door down in my house before I do that. I'll eat rat poison first. I'm not voting for Hillary."
Bumsted: Single Juror Could Make Or Break Kane
McKelvey: The Final Days Of Kathleen Kane?
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August 4, 2016

Lehigh Valley Coca-Cola’s Joseph Brake Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From ArtsQuest Foundation

The Pennsylvania Beverage Association is pleased to extend its congratulations to Joe Brake, Vice President and General Manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of the Lehigh Valley, for being one of two recipients of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards from the ArtsQuest Foundation in Bethlehem
The other award winner is renowned artist Steven Tobin.
Brake will receive the Lifetime Achievement - Volunteer in the Arts Award honors during the Linny Awards celebration November 10, 6 p.m., at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem.
“I’ve known and worked with Joe for many years, and now as President of the Pennsylvania Beverage Association.  He has always been a very active supporter of community groups and events and works constantly to make a positive contribution to the Lehigh Valley,” said Tony Crisci, Legislative Counsel to the Pennsylvania Beverage Association.  “Under his leadership, Lehigh Valley Coca-Cola has also been recognized for its initiatives to promote recycling and reduce water consumption at its facility, which is a winner of the Wildlands Conservancy Ark Environmental Award.”
A longtime volunteer in the Lehigh Valley region, Joe Brake has been involved with numerous community, arts and cultural organizations for more than three decades.
Brake currently serves on the boards of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Charities and Best Inc. and as a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors.
He has also served as member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America - Minsi Trails Council, a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the boards of the Bach Choir, Lehigh Valley Partnership and the Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley.
Brake is the recipient of the Priscilla Payne Hurd Award from the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the Lehigh Valley PICPA Service Award from the LifePath Foundation and the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Boy Scouts of America – Minsi Trails Council.
He was the honorary chair of fundraisers and campaigns for the American Lung Association, the Bethlehem Rotary Club, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Pediatric Hospital “Gala in the Garden.”
He and his wife Mary Pat reside in Coopersburg and are the proud parents of two grown children, Dan and Kelly, and five grandchildren.
“As an artist and philanthropist, Linny Fowler had an immeasurable impact on the arts in our region and the Linny Awards are designed to recognize our thriving arts community, including our talented artists, arts educators, students and supporters of the arts,” says ArtsQuest Foundation Executive Director Jeff Parks. “Joe Brake and Steve Tobin are two individuals who truly embody the spirit of what these awards are all about – dedication and passion for the arts and our community.
“Joe has done so much for our region and inspired so many through his generosity and his volunteerism, while Steve has really helped place the Lehigh Valley on the map as a home for world-class artists, so we are truly honored to present these two men with our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards,” said Parks.
Tickets for the Linny Awards are on sale now. All proceeds from the event will go to support the nonprofit ArtsQuest Foundation, founded in 2002 by Mrs. Fowler.
For more information on the ArtsQuest Foundation and the Linny Awards, please visit the ArtsQuest Foundation website.
 The Pennsylvania Beverage Association represents bottlers, franchise companies and suppliers in the non-alcoholic beverage industry in the Commonwealth on issues pending before the General Assembly and executive agencies.
The Association also undertakes educational programs and builds partnerships on behalf of members on issues such as litter control, recycling and healthy diets.
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Gov. Wolf: 250,000 Pennsylvanians Have Registered To Vote Online

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced more than a quarter million Pennsylvanians have used the state’s new online voter registration (OVR) application to register to vote in less than a year since the system was launched.
OVR is one of multiple projects launched by Gov. Wolf to provide Commonwealth residents with more online tools that improve customer service and make interacting with state services easier.
“The primary goal of online voter registration is reduce the burden of participating in the electoral process and today’s announcement is a testament to the success and popularity of the online voter application launched under my administration,” Gov. Wolf said. “Putting more services online has been a priority of my administration as state government must be adaptive to consumer behavior. OVR both makes registering more convenient and reduces costs for county governments.”
As of this week, 251,171 Pennsylvanians have used register.votespa.com to register for the first time. A total of 445,475 total applications have been processed since August of last year when voter registration change applications are included.
“Back in August 2015 when OVR was launched in Pennsylvania, we were the 23rd state to introduce the online alternative to paper applications. Today, a year later, there are at least 32 jurisdictions including the District of Columbia offering online registration,” Secretary of State Pedro A. Cortés said. “OVR has proven to be a faster, more convenient and easier option than traditional paper registration. Whether registering for the first time or updating their voter records, Pennsylvanians are embracing OVR.”
The OVR site, launched in August 2015, can link to electronic signatures on file with the Department of Transportation. As of March 2016, registrants can also upload their signature with technology similar to that used by banks for mobile check deposit.
Pennsylvania’s OVR system is available in English and Spanish. The latest protocols in data security have been built into the system and are constantly monitored and updated.
The deadline to register to vote for the November general election is October 11.
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John J. Collins Named Director Of PA’s Office Of Medical Marijuana

Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy Thursday announced John J. Collins has been named director of the Office of Medical Marijuana.
Collins, who currently works in the Department of Health’s HIV Care Section, will assume his new role on August 8.
“I am pleased to announce the department has identified a highly qualified and skilled individual from among our own staff to serve as the Director of the Office of Medical Marijuana,” said Secretary Murphy. “Mr. Collins has an impressive record of executive leadership experience that will serve him well in his new role of overseeing the commonwealth’s high quality, efficient, and compliant medical marijuana program.”
Collins will be responsible for guiding the implementation of the state’s medical marijuana program, which is expected to be complete by early 2018.
“I am very proud to be chosen to lead such an important office,” said Collins. “My experience in a heavily regulated medical enterprise, market research and new product development, strategic planning, logistics, communications, and customer service is a perfect fit for the requirements of overseeing the implementation of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program. I am excited and eager to get to work on this medically-focused program that will help Pennsylvanians suffering from one of the 17 serious medical conditions outlined in Act 16.”
Collins recently joined the Department of Health in April and currently serves as a public health program assistant administrator in the Division of HIV Disease.
He is a certified allied health professional and holds an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Lindenwood University and also completed leadership training at the Wharton School, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, University of Pennsylvania.
Collins also has extensive executive experience in the private sector, most recently as chief operating officer for Triad Isotopes, Inc., in Orlando, Florida.
The medical marijuana program was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on April 17, 2016. Since that time, the Department of Health has:
-- Released public surveys to aid in the development of temporary regulations for growers/processors and dispensaries/laboratories;
-- Developed the Medical Marijuana Physician Workgroup and sent important information to physicians; and
-- Released a Request for Information for Seed to Sale IT solutions for the tracking of medical marijuana.
Once fully implemented, Pennsylvania residents under a physician’s care for the treatment of a serious medical condition, as allowed under Act 16, will be able to access medical marijuana in the Commonwealth.
For more information, visit the Department of Health’s PA Medical Marijuana webpage.  Questions about the medical marijuana program can be emailed to RA-DHMedMarijuana@pa.gov.
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F&M Poll: Clinton Leads Trump In PA 49 To 38 Percent

A new Franklin & Marshall Poll released Thursday has Clinton leading Trump 49 percent to 38 percent among likely voters. More registered Democrats support Clinton (78 percent) compared to registered Republicans who support Trump (69 percent).
Trump leads among those in the lowest income and education groups, those living in rural counties, self- described conservatives, and men.
Trump holds a sizable advantage among whites with a high school degree or less (53 percent  to 31 percent), but Secretary Clinton has a similar advantage among college-educated whites (58 percent to 28 percent).
Trump also has an advantage among white men (45 percent to 35 percent), but his advantage is dwarfed by Secretary Clinton’s lead among white women (57 percent to 29 percent).
NewsClips:
Clinton Swamps Trump In Latest F&M PA Poll
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