PA Capitol Digest Blog

December 17, 2012

Monday NewsClips

Editorial: DPW Secretary Should Live In PA
Lucrative Lottery Doesn’t Need A Fix
Editorial: Case For Hearings On Lottery Privatization
Renewed Focus On Repairs To Flood Damaged Roads, Bridges
Editorial: Childhood Obesity Is Declining
PennDOT Website Tries To Sell Public
Click Here for today's PA Environmental News

December 16, 2012

Sunday NewsClips

How Did Lawmakers Get Raises In Their Pensions?
Company Seeking To Privatize Lottery Has Delaware Base
Lottery Should Not Be Guinea Pig For Privatization
Editorial: Corbett Shouldn’t Expand Gambling Without Vote
Editorial: State Fumbles, Then Punts On Insurance Exchange
Bumsted: Bob Mellow You’re No Abe Lincoln
Judge OKs $18 Million Kids For Cash Settlement
Judge: Castle Doctrine Doesn’t Automatically Apply To Vehicles
Editorial: Penn State Board Operates Like 1855
Northeast Leads State In Special Education Litigation
After Death, Oversight Up At Philly Nursing Home
Gasoline Prices Will Soon Hit Lowest Point In 2012
Editorial: Harrisburg Debt Crisis Merits State, Federal Probe
Click Here for today's PA Environmental News

December 14, 2012

Dec. 17 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The Dec. 17 PA Environment Digest is now available. Click Here to print entire Digest.

State Performance Report Shows Over 12 Point Drop In Environmental Compliance

Budget Secretary Charles B. Zogby Wednesday released the 2011-12 Report on State Performance. The report reviews the activities of 30 Commonwealth agencies, providing details on their challenges and accomplishments as they work to improve the lives of Pennsylvania's citizens.
Overall the report examines the Commonwealth’s performance in the areas of education, economic development, health and human services, the environment, public safety, consumer protection and government efficiency.

By outlining agencies’ key objectives and presenting measurable results in dozens of different categories, the report evaluates state government's ongoing efforts to deliver quality services to its citizens.

“The Report on State Performance clearly outlines how effectively we are serving the residents of Pennsylvania and how efficiently these services are being delivered,” Secretary Zogby said. “As the Commonwealth contends with increasing cost pressures on the budget, it is important that state agencies can measure success and demonstrate our fiscal responsibility.”

Environmental Agency Performance
The report shows the percentage of sites in full compliance with environmental regulations enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection dropped 12 percentage points since 2001, from 89.9 percent in 2001 to 77.71 percent in 2011-12 performance report and lower than in 2009-10 at 78.75 percent.
At the same time, the report said the percentage of inspections with violations increased by 0.6 percent-- 14.9 percent to 15.51 percent, and higher than in 2009-10 at 15.03 percent.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported a 10,428 acre drop in the number of land acquired through fee simple acquisition or easements for conservation purposes, from 17,405 last year to 6,977 in 2011-12 and less than in 2009-10 at 11,936 acres.
DCNR did see a $2.3 million increase in Community Conservation Partnership Grants awarded in 2011-12-- $29.1 million to $31.4 million, which was more than in 2009-10 at $25.3 million.
With the FY 2012-13 General Fund budget investments in environmental protection and restoration programs have been cut over $1.7 billion over the last 10 years, starting with the record cuts and staff furloughs by Gov. Rendell in each year of his administration.

Gov. Rendell's share of these cuts/diversions is $1.4 billion. Gov. Corbett's share is $314.7 million, so far.

In terms of General Fund appropriations, DEP's budget in FY 2002-03 was $728.2 million, in the FY 2012-13 budget it was $124.8 million, below 1994 funding levels.

DEP's authorized complement is now below 2,759, down from 2,770 last fiscal year and significantly reduced from the 3,211 in FY 2002-03. DCNR's complement is now below 1,375, down from 1,389 last year and 1,391 in FY 2002-03.
The FY 2009-10 budget cuts required DEP and DCNR to furlough or eliminate 333 full time positions and DCNR had to eliminate or reduce hours for 1,131 seasonal workers. The FY 2012-13 budget included a reduction of at least 14 positions in DCNR and 11 positions in DEP, but no furloughs.

DEP Publishes Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule For 2013

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice on the 2013 meeting schedule for its advisory committees and boards on December 15 (PA Bulletin page 7608). Included on the schedule are meeting dates for--

Agricultural Advisory Board
Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee
Citizens Advisory Council
Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board+Vapor Intrusion, Technical Manual Work Groups
Climate Change Advisory Committee
Coal and Clay Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund Board
Coastal Zone Advisory Committee
Environmental Justice Advisory Board
Environmental Quality Board
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee
Mine Families First Response and Communications Advisory Council
Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board
Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board
Radiation Protection Advisory Committee
Recycling Fund Advisory Committee
Sewage Advisory Committee
Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Storage Tank Advisory Committee
Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment
Water Resources Advisory Committee
State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater System Operators

No 2013 meeting dates have been set yet for these DEP committees/boards--

Board of Coal Mine Safety
Chesapeake Bay Advisory Committee
Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee
Statewide Water Resources Advisory Committee
Regional Water Resources Committees
Small Water Systems for Technical Assistance Center
State Board for the Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers

Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.

Friday NewsClips

Departing Lawmakers Reap Pension Benefits
Summer Trial Likely On Voter ID Law
State Voter ID Law Is Far From Resolved
Voter ID Trial Could Start In July
Op-Ed: GOP Leaders Drive Away Voters
Taxpayers Pay For DPW Secretary’s Commute To Rhode Island
DPW Secretary Raps Health Care Law
Editorial: PA Opts For No State Control On Health Exchange
Editorial: Two Wrongs On Health Exchange Can’t Be Right
Corbett Announces Modernization Of PA Infrastructure
Corbett Promises Fund Plan For Transit, Roads
Rendell Denies Interest In U.S. Transportation Secretary Post
Report: PA Lottery Would Make Millions For Company
Editorial: McCord: Hold Those Cards
Forum On Cuts To Programs For Developmentally Disabled
One In 6 Philly Schools Could Close
School Employee With Criminal Record To Keep Job
Editorial: Hit Delete Button On Cyber School Funding
Report: PA Needs To Do More To Fight Obesity, Smoking
Hurricane Slows Delta’s Refinery Plans
Reduced Horse Racing Days At Erie Track
Peduto Declares For Mayor In Pittsburgh
Click Here for today's PA Environmental News

December 13, 2012

Thursday NewsClips

Corbett Rejects State Health Insurance Exchange
Health Insurance Exchange Off Table
Lawyers To Discuss Next Step In Voter ID Case
Editorial: So Much For Corbett’s Transparency
McCord Wants To Review Lottery Privatization Contract
State Law Could Prohibit Treasurer Paying Private Lottery Firm
McCord Won’t Pay Lottery Privatization Firm
Unions, Seniors Sound Off Against Privatizing Lottery
PA, NJ Unlikely To Pass Right-To-Work Laws
Court Orders Look At Contested Mental Health Plan
PA Prison Population Levels Off
Op-Ed: Homeowners Need Property Tax Relief
State Deems HBG Schools In Financial Recovery
Chamber Presidents Resigns From HBG Finance Committee
Folmer Bill Would Appoint Special Prosecutor On HBG Debt
State Report Shows 12 Point Drop In Environmental Compliance
Click Here for today's PA Environmental News