Sunday, February 10, 2013
Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget ties sale of state liquor system to a $1 billion grant for school safety, early education programs, individualized learning and science/math programs.
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 budget, which he presented Feb. 5, contains an interesting cocktail that mixes the sale of the state's liquor system with funding of a public schools grant. Under his proposal, $1 billion obtained by the proposed privatization of the state's liquor sales would be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant that would focus on school safety; enhanced early education programs; individualized learning; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. The $1 billion in revenue to fund that grant will come from the three- to four-year process of selling the Liquor Control Board: $575 million from the wholesale license process, $224 million from the Wine and Spirits retail …
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Democrats voice concerns while Republicans lend support for Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget.
Western Pennsylvania Democrats had some harsh words for Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 state budget, which he presented Tuesday, while state Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason called the governor's plan a "balanced and responsible budget that reinvests in Pennsylvania." “The plan presented by the governor is disappointing,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills. “It was long on politics but short on solutions.” State Rep. Erin Molchany, a newly elected Democrat serving South Hills communities said the governor’s "Band-Aid budget does little to make up for the hurt this state has felt from his deep cuts." State Rep. Robert Matzie, a Democrat representing the Sewickley area, said: “New Jersey has Chris Christie as …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The governor has raised funding in some areas but at least some opponents don't feel the budget addresses important issues.
Gov. Tom Corbett delivered highlights of his proposed 2013-14 budget in a speech before the state Legislature on Tuesday morning. The $28.4 billion state budget plan, a 2.4 percent increase over this year, includes no general tax increases. In one of the most controversial areas, Corbett recommended against expanding Medicaid, as provided for under the Affordable Health Care Act. Corbett plans to ask the federal government for flexibililty to let Pennsylvania customize the health insurance program for its needs or have the state reject the Medicaid expansion. Under the act, also known as Obamacare, Medicaid could expand to cover people earning up to 133 percent of the poverty level and provide coverage for upwards of 600,000 uninsured …
Friday, December 28, 2012
The governor is expected to join supporters who aim to prevent the closure of the base in Moon Township.
Gov. Tom Corbett will speak today at the Moon Township-based 911th Airlift Wing, urging lawmakers to prevent a closure of air base. Corbett will speak at 10 a.m. at the base, according to the governor's press office. He is expected to announce his support for keeping the Air Force Reserve base open amid continued efforts by the military to close the installation. The Air Force has targeted the base for closure as a cost-cutting measure. More than 1,100 reservists and 300 civilian personnel would be impacted by the potential closure.
Friday, November 9, 2012
State officials release terms for the potential agreement—which calls for a $150 million upfront payment to the state—in an announcement today.
The state Department of Revenue on Friday announced key terms of a potential private management agreement for the Pennsylvania Lottery. Such an agreement would turn over some unspecified duties of managing the lottery to a private company, which would pay the state up front but then would be compensated for its work. State officials earlier this year began looking at privatizing the lottery as a way of maximizing its revenue. According to a release, key terms of the agreement would include: Now that the scope and terms of a management contract have been determined, a multi-agency team is exploring private management and is reviewing the business plans of qualified bidders. Those business plans will include each qualified bidder’s proposal …
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The budget was enacted with just minutes to spare from the Saturday midnight deadline.
For the second year in a row, Gov. Tom Corbett beat a midnight deadline and signed a state budget that includes no new taxes. "Hopefully we're developing a habit, and I think the Pennsylvania citizens will appreciate that habit of on time," Corbett said after the signing ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda. The final $27.66 billion budget package includes several significant victories for the Corbett administration, including a tax incentive aimed at luring a Shell Oil Co. plant to Beaver County, a measure to alter how teachers are evaluated, and a proposal to tame rising prison costs through targeted sentencing, the Post-Gazette reported. The spending plan, approved by the House on Thursday and the Senate late Friday, maintains funding at …
Saturday, June 30, 2012
The final version was $500 million higher than Gov. Corbett's proposed budget.
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a nearly $27.66 billion state spending plan by a 32-17 vote late Friday, the Harrisburg Patriot-News is reporting. The budget is $500 million higher than Gov. Tom Corbett's initial proposal, according to the Post-Gazette. Other parts of budget package will still need to be acted on by the state House and Senate. The state House approved the budget on Thursday. The budget still requires action by Gov. Tom Corbett for final approval. The plan requires no increase in taxes or new taxes. It maintains funding at current year levels for public universities and most school districts, but some fiscally struggling districts received a little extra money, the Patriot-News reported. It cuts funding for human services by…
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
An impact fee and environmental safeguards among the proposals announced Monday.
Gov. Tom Corbett today announced plans to implement numerous recommendations of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, including changes to enhance environmental standards, an impact fee, and a plan to help move Pennsylvania toward energy independence. “This natural resource will fuel our generating plants, heat our homes and power our state’s economic engine for generations to come,” Corbett said in a statement. “This growing industry will also provide new career opportunities that will give our children a reason to stay here in Pennsylvania. We are going to do this safely and we’re going to do it right, because energy equals jobs.” As a result of the public Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission meetings, there is now a "sensible and fair…
Friday, August 26, 2011
The announcement was made Friday in advance of inclement weather expected from Hurricane Irene.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Friday, August 26, 2011
Although local forecasts call for a sunny weekend, Gov. Tom Corbett Friday declared a statewide disaster emergency to enable state, county and municipal governments to respond effectively to the impact of Hurricane Irene, a massive storm expected to impact much of the eastern half of the state. The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary to cope with this emergency situation. Corbett issued the disaster proclamation this morning after meeting with Glenn Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and other emergency officials at their headquarters in Harrisburg. “We are urging all Pennsylvanians to take action now to be prepared,’’ Corbett said in a statement. “…
Joseph
1:47 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I've been involved. I've seen the beast first hand. The only way to change it is to become a part of the special interest groups or run for office to diffuse the special interest groups (good luck winning an election without the support of special interest groups). more ›