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, 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 …
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone thanked Gov. Tom Corbett recently for signing several pieces of legislation into law—ones he said will help law enforcement efforts, especially those regarding drugs.
Washington County District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone thanked Gov. Tom Corbett recently for signing several bills into law that he said will help local law enforcement catch up with technology and criminals. “As district attorney of Washington County, keeping the law current and reflective of modern day realities is essential to public safety. These new laws will help ensure fairness and balance in the criminal justice system by keeping up with technology, criminals and remaining ever vigilant in protecting the rights of victims," Vittone said. He continued: "I am particularly thankful to see passage of a statute which provides for criminal responsibility for individuals who deal or provide a dangerous drug to someone who then dies from …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The Pennsylvania governor told the Associated Press he "hopes the case helps people recognize that everyone has an obligation to report child sex abuse."
More than four hours after the Freeh report was made public Thursday, Gov. Tom Corbett refused to comment on the matter, but spoke to the Associated Press regarding a former probe conducted partially under his watch during his own tenure as attorney general—defending it. Corbett, who refused to comment on the most recent investigation because he hadn't read it yet, said he hopes the case helps people recognize that everyone has an obligation to report child sex abuse, according to AP as reported by PennLive. In defense of the probe that began under his watch as AG, he told the AP it took "a monster" off the street. Later, he said he will work to ensure that Penn State administrators and trustees implement recommendations contained in the …
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A TEACH (Tell Everyone All Cuts Hurt) representative from Steel Valley School District takes a look at the state budget priorities.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Hey, Taxpayer, While you were out trying to avoid heatstroke this summer, your state government actually did something. The Pennsylvania Legislature passed another one of those pesky budgets determining exactly what your taxes have bought you this year. I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind paying taxes if I get a good return on my investment. And what better investment than our children, our future? I’m speaking, of course, about public education. So was this a good return? Let’s see: GOOD NEWS PA. BUDGET PASSED HIGHER THAN GOVERNOR WANTED: Last year, the legislature cut $818 million from public schools—especially the poorest ones. This year, the Gov. Corbett wanted $94 million in additional cuts, but instead the legislature voted to …
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…
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Do you support Gov. Tom Corbett's proposal to give Shell Oil a $1.65 billion tax break?
Gov. Tom Corbett wants to give Shell Oil tax credits worth $1.65 billion over 25 years so the company will build a refinery in western Pennsylvania to capitalize on the Marcellus Shale natural gas boom, according to Businessweek. Corbett says the deal could help reinvigorate manufacturing in Pennsylvania and create jobs locally. Critics say Shell would probably bring its business to the state without the tax incentives. Corbett has also been criticized for cutting social service and school funding. Shell is the world's second largest company by revenue and made profits of $31 billion last year.
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 ›