Entries by PAMatters
House Majority Proposes Charter, Cyber Charter Funding Changes
The cyber school funding formula is at the center of the latest charter school debate in Harrisburg. House Republicans unveiled a package of bills on Friday, which would allow school districts to make four additional deductions when calculating payments to cyber charter schools. “Our children are being treated as second-class citizens in the education world, […]
Corbett Confident in NCAA Lawsuit
Responding to a listener question on Radio PA’s Ask the Governor program, Tom Corbett expressed confidence that he will win the antitrust lawsuit he filed against the NCAA earlier this month. Governor Corbett is asking the federal courts to throw out the NCAA sanctions imposed on Penn State in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. […]
Treasurer Might Not Sign Off On Lottery Payments to Private Manager
The State Attorney General is still reviewing a deal to give management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a private firm. The state Treasurer is also doing his own review. Treasurer Rob McCord says he’s still weighing whether his department will cut checks to the new lottery management firm even if Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s office […]
Radio PA Roundtable 01.25.13
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman & Matt Paul have a preview of Governor Tom Corbett’s budget address, which is set for February 5th. Also, Franklin & Marshall College political science professor Terry Madonna looks ahead to President Obama’s 2nd term, and we’ll recap this week’s legislative hearing on the planned closure of two state prisons in western PA. Radio […]
Anti-Bullying Legislation Would Provide for Clearer Definitions, Procedures
A state representative has reintroduced an anti-bullying measure called the PASS act. The bill is aimed at prevention and increasing the reporting of incidents. Representative Dan Truitt’s (R-Chester) bill would require would require the state to develop a model policy to more clearly define bullying and what should be done in response. Schools could adopt […]
Merit Selection Would End Statewide Judicial Elections
The latest push for the merit selection of Pennsylvania judges comes as suspended state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin stands trial on a series of campaign corruption charges. “[Melvin’s trial] should be Exhibit A on why we need a system of choosing judges that doesn’t involve partisan campaign practices and judicial fundraising,” Pennsylvanians for […]
Next Voter ID Battle Set
Perhaps the biggest political battle of the 2012 election year wasn’t over a statewide office or seat in Congress; it was Voter ID. Ultimately no Pennsylvania voter was required to show photo identification at the polls last November, but the legal battle is far from over. A new scheduling order from Commonwealth Court Judge Robert […]