News
New Legislative Maps Still in Limbo
The Legislative Reapportionment Commission has met for the first time since the state Supreme Court threw out its 2011 redistricting plan. No votes were taken and the proceedings lasted only minutes before Chairman Stephen McEwen recessed the meeting until next Tuesday. “It has come close, we’re not there yet,” McEwen said of the legislative leaders’ […]
State-Related Universities Plead Their Budget Cases
State-related universities saw near 20% cuts in state support last year. The governor imposed a 5% budget “freeze” mid-year, and Penn State, Pitt and Temple face proposed 30% cuts next fiscal year. “In certain respects, what we’re seeing is the dismantling of a long, long commitment by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to public higher education,” […]
Pennsylvania Environmental Group links Weather Disasters to Global Warming
2011 was a record year for weather disasters and Pennsylvania did not go untouched. A new report from PennEnvironment says more than 9 out of 10 Pennsylvanians live in counties affected by federally-declared weather disasters since 2006, from flooding to winter storms. It points some of the blame at global warming. David Masur, Director of […]
Online Purchases Dominate Revenue Department Budget Hearing
E-commerce has muddied the waters of an already complex tax code here in the Keystone State, and Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser did his best to clear things up during Appropriations Hearings on Tuesday. There’s some overlap between two big Department of Revenue priorities in 2012. First, the state is compelling online retailers with a physical […]
Allegheny College to Award “Prize for Civility”
The inaugural Allegheny College Prize for Civility in Public Life will be awarded today at the National Press Club in Washington DC. Allegheny College President James Mullen says it was founded as a way to help restore civility in politics. “As we have looked at American politics we have seen, as everyone else has, the […]
Commownealth Foundation says Pennsylvania’s Public Welfare Spending is Unsustainable
A new report from the Commonwealth Foundation calls Pennsylvania’s welfare system unsustainable and says it’s hurting those in need. Elizabeth Stelle, policy analyst for the Foundation, says spending is growing faster than the economy and exceeding education appropriations. Stelle says the report is not about attacking the poor; it’s about preserving benefits for the truly […]
Bipartisan Panel Studies PA Lottery Fund
The Legislative Budget & Finance Committee has released the first comprehensive study of the Pennsylvania Lottery in 18-years. The study focused on the relationship between the Lottery Fund and the programs it supports for older Pennsylvanians. The study points out the rapid growth that’s expected in Pennsylvania’s senior citizen population. For instance, seniors are expected […]