News
State Budget Headed to Governor Tom Corbett’s Desk
Just 3 hours and 10 minutes before the start of the new fiscal year, lawmakers in the state House of Representatives voted to approve a nearly $28.4 billion General Fund spending plan. That sends the budget to Governor Tom Corbett’s desk for his signature just before the clock strikes midnight. Earlier Sunday, the budget passed […]
Stevens Confirmed for Supreme Court
The state Senate has unanimously confirmed Judge Correale Stevens to take a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Stevens was nominated by Governor Tom Corbett to fill the seat of former Justice Joan Orie Melvin, who is currently appealing her conviction on corruption charges related to the use of taxpayer-funded staff for campaign purposes. Stevens’ […]
BLOG SERIES: The Gettysburg Campaign – June 30, 1863
In recognition of the approaching 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, PAMatters is sharing daily observations of noted historian Mark Nesbitt, who brings you the personal stories of the boys and men who were marching into history in the summer of 1863… Visit Mark’s blog at http://markvnesbitt.wordpress.com/ for more Gettysburg stories… June 30 Gettysburg […]
Why Republicans Need Democrats Today
Pension reform is on the back burner and a deal for the state budget appears to have been reached. That leaves alcohol privatization/expansion and transportation funding as the two remaining major issues lawmakers were planning to deal with before their summer break. (Yes, Medicaid expansion is also back on the table). It’s the transportation package […]
BLOG SERIES: The Gettysburg Campaign – June 29, 1863
In recognition of the approaching 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, PAMatters is sharing daily observations of noted historian Mark Nesbitt, who brings you the personal stories of the boys and men who were marching into history in the summer of 1863… Visit Mark’s blog at http://markvnesbitt.wordpress.com/ for more Gettysburg stories… June 29 Gettysburg […]
Under the (Capitol) Dome
The wheeling and dealing continues this weekend as House and Senate leadership try to get on the same page with each other and the governor’s office in setting up the new state budget and tackling other issues such as liquor sales expansion and transportation funding. Pension reform may be the odd issue out when the […]
Senate Inches Toward Liquor Reform
After months of hearings, public rhetoric and legislative wheeling & dealing, the state Senate passed an amendment to the House liquor expansion bill early this morning. Senate Republican Leader Dominic Pileggi says his amendment would allow beer distributors to sell wine and liquor, while also paving the way for convenience stores and gas stations, as […]
BLOG SERIES: The Gettysburg Campaign – June 28, 1863
In recognition of the approaching 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, PAMatters is sharing daily observations of noted historian Mark Nesbitt, who brings you the personal stories of the boys and men who were marching into history in the summer of 1863… Visit Mark’s blog at http://markvnesbitt.wordpress.com/ for more Gettysburg stories… June 28. Gettysburg […]
Radio PA Roundtable – June 28, 2013
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, the budget deadline looms! Lawmakers have until Sunday night to wrap up their spending plan and decide whether or not to address the major issues of transportation funding, alcohol privatization and pension reform. Also, amidst all the budget week hype, two state lawmakers knocked heads over the Supreme Court […]
Metcalfe vs. Sims: The Budget Week Undercard
State Representative Brian Sims is an openly gay member of the state House of Representatives, and on Wednesday he took to the House floor to speak about the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling invalidating key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). House members are granted the privilege of speaking on any subject they wish […]