News
Some Lawmakers Want to Abolish Turnpike Commission
It’s not the first time someone in Harrisburg has called for abolishing the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, but this plan comes on the heels of a grand jury corruption indictment. House Bill 1197 would transfer all Turnpike operations to PennDOT. A new Bureau of Toll Administration would be created, with a deputy secretary to oversee it. […]
Hearing Probes PA Judges’ Mandatory Retirement Age
Lawmakers are mulling possible changes to the mandatory retirement age for the state’s judges, and a House Judiciary subcommittee heard from all sides of the issue on Thursday. The focus of the hearing was HB 79, which would change the constitutional age limit on PA judges from 70 to 75. The current judicial age restriction […]
Toomey Responds to Senate Vote on Background Checks
Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Pat Toomey issued the following statement following the rejection by the Senate of the Manchin-Toomey amendment on background checks: “I did what I thought was the right thing for our country. I sought out a compromise position that I thought could move the ball forward on an important matter of public safety. […]
US Senate Rejects Background Checks Amendment
54-senators voted in favor of the bipartisan background check amendment; 46 opposed it. That’s short of the 60-vote threshold required to advance the measure, which was the work of Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin. You can read the entire statements released by Sen. Toomey and the NRA’s Chris W. Cox […]
PA Senate Passes Three Good Government Bills
A trio of good government bills went before the state Senate, Wednesday, and all three were approved unanimously. The highest-profile measure would allow for online voter registration, making Pennsylvania the 17th state to offer the option. “For the health of democracy, elections should be run as smoothly as possible,” ACLU of Pennsylvania legislative director Andy […]
The Eastern Sports & Outdoors Show: Brought to You by….the NRA?
The National Rifle Association was selected from more than a dozen other bidders to run the next incarnation of the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show in Harrisburg starting in 2014. The three-year deal comes after organizers cancelled the event in February following a decision by the England-based former organizers to ban the display of military-style assault […]
Transportation Chair Unveils New Funding Plan
A newly proposed transportation funding package uses Governor Tom Corbett’s plan as a baseline, then goes even further. In February, Governor Corbett outlined a plan that would raise $1.8-billion dollars annually by year five. Tuesday, Senate Transportation Chairman John Rafferty unveiled legislation that would generate $2.5-billion by year three. Both proposals would uncap the Oil […]
President Issues Proclamation on Boston Terror Attack
The following was released by the White House Tuesday… For Immediate Release April 16, 2013 HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – – – – – – – BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts […]
Shock and Horror in Boston
Pennsylvania was well represented at Monday’s Boston Marathon, and Keystone Staters were among those ducking for cover and fleeing the finish line area when two bombs were detonated. At least three people have been killed, more than 140 injured. Jo Rupp is a former Millersville University runner from York County. The now-Pittsburgh resident was separated […]
Auditor General Says Business Owe Millions In Corporate Taxes
In rolling audits of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale says they’ve found that Pennsylvania is owed more than 40 million in underpaid corporate taxes. At the same time, the state owes businesses over 5 million from over payments. DePasquale says it’s not a new problem. The audits have been finding a […]