News
Lawmakers Make Case for Gun Safety Measures
Three Democratic state representatives say there’s more willingness to discuss gun safety measures after the Connecticut elementary school shooting. Citing gun violence statistics, Representative Ron Waters (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) is again calling for a number of new laws designed to improve gun safety. Emphasizing that point, Waters says they want to dispel the idea they’re calling for […]
No Medicaid Expansion, Corbett Seeks Reform
Pennsylvania will not pursue an expanded Medicaid program until the federal government reforms the system. Governor Tom Corbett made his intentions known during Tuesday’s budget address before the General Assembly. “We cannot afford to expand a broken system,” Corbett announced. “Right now, without expansion, the cost to maintain our current Department of Public Welfare programs […]
Pension Reform Could Drive Budget Debate
Perhaps the most controversial piece of Governor Tom Corbett’s $28.4-billion dollar state budget is the call for public pension reform. The administration has penciled in $175-million dollars worth of savings next year, pending legislative action on the issue. They say reforms would also free up nearly $140-million for the state’s 500 school districts. “The reality is […]
Governor Tom Corbett Proposes 2.4% Spending Increase for 2013-2014
Governor Tom Corbett has presented his general fund budget proposal for the 2013-2014 fiscal year that begins on July 1st. He calls it a balanced budget with no tax increases. Corbett’s plan calls for the state to spend $678.76 million more than it has in the current budget, an increase of 2.4%. In his budget […]
Pennsylvania Revenues Come in Below Estimate for January
State revenue collections fell short of estimates last month, according to the Pennsylvania Departmetn of Revenue. January revenue collections were off slightly as the state collected almost 19 million dollars less than anticipated, a difference of eight-tenths of a percent. Still, boosted by December’s better than expected performance, the fiscal year to date General Fund […]
Gov. to Seek Level Funding for Higher Education
With Governor Tom Corbett’s commitment to level-fund higher education in the new fiscal year, state-owned and state-related university officials are pledging to keep any tuition hikes as low as possible. “This agreement, this working together, will allow our schools to better plan their budgets for the coming year and make the best use of their […]
Radio PA Roundtable 02.01.13
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman & Matt Paul bring you the governor’s plan to privatize liquor sales in Pennsylvania and the reaction from opponents of the plan. Also, a fight over cyber charter school funding… Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the […]
Battle Lines Being Drawn Over Liquor Privatization
The details of the plan may be new, but the arguments for and against liquor privatization are perennially similar. “This is an agency that makes money, that continues to make more money every year,” UFCW Local 1776 President Wendell Young IV said while questioning the logic behind dismantling the state store system. The UFCW, which […]
Governor Corbett Lays Out Liquor Privatization Plan
Governor Tom Corbett wants to transition Pennsylvania out of the liquor business over a four year period and use the proceeds for education. The privatization plan would change the distribution of liquor from the wholesale to retail levels. During the phase in, the governor expects the plan to generate one billion dollars, which would be […]
Environmental Groups Unveil Guidelines for Lawmakers
A coalition of five, statewide environmental groups has created a series of guidelines they want lawmakers to follow this session. “We’ve outlined five issues we think are likely to appear before the legislature in some fashion during the year, and wanted to give them an early opportunity to understand what it means to be in […]