Sen. Toomey Brokers Deal to Close Gun Show Loophole

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Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey is at the forefront of a bipartisan deal to expand background checks on gun sales.  The amendment Toomey crafted with West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin would extend the instant background checks to gun shows and online gun sales.  Exemptions would remain for many individuals’ gun sales.    

While he’s already catching flak from some fellow Republicans and the NRA, Toomey says he is not swaying from his conservative views.  “I don’t think trying to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals is gun control,” Toomey told reporters on a late morning conference call.  “I think it’s common sense.” 

Pat Toomey (R-PA)

Pat Toomey (R-PA)

When the gun bill before the US Senate is formally considered, the Toomey/Manchin background check plan will be the first amendment taken up by the chamber.  However, it’s still unclear what will ultimately happen with the underlying bill or the amendment.    

Toomey says his expanded background checks plan protects 2nd Amendment Rights and explicitly bars the federal government from creating a gun registry.  He also maintains his opposition to an assault weapons ban. 

Just as details of the Toomey / Manchin plan were being unveiled in Washington DC, Wednesday, Democrats in Harrisburg unveiled their own plan for universal background checks in the Keystone State.

House Republicans’ “Marcellus Works” Bills on the Move

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The “Marcellus Works” package of bills is designed to spur job growth through the increased use of Pennsylvania’s home-grown natural gas, and the House Finance Committee has just advanced a series of tax credits for natural gas vehicle fleets, heavy-duty trucks and fueling stations. 

“With the high unemployment, we know that the Marcellus Shale industry – and now with the discovery of oil in this state – is a big plus for this Commonwealth,” state Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) told the committee.  “It is time for us to start using our own resources to benefit Pennsylvania citizens.” 

Saylor is the prime sponsor of HB 301, which would provide tax credits for companies that utilize natural gas in their vehicle fleets. 

Several Democrats on the Finance Committee voted in favor of the bills, but minority Chair Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) argued that corporate tax breaks do not pave the road to economic prosperity.  “We have gone way too far with this notion,” she says.  “This is trickle-down economics at its worst.” 

Up next for the tax credit bills is the state House, while five more “Marcellus Works” bills await possible Wednesday action in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Governor: 74 Jobs Coming to Pennsylvania from Brazil

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As Governor Tom Corbett continues his trade mission to Brazil and Chile this week, he has announced the expectation of 74 new jobs to be located in Chambersburg, Franklin County.

The governor used a roundtable meeting to disclose the plan by Brazilian company Wipro Infrastructure Engineering to open its first U.S.-based manufacturing facility. The company produces hydraulic cylinders, with one of its major customers being Volvo, a company which also recently relocated its North American headquarters to south-central PA.

Governor Corbett’s three-city, two-nation trip continues through April 16th. It is privately funded through the Team Pennsylvania Foundation. The governor is still on the first leg of his tour, in Sao Paulo. He’ll also visit Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, Chile.

A Renewed Push for Reform in Harrisburg

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A new package of reform legislation has been introduced at the state capitol, on the heels of the formation of a bipartisan, bicameral reform caucus.

If the goal is to be as transparent as possible, Republican state Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair) says there’s no reason not to pass the nine bills unveiled on Monday.  “We have a bigger push now than we’ve had since I’ve been here, six years,” Eichelberger said at a news conference in the capitol rotunda.  “It’s a pretty substantial push.” 

One of the nine bills would require public officials to disclose all gifts that exceed $50 in value, compared to the current $250 threshold.  Another bill would expressly prohibit a governor or a member of the governor’s administration from accepting gifts from anyone who does business with the commonwealth. 

Senator Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia), who’s leading this latest reform push alongside Eichelberger, believes the state capitol still has problems with its public image.  “Too often our current laws allow for the appearance, at least, of cozy relationships between special interests,” Stack says.  “It’s dispiriting and it erodes the public faith in what we’re trying to do here.” 

Stack acknowledges that the nine bills unveiled on Monday do not represent an exhaustive list of government reforms, but he believes they represent a good first step.

Radio PA Roundtable 04.05.13

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On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman brings you an interview with PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch and Matt Paul speaks with a supporter of legislation that would set minimum staffing standards for nurses in Pennsylvania hospitals.

Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week.

Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:

[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable04-05-13.mp3]
Marcellus Shale

State Announces Impact Fee Collections for 2013

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The state has tallied the amount of money coming in for the second year of the Marcellus Shale Impact Fee.  The number is not as high as the first year.

The state has collected 198 million dollars through the impact fee this year, about 6 million less than last year due mainly to the lower price of natural gas.

Payments for some wells are still being challenged by those producers. Any additional payments received from the disputed wells will be updated on the PUC’s website.

Governor Tom Corbett says the fee has now brought in more than 400 million dollars since it was enacted. He says Act 13, which implemented the fee, has played a key part in making sure that the industry grows safely and responsibly.

Next “Ask the Governor” Program Moved to April 29th

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The date for our next “Ask the Governor” program with Governor Tom Corbett, which was originally planned for April 25th, has been moved to Monday, April 29th. Click on the Ask the Gov link above to submit your question or comment for the governor today. Ask the governor about Medicaid expansion, transportation funding, the budget talks or any issue important to you.

Video links to archived Ask the Gov programs are available under the “Media” menu of PAMatters.com.

 

Equine Coalition Concerned About Drop in Slots Revenue at Racetrack Casinos

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Slot machine revenue at Pennsylvania’s casinos in March tallied the second highest monthly total since gaming began in the state, exceeding July of 2011. But a year to year comparison is thornier, because the highest month ever was March of last year. This year, slots were down 1.6%, with only Rivers Casino posting an increase.

Slots revenues at the state’s six racetrack casinos fell by more than 5 % last month according to the Pennsylvania Equine Coalition and that continues a downward trend that started last year. The coalition believes competition from neighboring states is playing a role.

Spokesman Pete Peterson says they believe Governor Corbett’s budget estimates for the Race Horse Development Fund are overly optimistic. He says they’re projecting less revenue for the fund, at the same time the Governor’s budget proposes using some of it for other budget needs next year.

Peterson says they’d also like to see the casinos put more effort into marketing the horse racing industry.

 

Gov. Corbett Talks Medicaid with Secretary Sebelius

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Governor Tom Corbett was in Washington DC, Tuesday evening, to talk Medicaid expansion with Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  Corbett has repeatedly said that he “cannot recommend Medicaid expansion at this time,” but he has never shut the door completely on the idea.

Under the Affordable Care Act the federal government is pledging to pick up 100% of the tab, for three years, if states opt-into an expanded Medicaid program that covers adults with incomes up to 133% of the federal poverty line.  The feds would then cover 90% of the costs in the out years. 

The move would make an estimated 800,000 more Pennsylvanians eligible for the taxpayer-funded health care program.  There is no deadline for states to make their decisions, but the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 27-governors have already come out in support of the expansion. 

Below you can read the entire statement released by Governor Tom Corbett following his meeting with Secretary Sebelius:

 

“We had a meaningful discussion around increasing access to affordable, quality health care in a way that would lessen the burden on the state’s taxpayers in the long-term,” Corbett said. “I want to thank the secretary for her time and attention to our questions.”

The meeting was intended to clarify information and answer additional questions that came up as a result of correspondence between the state and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on the topics of Medicaid expansion and the implementation of a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange in Pennsylvania.

Corbett reiterated his long-standing goal to increase access to affordable healthcare coverage options for Pennsylvanians, but made it clear that without meaningful reform of the Medicaid program expansion remains an unsustainable option for Pennsylvania taxpayers.

The governor sought answers to several key questions, including verification that the 100 percent federal match is available for the commonwealth.

He also requested information around using the private insurance market to expand coverage in Pennsylvania, similar to what Arkansas and Tennessee are pursuing, coupled with significant reforms to Pennsylvania’s current Medicaid program to protect the program for those citizens who need it the most.

“Until we know whether or not significant reform is possible, I continue to have concerns that Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program will be able to serve, in a sustainable manner, the approximately one in four Pennsylvanians that would be covered under a full expansion,” Corbett said.

Corbett indicated that he will await further information from HHS and that no further decisions will be made at this time.

Supporters Push Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Bills

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Pennsylvania hospitals would be required to meet minimum nurse-to-patient ratios under bills introduced in the state House and Senate.  The ratios would vary depending on the care setting, but supporters say they could both improve patient safety and save money in the long run. 

Inadequate staffing is the ultimate concern for Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) president Patty Eakin.  “Patients can suffer,” she tells Radio PA, “and suffering is not just dying but you might have medication errors made, you might have medications missed, treatments missed.”    

Eakin points to a 2010 study out of the University of Pennsylvania that indicates California’s mandatory minimum nurse-to-patient ratios are helping to save lives. 

But California is the only state to go down this road to date, and Pennsylvania hospitals have long opposed similar bills that have been introduced in the General Assembly. 

The Hospital & Health System Association of Pennsylvania says a one-size-fits-all policy ignores the many variables involved in determining safe staffing levels.  HAP also contends there’s no consensus on what nurse staffing levels should be or how to set them. 

This year SB 637 has been introduced by Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) and HB 923 has been introduced by Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne).  While similar bills have gone nowhere in Harrisburg, Eakin says giving up the fight is not an option. 

(photo credit: CDC / Judy Schmidt)