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Our Next “Ask the Governor” Program Is Scheduled for November 8th
Governor Tom Corbett will be back in our studio on November 8th to give us his post-election thoughts and weigh in on other issues, including your questions.
You can take part in our next program by clicking the “Ask the Governor” link at the top of this page and filling out the form with your brief question or comment. Video clips of the governor answering your questions will be posted here next month.
Resource Extraction Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
A mineral resources bill could provide a new revenue stream for the 14-universities in the State System of Higher Education. SB 367 is now awaiting the governor’s signature after clearing both the House and Senate. It would authorize mineral leases for more state-owned land, like prisons or state-owned universities.
“Currently the law only permits the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the Game Commission or Fish & Boat Commission to enter into such leases,” explains Senator Don White (R-Indiana), the bill’s prime sponsor.
The minerals the bill refers to could include everything from limestone to coal; but most importantly Marcellus Shale natural gas.
Governor Tom Corbett spoke out in favor of the concept on Radio PA’s Ask the Governor program, stressing that horizontal natural gas drilling allows for the wells to be thousands of feet off site – not right in the middle of a the university’s quadrangle.
“This will be beneficial to the student body, if we get tuition reduction, beneficial to the schools and to the State System of Higher Education,” Corbett explains.
Under White’s bill, money raised from the leasing of mineral rights at a state-owned university would be allocated as follows: 50% stays with the home university, 35% is distributed system-wide, and 15% would be used for tuition assistance across all 14-schools.
Ask the Governor Returns on October 3rd
Our next taping with Governor Tom Corbett is coming up on Wednesday, October 3rd. Please go to the “Ask the Governor” section of PAMatters.com to submit your question or comment for Governor Corbett. Please keep your questions or comments brief. Radio PA News Director Brad Christman reviews all questions before deciding whether or not to forward them to the Governor’s office for a reply during our program.
In the meantime, keep checking back for important news updates and more video with Governor Corbett.
PA Supreme Court to Hear Voter ID Arguments
Nearly a month after a Commonwealth Court judge rejected Voter ID opponents’ plea for a preliminary injunction, the state Supreme Court is prepping to hear oral arguments on appeal. Governor Tom Corbett has read Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson’s opinion, calling it well-reasoned. “His opinion would have to be in error for [the Supreme Court] to overturn it,” Corbett said on Radio PA’s Ask the Governor program.
With one justice currently suspended, the high court is comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans. Corbett believes they will make their decision based on the law, not partisanship. “That being said, as you know, if it’s three to three… then the opinion of Judge Simpson stands,” Corbett explained.
PCN will provide live coverage of Thursday’s session in Philadelphia per a recent broadcast agreement with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
As the state presses forward with voter education efforts and implementation of the Voter ID law, the NAACP is working to get people the photo IDs required to vote on Election Day through of series of statewide Voter ID clinics. “We try to help work through all the questions, provide the answers,” says Pennsylvania Civic Engagement Coordinator John Jordan.
Jordan says about 75% of the people who attend the clinics actually have a form of photo ID that meets the law’s requirements, but they are happy to identify and assist the other 25%. The NAACP opposes the Voter ID law and is participating in the lawsuit, but Jordan says the group’s outreach efforts will continue as long as necessary.
Complete details on what types of ID are to be accepted under the new law, and how to obtain one for free, can be found online.
Gov. Corbett sees no reason for confusion this November. “It has been in the newspapers, it has been on the radio, it has been on television, it has been on the Internet. If you don’t know that you need to show up with photo ID, than I don’t know where you’ve been.”