Public Radio Capitol News

GOP unsure about Rendell's new cuts

2009-06-11T08:03:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell says he’s decided on an additional half-billion dollars worth of cuts to his original budget, but he’s waiting until next week to announce them.

He’ll share the details with his cabinet in the coming days, and then release the figures.

House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says he doubts Rendell is interested in meeting the GOP halfway, and he’s skeptical the governor’s cuts will be substantial.

"Why can’t he come out today? Why can’t he come out right now and let the people of Pennsylvania know what he supports and what he doesn’t? And further, exactly specify to everybody how he intends to fund—I mean, right now it’s still a 29 billion dollar budget. How will he fund it?"

There’s roughly 1.5 billion dollars separating the Senate Republican budget rejected by the House Appropriations Committee this week, and the 29 billion dollar spending plan Rendell announced in February.

The majority of debate at the Capitol this week has centered around the need for a personal income tax hike, which some Democrats are supporting.

Biden returns to Cumberland County bridge

2009-06-11T08:01:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Vice President Joe Biden says the $787-billion federal stimulus package is doing its job to turn the economy around.

During the Obama Administration’s heavy push for the measure in February, Biden visited a crumbling bridge in Carlisle, Cumberland County to press the need for infrastructure reform.

Construction on the span began today, and Biden returned with Governor Rendell and Senator Arlen Specter to promote the progress they say the legislation is making.

Biden says the stimulus is creating jobs, and circulating money through the economy.

"But it’s building a whole new foundation for crumbling infrastructure that has gone unattended for a long time, to the degree we think it should. We’ve made some good progress since that day in February, and this bridge and the workers here to fix it up are symbols of what we’re able to do."

Both Biden and Rendell said Specter’s support for the legislation was a critical part of its passage.

Specter was one of just three Republicans to vote “yes” on the stimulus.

That stance won him scorn from GOP hard-liners, and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the party.

Schroder wants federal video poker investigation

2009-06-10T07:59:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- The top Republican on the House Gaming Oversight Committee is asking federal authorities to help the state police investigate illegal video poker machine vendors.

Chester County Representative Curt Schroder says Pennsylvania officials aren’t doing enough to crack down on the industry, which he says makes millions of dollars a year off the estimated 17,000 illegal machines thought to be in operation throughout the commonwealth.

Major John Lutz, who heads the state police’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, says right now the agency conducts a few vendor investigations each year, but that federal officials are already involved.

"Virtually every vendor investigation we do involves the US Attorney’s office and the Department of Justice. And they bring the Internal Revenue Service in with them."

Schroder says taking out video poker vendors would eliminate a major justification for imposing a state-regulated video poker system in Pennsylvania bars.

The Gaming Oversight Committee has yet to hold a formal vote on that legislation, which Governor Rendell is backing.

Anti-tax rally fills Capitol

2009-06-09T07:57:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- An anti-tax rally put together by Butler County Republican Representative Daryl Metcalfe drew about eighty people to the state Capitol rotunda this morning/yesterday.

As lawmakers debate filling a likely $3.2 billion deficit through budget cuts, tax increases or a mix of both, the crowd made its choice clear.

Geraldine White came from Venango County with a big cardboard sign: "Borne free, but taxed to death. We speak—please, no more taxes."

White says she doesn’t buy the argument that targeted tax increases are needed to deliver essential state services.

"No. In today’s economy you have to spend what you bring in. No more."

White and other rally attendees said they’re still upset Governor Rendell created a new state job for former Democratic representative Dan Surra earlier this year.

Surra is making $100,000 a year to promote the Pennsylvania Wilds.

House panel rejects Senate budget

2009-06-08T07:55:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- The budget passed by Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate has been rejected by the House Appropriations Committee.

The panel voted 20-14 to kill the measure, which Democrats say would cut spending at drastic rates.

During two hours of debate, Allegheny County Democrat Dan Frankel said county and municipal governments would have to pick up the slack if the commonwealth reduced spending at levels suggested by GOP lawmakers.

"Much of this process, about cutting at the state level, means shifting to the local level. Whether it’s the county governments or school districts, that’s what Senate Bill 850 does. It shifts responsibility."

Republicans called the meeting a charade, complaining Committee Chairman Dwight Evans wouldn’t let lawmakers propose amendments to the budget.

Governor Rendell is expected to announce an additional 400 to 500 million dollars in cuts to his original spending plan in the near future.

The General Assembly has until June 30th to reach a final spending plan.

Casey wades into budget debate

2009-06-08T07:53:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Senator Bob Casey is the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to lambaste a budget passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

He joined Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak at East Pennsboro High School in Enola, Cumberland County, to decry education cuts in the Senate’s budget.
The Republican plan would reduce state spending, and use 728 million in stimulus dollars to keep overall funding at a level pace, while Governor Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget.
Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere.

"At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy—people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams—the worst thing we can do is cut education funding."

Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue.

The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it has no chance of becoming law.

Gleason: Toomey will be more competitive than polls suggest

2009-06-05T07:52:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Robert Gleason says Pat Toomey may be more competitive in next year’s Senate race than recent polls suggest.
The latest Quinnipiac University survey gave Democrat Arlen Specter a 9-point lead over Toomey in a potential 2010 match up—that’s a slight improvement for the Republican since Quinnipiac’s earlier poll.
But Gleason argues Toomey’s conservative stance could appeal to voters if the Democrat-controlled Congress overreaches this term.

"With what is going on in Washington, and with the liberals going over the top, spending our poor country into the doldrums, I’m not so sure a message by Pat Toomey won’t be very responsive. He could be very successful."

Pennsylvania’s Democratic chairman, TJ Rooney, says he’s trying to avoid a competitive primary next year.

But Gleason doesn’t agree.

He says he’s encouraging any and all potential candidates to jump into the race.

Pharmacist group says Rendell's drug plan easier said than done

2009-06-04T07:50:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- The Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Association’s executive director says Governor Rendell’s proposed changes to the commonwealth’s prescription benefit programs would cut into drug stores’ bottom lines.

Rendell wants to lower the reimbursement rate Pennsylvania pays pharmacies.

He says that would bring it down to the amount stores are spending for drugs, but Pat Epple claims it would actually be lower.

She says even with an increase in dispensing fees, pharmacies would lose money.

"Should 30,000 people be added to the rolls? It’s hard to argue against that, but I’m not really sure where that money’s going to come from. And our point is it shouldn’t come from on the backs of pharmacies. They have to stay in business, too, and if pharmacies close we accomplish nothing. We would just put more people out of work."

Rendell says the savings gained by adjusting costs would allow the program to increase its income rates and expand by 30-thousand people.

He also wants to increase the discount manufacturers provide Pennsylvania so that it’s even with the rate given to Medicaid.

Dems have high expectations for Specter this weekend

2009-06-04T07:49:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Senator Arlen Specter faces his new party for the first time this weekend, when he addresses the annual State Democratic Committee Meeting in Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County party chairman Jim Burn says he and other party leaders are looking forward to hearing their new ally explain himself.

"All of them are anxious to hear what he has to say about, a, why he switched. And b, what will his platform be, with respect to issues and values that are important to the Democratic voters and residents of the state?"

Both Burn and Dauphin County chair Diane Bowman say they want to hear Specter spell out his stance on the Employee Free Choice Act.

He's seen as the key swing vote on the measure in the Senate.

State Chairman TJ Rooney says he's confident Specter can win over the crowd.

Rendell offers plan to expand PACE and PACENET

2009-06-02T07:47:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Governor Rendell is asking lawmakers to OK a series of changes to the PACE and PACENET programs he says would help 30-thousand more seniors access prescription drug benefits, while saving the commonwealth millions of dollars.

Rendell says tweaking the way Pennsylvania's prescription drug benefit programs buy drugs would let the commonwealth expand income eligibility caps to $30,000 for individuals, and $40,000 for couples.

Right now, those limits are $23,500 and $31,500, respectively.

Rendell says that can happen by requiring pharmacies to sell drugs to the commonwealth for the amount they purchased them at, instead of the manufacturers' suggested price.

"But anybody who's bought a car or seen an infomercial on TV knows that that rarely is the price that customers really pay for anything. So we'll pay pharmacists based on the cost they actually paid for the medication. Fair to them and fair to us."

Rendell's proposal would also make drug manufacturers give Pennsylvania the same drug discount they provide to the federal government for Medicaid.

He says those changes, plus a series of other adjustments, would let Pennsylvania expand coverage to 30,000 more people, while saving more than 60 million dollars.

Bad May revenue ups PA's deficit

2009-06-01T07:46:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Lawmakers debating next year's budget got a sobering reminder of the commonwealth's dismal finances yesterday-May's revenue figures were fifteen percent below projections.

That means Pennsylvania's budget deficit is now 2.8 billion dollars, and officials expect it will balloon to 3.2 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

Brett Marcy, the spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, says Democratic leaders are still trying to avoid a personal income tax hike, though the option is on the table.

He says all eyes are on Governor Rendell, who will announce new budget cuts later this week.

"We'll be interested to see what the Governor proposes, in terms of getting additional cuts in there. And obviously it's everybody's hope and desire that we can get this done with very strategic cuts while at the same time, ensuring that we do a surgical approach, when it comes to revenue increases."

Republican leaders say they'll stop any tax increase.

The GOP controls the Senate, which needs to sign off on any final budget.

Republicans have put forward a budget of their own, but Governor Rendell says it cuts too many important state programs.

Lawmakers try spot appeals bills again

2009-06-01T07:44:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Two separate times last session, Governor Rendell vetoed measures banning school districts from carrying out "spot appeals" of property taxes.

Schuylkill and Berks County Democrat Tim Seip says local officials shouldn't be allowed to reassess tax values of properties just because they've been recently sold, calling that an uneven tax structure.

"We can't tax people at different rates, and we shouldn't allow the local taxing bodies to do it, either."

Seip says current laws allow school districts to tax identical homes at different rates, depending on when the current owners made their purchases.

But Governor Rendell's spokesman, Chuck Ardo, says sponsors shouldn't get their hopes up for a different outcome.

"If it's exactly the same bill as he vetoed last time, the chances of him signing it are somewhere between slim and none."

Ardo says Rendell is concerned the legislation strips municipalities of their ability to challenge county tax assessments.

Seip says if Rendell won't sign the law this session, he's confident he can muster up enough votes to override a veto.

Income tax hike on the table, say Democrats

2009-05-29T13:28:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- As Pennsylvania’s projected budget deficit keeps rising, some Democrats say a personal income tax increase is the best way to make up revenue.
But Republicans disagree, and Governor Rendell says he’s hoping to avoid that discussion.
House Appropriations Committee staffers are projecting a $3.2 billion deficit by the end of June, and next year’s estimates are equally dismal.
Johnna Pro, the spokeswoman for Committee Chair Dwight Evans, says targeted tax increases already proposed by Governor Rendell aren’t enough to make up that gap, and lawmakers have begun discussing the feasibility of raising the state’s personal income tax.

"Every one-tenth of a percent increase raises roughly 300 million dollars. So we could do something minor and draw in the dollars that we need to draw in to get a new budget to balance."

Pennsylvania’s PIT is currently 3.07 percent, and was last raised in 2003.
House Minority Leader Sam Smith says Democrats have been looking for a way to raise income taxes all year, but he says that’s a bad policy during an economic slump.
Governor Rendell says an income tax hike should be the last resort lawmakers consider.

Sestak tells PRCN He's Running for Senate

2009-05-27T20:47:00.003-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Suburban Philadelphia Congressman Joe Sestak says he’s preparing to challenge incumbent Arlen Specter in next year’s Democratic Senate primary.
Scott Detrow reports from the state Capitol.

Breaking: Sestak will likely challenge Specter in 2010

2009-05-27T19:15:00.002-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak says he’s preparing to challenge incumbent Arlen Specter in next year’s Democratic senate primary. “I personally have the intention to get into this race,” he told Public Radio Capitol News. Sestak says a formal announcement will likely come “in a number of weeks,” adding, “I want enough time to make sure [my] family is very comfortable doing this.”

Democratic grassroots activists have been urging the two-term congressman to enter the senate primary since longtime Republican Arlen Specter changed parties in late April.

Tune to your local Pennsylvania NPR affiliate tomorrow morning for more details.

Corbett refiles charges against Veon

2009-05-27T19:06:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Attorney General Tom Corbett's office has refiled corruption charges against former Beaver County Democratic Representative Mike Veon.

The move comes less than a week after Dauphin County District Judge Joseph Solomon threw out the initial case.

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley says that wasn't a reflection on the strength of the prosecution's evidence.

Instead, he says it was a mistake on Solomon's part.

"The standard at a preliminary hearing is that there's enough evidence that a judge at the common pleas level or a jury should make the determination of guilt or innocence based on beyond a reasonable doubt. We believe that Judge Solomon applied a much higher standard at the preliminary hearing than the law requires him to do."

The prosecution has dropped nine of the 28 charges initially filed against Veon, but refiled all six charges against the lawmaker's aide, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.

Corbett says the two misused taxpayer dollars by abusing a publically funded nonprofit agency.

Veon's attorney says the charges are politically motivated.

Rendell Administration continues campaign against GOP budget

2009-05-27T19:00:00.001-04:00

(Harrisburg) -- When Governor Rendell announced budget cuts in February, he said he didn't want to hear any "whining," arguing the bad economy forced him to trim spending.

But since Senate Republicans passed a $27.3 billion spending plan in early May, administration departments have put out a series of press releases decrying the GOP's budget cuts.

Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario is the latest critic, saying the GOP budget would eliminate a modest increase in Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program, and could lead to a cap on enrollment in the effort.

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo says Ario and other Department heads have the right to voice their concerns about expanded cuts.

"What we are doing is simply letting the public know what the consequences of the Republican proposal could be."

But Senate Republicans say the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of the GOP spending plan.

Capitol observers agree the final budget will be a compromise between the Republicans' $27.3 billion plan, and Rendell's original 29 billion dollar suggestion.

PA interest groups ready for confirmation battle

2009-05-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- President Obama's decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is stirring interest groups on both sides of the political spectrum.

Michael Ciccocioppo, the president of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, says he's concerned Sotomayor will be another vote in support of abortion rights, and a judicial activist.

He says he disagrees with President Obama's call for a Justice with "empathy."

"That's not the role of the Supreme Court, to be empathetic. The role of the Supreme Court is to look at the Constitution, to look at the law, and then to decide whether the law is Constitutional or not."

Liberal group Keystone Progress has already begun an email campaign directed at Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter.

They're asking supporters to contact the two Democrats to urge them to support Sotomayor's nomination.

If appointed, Sotomayor would become the third female and first Hispanic Justice in US history.

PA reaches out in advance of broadband stimulus bid

2009-05-26T17:59:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania officials are reaching out to communications companies across the commonwealth, in an effort to coordinate a bid for federal stimulus funding aimed at increasing broadband access.

$7.2 billion will go toward improving Internet access, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will distribute the majority of it.

Pennsylvania Office of Administration Deputy Secretary Charles Brennan says grant details are still being worked out.

"One of the questions that come up at the meetings is, would this be a block grant. Pennsylvania would actually prefer a block grant. Because we have one of the most elderly populations of any state. We also are one of the more rural states. So we think that if it was a block grant, we'd actually make out better."

The commonwealth will begin applying for the funding next month, but Brennan says officials have already begun lining up private partners.

He held the second of four public information sessions on the initiative yesterday in Harrisburg.

Bill would put municipal electric authorities under PUC's watch

2009-05-13T10:32:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Commercial electric utilities are regulated by Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission, but the dozens of municipalities that purchase their own electricity aren’t.

Representative Tim Solobay, a Washington County Democrat, says that means they can set their own rates, and argues some townships and boroughs are taking advantage of that and gouging residents with expensive electric bills.

"When you look at what they’re buying the power for in some of these municipalities now, and what they’re charging, there’s a fairly large disparity in between what they’re purchasing for and what the end charge, per kilowatt hours, what they’ve been assessing the customer."

Solobay has introduced a measure that would bring municipal authorities under the PUC’s jurisdiction.

He says authorities would need to go through hearings and reviews before raising rates, and have to justify their requests in a public forum.

The measure is currently before the House Consumer Affairs Committee.

House honors Maddon and Kalas

2009-05-13T10:31:00.001-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Bats replaced bills on the House floor yesterday, as lawmakers donned caps and honored two baseball standouts.

The chamber became a sea of red when lawmakers put on Phillies caps to approve a resolution honoring Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, who died earlier this year.

That created a bit of a hostile environment for the next guest, Hazleton native Joe Maddon, whose Tampa Bay Rays played the Phillies in last year’s World Series.

Lawmakers honored Maddon for taking the Rays from last place to the Fall Classic.

He says that’s a task within reach for the Pirates, who haven’t had as much success as their Philadelphia counterparts in recent years.

"Well I like the Pirates. I got to see them a lot at spring training. I think they have a lot of good young players. It just takes time, and you need the right mix of players, pitching-wise, defense. All the components that you need to get to the top. But I like what the Pirates are doing a lot, actually."

Maddon was the 2008 American League Manager of the Year.

He says taking on a team from his home state made last year’s Series appearance that much more special.

Study: 1 in 5 PA residents can't make ends meet

2009-05-11T18:43:00.002-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- A state-funded study claims twenty percent of Pennsylvania residents don’t have enough income to meet their basic needs.
The University of Washington’s Dr. Dianna Pierce helped conduct the survey.
She says more than half of people below the so-called “self-sufficiency line” make too much money to qualify for government aid.

"They’re in a policy gap. We are not meeting the needs of people, particularly now, that need help to get to that level of self-sufficiency. And we need to be providing more help for people. They’re doing their part. They’re working or trying to work. And we need to provide them the kind of help, both education and training, but also work support like child care."

The study was conducted by advocacy group Pathways PA.
It says 67 percent of those below the self-sufficiency line are white, 19 are black and 9 are Latino.

Reform measure clears House committee

2009-05-11T16:13:00.002-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- The House State Government Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would require General Assembly candidates to file expense reports six weeks before elections.

Right now, campaigns disclose contributors thirty days after the primary, and the second Friday before Election Day, but supporters of House Bill 1169 argue that doesn’t give the public enough time to sift through contributions.

Committee chair Babette Josephs, a Philadelphia County Democrat, says the measure is s a small step toward more transparency.

"People want to know what’s going on with us. They have a perfect right to, they have a right to know where we’re getting money, where we’re spending it, who’s giving it to us. And this gives us an extra glimpse into that."

The committee approved a similar bill toward the end of the last legislative session, but the measure never made it to the full House floor.

Sponsor Robert Freeman, a Northampton County Democrat, says he’s confident it will get further this time.

Toomey insists he can beat Specter

2009-05-11T16:10:00.002-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- Former Congressman Pat Toomey says he disagrees with the notion he was hurt by Senator Arlen Specter's switch from Republican to Democrat.

Political observers have argued Toomey stood a much better chance at defeating Specter in a Republican primary than he would in a general election matchup, with Democrats and independent voters weighing in.

But Toomey argues Specter damaged his credibility by switching parties.

"I think there's a big question about his trustworthiness. I think voters will be very skeptical about anything he says, and his sincerity. His flip flop on issues is so clearly based on political pragmatism. I don't think that's the kind of politics people really respect."

Specter has already been endorsed by President Obama, Governor Rendell and Senator Bob Casey, but Toomey predicts the longtime incumbent will still face a tough primary battle next year.

With former Governor Tom Ridge passing on the race, no prominent Republicans have stepped forward to challenge Toomey in the GOP primary.

Scranton School for Deaf will stay open, with changes

2009-05-08T16:11:00.000-04:00

by Scott Detrow
Public Radio Capitol News

(Harrisburg) -- State education officials say the Scranton School for the Deaf will stay open-but the institution will be folded into the Pittsburgh-based Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Executive Deputy Education Secretary Tom Gluck says the school will remain a K through 12 residential school next year, but its employees will be laid off at the conclusion of the current term.

But Gluck says some teachers will be able to stay on.

"As part of the transition plan, WPSD will interview all current SSSD employees who are qualified for the positions needed for the 2009-2010 school year, and who are interested in employment."

By the 2010-2011 term, Scranton School would be a K-8 day school.

Western Pennsylvania superintendent Donald Rhoten says his organization is committed to keeping the Scranton School running.

But Scranton superintendent Monita Hara calls it a "sad day" for her school, and says she'll keep pushing for a resolution to keep the facility "open as it is now."