Busy Week For State Lawmakers As Final Session Begins In Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania legislature has a full plate as lawmakers return to the capitol on Monday for the final session days before summer recess at the end of the week.
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The Pennsylvania legislature has a full plate as lawmakers return to the capitol on Monday for the final session days before summer recess at the end of the week.
A new budget is definitely on the agenda, while House action on legislation to privatize liquor sales is a possibility.
With the state's revenue picture improving, the state senate's budget plan would restore all of the governor's proposed cuts to higher education and about half of his proposed cuts for county-run human services programs.
The issue of property tax reform is gaining momentum again in the state capitol, but faces the same hurdles that have stymied change for decades.
With a cash-starved government and 10 percent unemployment in the city, the mayor is clinging to hope that the state legislature doesn't yank away what was to have been a second casino license in the city.
The state House could take a final vote as soon as today on a bill that would open up the former Foxwoods casino license to statewide competition. Debate on the measure began yesterday.
Voters in Pennsylvania are choosing party nominees for state legislative races and in some areas, they'll also be voting for candidates who'll serve the unexpired terms of lawmakers who've resigned.
As he left the courtroom, Mike Manzo told reporters he was disappointed by others involved in the case who blamed the "culture" of Harrisburg for their actions.
The state House has passed and sent to the Senate legislation that could ultimately reduce the size of the Pennsylvania legislature.
Councilman Jim Kenney wants voters to decide on a proposed change that would require candidates to resign from other elected offices before running in Philadelphia.
The once-powerful Philadelphia politician also was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution, and will spend an additional five years on probation.
The type of voter fraud the bill addresses is not considered a problem by officials in this region.
The 30 members, headed by Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce CEO Rob Wondering, will include university presidents affected by the cutbacks.
William DeWeese was Democratic leader of the state House when he was accused of using public resources, mainly staff, for campaign purposes. He is still a sitting member of the House.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, based in Philadelphia, is upset with proposed legislation in the Pennsylvania House which would prohibit Pennsylvania courts from applying foreign laws or foreign legal doctrines in deciding cases.
As a group of state lawmakers held a news conference to push for action on legislation related to child sexual abuse, Rep. Louise Bishop revealed her own story of abuse when she was a child.
The students want the Pennsylvania House to take up the bill already passed by the state senate that would provide vouchers to low-income students at failing schools.
Before he was elected a state representative, Todd Stephens was captain of the sex crimes unit in the Montgomery County DA's office.
A jury has convicted former GOP lawmaker Brett Feese of all 40 corruption counts against him.
State rep Kathy Watson believes the most significant provision of her bill will be one that makes it a primary offense for anyone under the age of 18 not to be properly restrained.
Governor Corbett says his top priority is school vouchers, but he also wants to address transportation funding, liquor privatization, and natural gas drilling.
Septa general manager Joseph Casey says the 46 assaults against Septa employees so far this year is more than double the 20 assaults in all of last year.
The divisive issue of school vouchers took center stage on Tuesday at a hearing in Northeast Philadelphia.
House majority leader Mike Turzai proposes auctioning off a total of 1,250 licenses for retail stores -– essentially doubling the number of outlets –- with two categories of licenses, based on store size.
High-profile cases like the murder of little Caylee Anthony in Florida almost always prompt a spate of legislative proposals, and bills are already in the pipeline in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
