August 28, 2015

Weekly Wrap:

August is coming to a close, and the Commonwealth still has no spending plan for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.  Hopes were high early in the week, with the House having scheduled session for Tuesday and rumors that the Senate stood ready to reconvene on Wednesday if need be. However as budget negotiations between the Governor and the General Assembly remained stalled, Tuesday’s efforts turned into an academic exercise. As they revealed last Friday, House Republicans attempted to override particular appropriations in the budget bill that was vetoed by the governor in its entirety earlier this summer. Before those votes could be taken, though, House Democrats questioned the constitutionality of the maneuver. While the House Republicans won the day on the argument, none of the proposed override votes passed, since a two-thirds majority vote is necessary for override.  Despite the effort, we’re no closer to having a finalized budget than we were last week.

For more, go to:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150825_ap_0d35ae55c7f94f2a8c5e0053f81e94a7.html

Check out what members are saying at the links below:

Rep. Dermody (D-33)

Dermody calls for Republicans to get serious on budget

Rep. Rozzi (D-126)

Rozzi slams Republicans for using victims of rape as a political football during budget debates

Rep. Marisco (R-105)

Failed Budget Overrides Hugely Disappointing, Says Marsico

Rep. Sturla (D-96)

Sturla calls on Republicans to end political gamesmanship and move a responsible Pa. Budget

Rep. McClinton (D-191)

McClinton: GOP’s attempted override was politics as usual

Rep. Mullery (D-119)

Mullery: Override votes a GOP political stunt

Rep. Donatucci (D-185)

Donatucci: GOP’s veto override move a political ruse

Rep. Killion (R-168)

Rep. Killion: Time for Straight Talk on Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposal

Rep. Warner (R-52)

Warner Votes to Restore Human Services Funding, Override Wolf’s Budget Veto

Rep. Lewis (R-74)

Lewis Voted to Override Wolf Veto and Fund Critical Commonwealth Services

Sen. Mensch (R-24)

State Budget Op-Ed by State Senator Bob Mensch

Sen. Alloway (R-33)

Sen. Alloway Op-ed: In Budget Stalemate, Protecting Vulnerable Citizens Must Take Priority

Additionally, this was a tough week for the state Attorney General. On Monday, a Magisterial District Judge found that there is enough evidence to send the criminal case against Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane to trial. Kane faces a charge of perjury, three counts of obstruction of justice, four counts of official oppression and one count of false swearing. These charges arose from Kane allegedly leaking grand jury information to the Philadelphia Inquirer about former Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina. Kane believes prosecutors are targeting her for discovering lewd and offensive emails sent between government officials. If convicted of the most serious charge of perjury, Kane could face up to seven years in prison. The next scheduled court appearance is October 14, so stay tuned.

Read more at: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150825_Kane_to_appear_in_court_to_face_criminal_charges.html

A Look Ahead:

Neither chamber will meet for voting session next week, but the House Consumer Affairs Committee will meet on Tuesday,  September 1 in Harrisburg for a hearing on Act 129 requirements for electric distribution companies to meet energy efficiency benchmarks, and then on Wednesday, September 2 for a hearing on net metering.  Also on Wednesday, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will hold a hearing on a re-write of Title 35, the state’s emergency preparedness laws.

News from BIR:

BIR’s PA Government Relations Section welcomes Matt Fine to the team. A recent graduate of Widener Law School, Matt has interned with the office since 2013.

In Other News: