May 1, 2015

Weekly Wrap:

You could hear a pin drop in the halls of the state capitol building this week, with neither chamber in for voting session. However, that doesn’t mean members weren’t busy. Education was a hot topic early this week; the Basic Education Funding Commission met on Monday in Pittsburgh, and the House Education Committee’s select subcommittee on technical education and career readiness held its inaugural meeting in Harrisburg on Tuesday. The discussion about the use of medical marijuana also continued this week when the House Judiciary and House Health Committees held a joint hearing on medical marijuana protocols in other states. Finally, the House Democratic Policy Committee held meetings in the western part of the state on tax and education issues.

Other agencies were busy this week as well. The Gaming Control Board released its report on the impact of gaming on the horse racing industry. Also, the Public Utility Commission announced updates to its consumer education website that will make it easier to navigate and more user-friendly. Finally, the Auditor General released his audit of the PA State System of Higher Education.

To read the Gaming Control Board’s report, go to: http://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/files/reports/2014_Pari-Mutuel_Benchmark_Report.pdf

For more on the PUC’s changes to www.PaPowerSwitch.com, check out: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015042786.HTM

To check out the PASSHE audit, go to: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015042763.PDF

A Look Ahead:

Monday will be the start of two consecutive session weeks before the General Assembly breaks for municipal and judicial elections on May 19 (for more on judicial elections, check out our blog at https://www.buchanangovernmentrelations.com/?p=695 ) .So far, it looks like a busy one, with plenty of committee meetings and hearings. On Monday, the House Education Committee will meet to consider several bills, including H.B. 752 (Christiana, R-Beaver),which would  increase the amount of available tax credits under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs. Also on Monday, the House Liquor Control Committee will meet to consider H.B. 657 (English, R-Allegheny), which would amend the definition of “public venue” in the Liquor Code to include ski resorts.

For more about H.B. 752, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0752

For more about H.B. 657, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0657

The Senate Labor & Industry Committee will hold a public hearing on the minimum wage on Tuesday, while the House Tourism Committee holds a voting meeting on H.B. 204 (Murt, R-Montgomery), establishing a PA Tourism Tax Credit.

For more on H.B. 204, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0204

On Wednesday, the House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a public hearing on statutory and regulatory changes to casino gaming in the commonwealth, and the House State Government Committee will hold an informational meeting on the municipal pension crisis.

Finally on Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a public hearing in Pittsburgh on tax credits for waterfront development.  Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) has introduced a bill on this issue; read it here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=282

Expect more confirmation hearings this week, too. On Tuesday, the Senate State Government Committee will meet to consider the nomination of Curt Topper as Secretary of General Services, the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will consider the nomination of Major General James Joseph as Adjutant General of DMVA, and the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee will consider the nomination of Dennis Davin as Secretary of DCED. Finally on Wednesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee will meet to consider the nomination Garold Tennis as Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and the Senate Finance Committee will meet to consider the nomination of Eileen McNulty as Secretary of Revenue.

For more about Topper, go to: http://www.dgs.pa.gov/about/Pages/Bio-Curtis-Topper.aspx

For more on Joseph, go to: http://www.dmva.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/executive_biographies/17405/the_adjutant_general_bio/609713

For more about Davin, go to: http://www.pa.gov/pages/Cabinet-and-Executive-Officials-Details.aspx?officialid=40#.VUJ0mKHD9ok

For more about Tennis, go to: http://www.pa.gov/pages/Cabinet-and-Executive-Officials-Details.aspx?officialid=55#.VUOZWqHD9ok

For more on McNulty, go to: http://www.revenue.pa.gov/Pages/Secretary-of-Revenue.aspx

For a complete list of committee meetings, go to: www.legis.state.pa.us

To see what’s happening on the House floor, check out The Week Ahead: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015043066.PDF

To see what’s happening on the Senate floor, check the calendar here: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.PDF

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