State Budget

PA House Democrat Pushing for Higher Taxes

  • Nathan Benefield
  • June 5, 2009

Pennsylvania House Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans is again trumpeting the calls for a higher state income taxes in the Tribune Review. Despite billions in federal dollars flowing into…

Media

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PA House Rejects Cell Phone Ban

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 22, 2009

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted down an amendment that would ban (subject to a $50 fine) using hand-held cell phones while driving, follow a debate of several hours.

Media

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Government Accountability

PA House GOP Leader Offers Gov’t Reform Plan

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 7, 2009

Pennsylvania House Republican leader Sam Smith unveiled a 12-point government reform plan which he calls Pennsylvania’s Agenda for Trust in Harrisburg (PATH). The proposals are: No staff…

Media

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Government Accountability

PA House, Senate Refuse Request for Lobbyist Records

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 25, 2009

Here is an AP Story on the ruling by Pennsylvania House and Senate have ruled that lobbyist contact is not covered under the new Open Records law (HT…

Media

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Government Accountability

Deforming the Pennsylvania House?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • January 26, 2009

Democracy Rising Pennsylvania has an alert about proposed rules changes in the Pennsylvania House of Representative, that would undo much of the reforms of 2007. The changes including easing…

Media

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Government Accountability

Pennsylvania House and Senate Results

  • Nathan Benefield
  • November 5, 2008

Based on elections results from the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Tribune Review: Republicans pick up one seat in the PA Senate.  Their current majority will be 29-20, with…

Media

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Government Accountability

Ghost voting still taking place in Pennsylvania House

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 8, 2008

Both Grassroots PA and Capitol Ideas have made note of yesterday’s PA House vote in which Republican leader Sam Smith noted some lawmakers were “voting” while they weren’t…

Media

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Government Accountability

16 days of work in six months may tire House

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 25, 2008

Eric Heyl, with a hint of sarcasm, suggests that the 16 days the PA House (and the 10 days for the PA Senate) is scheduled to be in session between July…

Media

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Health Care

Give Consumers Choices in Health Care

  • Nathan Benefield
  • April 1, 2008

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed a modified version of Governor Rendell’s "Cover All Pennsylvanians"—renaming it PA ABC (Access to Basic Care). Despite the clever acronym, the program…

Commentary

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