State Budget

Pennsylvania Budget Deal Appears Dead

• Nathan Benefield
• September 30, 2009

The news service Capitolwire (subscribers only) is reporting that PA House Democrat leaders are admitting they don’t have enough votes to pass the state budget deal, give all of…

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State Budget

Higher Taxes to Buy More Nintendo Wii’s?

• Nathan Benefield
• September 25, 2009

A PA House GOP staffer dug up this little item of pork barrel spending, courtesy State Representative Jesse White: The Wii challenge came about after I helped…

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State Budget

What Next for Pennsylvania State Budget?

• Nathan Benefield
• July 18, 2009

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania House passed HB 1416, a vehicle for the state budget. But that should not be taken to mean that Pennsylvania is much closer to having a…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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