New Poll in 6th Congressional District

This also from the inbox. I apologize for the appearance of the tables. The grids didn't transfer well so I created them using slashes.

Overview

Despite the fact that Bob Roggio is a virtual unknown, Gerlach is unable to get over 50% on the initial ballot against Roggio, leading 49% to 32%. Gerlach’s net-negative job approval rating, and voter strong desire for change in Washington forecast change in the Sixth District. Sure enough, after voters are introduced to Bob Roggio through a simple biographical paragraph, Gerlach’s lead vanishes and Bob Roggio assumes a 7% lead over Gerlach – a 24% ballot swing just from voters learning who Roggio is.


PA6 Voters Dissatisfied With Direction of Country, Leadership in Washington

Voters in Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District are very unhappy with the direction of the country: 79% said the country is on the wrong track, compared to just 12% who said it is on the right track.

In addition, Bush’s job approval is remarkably low – 84% said Bush was doing a just fair or poor job. And not only are these voters unhappy with the leadership at the top in Washington, they are also unhappy with their Representative in Washington, Jim Gerlach – just 39% approve of the job he is doing as Congressman - ominous in a highly-charged, change-oriented environment such as the Sixth District:

Q 15-16 How would you rate the job being done by…


Q15-16 George W. Bush / Jim Gerlach
Difference -68% / -8%
Excellent/Good 16% / 39%
Fair/ Poor 84% / 47%
Don't know 0% / 14%


Gerlach Leads Against Unknown Roggio, But After Voters Learn About Roggio, He Leads Gerlach By 7%

While 82% of voters know who Gerlach is, Roggio is almost unknown to voters – his name ID is 10%. Yet despite Roggio’s status as a virtually unknown candidate, Gerlach is unable to get over 50% on the initial ballot against him – he leads Roggio 49% to 32%:

If the November election for Congress was held today and the candidates were … for whom would you vote?

Q19 / Total
Difference / -17%
Bob Roggio, the Democrat / 32%
Jim Gerlach, the Republican / 49%
Don't know / 20%

However, once Sixth District voters hear a simple biography of Roggio, Gerlach’s lead is erased and Roggio takes a 7% lead over the incumbent Gerlach:

Bob Roggio and his wife Jeannie have lived in Chester County for almost 40 years, where they raised three children, all of whom attended public schools. Roggio is not a typical politician. He's a local businessman who quit college after his father died to take care of his mother and work in the family business. He rose through the company's ranks to run it, creating 400 new jobs and tripling the company's income during the 10 years he was in charge. After working almost his entire adult life, at age 56, Roggio retired and then went back to college to earn his degree from Penn State in just two years. Roggio has done volunteer work around Charlestown for Little League and the Red Cross, as well as hurricane relief work in Florida.

If the November election for Congress was held today and the candidates were … for whom would you vote?

Q36 / Total
Difference / +7%
Bob Roggio, the Democrat / 45%
Jim Gerlach, the Republican / 38%
Don't know / 17%


The Benenson Strategy Group conducted 500 interviews District-wide with likely 2008 general election voters June 21 –24, 2008. The margin of error for overall results is ±4.37%.

The Benenson Strategy Group’s clients include Governor Tim Kaine (VA), Senator Jim Webb (VA), and Senator Robert Menendez (NJ). Peter Brodnitz, who conducted this survey, was named “Pollster of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants in 2007 for his work for Kaine, Webb and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. It is a bi-partisan award given to one pollster every two years.

Gas Prices: The New Hot Issue

Both Freedom's Watch, a conservative group, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are targeting incumbent congressional representatives and using radio ads to tie them to big oil and/or higher gas prices. Chris Cillizza outlines strategies and the full list of those targeted in his Washington Post blog the Fix today ("Freedom's watch to run radio ads").

Freedom's Watch includes two Pennsylvania congressman on their list: Chris Carney (PA-10) and Paul Kanjorski (PA-11), both Democratics.

The DCCC has three Pennsylvania congressmen on their target list: Charlie Dent (PA-15), Phil English (PA-03), and Jim Gerlach (PA-06).

Josh Drobnyk at Pennsylvania Avenue, just back from vacation and rarin' to go, has some thoughts on the DCCC adds.

Allyson Schwartz Receives Gateway to Innovation Award

From the inbox:

Today, Monday June 30 U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz will become the first-ever recipient of the “Gateway to Innovation” award, presented by many of the nation’s premier healthcare providers to members of Congress who demonstrate commitment, leadership and vision in working to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare in the United States.

Schwartz will be presented the award by the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of chief executives of many of the nation’s leading healthcare companies and organizations representing all health care sectors.

and

U.S. Rep. Schwartz was selected by the Healthcare Leadership Council as an inaugural recipient of the award because of the leadership she had demonstrated throughout her career in public service, from her efforts in the Pennsylvania State Senate to create the Children’s Health Insurance program to her current role as Co-chair of the New Democratic Coalition’s Healthcare Taskforce. She is a champion in Congress on issues ranging from making health coverage more affordable for working families to pressing for the nationwide development of health information technology to elevate both the quality and cost-effectiveness of U.S. health care.

Last Minute Money Emails

Today is the end of another FEC reporting period so suddenly I'm very popular, receiving a number of emails from candidates asking for donations. If you are so inclined, you can find most federal and state Democratic candidates at www.actblue.com.

New Roggio Video

Bob Roggio, Democratic candidate for the 6th congressional district, has released a biographical video (available on the website and also on YouTube).

It is extremely well done. Roggio mentions leaving college at 22 to support his mother after his father's untimely death. He grew the family business, Zenith Metal, but also made family a priority, coaching his three children's sports teams. After retiring from business Roggio went back to college to finish the degree he started decades earlier.

The cinematography and narration are very professional. The Roggios are a photogenic family and the storyline flows nicely.

It is well worth the effort to watch.

Budget Update

This has been a hectic weekend at Casa Jane and my usual PA in the WSJ as well as the long post on green jobs that was planned for this evening (expect it tomorrow or the next day) will be delayed.

However, John Micek, who is surely Pennsylvania's premiere state political blogger, had a more hectic weekend. He was tracking the state's budget process over at Capitol Ideas. Check out the extravagant accommodations for the press outside the governor's office in John's photo essay.

It sounds like a preliminary agreement has been reached, though probably too late to show up in tomorrow's newspapers. Newspaper websites and blogs (though not this one) may have details tomorrow afternoon or evening.

Which of These Things Doesn't Belong?

This evening I was reading story on www.cnn.com about the crash of 2 medical helicopters. At the end of the story there was a string of google ads.

Ads by Google
Jim Gerlach for Congress
Independent Voice for Pennsylvania Help Congressman Gerlach Today!
www.JimGerlachForCongress.com

10 Rules for Stomach Fat
Drop 9 lbs of Stomach Fat every 11 Days by Sticking with the 10 Rules.
FatLoss4Idiots.com/DropStomachFat

Why Your Stomach is Fat
I fought with excess belly fat for years until I found this 1 trick.
www.TruthAboutAbs.com

Checking the same cnn story on a different computer the same three ads came up.

Is it just me or is that a strange grouping?

weekly legislative update (partial?)

Special note: There is a problem with the distribution of the daily legislative emails. Nothing has yet arrived for Friday and I think the legislature is in session this weekend also. If any bills were passed on Friday or this weekend a supplemental legislative update will follow. This may also be why only one of the legislative caucuses has posted a weekly update.

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.


Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House
PA Democratic House


Note SB 1263, our own wiretapping law.

Bills

Regular Session

HB 1634 An Act providing for uniform methods to satisfy required municipal registration of deeds and conveyances; permitting access of information in lieu of registration; prohibiting municipalities from requiring municipal registration of deeds prior to recordation by recorders of deeds; and making inconsistent repeals. PASSED in the House.

HB 2158 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Transportation and the Governor, to grant and convey to Pike County or its assigns, certain lands, situate in the Borough of Milford, Pike County, in exchange for a certain tract of land; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Heritage Building Group, Inc., and the Municipal Authority of the Township of South Heidelberg, and/or their assigns, six permanent sanitary sewer easements and two temporary construction easements, situate in South Heidelberg Township and Lower Heidelberg Township, Berks County. PASSED in the House.

HB 2167 By Representatives WILLIAMS, PETRONE, BLACKWELL, GODSHALL, MAHONEY, M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, YOUNGBLOOD, JAMES and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 3098.Printer's No. 3950. An Act amending the act of December 21, 1998 (P.L.1307, No.174), known as the Community and Economic Improvement Act, authorizing the Philadelphia hospitality promotion tax; providing for apportionment of revenue; and making editorial changes. PASSED in the House.

HB 2522 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's No. 3755.Printer's No. 3780. An Act providing for the capital budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009.

HB 2539 An Act amending the act of June 5, 1947 (P.L.422, No.195), entitled, "An act authorizing the Department of Forests and Waters to provide for stream clearance and stream channel rectifications; to construct and maintain dams, reservoirs, lakes and other works and improvements for impounding flood waters, and conserving the water supply of the Commonwealth; and for creating additional recreational areas; to acquire by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, certain lands for such purposes; to construct and maintain flood forecasting and warning systems," further providing for the purposes of the act and for the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection; and making editorial changes. PASSED in the House.

HB 2542 By Representative D. EVANS. Printer's No. 3768. An Act providing for additional debt authorization for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

HB 2546 An Act amending the act of August 7, 1936 (1st Sp.Sess., P.L.106, No.46), referred to as the Flood Control Law, further providing for purpose of act; adding definitions; further providing for plans, for proceedings, for powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection, for eminent domain, for flood control works and for financing; and making editorial changes. PASSED in the House.

HB 2549 An Act amending the act of March 1, 1988 (P.L.82, No.16), known as the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Act, further providing for legislative intent, for definitions and for financial assistance. PASSED in the House.

SB 352 An Act providing for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program eligibility, allocation of funds and resources; imposing duties on the Department of Public Welfare; and providing for compliance and fraud prevention procedures and for performance audit and allocation of appropriations. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 987 By Senators BAKER, WAUGH, MUSTO, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, RHOADES and PIPPY. Prior Printer's Nos. 1205, 1620.Printer's No. 1741. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code, providing for emergency services. PASSED in the House. PRESENTED to the Governor.

SB 1263 By Senators RAFFERTY, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON, PUNT, COSTA, O'PAKE, PIPPY, PICCOLA, BOSCOLA, EICHELBERGER, WAUGH, BAKER and STACK. Prior Printer's No. 1846.Printer's No. 2157. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for expiration of chapter. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1525 By Representatives STEIL, FREEMAN, THOMAS, BOYD, CURRY, FABRIZIO, GINGRICH, GRUCELA, HENNESSEY, MARSHALL, R. MILLER, SWANGER, YOUNGBLOOD, BRENNAN, SIPTROTH and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's Nos. 2242, 2872.Printer's No. 4002. An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, further providing for definitions, for comprehensive plans, for compliance by counties, for impact fees, for ordinance provisions and for transportation capital improvement plans. PASSED in the House.

HB 2496 By Representative HELM. Printer's No. 3687. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, certain lands situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. PASSED in the Senate. SIGNED by the Governor.

HB 2499 An Act regulating massage therapy; establishing the State Board of Massage Therapy; providing for funds, for licensure, for disciplinary action, for remedies, for penalties and for preemption. PASSED in the House.

SB 1062 An Act providing for reimbursement to developers of brownfield sites; authorizing the Secretary of Environmental Protection to enter into redevelopment agreements; and establishing the Brownfield Site Reimbursement Fund. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1274 Printer's No. 1755. An Act designating the Newtown 413 Bypass as the Officer Gregg Memorial Bypass. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1341 By Senators MUSTO, RAFFERTY, STOUT, ERICKSON, LAVALLE, FUMO, COSTA, WONDERLING, O'PAKE, TARTAGLIONE, WOZNIAK, FONTANA, BOSCOLA, GREENLEAF, MELLOW, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, WASHINGTON, STACK and C. WILLIAMS. Prior Printer's Nos. 1910, 2144, 2196.Printer's No. 2225. An Act authorizing the incurring of indebtedness, with the approval of the electors, of $400,000,000 for the acquisition, repair, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, extension, expansion and improvement of water supply and sewage treatment systems; and providing for the powers and duties of the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1086 An Act providing for divestiture by the State Treasurer, the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System of investments in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan. PASSED in the House.

HB 1596 An Act amending the act of July 2, 2004 (P.L.492, No.57), known as the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act, further providing for definitions, for responsibilities of Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and for State registration required; providing for provisional registration; and further providing for change of personal information, for registration violations and for suspension, denial, nonrenewal or revocation of State registration. PASSED in the House.

HB 2458 An Act making appropriations from the restricted revenue accounts within the State Gaming Fund and from the State Gaming Fund to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, the Department of Revenue, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. PASSED in the House.

SB 584 By Senators ORIE, RHOADES, GREENLEAF, KITCHEN, WAUGH, RAFFERTY, STACK, COSTA, WASHINGTON and ERICKSON. Prior Printer's Nos. 629, 1636.Printer's No. 2237. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, authorizing the establishment of courts of specialized jurisdiction. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1063 By Senators EARLL, BROWNE, WOZNIAK, BOSCOLA, EICHELBERGER, FERLO, FOLMER, KITCHEN, MADIGAN, SCARNATI, WASHINGTON, D. WHITE, M. WHITE, C. WILLIAMS, MELLOW and ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's Nos. 1366, 1618, 1875, 1988, 2186.Printer's No. 2229. An Act amending the act of December 31, 1965 (P.L.1257, No.511), known as The Local Tax Enabling Act, in local tax, further providing for definitions, for delegation of tax powers and restrictions, for recapture of tax, for payroll tax, for nonresident sports facility usage fees, for vacation of tax ordinances and resolutions, for advertising tax ordinances, for second class city tax rates, for taxpayer appeals, for filing ordinances, for limitation on tax rates, for withholding of local services taxes, for administrative personnel and joint agreements, for audits of earned income and other taxes, for payment of tax to other taxing authorities as credits or deductions, for personal property, for assessment limitations and for tax limitations; providing for legal representation, for restricted use, for consolidated collection of local income taxes, for collection of delinquent taxes and for miscellaneous provisions; further providing for penalties and for repeals; and making editorial changes. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1370 By Senators EARLL, LAVALLE, RAFFERTY and D. WHITE. Printer's No. 1957. An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in insurance holding companies, further providing for standards and management of an insurer within a holding company system. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 983 By Representatives STEIL, FREEMAN, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, KORTZ, PETRI, RUBLEY, SOLOBAY, VEREB, THOMAS, SIPTROTH, CALTAGIRONE and MUNDY. Prior Printer's Nos. 1150, 1980.Printer's No. 4040. An Act amending the act of January 19, 1968 (1967 P.L.992, No.442), entitled, as amended, "An act authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the local government units thereof to preserve, acquire or hold land for open space uses," further providing for acquisition of interests in real property, for local taxing options and for exercise of eminent domain. PASSED in the House.

HB 1096 An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, defining "council"; establishing the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council; and further providing for revised or successor codes and for training of inspectors. PASSED in the House.

HB 2306 By Representatives K. SMITH, STABACK and CALTAGIRONE. Prior Printer's No. 3345.Printer's No. 4062. An Act reenacting and amending the act of May 16, 2007 (P.L.3, No.3), entitled, "An act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the County of Lackawanna Transit System Authority (COLTS), certain lands situate in the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, in exchange for a certain tract of land from COLTS situate in the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County," further providing for the date of execution. PASSED in the House.

SB 999 By Senator CORMAN. Prior Printer's No. 1216.Printer's No. 2102. An Act designating a portion of State Route 26 in Centre County as the Marine Sergeant David "DJ" Emery, Jr. Highway; and designating the bridge on State Route 322 joining Clearfield and Centre Counties as the Veterans' Memorial Bridge. PASSED in the House.

SB 1015 By Senators FOLMER, PILEGGI, RAFFERTY, CORMAN, PICCOLA, KITCHEN, BAKER, ORIE, ERICKSON, WAUGH, WONDERLING, BROWNE, ROBBINS, D. WHITE, EICHELBERGER, EARLL, PIPPY, ARMSTRONG and REGOLA. Prior Printer's No. 1268.Printer's No. 2244. An Act requiring certain notification in certain advertising. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1158 By Senators MADIGAN, STOUT, SCARNATI, PILEGGI, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, M. WHITE, WAUGH, ARMSTRONG, WASHINGTON, RHOADES, WONDERLING, REGOLA, CORMAN, BOSCOLA, C. WILLIAMS and PIPPY. Prior Printer's No. 1547.Printer's No. 2145. An Act amending Title 74 (Transportation) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for transportation infrastructure partnership and development. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1266 An Act amending the act of December 22, 2005 (P.L.474, No.94), known as the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act, further providing for notification of breach. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1330 By Senators D. WHITE, WOZNIAK, KASUNIC, REGOLA, BROWNE, GREENLEAF, ORIE, MUSTO, ROBBINS, M. WHITE, STOUT, MADIGAN, BAKER and FERLO. Prior Printer's Nos. 1908, 1984.Printer's No. 2227. An Act establishing the Coal Methane Review Board to resolve disputes between property owners over the location of coal bed methane wells and access roads. PASSED in the Senate.

A Quick Look at Tom Manion and J&J

When Republican Tom Manion announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district last January the description of his work experience was uniform. Here are five examples:

Pennsylvania Avenue (Morning Call blog)
"Manion plans D.C. trip before making final decision" by Josh Drobnyk 12/31/2007

Manion is a 53-year-old vice president at pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson who lives in Doylestown Township.

Inquirer
“Father of fallen Marine to seek office,” Larry King 1/16/08

Manion, a vice president for information technology at Johnson & Johnson, is a Philadelphia native, one of 10 children born to a salesman and a homemaker.

Buck County Courier Times
“Manion announces congressional run,” by Brian Scheid 1/15/08

Manion, a vice president of information technology with Johnson and Johnson, ended his 30-year military career when he retired as a colonel in the Marine Reserves last month.

The Bulletin
“Manion announces his plans to run,” by Bradley Vasoli 1/16/08

Tom Manion, a Doylestown resident and a vice president of information technology at the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company, announced yesterday he will run against U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pennsylvania) this year.

Insider
“DC Bound?” January 2008

But Manion has a political Achilles Heel: he is a corporate vice president at the pharmaceutical and products company, Johnson & Johnson, in charge of information systems, and is running hard against expanded government health care and prescription coverage.

All of these print sources were probably working from an Ur document; my guess would be a press release from the campaign.

Then the description changed. Manion’s website says he was a “business executive.” I could have sworn it used to say vice president but I cannot locate a cached copy of the site and it appears to be too recent to appear in the Wayback Machine and so cannot prove it.

Jewish Exponent
“Races heat up for local hopefuls seeking seats in Washington” by Bryan Schwartzman, 2/14/08

Tom Manion, a retired U.S. Marine Col. and Johnson & Johnson executive, is hoping to defeat U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy come November.

Bulletin
“Manion now unopposed in primary bid to unseat Murphy,” Bradley Vasoli, 2/29/08

Retired U.S. Marine colonel and current Johnson & Johnson executive Tom Manion will run unopposed in his Republican bid against U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D) as his primary rival dropped out.

The Hill
“GOP young guns aim to win 22 house seats” Susan Crabtree 4/28/08

Tom Manion, an executive at Johnson & Johnson, served 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a colonel.

Reuters
“Don’t waste your vote candidate is first on ballot in Pennsylvania”

Facing daunting prospects Fitzpatrick opted out of this year's race and Tom Manion, a Johnson & Johnson middle manager executive, was hand-picked by GOP party bosses to
face Murphy.

City Paper
“In Murphy’s craw,” by Mary Patel, 3/13/08

Kevin Kelly, former head of the Young Republicans and a supporter of Manion, said that Manion simply used the event to thank supporters and that he would announce his platform very soon.

"Col. Manion left a half-a-million-dollar-a-year job at Johnson & Johnson to run for office to make a change," added Kelly.

Wow, that's some salary for middle management! It sounds like a vice presidential salary. The Bucks County Courier Times brief description on April 16, before the primary, listed his occupation as vice president at Johnson & Johnson.

However, I’ve gone through the 1997-2007 Johnson & Johnson annual reports and in the list of corporate officers the office of Vice President / Chief Information Officer is held by someone else. In each annual report 7 or more vice presidents are listed and none, in any year, are named Manion. It is possible that there are other vice presidents not in the annual report lists. Johnson & Johnson has several wholly owned subsidiary companies, some with Johnson & Johnson in the company name; it is possible that Mr. Manion was a vice president with one of those companies.

In “No more I.T. tears,” by Rob Garretson CIOInsight 2/2007 we read:

In 1996, the 120-year-old company had embarked on a wrenching shift to consolidate IT infrastructure under a single centralized division, defying its heritage as a confederation of fiercely independent operating companies. The purpose was to corral uncounted millions in IT spending.

This is supported by a July 1997 article, “Johnson & Johnson” in CFO magazine:

Johnson & Johnson is a highly decentralized organization; its 172 operating units create their own IT budgets and develop business cases for IT investments. This year, for the first time, the units are structuring their budgets according to the four areas of the value chain.

The “Management by Maxim” chapter in Leveraging the New Infrastructure by Peter Weill and Marianne Broadbent (Harvard Business School Press, 1998) also gives some history and information on IT at J&J but nothing that cleared up my confusion. Perhaps there will be some clarification later in the campaign.

Another Veteran Cemetery Update

According to "Vets embrace cemetery plans," by Brian Scheid in the 6/25 Bucks County Courier Times, Tuesday's meeting on the new VA cemetery went well.

After years of legal challenges and public squabbles, William F. Tuerk, the federal Department of Veterans Affairs undersecretary for memorial affairs, had little trouble selling the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield Tuesday night.

Construction will begin in the spring.

18th State House District Turns Blue?

In the 18th State House district, Harris Martin is the Democratic challenger running against Republican incumbent Gene DiGirolamo, who is seeking an 8th term. This Bucks County area has traditionally been a Republican district. However, Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 3,014 (19,401 to 16,387). In the primary Martin received 7,439 votes to DiGirolamo's 3,439. With heightened interest in the presidential race and a congressional election that could get interesting (Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Democrat and early Obama supporter, hopes to retain the office he won in an upset in 2006), this state house seat may garner more attention that it would otherwise. It's a race to watch.

Bread & Roses Event

From the inbox:

Bread & Roses Community Fund will host their annual event to publicly announce its 2008 grant recipients and celebrate its unique partnership of donors and grantees. Over 20 organizations that are working in the areas of economic justice, education reform, racial justice and criminal justice system reform will receive Bread & Roses grants.

This community-building event will bring together the Bread & Roses network of grant recipients, donors and supporters to recognize the achievements of social justice movements in the Delaware Valley . On the Rise for Real Change is free and open to the public.

WHO: -- Casey Cook, Bread & Roses Executive Director
-- Over 20 social justice organizations in the Delaware Valley
-- Nearly 200 Bread & Roses Community Fund donors and supporters
-- Philadelphia activist community

WHERE: The Carriage House
University of Pennsylvania
3907 Spruce St., Philadelphia , PA 19104

WHEN: Thursday, June 26
5:30 – 7:30 pm

PA in the Rothenberg Political Report

Stuart Rothenberg's Political Report is out with new house race rankings. Here's how PA stacks up:

Pure Toss-Up

PA-10 Chris Carney (D)

Lean Democratic

PA-04 Jason Altmire (D)

Republican Favored

PA-03 Phil English (R)
PA-06 Jim Gerlack (R)
PA-18 Tim Murphy (R)

Democrat Favored

PA-08 Patrick Murphy (D)
PA-11 Paul Kanjorski (D)

The house seats not listed are considered to be safe for the incumbent.

In Monday's blog entry Rothenberg has a nice write-up of Kathy Dahlkemper, Democratic challenger in the 3rd congressional district, currently represented by Phil English.

Late Night PCN Viewing: Amusement Tax Edition

In lieu of CSI: Miami I'm watching the Pennsylvania House on PCN. Rep. Ellis and Rep. Levdansky went at it hammer and tongs over a proposed amendment regarding a rollback of the amusement park tax at selected amusement parks. Rep. Ellis is a proponent of the amendment. Rep. Levdansky's district is the home of Kennywood, one of the parks in question. Rep. Levdansky would like us to know that, among other things, the park is now owned by a Spanish company and notes that Spain has removed its troops from Iraq. He does not like the idea of lowering their taxes. Rep. King also speaks in opposition, as another of the parks is in his district and is owned by Anheuser Busch, a firm that he does not think needs a tax break especially as it might affect the taxes paid by his constituents. The amendment goes down.

We have now moved on to flood control. Rep. Reichley is asking about permits which have an acronym, which, when asked, he cannot define.

The laptops battery is running down and so is mine. That's all for today.

The Big Canvas

Those nice people who brought us the Great Expectations discussion series during the mayoral race are at it again. This time they invite us to consider the region's cultural landscape.

The Big Canvas will ask the region's citizens how they use its arts and culture assets, how they value them, what steps they'd favor to preserve and enhance them, and how they'd be willing to pay for all this.

The goal: A regional cultural strategy that citizens will support because they helped craft it, a strategy that reflects their values. The yield from this initiative will be presented to political leaders at a Big Canvas Confab in the fall.

The first discussion is set for Bucks County on July 8 with others following throughout the month.

Vero Possumus

Sen. Obama's campaign has created a seal that can be placed on podiums or rostrums when Obama is speaking. The Latin motto is Vero Possumus, which loosely translates into "Yes, we can." (More literal it is something like "In truth, it is possible." (Source: "The Great Seal of Obama," by John M. Broder, New York Times politics blog, 6/20)

Election Reform in Montco

From the inbox:

On May 1 the Election Reform Network testified before the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on what we found at the polls on Primary Day, April 22:

* Voters denied provisional ballots;
* Machines breaking down;
* Election judges failing to follow proper procedures;
* County staff providing wrong instructions to election judges;
* Polling places understaffed; and
* Untold numbers of frustrated voters and voter registration disputes.

The Network also issued a detailed report to Montgomery County , which included a series of recommendations and some questions that need answers.

Now the County is about to respond with its report. The meeting is at 9:30 am Wednesday, June 25 on the 8th floor of One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown , opposite the Courthouse.

Public Briefing on New Bucks Veterans Cemetery

Those who have been following the process leading to the new federal VA cemetery in Bucks County might be interesting in an event being held tomorrow at Washington Crossing National Park.

According to Nancy Peterson of the Inquirer ("VA to offer briefing on Bucks veterans cemetery" 6/19)

The briefing, which will be led by Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs William F. Tuerk, starts at 7:30 p.m. The park is at 1112 River Rd.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Just a few things that have crossed my screen or my memory this week regarding the Pennsylvania State House.

The Good

In the previous post on the May 07 House Journals I noted two things that are rather extraordinary. It was noteworthy discussion. On May 21 a number of elected officials had a substantive meaty discussion on the issue of mandatory overtime for nurses. You seldom see that in the Pennsylvania House. I don’t know why.

On May 23 State Rep. Josh Shapiro took questions on legislation he sponsored proposing loan forgiveness for physicians who stay in the state for a certain length of time. The questions were on specific aspects of the bill (are osteopaths included? If doctors leave before the time period listed do they have to repay the cost of the forgiven loans?). Shapiro was prepared with answers for all of the questions.

It was very heartening to read that every now and then the legislature operates as one hopes it would.

The Bad

Rep. Darryl Metcalfe made the news this week and not in a positive way. As reported in the June 20 Inquirer, (“Metcalfe’s remarks draw more fire“ by Mario Cattabiani):

At issue are remarks Metcalfe made in opposing a resolution recognizing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community U.S.A., a religious organization founded in 1889 that is holding its 60th annual national convention in Harrisburg this weekend.
"The Muslims do not recognize Jesus Christ as God and I will be voting negative," said Metcalfe (R., Butler), one of the legislature's leading conservative voice.”

Rep. Metcalfe is correct in his interpretation of Muslim beliefs. His negative vote in this case makes one wonder if he will be voting against resolutions honoring conventions held by Holocaust survivors, who also may not recognize Jesus Christ as God.

Metcalfe says his remarks were taken out of context but, since the House Journals are usually released after a 6 month lag time we won’t know for sure until next December.

The Ugly

Last July 9th I was home sick and turned on PCN to watch the budget proceedings. State workers had been furloughed and little progress was being made. The House Republicans staged a publicity stunt by going to the House floor when the Democrats were not there. When a reporter asked House Minority Leader Rep. Sam Smith how long they would be there he said “until you turn the cameras off.” Another of Smith’s comments was not included in the blog post but stayed with me. He told a reporter that this was a great day for the press. State workers furloughed and he’s saying it’s a great day.

Since the House wasn’t formally in session there is no House Journal for that day but if PCN makes a tape available for July 9th you can get it and watch for yourself.

It was one of the ugliest things I have seen since writing about the state legislature.

Let’s hope things go better this year.

May 07 House Journals

I’ve also been very negligent in posting notes on the House Journals, though in my defense they are usually posted 6 months late and it is hard to remember to go back and check on it. There is seldom any real discussion or debate in the Journals; it is primarily lists of bills and speeches.

May 07 (29 p.)
May 08 (20 p.)
May 09 (1 p.)
May 21 (35 p.), pp. 23-20 mandatory overtime for nurses; good discussion, esp. between Rep. Maher and Surra
May 22 (64 p.), pp. 16-62 budget (18-56 appears to be the budget itself)
May 23 (41 p.), pp. 11-12 discussion of physician loan forgiveness bill, pp. 22-37 budget
May 24 (6 p.)

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

No PA politicians, but some politics in PA.

From “McCain appears to lag slightly in key battlegrounds,” Sara Murray (6/19):

Pennsylvania voters continue their trend to leaning Democratic, giving Sen. Obama a solid lead of 52% to 40%. The Democrat dominates among women, 57% to 34%, but Sen. McCain leads among men. Among white voters, Sen. Obama leads by a narrow margin, 47% to 44%.

PA Businesses

Hershey is the focus of “Can Hershey survive candy wars?” by Julie Jargon (6/18) and is mentioned in “Cadbury warns that sales, margins will thin in 2nd half as costs rise,” by Michael Carolan (6/20)

The requirement to charge car-rental tax is increasing the cost a two-hour rental from Zipcar in Pittsburgh from $18 to $22, according to “If your Zipcar is costing more, the taxman may be to blame,” by Sarah Nassauer (6/19)

“Investor group to take over Philadelphia wi-fi venture,” by Andrew LaValle (6/18) points out that former mayoral and potential gubernatorial candidate Tom Knox is one of the investors involved.

Pittsburgh-based consultant Richard Wellins of DDI, is quoted in “Packed calendars rule over executives,” by Carol Hymowitz (6/16)

Berner International Corp of New Castle, PA is mentioned in “Tackling the energy monster,” by Raymund Flandez and Kelly K. Spors (6/16)

Other PA

The high costs of gas hits home. The Palisades School District in Pennsylvania will start charging students extra for field trips to cover the cost of filling up the tank on school buses. The cost of school lunches will also go up. “Yellow buses put schools in the red,” by Anne Marie Chaker (6/19).

Penn State professor of counselor education, Spencer Niles is quoted in “Grad tidings: can a test steer you to the ideal career?” by Sue Shellenbarger (6/18)

Bucks Countian Robert Costa describes his encounters with Tim Russert in “Russert’s career advice: just do it” (6/16)

Other Interesting Tidbits

From “Guarantee gamble: developers dread return of recourse,” by Lingling Wei (6/18):

As loans for commercial projects have become difficult to come by in this credit crunch, borrowers are being forced to consider loans that would give the lenders “recourse” to the borrowers’ personal fortunes – terms that led many a developer, including Donald Trump and William Zeckendorf Jr., to near ruin in the real-estate crash of the early 90s.

I don’t know much about commercial loans or the real estate market, but aren’t most of us required to offer up collateral for a loan? And if we can’t repay aren’t our personal accounts liable?

The description of American soldiers working with Iraqi citizens in “After battle in Afghanistan villages, Marines open complaint shop,” by Michael M. Phillips (6/18) reminded me of some of the passages in Patrick Murphy’s book Taking the Hill.

“American turn to web for unfiltered political news,” (6/16) describes a new Pew Internet and American Life Project report which states that nearly 30% of adults have used the Internet to find information on political campaigns.

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House
PA Democratic House (this link wasn't active when I compiled this list but it is where the page would be when it is loaded. If it isn't there, wait a day and try again.


Bills

Regular Session
SB 740 By Senator CORMAN. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Centre County, certain lands situate in Benner Township, Centre County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price determined through competitive bidding, certain lands situate in Benner Township, Centre County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey, separately, to The Pennsylvania State University, Benner Township and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission certain lands situate in Benner Township, Centre County. PASSED in the House.

SB 987 By Senators BAKER, WAUGH, MUSTO, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, RHOADES and PIPPY. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code, providing for emergency services. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1050 By Senators BAKER, GORDNER, COSTA, GREENLEAF, KASUNIC, KITCHEN, ROBBINS, STOUT, TOMLINSON, D. WHITE, M. WHITE, MELLOW and ERICKSON. An Act amending the act of December 19, 1996 (P.L.1478, No.190), entitled "An act relating to the recycling and reuse of waste tires; providing for the proper disposal of waste tires and the cleanup of stockpiled tires; authorizing investment tax credits for utilizing waste tires; providing remediation grants for the cleanup of tire piles and for pollution prevention programs for small business and households; establishing the Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Program and management standards for small business hazardous waste; providing for a household hazardous waste program and for grant programs; making appropriations; and making repeals," further providing for the Used Tire Pile Remediation Restricted Account; and requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to provide an annual report on cleanup of stockpiled tires. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1389 By Senators PRIME SPONSOR WITHDREW and ARMSTRONG. An Act to provide from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, for certain institutions and organizations, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008; to provide appropriations from the State Lottery Fund, the Energy Conservation and Assistance Fund, the Hazardous Material Response Fund, The State Stores Fund, the Milk Marketing Fund, the Home Investment Trust Fund, the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund, the Tuition Payment Fund, the Banking Department Fund, the Firearm Records Check Fund, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Fund and the Tobacco Settlement Fund to the Executive Department; to provide appropriations from the Judicial Computer System Augmentation Account to the Judicial Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2008, to June 30 2009; to provide appropriations from the Motor License Fund for the fiscal year July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, for the proper operation of the several departments of the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania State Police authorized to spend Motor License Fund moneys; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive Department of the Commonwealth and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008; to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds from the General Fund for the Executive and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth for the fiscal year July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2008, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1863 An Act designating a bridge on PA Route 120 crossing the railroad tracks at the east end of Renovo Borough in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, as the Western Clinton County Veterans Bridge. PASSED in the House.

SB 1385 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing, in corporate net income, for the definition of "taxable income." PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1386 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing for special tax provisions for poverty. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1387 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing for classes of income for purposes of the personal income tax. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1388 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing, in corporate net income, for the definition of "taxable income." PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1442 An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in high schools, further providing for academic degrees. PASSED in the Senate.

We Need a Song or a Play or Something...

Tennessee Williams wrote "A Streetcar Named Desire." Steve Goodman wrote a song about a train called "They City of New Orleans" (made famous by Arlo Guthrie). Gordon Lightfoot wrote a song about a boat called "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." However, Willie Nelson has not, to my knowledge, come up with a song about biodiesel. And I don't think anyone has written anything artistic about hybrid buses. BUT THEY SHOULD because we have big news here SEPTA-land.

From the inbox:

Members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania congressional delegation announced today the awarding of a $2.45 million Department of Transportation grant for SEPTA to purchase hybrid diesel/electric buses. SEPTA currently has a fleet of 32 diesel/electric vehicles, used in daily route service.

The hybrid bus reduces emissions in the following areas: carbon monoxide 80%, nitrous oxide 5.5%, hydrocarbons 44%, particulate matter 31%, and carbon dioxide 38%. In addition to emission superiority, the hybrids have achieved 29% greater gas mileage, superior brake lining and faster acceleration.

“SEPTA greatly appreciates the congressional delegation's support for this acquisition of these hybrid buses, especially at a time when there is great emphasis on green and clean fuel, as well as increased ridership due to the enormous increases in gasoline prices,” said Richard Maloney, SEPTA senior press relations officer.

Area members of Congress highlighted the importance of this grant:

“With energy efficiency at the top of everyone’s agenda and public transit ridership increasing sharply, this is welcome news – a boon to SEPTA, its riders and for our entire region,” said Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA).

"With gas prices at an all time high - and rising, it should be clear to everyone that mass transit is more important than ever. That's why our regional delegation is working so hard as a team to improve transit in the Southeast PA region,” said Congressman Bob Brady (D-PA).

“Additional hybrid buses will not only help SEPTA reduce its oil consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, but it sets the standard for ushering in a new way of thinking on public transit that is cleaner, more efficient and lowers costs,” said Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA).

“At a time when families and businesses are hurting from the record cost of gas and turning to SEPTA, these cost-effective and fuel-efficient buses will arrive just in time. I am proud that we were able to work together to deliver a green energy solution to the commuters of Southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-PA).

“This is excellent news that bolsters our area's environmental and energy security,” said Congressman Sestak (D-PA). “Having buses that get better gas mileage and decrease our dependence on oil for automobiles is an effective way of addressing our energy crisis while enhancing public transportation.”

No word on the details of the grant, if there is a match required and who would have to pay it, or when the buses will actually arrive. Even so, this is big news and good news. Kudos to our regional congressional delegation for working together on this and bringing home some bacon that will be a real help to SEPTA, bus riders, and area air quality. Good work all around, folks!

Obama on the Air in Pennsylvania

Barack Obama's presidential campaign is starting to air its first commercial in the state. You can watch it at my.barackobama.com/country.

This is the script:

SCRIPT – “Country I Love”

OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama.

America is a country of strong families and strong values. My life’s been blessed by both.

I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. We didn’t have much money, but they taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland where they grew up. Accountability and self-reliance. Love of country. Working hard without making excuses. Treating your neighbor as you’d like to be treated. It’s what guided me as I worked my way up – taking jobs and loans to make it through college.

It’s what led me to pass up Wall Street jobs and go to Chicago instead, helping neighborhoods devastated when steel plants closed.

That’s why I passed laws moving people from welfare to work, cut taxes for working families and extended health care for wounded troops who’d been neglected.

I approved this message because I’ll never forget those values, and if I have the honor of taking the oath of office as President, it will be with a deep and abiding faith in the country I love.

Choice a Factor for Pennsylvania Voters

From the inbox:

While choice is unlikely to be the defining issue of this year’s election, a new Greenberg Quinlan Rosner poll commissioned by NARAL Pro-Choice America

in 12 battleground states suggests that it could play an important role in building a winning coalition for candidate Barack Obama.

The survey found that among key blocs of women voters—pro-choice Republican and Independent women—choice creates a sharp contrast between the two presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain. Additionally, choice is an issue that helps Obama consolidate and motivate his base. The issue of choice is powerful among these specific, targeted blocs of the electorate and can influence the outcome of what could be a very close race in November.

Pennsylvania was one of the state's surveyed. The results are not broken down by state but you can view the full report online.

DCCC Tags Three PA House Seats as Emerging Races

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has tagged three PA House Races as "emerging" races which they define as "Democratic candidates have generated excitement in their districts for their campaigns for change." This is a step below "red to blue" races which are "surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they stand for change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress." No PA Democratic congressional challengers are currently in the "red to blue" category.

Emerging races are:

Sam Bennett (PA-15)
Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03)
Bob Roggio (PA-06)

July 07 Senate Journals

Once again I apologize for being so tardy in writing up the Senate Journals, especially as they actually release them in a timely fashion (yes, House, I am looking at you here).

A little over a year ago state workers were furloughed. This will give you some idea how much (or how little) time the State Senate spent talking about the budget. Most of those pages indicated for discussion were actually long speeches. There is very little actual interaction. The conversations must take place somewhere but it isn't on the floor. Let's hope things go better this year.

July 3 (9 p.) p. 2-9 budget
July 5 (13 p), p. 5-12 budget & energy
July 6 (21 p), p. 6-20 budget – Sen. Tomlinson mentions rumors that he is not working and wants to state that he is at work. Sen. Wonderling is growing a “budget beard” and his wife will not kiss him.
July 7 (5 p.) p 3-4 budget
July 8 (3 p.)
July 9 (19 p.) p. 3-18 budget, family vacations of Pennsylvanians interrupted or ruined. Scouts sent home from camp. Those few who watch on PCN want a budget passed.
July 10 (8 p.)
July 11 (4 p.)
July 12 (14 p.)
July 13 (5 p.)
July 14 (8 p.)
July 15 (8 p.)
July 16 (32 p.), p. 2-7 budget, p. 29-21 transportation
July 17 (2 p.)
July 19 (7 p.)

Finalists in Turn it Around Contest

Also from the inbox:

Exciting news! The AFL-CIO today announced the 12 finalists in its Turn Around America Online Video Competition. From today through Thursday, June 19, you and your readers can view the videos and vote for your favorite for the “Our America” award at www.turnaroundvideocontest.com. The winner will be announced on June 24.

Elmhurst Concert for Disabled Vets

From the inbox:

Endless Mountains
Blues Fest 2008
"Show Your True Colors"
This Concert Will Benefit Disabled American Vets
1-10 p.m. Gates Open at Noon
Saturday, July 19
Elmhurst Township Recreation Grounds
Main Street, Elmhurst, PA

Gov Rendell on PCN Call-In Show

Last Thursday Gov. Ed Rendell appeared on the PCN Call-In Show. He took questions live from the station's Pittsburgh bureau.

Q questions are from host Kat Prickett. C questions are from callers.

As always, these are rough notes and I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions. The governor was, as usual, very well informed and had a number of facts and statistics in his answers. I just simply can't type that fast. In a few places you will see question marks; the governor mentioned a statistic and I caught the first part of the number but not the last.

Host Kat Prickett

Q: Where are we in the budget process?

ER: I laid out my priorities on Feb 8, but we have been having meetings, had one with leaders on June ? (early June). Started with work groups. By and large been positive. Think the attitude is people care very much about certain things. Understanding we need to get this done.

Q: possibility of state furloughs?

ER: If it happens at all it will happen after July 1. Should not be concentrating on this but on getting the budget done. We are the only big state with a surplus, about a $300 Million dollar surplus, most have deficits. We’ve managed our money well in PA over the last 5 years. According to labor standards act cannot pay state workers if no budget. Dwight Evans may have found a way to solve this whole problem, borrowing money from rainy day fund. That may solve the problem. Its time for us to get this done. We’ve just got to make some decisions.

Q: most important issues in budget

ER: Education. The results our early childhood program are showing . We have 10th best education program in county. We rank first in early childhood (?). 6 year phase in, historical level of funding based on real formula. Second priority is energy initiative that lets us get away from dependence on foreign fuel. Incentives for energy businesses to open here. Incentivize citizens. Energy rate caps come off. Economic stimulus plan. Recession upon us. Investments in our infrastructure.

C: Thank ER for taking on issue of PA funds public education. No one wants to own a home with high taxes and bad schools.

ER: I’ve told the general assembly that’s my number one priority. 350+ of our 500 schools districts are not spending enough money per student. Get enough phased in over the next 6 years to provide great education. Under Gov Shapp education spending was 50%, when I can in was 30?%, now 38%. In Upper Darby the millage is incredible. The state’s share has to go up. State funding would go to 40?%. When gaming money comes in will get property tax relief.

C: About 60 people were in your offices to discuss why we are 46th state for delivering special education. Would like to meet with you. Group called Alfie, Alliance for Inclusion Education.

ER: Happy to met with you. Biggest problem with special ed is with fed govt. Promised to pay 48% of cost but never have. Both Sen. Clinton and Obama have promised to increase funding.

C: Act 44.

ER: We can’t wait until change in administration; we have to know about polling of I-80 soon. If you read the Surface Transportation Report in Congress. If you read the dissent by Sec. Peters, it says it is the state’s responsibility, toll roads previously untolled. Sec. Peters also likes public / private partnerships. Given that it would be hard for them to turn it down.

Q: Where do we stand for bid on turnpike

ER: bid is over. Albertis, a Spanish company with projects around the world. Currently manage Orlando airport. Paired with Citigroup. Legislature would have to approve bid.

Q: movement in near future?

ER: No, with other issues, this will probably be put over until Sept.

C: What can we do about outrageous rate hikes in health insurance?

ER: What you are facing is what employees and employers all over are facing. There’s a bill that has passed the house and is now in the senate. Health insurance has to spend 85% of income has to be spent on health care, not advertising, etc. Can’t do demographic rating. Gives insurance commissioner right to set rates as they do for auto insurance. Stops any insurance company from denying reasonable coverage to anyone who is sick. We’ve created a system where everyone wants to insure the healthy 27 year old male and no one wants the insure the sick. Pass the Health Insurance Reform Package.

Q: What are different pieces of legislation on health insurance.

ER: Supports bill that passed the house. Paid for by increasing cigarette tax and starts taxing smokeless tobacco and cigars.

C: Senate Bill 509, House Bill 2002. Amends public school act of 1949 to train school employees in diabetic care and treatment.

ER: I do support the bills but would have to look at financial implications. Tries to avoid unfunded mandates.

C: 70 years old. Filled out form for economic stimulus rebate. Told not eligible.

ER: Leave number and I will look into this.

C: COLA for retired state employees.

ER: Retired state employees deserve some increase in their pension. Problem is in 2000 Gov. Ridge and legislature gave increase in pension to workers and legislators but not retirees. We do need increases especially to older retires. Action in 2000 cost so much that we can’t afford increase. In 2013 a big increase is coming unless flattening out bump. I have put money in but still a looming problem. Our pension fund simply can’t afford an increase. Looking to see if it can be done for oldest retirees.

C: Alternative fuels. Has 2 flex fuel vehicles but can’t buy ethanol in our area.

ER: Good question. Penn Security Fuels Initiative would require 1 billion gallons sold to be something other than petroleum (?). Problem is getting distribution up and running. Caller has E-85 flex car, can take 85% ethanol. Most pumps have 10% ethanol now. Incentivizing more E-85 pumps. Sunoco is vendor on Turnpike. Must make sure biodiesel available. Leading nation in number of gallons of biodiesel produced. Penn Security Fuels Initiative has passed house, currently in senate.

Q: gas prices going up

ER: Can’t do much in PA except up tempo our efforts to get alternative fuels at the pump. Philly gas a little cheaper because it includes more ethanol that in rest of state. Best thing we can do is be smarter. Get air pressure checked. Make sure it is at the right amount. Get oil filter checked. Slow down on the highway. Doing those three things will save you more than if we roll back gas tax.

C: retired state law enforcement officer. Opposed to more gun control, more emphasis on laws that are there.

ER: Assaults by firearms on police officers increased 85% statewide. Police chiefs across the state in favor of more gun control. Agree that more law enforcement is needed. When mayor partnered with NRA to work to send those caught with a gun if had a previous felony went to federal court not state. Sent 700 or 800 worst cases a year went to federal court. Nothing wrong with a law that says you can only buy one handgun a month. Why does anyone need more than12 handguns a year? Stops straw purchaser.

Q: How would that affect gun collectors

ER: Registered gun collectors are exempt.

C: green program?

ER: One of the advantages of doing alternative energy and green buildings is that it creates jobs. PA exports many jobs to buy and produce petroleum. Penn Security Fuels Initiative would implement training programs and create job opportunities. Want to really take off by 2010, 2011, 2012

C: gaming bill lets casinos operate with no regulation. Two bills, SB 423 and HB (???) requires casinos to send monthly statements

ER: First I’ve heard of it. Will look at bills, sound fair and reasonable.

C: Health care bill passed by the house. Has pre-existing condition. Can’t get insurance.

ER: Package of insurance reform bills, would make it illegal to deny coverage at a reasonable rate to someone with a pre-existing condition.

Q: How many currently uninsured?

ER: 120,000 children, hopefully reduced by CHIP program. 700,000 adults.

C: import / export of fuel? Can go through Canada waters now due to global warming?

ER: federal government and oil distribution companies aware of it. Sad opportunity.

C: thanks for smoke free legislation. Willing to advocate for Allegheny Co to implement more stringent regulations

ER: On record as supporting anyone to have stronger bill. Decent chance. Would sign it and work for it. Have been told that state bill almost modeled on Philadelphia plan which was considered pretty strong.

Q: what does smoking ban do?

ER: can’t smoke in public places unless exception carved out. Can smoke on casino floors, private places, [lists others] . Signing bill tomorrow, enacted 90 days after that, to allow businesses to gear up.

C: disabled woman veteran, under employed, now in debt. Worried about gas drillers, exempt from clean air and water acts.

ER: Leave name and number, someone will contact you. Not sure they are exempt from those rules.

C: run for senate in 2010?

ER: No, made a pledge to serve out term. Also could never run against Arlen Specter, gave me my first job, attended my wedding.

Q: throw whole support behind Obama?

ER: If you supported Hillary Clinton not only did so because admired her as a person but also because of her stand on the issues, the only way to see those issues addressed is to support Obama.

Q: be Obama’s vp?

ER: No, I couldn’t be a worse choice. Not a good #2 person, won’t stay on message, tell the truth, don’t spin well. If after leave office in 2011 some opportunity comes up then maybe look at that. Would suggest Joe Biden.

C: programs for young aspiring entrepreneurs?

ER: Suggest you call deputy secretary of dept of general services, helps minority business people.

Q: What would you like to say to people?

ER: Tell legislators we need to keep growing.

End of Quarter Deadline Nears

The end of June marks the end of another fundraising quarter. You may have noticed the uptick in letters from your favorite candidates. For one stop shopping visit www.actblue.com for all your federal and state Democratic fundraising options.

Domain Name Follies

The Montgomery County Democrats website is www.mcdems.org. It is bookmarked on my laptop but not on the home office pc. Friday evening I was trying to double check something and made a typo. Guess what??!!! www.mcdems.com came up as a site for Democrats in favor of McCain (McDems, get it?). However, today it comes up as an ad for a fictional restaurant. No idea what happened there but just as well; it would have confused a lot of people.

Bryan Lentz Website Update

Bryan Lentz, incumbent Democrat in the 161st state house district, has updated his campaign website, www.votelentz.com.

Harris Martin's Website Updated

Harris Martin, Democratic candidate for the 18th state house district, has updated his website. Take a look at www.martin4staterep.com.

A Note on Father's Day

Like all parents I am sometimes astounded by the things my children say, good and bad. Recently I was very surprised to hear my oldest child ask, “Why are all the dads on tv idiots?” It caught my interest for a few reasons.

The first is that the kid was astute enough to notice that. Men on television have been getting progressively stupider and more immature in recent decades. If they are not infantilized morons or brainless horndogs, they are workaholics incapable of connecting to other people, including their own children. That’s a far cry from “Leave it to Beaver,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” and “Cosby.” You might find a responsible father on cable (sometimes, as in the Gene Simmons reality show, in unexpected places) but network tv doesn’t have much going on in this area. In cartoons fathers are especially idiotic. Why men have allowed this to happen is beyond me. I think they should complain and revolt.

The second is that the reason my child recognized this is because Mr. J is such a good father. My kids can recognize what’s wrong because they see what’s right. One evening I was trying to watch a little of the BBC version of “Pride and Prejudice.” The oldest kid walked through the room just as Lizzie was rejecting Mr. Collins’s marriage proposal. Mrs. Bennett was running through the house in hysterics and Mr. Bennett was hiding in his study. The kid looked at me and said “Why doesn’t he DO something? He’s the FATHER.” When Mr. Bennett bestirred himself my child said “FINALLY!” in disgust and left the room. My children have high expectations of fathers in the world because their father has high expectation for himself and them.

Mr. J is the parent in our household who quizzes the kids on their spelling words. He helps with higher level math and is the in-house consultant on any projects requiring construction, dioramas and the like. Woe unto the child who brings home an unacceptable grade without a good explanation.

It isn’t just what it said, but what is done. When Mr. J puts a small vegetable garden in the backyard or cleans out the gutters he is saying volumes about what he considers his responsibilities at home and good stewardship generally. One spring when our birdfeeder was momentarily empty a bird laid eggs in it. You could hear the babies chirping and see the parents delivering food. Unfortunately the birdfeeder is metal and can get pretty hot on summer days. Mr. J and one of the kids got our big beach umbrella out of the garage and lashed it to the tall stump the birdfeeder sits on. They checked every night to see if the fledglings were still there and didn’t take the umbrella down until the chicks had flown away. I think that provided a wonderful lesson in strength, compassion and ingenuity.

I see Mr. J’s examples reflected in the children’s behaviors, when they are kind to younger kids, when they negotiate with him for interest on a late allowance payment, and in their knowledge of the natural world around them. My children are fortunate, and so am I.

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

Former 7th district Congressman Curt Weldon does the honors this week but probably wishes he didn’t. In “Russa deal tied to congress aide,” by Susan Schmidt and Glenn R. Simpson (6/10) we find this:

A former congressional aide admitted in court proceedings that his wife received unreported payments from an arms-control group with ties to top security officials in the Russian government, according to several people involved in an inquiry of a former congressman.

The aide worked as chief of staff for former Rep. Curt Weldon, a Pennsylvania Republican. Rep. Weldon had sought a federal grant for the Russian organization, known as International Exchange Group, according to the people familiar with the inquiry.

PA Businesses

Comcast customers take note of where your cable bill money is going. According to “Companies promise CEOs lavish posthumous paydays,” by Mark Maremont (6/10), Ralph J. Roberts, the chairman of Comcast’s executive committee had an agreement with the company that his family would continue to receive his $2 million salary for 5 years after his death. Comcast recently canceled this deal. “Still, as of Dec. 31, Mr. Roberts was entitled to an estimated $87 million in posthumous benefits from the Philadelphia-based cable-television company. “ This is primarily in a company funded life insurance policy. Still on the books is an agreement for CEO Brian J. Roberts’ family to collect his salary and bonus for 5 years after his death if he died while in office. As someone whose household sends Comcast money every month I’d like to officially go on record as saying I’m against this. [Full disclosure: I have life insurance through my employer which would pay Mr. J and the kids something like 2.5 years worth of my salary.]

“Sale of stores boosts Pep Boys profits,” by Donna Kardos (6/11)

“Jones Apparel buys stake in Rachel Ray luxury line,” by Rachel Dodes (6/12)

Bedford Springs Resort, in Bedford, PA, is one of the hotels featured in “Is this where the Beatles stayed?,” by Perri Capell (6/14)

Brief mention: Pepper Hamilton (6/11)


Other PA

A Philadelphia condominium is profiled in the 6/12 “Money’s worth: real estate” section.

A note on two Pennsylvania dairies selling unpasteurized milk is included in “FDA investigates dairy over unpasteurized milk,” (6/12).

“What’s in a name? If it’s ‘Mba,’ a degree of confusion,” by Joel Millman (6/13) has a Philadelphia byline and features a newly minted Wharton MBA from Nigeria whose last name is Mba. Other Mba’s, some also from Philly, are mentioned. (Trivia: Mba is pronounced “hymn-BAH”).

Other Interesting Tidbits

From “Crime rate fell in ’07 after 2-year rise,” by Gary Fields and Louse Radnofsky (6/10):

The data show the number of whites murdered dropped slightly, from 7,005 in 2004 to 6,956 in 2006, while the number of blacks killed rose 11% over that same period, to 7,421. In Washington last year, whites accounted for only 1.1% of murder victims.

An editorial “Honoring thy fathers,” by W. Bradford Wilcox (6/13) discusses the positive effect that attendance at religious services / events has on fathers and family structure in general.

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA have provided their usual informative weekly update.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House
PA Democratic House

Bills

Regular Session
HB 2295 An Act amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in management of condominiums, further providing for lien for assessments. PASSED in the House.

HB 2302 An Act providing for assistance to agencies promoting tourism; authorizing the Department of Community and Economic Development to make grants and provide assistance to properly designated tourism promotion agencies and regional marketing partnerships; conferring powers and imposing duties on the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions; and repealing the Tourist Promotion Law. PASSED in the House.

HB 2428 An Act regulating the amount of property insurance coverage required by certain lenders. PASSED in the House.

SB 2 An Act providing for the allocation of money in the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund and for funding of water or sewer projects, storm water projects, flood control projects and high hazard dam projects. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 246 An Act regulating smoking in this Commonwealth; imposing powers and duties on the Department of Health and local boards of health; providing penalties; preempting local action; and making a related repeal. PASSED in the Senate and the House. Sent to the Governor.

SB 1146 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a competitive bid process, certain lands, buildings and improvements situate in the Borough of Pottstown, Montgomery County; authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey, at a price to be determined through a competitive bid process, certain lands, buildings and improvements situate in the Township of West Norriton, Montgomery County; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to dedicate, grant and convey to the Strasburg, Lancaster County, Borough Authority, a water main and appurtenances to be constructed by the Department of General Services, together with easements for public water purposes, situate in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, and to grant such further easements and licenses as may be necessary to provide the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania with access to public sewer service. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1159 An Act designating Long Pond Road in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County, from the intersection with SR 115 eastward to the intersection with Stony Hollow Road, as Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive. An Act designating Long Pond Road in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County, from the intersection with SR 115 eastward to the intersection with Stony Hollow Road, as Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive. PASSED in the Senate and the House. Sent to the Governor.

SB 1169 An Act providing for municipal volunteer emergency responder incentives. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1314 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for a volunteer responder retention and recruitment tax credit. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1315 An Act providing for a Postsecondary Education Tuition Reimbursement Program for volunteer firefighters, fire police and emergency services personnel. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 1316 An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for a tax credit for employers of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services workers. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1376 An Act repealing the act of March 1, 1799 (16 Sm.L.181, No.221), entitled "An act to incorporate and endow an academy or public school in the town of York, and for other purposes therein mentioned." PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1227 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Department of Transportation and the Governor, to grant and convey to Pike County or its assigns, certain lands, situate in the Borough of Milford, Pike County, in exchange for a certain tract of land. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1392 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, certain lands situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1424 An Act amending the act of December 22, 1983 (P.L.306, No.84), known as the Board of Vehicles Act, providing for licensing cost. PASSED in the Senate.

SB 1429 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor and the Department of Transportation, to grant and convey to Parkwood Real Estate Trust LLC, approximately 1.645 acres including a building and all improvements thereon, situate at Parkwood Drive in the City of Allentown and Salisbury Township, Lehigh County. PASSED in the Senate.

HB 2400 An Act providing for the criteria for independent contractors in the construction industry; and imposing penalties. PASSED in the House.

HB 2496 An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, certain lands situate in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County. PASSED in the House.

Update on HR 2420 (Redistricting)

Apparently there is still some hope that HR 2420 will be voted out of committee and onto the PA House floor.

From the inbox:

On the face of it, passage shouldn’t be a problem. House Bill 2420, which sets up a rational non-partisan redistricting process, backed by Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, has the support of 93 cosponsors of both parties. It is the kind of issue that politicians prefer to avoid conspicuously being on the "wrong" side of. But the bill is bottled up in the State Government Committee by Chairwoman Babette Josephs, who actually is one of the co-sponsors.

So if you have strong feelings on this please call your state rep, especially if he or she serves on this committee.

New Blogs on the Block

Two new blogs on the block for those whose interests stray outside of politics:

Poor Richard's Scorecard plans to cover regional sports, politics, food, drink etc.

Those who enjoy Irish literature might want to check out the Ancient Order of Hibernian Thunder Bloggers; at least one of the bloggers there is local, but they write under the names of deceased authors so its hard to tell which.

Allyson's Adventure in Pakistan

Pennsylvania has two representatives on the House Democracy Assistance Commission, a bipartisan congressional taskforce that works to promote and support the development of democratic governments around the world. Democrat Allyson Schwartz (D-13) and Republican Bill Shuster (R-09). Schwartz, along with Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Wayne Gilchrist (R-MD) recently visited Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Schwartz recently spoke about the experience. Here are my rough notes of her description. It is by no means complete or an actual transcript. There was more in-depth descriptions of international politics and internal politics in those countries but I do not know the situation well enough to follow the names and details. The paragraph below is only what I could catch.

The HDAC reaches out to emergency emerging democracies, peer to peer to help build strong independent legislative branches of governments; this is an important part of democracy and helps strengthen democratic institutions. They spend a lot of time on things like committee structure, staff, access to information, and the library. She has gone to Moldova, the Ukraine, and Georgia on previous trips. This time the partner country is Afghanistan, though the group visited Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia as well, spending two days each in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the trip didn’t have a military focus, in Afghanistan the group met with some troops. In Pakistan they met with the speaker of the house as well as individual committees such as defense and transportation infrastructure, and talked about parliamentary structure. They also spent time with embassy personnel. USAID paid for renovations for the parliamentary building, space for offices and staff, and the library. The Speaker and parliament were keenly interested in a stronger role and more budget oversight. They are working to set national priorities and goals and measure outcomes. Schwartz said they were grateful for US dollars spent in their country and they want to fight the Taliban and Al-Quada. They are committed to moving forward away from a military dictatorship. The US group spoke with them about treaties with tribal leadership and holding those leaders accountable for insurgents in their area. These trips are important; they take what we say seriously.

Montco Redux,, or, My Ooopps

After having to correct the post twice, it might be a good idea to just try again, with updates it might be a good idea to just try again. Apologies for the errors.

According to a GOP press release posted on both PAWaterCooler and Writemarsh,
a fax was sent out regarding an upcoming Democratic golf outing fundraiser. The gentleman sending the fax was Sean Kilkenny, who serves as the solicitor for (among others) the Montgomery County Controller. As chair of the Democratic fundraiser he sent invitations to businesses asking them donate to or help sponsor the event.

One of the faxes was sent to Gambone Development Corporation. The name of the individual it was sent to is, to me at the point, a little unclear. However it wound up in the hands of Brian Miles, human resources director, and also chair of the Whitpain GOP Committee. It may have been addressed to him. Should that name ring a bell for anyone else, that is the man who registered damskerhoeffel.com and hoeffeldamsker.com before current Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel and his then running mate Ruth Damsker could do so (Source: "Damsker Hoeffel team wants their domain names returned," by Margaret Gibbons, Times Herald, August 8/11/07). Miles was also an aide to Jon Fox in the 1996 Fox / Hoeffel congressional election ("Fox ekes out win by only 10 votes," by Jaclyn LaPlaca, Daily Pennsylvanian 11/06/96)

While many political donations from the Gambone family are to Republicans, the company did contribute to Michael Nutter's mayoral campaign. Joe Gambone of Gambone Development and Kilkenny did serve together on the Government Affairs committee of the Home Builders Association of Bucks / Montgomery Counties. Kilkenny is also the solicitor for Norristown where a Lil Gambone serves on the planning commission. It is very possible that Kilkenny was using an HBA list. Here the question of who exactly the fax was addressed to is very important. If it went to Miles specifically, and if Miles is not the designated government affairs or community outreach person, then someone made a big blunder. If Miles does serve in that capacity it would be interesting to know whether and how many similar invitations have been received from both political parties.

Another reason it would be interesting to see the original document is for the date sent. Kilkenny served for four years in the Judge Adjutant Generals' Corp and thereafter in the Army Reserves. He is currently on his annual two week Reserve training / duty. Did he send the fax hurridly before leaving or was it held and not released until he was away?

These questions are as yet unanswered and seeing a scan of the actual fax would be very helpful. See also Margaret Gibbons story, "Montco GOP chair accuses Dems of pay-to-play push," PhoenixvilleNews, 6/10.

My thanks to the two people who emailed me with updated or corrected information. I do appreciate it.

Smoking Bill Passes in the PA Senate

According to this evening's daily legislative email, SB 426, which regulates smoking in public areas, passed the Pennsylvania state senate.

June 2007 Senate Journals

The storm this evening has played havoc with Internet access which has made researching and writing difficult.

So I am dipping into the vault of canned posts and taking you down memory lane. The House is notoriously slow about posting their daily Journal, running about 6 months behind. The Senate is much more punctual but I've been tardy about posting my notes. This is a brief list of session days and any meaty discussions in the Journal. Unfortunately most days are taken up with passing bills without discussion, introducing guests, and so on. If these issues look familiar it is because many of the are still being discussed.

Here are the highlights:

The State Senate was in full session several days this month.

June 4 19 p.
June 5 10 p. (p. 5 brief discussion on the selection of jurors, p. 7-8 digitizing health care records)
June 6 9 p. (p. 4-7, should judges serve on juries?, p. 7, a group from the Ivory Coast visits)
June 11 13 p.
June 12 12 p. (p.11, Sen. Fumo on the Vietnam War)
June 13 13 p. (p. 4-6 EMS)
June 18 53 p. (45-6 museum funding)
June 19 43 p.
June 20 12 p. (p. 4-6 introduction of budget)
June 25 33 p. (p. 12-26, clean air / smoking)
June 26 22 p. (p. 6-8 hazardous sites cleanup, p. 8-9 landowner liability, p. 9-14 smoking)
June 27 17 p. (p. 8-12 Port Authority, Allegheny Co., p. 14-15 HIV testing)
June 28 10 p. (p. 9-10 Sen. Fumo on Iraq)
June 29 17 p. (p. 2-4 eliminating lame duck sessions, p.8-9 lost or stolen firearms)
June 30 26 p. (p. 11-14 HB 112 insurance, p. 16-25 update on state budget)

Ooopps! Montco Version (Updated)

According to a GOP press release posted on both PAWaterCooler and Writemarsh, Sean Kilkenny, who served in the Judge Advocate Generals' Corp for four years, and is now the solicitor for (among others) the Montgomery County Controller, made a fax error. As chair of a Democratic fundraiser he sent invitations to businesses to donate to the event. Alas, one of the names on the list appears to have been Miles Brian Brian Miles. Should that name ring a bell for anyone else, that is the man who registered damskerhoeffel.com and hoeffeldamsker.com before current Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel and his then running mate Ruth Damsker could do so (Source: "Damsker Hoeffel team wants their domain names returned," by Margaret Gibbons, Times Herald, August 8/11/07).

Miles received the fax at his employer Gambone Development Corporation where he is the human relations director. While many political donations from the Gambone family are to Republicans, the company did contribute to Michael Nutter's mayoral campaign. Joe Gambone of Gambone Development and Kilkenny did serve together on the Government Affairs committee of the Home Builders Association of Bucks / Montgomery Counties. Kilkenny is also the solicitor for Norristown where a Lil Gambone serves on the planning commission. It is very possible that Kilkenny was using an HBA list but if it had Miles Brian's Brian Miles's name on it, unless he is their designated government affairs person, it is a puzzlement.

UPDATE: Kilkenny continues to serve the country in the Army Reserves and is currently of his annual duty assignment. It would be very interesting to see the date on the fax sent to Gambone to see if Miles Brian had waited any length of time before releasing it.

Mark Your Calendar II: Art of Political Campaigning

Last year I attended one day of The Art of Political Campaigning in Washington D.C. and had a great time. This year's seminar will be held this weekend (Thursday through Saturday). If you have a chance you should go. Details and schedule.

Mark Your Calendar I: Robert Creamer Book Signing

From the inbox:

June 24th Booksigning and Discussion of Current Political Environment with Robert Creamer, Long-time Political Strategist, Organizer & Author ofStand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win

What are the strategies to turn this historical opportunity into long-term political realignment? How do we create a movement, engage a larger majority, win at communications and messaging? How do we convey a comphttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=9238806
Blogger: Above Average Jane - Create Postelling progressive vision to inspire persuadable voter and win contests?

WHEN Tuesday, June 24th at 12:30 pm

WHERE Borders Book Store, 1 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Further details and RSVP info available.

Book Review: Campaigns on the Cutting Edge

Campaigns on the cutting edge, edited by Richard J Semiatin. Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2008

In my continuing effort to better understand the political process I watch for interesting books on the library’s new bookshelf. This was a very interesting title. The chapters were written by different people but they all flowed together well. It was a brisk read on the train over a week or so, with 206 pages of text.

The only real Pennsylvania note was a brief (2 page) case study on an ad used in Chris Carney’s 2006 congressional campaign. There are a few other mentions in passing, but that is the only long, substantive discussion of anything relating to the commonwealth.

This is a very current work, with discussions of the early primaries in the 2008 presidential race. The role of the Internet and bloggers are also discussed in depth. I found myself agreeing with many of the chapter authors’ views on the subject. Other topics covered are polling, voting methods and voter mobilization, campaign finance, the press, and political parties. I would highly recommend it.

This Can't Be Good

According to "Owner of Philly's 2 dailies misses debt payment," on CNN Money.com for June 5th, the Inky missed a loan payment. This can't be good. I wish all our friends at the Philadelphia Newspapers well and hope that check is in the mail.

(h/t Attytood)

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.


PA Politicians

Philadelphia Sheriff John Green, of all people, does the honors this week. He is the subject of a 6/06 story by Michael M. Phillips, entitled “To help broke homeowners he’s taking law into his own hands.”



PA Businesses

“Toll posts loss amid write-downs,” by John Spence (6/04)

EarthCare Pest Services of Philadelphia and J.C. Ehrlich of Reading get good reviews in “Evicting the rhodents from our home,“ by Suzanne Barlyn (6/05)

Ahh, one of my favorite subjects, local banks: “Local banks regain mortgage business,” by James R. Hagerty (6/05) mentions Washington Federal Savings Bank in Washington, PA. The bank avoided subprime loans and at the end of April had a total of four loans that were 30 or more days overdue.

Other PA

SPC Ross McGinnis of Knox, PA, is posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, as noted in “Medal of Honor awarded to Spc. McGinnis,” by John D. McKinnon and Michael M. Phillips (6/03)

Scott Erker of Pittsburgh’s Development Dimensions International is quoted in “For job hunters, the big interview is getting bigger,” by Joann S. Lublin (6/03)

A Darby resident is quoted in “Gadget priced for frugal times,” by Christopher Lawton (6/03)

PA is on the list in “Coal rich states could shape climate bill,” by Siobhan Hughes (6/04)

Between 60 and 65% of Pennsylvania women enrolled in Medicare aged 65-69 had at least one mammogram in 2004-2005 according to “Health care has racial, state disparities," by Anna Wilde Mathews (6/05)