Above Average Jane

Friday, May 16, 2008

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

Resolutions

HR 737 May 16 is Bike to Work Day

Bills

Regular Session

HOUSE

HB 775 Prior Printer's No. 895.Printer's No. 3081. An Act amending the act of June 11, 1935 (P.L.326, No.149), entitled "An act relating to counties of the first class; defining deceased service persons; providing for contributions by the county to the funeral expenses for such persons and their widows; providing for the erection and care of markers, headstones, and flags, and for the compilation of war records," further providing for flags, markers and headstones.

HB 776 Prior Printer's No. 896.Printer's No. 3082. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for flags and grave markers of certain deceased service persons.

HB 777 Prior Printer's No. 897.Printer's No. 3083. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for markers on graves and for flags to decorate graves.

HB 1090 Prior Printer's No. 1322.Printer's No. 3748. An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for powers and duties of Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission.

HB 1281 Prior Printer's Nos. 1542, 1834, 2935, 3175, 3497, 3533.Printer's No. 3767. An Act amending the act of April 28, 1978 (P.L.87, No.41), known as the Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Act, further providing for actions by municipalities and their powers and duties; and making editorial changes.

HB 1858 Prior Printer's No. 2527.Printer's No. 3765. An Act amending the act of September 2, 1961 (P.L.1232, No.540), known as the Model Act for the Regulation of Credit Life Insurance and Credit Accident and Health Insurance, further providing for premiums and refunds.

HB 1438 By Representatives SEIP, GOODMAN, ARGALL, HERSHEY, HORNAMAN, McCALL, REICHLEY, YOUNGBLOOD, GRUCELA, MANN, BEYER, BRENNAN, DALLY, HARHART, KORTZ, TANGRETTI, MANTZ and CALTAGIRONE. Printer's No. 2482. An Act amending the act of June 26, 1931 (P.L.1379, No.348), referred to as the Third Class County Assessment Board Law, further providing for appeals by corporate authorities.

HB 1439 By Representatives SEIP, GOODMAN, ARGALL, HERSHEY, HORNAMAN, McCALL, REICHLEY, YOUNGBLOOD, GRUCELA, MANN, BEYER, BRENNAN, DALLY, KORTZ, TANGRETTI, MANTZ and CALTAGIRONE. Printer's No. 2483. An Act amending the act of May 21, 1943 (P.L.571, No.254), known as The Fourth to Eighth Class and Selective County Assessment Law, further providing for appeals by municipalities.

HB 2353 Printer's No. 3415. An Act amending Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public Corporations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for indebtedness.

HB 1177 Prior Printer's Nos. 1457, 2804.Printer's No. 1457. An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for clinical social work services.

HB 1699 Printer's No. 2249. An Act amending the act of December 12, 1994 (P.L.1023, No.139), known as the Independent Living Services Act, further providing for the composition of the Statewide Independent Living Council.

HB 1786 By Representatives CUTLER and CALTAGIRONE. Printer's No. 2383. An Act 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.

HB 2036 Prior Printer's Nos. 2855, 3321.Printer's No. 3719. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of neglect of care-dependent person.

HB 2087 Prior Printer's No. 2942.Printer's No. 3452. An Act amending the act of December 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, further providing for definitions; and adding provisions relating to unsafe children's products.

HB 2109 Prior Printer's No. 2994.Printer's No. 3720. An Act amending the act of November 6, 1987 (P.L.381, No.79), known as the Older Adults Protective Services Act, further defining "facility"; and further providing for reporting by employees, for reports to department and coroner and for penalties.

HB 2114 Prior Printer's Nos. 3022, 3322.Printer's No. 3721. An Act amending the act of November 6, 1987 (P.L.381, No.79), known as the Older Adults Protective Services Act, further defining "facility"; providing for the definitions of "chronic dementia" and "cognitive impairment" and for certain disclosures to facility residents; and making editorial changes.

HB 2161 Prior Printer's No. 3078.Printer's No. 3593. An Act requiring certain long-term care facilities to coordinate with licensing agencies and local area agencies on aging to provide assistance to consumers in circumstances involving relocation of consumers; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Aging.

HB 2242 Printer's No. 3222. An Act requiring public notices relating to long-term care providers; and providing for compliance and enforcement, for certain information to be posted on the Internet, for certain information to be provided directly to consumers and consumers' designated persons and for certain duties of Commonwealth agencies responsible for licensure, certification and other approval of long-term care providers.

SENATE

SB 615 By Senators GREENLEAF, COSTA, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, EARLL, STACK, BROWNE, O'PAKE, KITCHEN, WAUGH, FONTANA, GORDNER, WASHINGTON and WOZNIAK. Prior Printer's No. 666.Printer's No. 2051. An Act regulating bail bond enforcement agents; requiring licensure and registration; and providing for penalties.

SB 949 Prior Printer's Nos. 1675, 1685, 1710, 1744, 1921.Printer's No. 2050. An Act providing for bituminous coal mines; and making a repeal.

SB 1093 Prior Printer's Nos. 1383, 1761.Printer's No. 2038. An Act amending the act of May 29, 1956 (1955 P.L.1804, No.600), entitled, as amended, "An act providing for the establishment of police pension funds or pension annuities in certain boroughs, towns and townships; authorizing the establishment of police pension funds or pension annuities by regional police departments; providing for the regulation and maintenance of police pension funds or pension annuities; providing for an actuary; continuance of existing funds or transfer thereof to funds herein established; prescribing rights of beneficiaries; contributions by members; providing for expenses of administration; continuation of existing authority to provide annuity contracts; credit for military service; refunds; exempting allowances from judicial process; and repealing certain acts," further providing for applicability of certain benefit provisions for certain beneficiaries; and making a related repeal.

SB 472 An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Science Technology Partnership Program; and providing for State grants.

SB 1065 By Senators ARMSTRONG, FOLMER and BRUBAKER. Prior Printer's No. 1367.Printer's No. 1465. An Act designating State Bridge No. 36-4009-0030-0000, the newly replaced bridge on Dillerville Road in the City of Lancaster, Lancaster County, as the Edward Anthony Davis Memorial Bridge.

SB 1116 Prior Printer's No. 1480.Printer's No. 1770. An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act, further providing for duration of a listing.

SB 1277 By Senators ROBBINS, REGOLA, McILHINNEY, EARLL, PILEGGI, RHOADES, BOSCOLA, EICHELBERGER, FERLO, GREENLEAF, KITCHEN, PICCOLA, RAFFERTY, STACK, C. WILLIAMS and WONDERLING. Printer's No. 1767. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in disruptive student programs, further defining "applicant."

SB 1278 By Senators GREENLEAF, COSTA, MELLOW, ERICKSON, M. WHITE, RAFFERTY, ORIE, FONTANA, WOZNIAK, O'PAKE, VANCE, C. WILLIAMS, BROWNE and WASHINGTON. Prior Printer's No. 1768.Printer's No. 1844. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for child medical support, annual fees, review of orders of support, effect of incarceration, pass-through of support and assignment of support.

SB 1281 By Senators PIPPY, RHOADES, ERICKSON, ORIE, BROWNE, DINNIMAN, WONDERLING, GREENLEAF, PICCOLA, RAFFERTY, KITCHEN, WAUGH, REGOLA, A. WILLIAMS and FERLO. Prior Printer's No. 1791.Printer's No. 2021. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for residence and right to free school privileges.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Redistricting on PCN Call-In Show

PCN Call-In Show, Wed. May 14th

This show focused on the issue of redistricting and discusses a bill introduced by Rep. Steve Samuelson, HB 2420.

The host was Bryan Lochman. Questions from Lochman are marked Q, questions from callers are marked C, the representatives' answers are noted by their initials (MC and SS). This was a lively show and will be on the pcn website for about another week. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH THIS EPISODE OR AT LEAST PART OF IT to get a flavor of the two sides. As always, what I am presenting are rough notes and I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Rep. Mark Cohen D-Philadelphia, chairs house majority caucus

Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton and Lehigh Counties

Q: Redistricting?

SS: System we have now puts redistricting in hands of caucus leaders of house and senate and. Chance to adopt a new system, a non-partisan system. We introduced this bill last week, has 90 co-sponsors, 50 Democrats and 40 Republicans

MC: Now we have a bipartisan system, he wants a nonpartisan system, chance for more problems with nonpartisan. The League of Women Voters has 8 goals this doesn’t meet 5 of them

Q: Explain why this maters

SS: A fundamental reform, to respond to MC, LWV of PA strongly in support of this legislation, helped develop this legislation. To see what’s wrong with current system just look at maps, look at districts, twp of 20,000 people split into 3 congressional districts, one place has 6 different state senators. Going to a nonpartisan process you will have compact contiguous respect boundaries of counties, townships, etc. Central to representative democracy.

Q: explain how it works now

MC: bipartisan redistricting with both parties involved. Nonpartisan hurts individual interests, no parties involved. Right now citizens have access to leadership through their elected representatives, can say they want to be in X’s district or Y’s district. Can submit plans. Can submit directly to decisions makers as people who have some power over decision makers, vote for legislators who elect leaders. Legislators can be thrown out of office. Most legislators at last reapportionment won’t be in office in 2009, people have no power over legislative reference bureau who would do redistricting under new plan. No one knows who they are, can’t throw them out of office. Turning power over to legislative reference bureau a step away from transparency toward back room dealing. Accountable solely to leaders.

Q: Who decides who the people are who currently draw lines?

SS: 5 people, leaders of house and senate, D and R, and neutral person selected by leaders. Leaders engage in bipartisan mischief, goes on behind closed doors. This new proposal would open up process, plans posted in the Internet. Currently trade this township for section of that city to create district that is more powerful for that party. By taking politics out of it as state of Iowa has done, makes it more transparent, starting with census data. Under this bill the very first plan developed by legislative reference bureau goes not to legislature but to the public, LVW calls it voter first, 5 public hearings around the state, before legislature decides

MC: no power over decision-makers, legis ref bur then legislators, people address commission

Q: what is legis ref bur

SS: unquestioned reputation for fairness, integrity. Sometimes strong divisions over issues but leg ref bur not involved. They actually write the bills and amendments but don’t get involved in partisanship. In Iowa it is legislative service bureau. In Iowa in 1980 and 1990 plan adopted on first try.

MC: I dispute that system has worked in state of Iowa. They have put system of selective term limits on legislators. In Iowa in last round 62 legislators forced into districts with another legislator and then retired or ran for another office.

C: What you’re saying should happen is a good idea. The party leaders are never going to allow this to happen, asking them to give up some of their power.

SS: Proposals have been around for several years, bill in 2002 but strength of movement growing, in 2002 25 sponsors, in 2006 up to 38 sponsors last year 56 sponsors, this one has 90 sponsors, almost half the legislature. Had open meeting in Philly. On May 29th there will be a committee hearing in committee chaired by a co-sponsor of the bill. But will be very difficult to get party leaders to bring this bill up for a vote. The importance of citizen involvement in getting this bill up for a vote.

Q: require constitutional amendment?

SS: yes, vote in two legislative sessions, 2008 and 2009/10 and then go on ballot and citizens have the final say. In order to get this done by 2011 has to pass this session. If it doesn’t pass this session it can’t be done again for another 10 years. Senate state government committee considering a very similar proposal the first week of June.

Q: Can leadership kills this?

MC: No, if the public really wants a bill that will reduce its role they can. Right now legislators directly accountable to the public. This bill will take that away and give power to legis ref bur, nor is leg ref bur in support of this bill, no expertise on the subject.

SS: In fairness legis ref bur has taken no position in favor or against it

MC: This is a step backwards.

C: I’ve never seen such spurious reasoning as the caucus leader (Cohen) is giving. This will give us more competitive districts.

MC: This bill does not mention the word competition, does not encourage competition, takes away a measurement of competition, voting returns in prior elections. Cannot consider voting returns in prior elections in designing districts. The only strength of this bill is to encourage compactness but that has nothing to do with competition.

SS: The section of the bill mentioned is good. Right now the districts are drawn to create safe D and R districts. Draw lines in nonpartisan manner, don’t consider prior returns, address of incumbent, party membership. Dispute that legislators have a voice now, only 4 do – legislative leaders. Only 4 party leaders in a back room drawing lines. This bill gives us fairer and more compact districts that more closely reflect communities.

MC: You’re right there are cases like that. Your district was given more D’s but you were against this. My district was given more R’s was 14% now 23% after last redistricting, now about 40% R. Doesn’t always work as SS says. Sometimes become more partisan sometimes less.

Q: Look at maps, John Murtha’s congressional district 12th congressional.

MC: This was done by House and Senate vote. This was recommended by Rep Nat’l committee, R had majority then and was adopted. Spread R’s out throughout state, created many districts with narrow R majority, right in short run, wrong in long run, started out with slim R majority now have narrow D majority, now 12 of 19 seats, strongest since D landslide year of 1964. Attempts to gerrymander backfired.

SS: District looks like long 100 mile snake around Pittsburgh. This bill attempts to change bipartisan michief to nonpartisan.

C: Thank you SS. When legislators are making these decisions, there are many pressures on them. Strongly in favor of bill. Main goal should be rational more fair and balanced districts. [Mentions an odd district in Philly.]

SS: That district is 172nd in Philadelphia, represented by former Speaker of the House John Perzel. Changed shape dramatically in last 10 years.

Q: Is that what happens, create safe district?

MC: When we started the process, there were 5 R districts in Phila, Perzel and R leadership decided to lower number of R districts to 4 and one of the remaining districts, held by George Kenney would get more D’s and he is retiring and district will probably become D. R districts went down to 3. So Perzel got more R’s. That was a reasonable agreement. Fewer R in Philly. Leaves some R representation in city.

SS: As an alternative, almost every sentence of that explanation had a partisan word in it. We need to create nonpartisan districts. Partisan considerations should not be central thing people drawing lines worry about.

MC: Differences in legislation along partisan lines. Saying no partisan interests does not stop backroom manipulation.

C: Why does the US govt have 2 senators in each state regardless of R and D. Why not have districts with contiguous population. Then representatives have to satisfy all population not just one particular group. Concerns of that general area need to be concerns of rep.

SS: was a time when districts were drawn that way. Supreme Court case, Baker vs. Carr, said districts should be as nearly equal as possible in number of people represented.

Q: have any of you been in session to draw lines

SS: no

MC: yes. There are discussions about the pros and cons of drawing lines in one way or another way. Public policy discussions about voting data. In certain cases there is trading as SS says to strengthen D and R. In some occasions it doesn’t. I’ve gained significantly more Rs than it had previously.

SS: In my district I got a district that got more Ds. I was trying to keep a community together. I had city of Bethlehem, D, and Hanover Twp, R, which has had legislators of both parties. In 2001 party leaders took Hanover township away to another district. Decision made behind closed doors, no reporters, no citizens. I Imagine someone wanted to give R twp to an R district. Trade that benefited party leaders but not citizens of those two communities which are intertwined including school district. I had no input.

MC: he had input but it was ignored.

Q: Are there times when someone is a thorn in someone’s side and they get rid of them?

MC: yes. But rare. This proposed bill bans acting in preference to strengthen a candidate but does not ban hurting an incumbent.

SS: No, legis ref bur can’t even consider where the incumbent lives.

MC: It says can’t draw in favor of party incumbent or group. Doesn’t say you can work against someone.

SS: The system where there are political paybacks would be removed.

C: [describes 2 oddly shaped districts] Let’s get back to idea of having districts as geographically square as possible.

Q: [gives history of gerrymander, Gov. Eldridge Gerry, district looked like salamander, thus gerrymander] have computers changed how we do this

SS: Computers are used but sometimes results same. Gerrymander looks like 2?th senate district, Emmaus, Quakertown

Q: protect minority rights?

MC: Under voting rights act, minorities are entitled to be represented in a reasonable proportion to their numbers provided there is no adverse results for any other groups. This bill makes the art of drawing those districts more difficult. Bans consideration of election returns.

SS: It’s hard to argue that a totally non partisan system is unconstitutional. One possible amendment to take out words to favor one group.

C: Are there any independent districts

SS: under the current system required minority and majority party to have 4 seats at the table, no wording on independent.

MC: The two co-authors of current system were R and D, serves to represent minority interests very well. In 93 of the 203 districts there has been a change of party label of person holding the seat at least once since 1967. 26 additional districts where one party came within 100 votes of winning district. Competitive districts.

C: lends support to Samuelson’s proposal. Cohen’s position is horrible.

MC: There is a lot of cynicism about how things are. Seen that it exists now is worst possible system. Current system is a major reform led to a system of fluidity in which role of independent voters is enhanced. Cites change in majority and minority parties in House. There is an awful lot of fluidity here. The charge that this protects incumbents and politicians acting again public doesn’t stand up to examination.

SS: Cohen and I work together well on other things but disagree on this. 2 weeks ago a public meeting in Strasburg, 75 people came out on a Saturday morning.

MC: if the citizens win on this change get the opportunity to have legis ref bur draw up districts.

C: cites one compact district that has one office, a long distended district that has 3 offices.

MC: People in the district often have commonalties of interest, goes over township, ward and borough lines. Mass transit in my district links people together. All sorts of thing can link one end of the district to the other end of the district. Doesn’t really have anything to do with redistricting, staff size and number of offices. Depends on individual operating styles.

SS: One senator has 4 district offices. If you switch to a system with a respect for political boundaries, counties, cities, townships will get districts that are more compact.

C: reduce size of legislature

MC: Not necessary to have any legislators, can just have governor make all decisions. Could have 3 member legislature. Only reasons we have 203 house and 50 senate is to recognize wisdom and interest of people across the state. Could cut but we limit power and influence of citizens.

SS: Agree with Cohen. Can meet with legislator who represents 60,000 people. If fewer districts and make them larger then costs more to run for office, more money in elections, more special interests.

Q: Laws preventing house and senate leadership running roughshod when drawing lines?

MC: yes, laws against racial discrimination. Laws saying districts compact and contiguous and split boundary lines only when necessary. Necessary to accomplish what? Language in this proposal also vague but a little less so. The more you try to equalize districts and focus on population, constant fluctuation and over time that leads to odd shaped districts.

Q: If people don’t like outcome can they challenge this in court?

MC: the reapportionment commission done a better job in 1981 29 cases, in 1991 there were 25, in 2001 there were X [missed number but it was fewer than 25] cases.

Q: right to carry act, house bill 2231, nov 2005

SS: firearms proposal, amendment

Q: what happens to redistricting bill?

SS: May 29th hearing, roughly half of committee sponsored the bill. The timetable is very tight. If out of committee must persuade leaders to bring it up for a vote.

MC: If citizens demand and get this change will have less influence over redistricting than they have today.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Allyson Schwartz on PCN Call-In Show

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz of the 13th congressional district, was the guest this past Monday on PCN’s Call-In Show.

These are my rough notes from the station’s online archives. As always apologies in advance for any errors or misconceptions. The show will be available on pcn’s website for a few more days (and after that a tape is available for a fee) so you should review the broadcast for yourself if it is of interest.

Q indicates questions from host Theresa Elliott, C is a caller, AS is Rep. Schwartz.

Q: Thoughts on candidates?

AS: I am a strong Clinton supporter. We feel so excited about the degree to which we engaged the voters. Saw several counties go from a Republican majority to a Democratic majority. A lot of people angry about where Bush administration has led us and really want to see a change. This is happening all across the country. Voters want to be heard. The Democrats will make a decision and join together. The real fight is in November. [a lot more about Clinton that I didn’t catch.]

Q: My name is Theresa Elliott. Rep. Schwartz thank you so much for joining us.

A: Thank you so much for televising the state senate where I served for several years.

Q: The Democratic primary. Pundits are speculating that the sooner the primary wrapped up the better. Do you agree?

AS: The pundits do a lot of talking. It is important for us to see it through the rest of the primary. Then once the primaries are counted and the delegates counted. I suspect we’ll know in June and not go all the way to the convention.

Q: Delegates vote on basis of state or caucus other think they should vote on their own opinion?

AS: Some Obama delegates represent areas where Clinton won. There are some people said we ought to vote our districts. There are also people looking at who they think would be the best president.

C: Thank you for taking my call. My concern is the economy. Really want both Democratic candidates to address trade imbalance with China. Bad for labor and bad for America in general. Wants nominee to look at these trade agreements.

AS: Thank you, a constituent, for calling. Certainly the issue of trade and fair trade agreements is incredibly important. The labor movement has been very involved in making sure our trade agreements are fair for workers, labor standards which levels playing field for our workers as well, environmental standards and [did not catch]. We’ve got to get these trade agreements written in a way that is good for America and workers. The agreement with Peru is a new kind of agreement that creates opportunity for our businesses, like Mack Truck. You did mention the issue of China. We don’t have a trade agreement with China. The Bush administration has been at great fault for not using the World Trade Organization to go after some of the dumping that China has done. One example is toys made in China and sent here. Hard to compete with labor costs and trade with China fairly, government subsidizes businesses, hard to differentiate between public and private sector. First priority has to be jobs in America. Looking forward to a Democratic majority in Congress and a Democratic president.

C: Thank you for taking my call. I’m a taxi driver in Philadelphia. Over the last year 3 taximen killed and more than 100 robbed. What can you do to help us? We’ve been to Harrisburg and city government and PPA.

AS: Would like to have a further discussion to find out what could be done, what are your recommendations? I am concerned about violence in any of our communities. Our new mayor is very concerned about violence, especially gun violence and working with state legislature in Harrisburg. He’s also been interested in having a dialogue at the federal level. I’m very supportive of COPS bill, federal money to hire more policemen. Government and private sector need to work together and private citizens need to get involved as well. Make sure people can get good jobs that pay well. Terrible tragedy last week with a police officer shot. A criminal having access to an assault weapon. Meant as a military assault weapon to kill people. Those weapons should not be available in our community. Need to make sure we have the right tools for law enforcement.

Q: in reference to Philadelphia police officer slain, both the governor and mayor calling for a new ban on assault weapon.

AS: I do support it and have signed on to legislation. No problem with hunting for sport and recreation. There is a big difference between weapons used for sport and recreation and weapons designed to kills people. We did take action in Congress after the shooting at Virginia Tech to tighten the rules for not selling guns to the mentally ill. Encourage everyone to be in touch with their state legislators and governor and congressional representatives to talk about difference in weapons.

C: I was member of the group Parent project for Muscular Dystrophy, wanted you to sign on to HR 5265.

AS: Apologize for you not getting an answer and you should have. I will certainly look at that legislation. I have been keenly supportive of dollars for medical research to find cures and better treatments. Thank you for drawing my attention to it. You should know Pres. Bush in his budget called for no increase in NIH funding for 7th year in a row. We know there are scientists who want to work on this. Some of my family has been to NIH to do research.

Q: Health care. How does the US health care system relate to other countries?

AS: The US is the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee health care to all its citizens. First must set that as a goal. There are different ways of doing that. Access to health care that is meaningful. Not sure we are spending dollars in most effective way to get the most effective care. Use technology to reduce errors, improve quality. Want to use electronic prescriptions. There are 1.5 million errors just in writing prescriptions. Could save lives and dollars. Looking to get that done under medicare legislation later this year. Integrated health care system, reduce unnecessary tests, reduce diabetes and heart disease. Make sure people can afford health insurance. I was one of the architects of CHIP in the state senate. I’ve had families come up to me and say that during difficult times they were able to buy health insurance for their kids. In Congress I worked very hard to extend CHIP to the children in the US that are eligible but can’t get in because of costs. Bush vetoed it. Priority for next president. It’s what we should do in this country to meet obligations to seniors and children, access to meaningful affordable health care.

C: Frequency of meeting with constituents. Would like more meetings with short questions and short responses. We can hear about your actions by reading the paper but I think you need to hear what’s being said by the people in your district.

AS: To my constituents I would say I’m in Washington a lot, in June and July Congress will meet 5 days a week. I do try to have townhall meetings and teletownhall meetings. We’ve done many of those. You can always email me or call my office. It is difficult for me to be everywhere I might want to be. Please sign up for my email list. I wish I could rely on the media to tell you what I’m up to.

C: Thank you for taking my call and your program. Sorry for family of fallen officer and for cab driver. My family is affected by the going to and fro for medical treatment by gas prices. Is there anything you can tell us that is more positive than what we hear on the news? Is it possible to use vitamins or hypnotherapy and have it covered by insurance.

AS: All of us shocked by cost of gas. When Bush took office gas was $1.46 / gallon. In the short term, Democrats in Congress are looking at temporarily suspending buying oil for strategic petroleum reserve to help reduce prices, reserve is about 97% filled so can safely temporarily suspend. Consumers can keep tires full of air, don’t carry heavy loads, use public transit, run errands efficiently, reduce consumer demand. Long term what we have to do is take some of the tax subsidies from oil companies to energy alternatives, biofuels, solar, wind, energy efficient homes and appliances. We have passed legislation pushing that, not gotten through the senate yet. President not happy taking subsidies away from oil industries. We could be smarter, create green jobs. We did pass new fuel efficiency standards to make cars more efficient.

C: Fox News and others have been painting PA similar to West VA as similar in racial voting. Will Pennsylvanians be up for electing a black president? Do you put a lot of faith in our news people in how they characterize people?

AS: I don’t always agree with what the media says. Pundits proven wrong a number of times. Voters defied what pundits said would happen. We all listen but we want to make our own opinions. They are trying to do the best they can. Primary season was great because usually we don’t get to see the candidates up close and in person. I appreciate all the coverage by the media. Right now we don’t have a nominee but that will happen over the next few weeks. I represent a part of the state that has a willingness to really look across race lines and this is true of very many voters. Look at candidates, who they are how they live their lives. I think that voters will look at John McCain and whoever the Democratic candidate is.

C: Thanks to PCN for this opportunity. You joined all the PA representatives and voted in favor of a resolution recognizing Ramadan but did not vote for resolution recognizing Christmas.

AS: Acknowledging the holiday but difference of religious and religious observance. We as a government do not endorse or acknowledge one over another.

Q: Recently IRS began issuing stimulus rebates.

AS: Constituents pleased to see some of their tax dollars return to their pockets. More health care costs passed along to them, economic downturn has been a squeeze on people, pay down debt or meet difficulties like mortgage crisis or get ahead or do something they and their families have been hoping to do, buy an appliance (Hopefully energy efficient one). Most often I hear they are using it to purchase something they had been putting off buying. Make sure businesses don’t stop producing products and lay off workers. Worked hard to include seniors in this stimulus. Stem the tide to turn back deepening recession. Vote in House last week to reduce the foreclosure rate so we don’t see people losing their homes. We also want to encourage green jobs, renewable sources of energy. Also looking at serious investment in infrastructure, good paying jobs, need in Pennsylvania. And long term we have to make sure we are investing in a work force, grow American economy in global and very competitive marketplace.

C: Serve on board of directors of Philadelphia program for veterans that has been around for 20 years served over 5000 homeless veterans. Similar group in Pittsburgh receives over $100K earmark from Murtha. How can we get that kind of support?

AS: Certainly I’ve tried to reach out to groups in the community, office has done workshops for nonprofits to find out about grants and other programs. We look out for worthy initiatives and have been very proud to have worked with groups, including Collegiate Consortium, part of Veterans leadership Council. Lets veterans go back to community or other colleges to get additional training, get civilian job get feet on the ground. Very first piece of legislation introduced and passed out of Ways and Means Committee is credit for small businesses that hire vets from Afghanistan and Iraq. Veterans should get health care they deserve and should expect. We are aware that some veterans are homeless and should help them get back on their feet.

C: What do you think of Bob Casey for VP and will you make another run for Senate

AS: VP up to presidential nominee. Thank you for remembering I did have a run for the Senate. I am so honored to represent my constituents in Congress and get on the great committees I and on and do good work. What’s next for me is I hope reelection to congress.

Q: make up of 13th

AS: NE philly and eastern montco, Delaware River out to Schwenksville. SEPA has very strong communities. Strong health care and biotech pharmaceuticals in my district.

C: Thank you for some help with medicare. On social security disability, can’t afford any kind of health insurance.

AS: You raise a very very important question. Pre-existing conditions difficult and expensive to get health insurance. We need to make sure health insurance available for people with health conditions. Have a bill that would prohibit insurance companies from excluding children with pre-existing conditions. Please call my office.

C: long statement on mental health and a personal situation with health care.

AS: Many veterans coming back have a need for counseling and support. Often mental illness still has a stigma. For veterans who can go to the VA there is a great clinic in Horsham. Our veterans have come back with real issues and should be able to reach out and receive help.

C: People with disabilities, mental health issues, amendment [did not catch number]

AS: That might be state legislation not federal. PA has a broad spectrum of services.

Q: What are some of your priorities?

AS: respond to economic downturn, housing issues, medicare access to physicians, issues of energy, serious challenges with some very good answers, hasn’t been easy, but we are working to do just that.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mark Your Calendar: Hearing on HB 2420 (redistricting)

On May 29th the House State Government Committee will hold a meeting on a number of bills, including HB 2420, on redistricting reform. Among the provisions of the bill are that districts follow the lines of political subdivisions (county, township, ward, etc., boundaries) and have to be contiguous -- just meeting at one point is not contiguous. (There are districts that look like two triangles that only meet at the tip.)

The Pennsylvania League of Women Voters has a great deal of information on the bill. See also Chris Satullo's 5/10 column, "You can help to kill the evil gerrymander."

Sponsors and co-sponsors are:

By Representatives SAMUELSON, TANGRETTI, LEACH, BENNINGHOFF, JOSEPHS, McILVAINE SMITH, FREEMAN, CARROLL, BASTIAN, BEAR, BENNINGTON, BEYER, BOYD, BRENNAN, BROOKS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, CONKLIN, COSTA, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DALLY, DePASQUALE, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FRANKEL, GALLOWAY, GEORGE, GERBER, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, GRELL, GRUCELA, HANNA, HARHART, HARPER, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, KESSLER, KING, KORTZ, KULA, LENTZ, LEVDANSKY, MAHONEY, MANDERINO, MANN, MANTZ, MARSHALL, McILHATTAN, MELIO, MILNE, MURT, MUSTIO, NAILOR, NICKOL, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, PEIFER, PETRI, PRESTON, QUINN, RAMALEY, READSHAW, ROAE, ROCK, RUBLEY, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, SEIP, SHAPIRO, SHIMKUS, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, M. SMITH, STEIL, SWANGER, R. TAYLOR, TRUE, VULAKOVICH, WAGNER, WALKO, WATSON, J. WHITE, WOJNAROSKI, YUDICHAK, REED and HELM.

If your legislator's name is not on this list (or even if it is), please let them know you support this bill. It needs to pass before the end of this legislative session.

Monday, May 12, 2008

FEC Flubs II?: Tom Manion

This may or may not be a flub but it is worth asking about. I noted in a previous post on the first quarter 2008 FEC reports that Tom Manion, the Republican candidate for the 8th congressional district, didn't list any paid staff. He raised a lot of money and it could be assumed that he was helped quite a bit by local party activists. However, he announced in February that he had hired a campaign manager. See "Manion faces lone challenge in race," by Scott Kraus, The Morning Call, 2/13/08:

Manion said he was grateful for the support of party activists, and is gearing up for the campaign, starting by hiring experienced GOP operative Jerry Morgan as his campaign manager.

This was in February but as of April 2nd, Mr. Morgan had not been paid.

It cannot be said that he wasn't actually working until after the report was filed. According to "House passes wiretap measure," by Brian Scheid, Bucks County Courier Times, 3/14/08:

Jerry Morgan, a spokesman for Tom Manion, Murphy's presumptive Republican opponent in November's election, said that Murphy's vote was a sign he was unwilling to work for that bipartisan solution.

Also in March, Mr. Morgan, identified as Manion's campaign manager, was the featured speaker at the March Bucks County Young Republican Meeting:

We just want to remind you that our next monthly meeting will be taking place Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM at Bucks County Republican Headquarters in Doylestown. (For a map and directions, click here.) We will be covering quite a bit at this meeting, and we will have a special guest: Jerry Morgan, campaign manager for Manion for Congress. So make sure you’re there!!

His hiring is announced in mid-February, by mid-March he is being quoted and appearing in public as a campaign employee but there are no salary payments listed on a report that covered campaign spending through April 2nd. Mr. Morgan may have elected to delay his first paycheck until after the reports were filed or perhaps he started after the first of March and his first check wouldn't be due until mid- or late April.

This will all be cleared up when the next quarterly reports are filed and a salary pattern is clear, biweekly, monthly, end of the month, first of the month, etc. Mr. Morgan is a well-respected political operative, having previously worked for Rep. Don Sherwood and Rep. Bill Shuster.

FEC Flubs I: Marina Kats

The very observant Josh Drobnyk, over at Pennsylvania Avenue, has noted an anomaly in Marina Kats's ~~first FEC report~~ FEC disclosure report. Seems it was late being filed. The details of FEC filing escape me, and are unintelligible to most mortals, but if you are running for Congress it is important to try to figure them out.

An excerpt from Drobnyk's blog:

Like many things in Congress, the rules concerning financial disclosures -- which list all candidates assets and income apart from the property they live in -- aren't particularly straightforward. But there are far trickier things to overcome.

What's clear is this: A candidate who raises at least $5,000 must file her disclosure 30 days before the primary, which was held in Pennsylvania on April 22. Kats, a personal injury attorney from Abington, broke that barrier on March 17 after receiving $5,600 on one day, meaning her statement was due less than a week later.

Kats' campaign argues that some of that money was for the general election, so she wasn't over the $5,000 threshold for a primary. But that argument doesn't hold up to the rules, which don't discriminate between primary and general election money. Besides, the campaign received even more money a month later, just days before the primary. Under House rules, a candidate would then immediately have to file a disclosure.

Uh oh....

Update: Kats is the Republican candidate for the 13th congressional district, running against Allyson Schwartz.

Virtual Library Legislative Day

One of the things I missed during the busy primary season was National Library Week. Many thanks to the nice people in sensible shoes who work in our libraries. May 13th and 14th are designated as Virtual Library Legislative Day. You are invited to contact your congressional representatives and let them know how valuable our nation's libraries are.

The linked page lists several issues of importance with relevant legislation pending. Libraries are sometimes referred to as "the people's university," providing educational and recreation reading (and these days films and computer access as well) to those with limited incomes and also to the vast store of information no longer in print and not freely available on the Internet. I find the newspaper articles cited so frequently here via a database available through a library. When I was growing up there were no bookstores in the area, and, even if there were, it wouldn't have been in the family budget to buy them. Libraries were my primary source of reading material and I spent many happy hours there.

One of my more unusual library memories happened when I was a young lass and just off to college. I was working in the university library and had been assigned a task working alone in a large store room. (Yes, I did take a few spins around the room on a book truck.) The area had once been a chemistry lab and there was an effort to see if there were any residual hazardous traces. No one had warned me though and I was quite surprised one day when a man in a full radiation suit with a geiger counter came in, swept the room, and left without saying a word.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Washington Week In Review in Philly

Mr. J and I had a real treat on Friday. We had tickets to attend the live taping of "Washington Week in Review," held in Penn's Irvine Auditorium. It was wonderful. As we sat waiting Mr. J said at some point during the taping someone would shout "We love you, Gwen," at host Gwen Ifill. "No, I said. Not this crowd." But, sure enough, as she was standing in the aisle getting ready for the show someone shouted "We love you, Gwen!"

First there were announcements, such as once we got started we had to stay put, no bathroom breaks, and to remember we were being filmed and not to do anything we didn't want broadcast, and a note from the fire marshal. We had to turn off cell phones, not just put them on vibrate. There were introductions from WHYY and sponsor AARP (see www.dividedwefail.org).

When Ifill came out she received a standing ovation. It was interesting watching everyone get set up for the show. At least that evening the coffee cups were filled with water. It was also very clear that the panelists, Dan Balz, Jeanne Cummings, Karen Tumulty, and Mike Viqueira, got along well. A great deal of camaraderie was also evident. They joked and talked and clearly knew each other's family situations. This really came into play once the show got started. The conversation flowed easily. Ifill could indicate who should speak next and who pause by a gentle movement of the pen in her hand. The panelists themselves ceded the floor to each other effortlessly but without seeming rehearsed. The show is available as a podcast so I won't comment on it other than to say that the commercials were broadcast in the background and not put in later, and that the show went off without a hitch, no flubs that had to be re-shot.

After the show was finished we taped an additional 30 minute Q&A. The questions had been decided at some point in advance. I don't know what the process was but some people along the center aisle had orange cards with their questions on them. Since Gwen was in the audience for this part her seat on stage was taken by Inquirer political reporter Larry Eichel, who is quite dapper in person. There was a problem getting the microphone on his necktie working. A woman on the show's technical staff tried to fix it from the back, standing behind him and reaching around to clip the mike to his tie. That didn't work so she came around and squatted in front of him to position it, with more success.

The Q&A also went smoothly. Some of the questions were a little hard to follow and some were on topics that the panelists couldn't possibly answer, geared more towards candidates than journalists. Ifill walked along the aisle and selected the people to ask questions. Again, the panelists worked together to answer questions, without talking over each other or arguing.

Ifill was very at ease, and seemed very genuine, funny, and not at all pretentious. We had a great time. Having seen the show taped live will make watching it on Friday evenings even more enjoyable.

Mom Makes the Grade

The family had a Mother's Day ceremony for me this morning -- cards, gifts, and so on. One of the kids also gave me a report card, so I'd know how I was doing. It's an interesting idea, but it probably won't catch on. It is with great pleasure that I report getting A's in cooking (the oldest kid piped in that it should be an A+!), caring, style, niceness and cleaning (We almost had to give Mr. J the Heimlich maneuver when he saw that -- tidiness is not my strength). The only area that didn't get an A was attendance. At first I had an extreme pang of blogger guilt -- maybe it was my absence from home to attend political events, but no, the less than perfect grade reflected the occasional illness. Whew!!!! As soon as adolescence hits my grades will probably drop dramatically but for now I'm very pleased with my GPA.

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

Rep. Jason Altmire does the honors this week in “Democrats look to life after Clinton,” by Jackie Calmes and Susan David (5/08). The article notes that even after being entertained at her home in DC he remains uncommitted.

Gov. Rendell and a handful of state representatives are mentioned in this article on the leasing of the PA Turnpike, “Public wary of increasing efforts to lease road,” by Santiago Perez (5/09)

When the senate is not in session, State Sen. Mike Stack is a regular at Lacroix in Philadelphia, as noted in “Power tables,” by Jesse Knadler. (5/10)

The rally of 35,000 at Independence Hall for Sen. Obama is mentioned in “Obama is getting back to getting close to voters,” by Christopher Cooper and Nick Timiraos (5/05).

PA Businesses

An interview with Vanguard CEO Jack Brennan, “Taking the long view,” by Leslie Scism (5/05)

Comcast is mentioned in “Big tech firms to invest in wireless,” by Amol Sharma and Vishesh Kumar (5/07)

CVS is mentioned in “Health clinics in stores likely to slow their growth,” by David Armstrong (5/07)

West Chester-based Moody’s Economy.com is mentioned in “Keeping families above water,” by David Wessel (5/08) and “Mortgage firms cool to principal-cut plan,” by Ruth Simon and Nick Timiraos (5/09). No mention of Mark Zandi.

Amerisource Bergen is the subject of “Bids don’t’ measure up, so unit isn’t for sale,” (5/08)

Lisa Goldstein of Rainmaker Trainers in Philadelphia is quoted in “Risky business: decolletage at a work dinner,” by Christina Binkley (5/08)

Other PA

Dr. Larry Frohman, a primary subject of “Medical specialties hit by a growing pay gap,” by Vanesa Hurhmans (5/05) attending medical school at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Murder spike poses quandary,” by Gary Fields (5/06) mentions Philadelphia. Hamilton County (Ohio) medical examiner O’dell Owens makes this observation:

”The homicides occur in neighborhoods where folks don’t finish high school. If you can’t make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn, you’re done.”

Charles Cortinovis of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Pittsburgh is quoted in “FDA panel rejects wider use of painkiller,” (5/07)

Pennsylvania is mentioned in “Humane Society: new video shows cattle mistreatement,” (5/08).

“Philadelphia officers taken off street after video of stop,” (5/08)

Noted meteorologist George P. Cressman was a Pennsylvania native, as noted in his obituary (5/10)

Other Interesting Tidbits

An interesting article on the state by state fight over greenhouse gas emissions in “Auto industry focuses on states,” by Stephen Power (5/05)

Friday, May 09, 2008

weekly legislative update

Thursday, May 08, 2008

A Few Thoughts on Truth in Tuition

A few months ago a press release showed up in the inbox touting this legislation:

The Truth in Tuition amendment would give colleges and universities two options on how to better inform students about costs as well as incentives for providing more information upfront for students and families. The first option would be for schools to give incoming freshmen a multi-year tuition and fee schedule. Under this option, tuition for all four years would be given to students ahead of time and those rates would be binding, unless the college or university was to apply for a waiver from the Secretary of Education. The other option for schools would be to give students a single-year tuition and fee schedule as well as the average deviation in tuition between previous years. Under this option schools would have to provide students with an individual and customized look at what tuition and fees – including financial aid – they would face during their time in that school.

The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Patrick Murphy and regular readers will know that generally I write positively about Pennsylvania's 8th district congressman. But this gave me pause. On the surface it sounds like great legislation. A clear idea of what a college education will cost, what could be better?

But here is where I ran into trouble. Colleges often raise tuition because state and federal aid for education has dropped. If a state had a drastic budget situation and slashed education funding, what recourse would a state supported college or university have? Apply for a waiver? It sounded good but I still had questions. Colleges in trouble financially tend to raid the library budget, hire more part-time faculty instead of filling full-time lines, and cut back on maintenance and cleaning.

This week I finally got around to looking at the bill being amended, HR 4137, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania's 4th district. One thing that It does have a provision encouraging state's to maintain financial support of higher education (I didn't see any such provision for the federal government). [Truth in advertising: I didn't read the actual bill but a summary; it was plenty long enough and that was just skimming sections):

(Sec. 108) Requires states to maintain or increase their funding of non-capital and indirect research and development costs at public IHEs [Institution of Higher Education] and their funding of financial aid at private IHEs or become ineligible for this Act's new grants to expand college access and increase college persistence under the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership program. Allows the Secretary to waive such requirement for states facing exceptional circumstances.

Authorizes the Secretary to identify and disseminate IHE cost containment strategies, recognize IHEs that are containing costs effectively, and work with other IHEs to implement such strategies.

In the remarks of Murphy's co-sponsor Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) she clearly states the opportunities for exceptions:

It's not binding on the schools. It provides the students, though, as I say, with an idea. And there is a provision in there that if the school has some kind of an economic hardship, they can get a waiver from the Secretary of Education. This could include a cut in Federal or State funding, or any number of other economic issues that might disrupt the school's budget.

On further reviewing the history of the bill I found two amendments put forth by Pennsylvania's 7th district congressman, Rep. Joe Sestak. Amendment 940 included physical therapists in the list of occupations qualified for student loan forgiveness. Amendment 941 "Amendment amends the articulation agreement strategies that may be employed by states and institutions of higher education to include management systems regarding course equivalency, transfer of credit, and articulation." Both of those sound reasonable.

After reviewing the bill summary and some of the amendments it looks to me like this is a worthwhile bill, though I would prefer schools have greater leeway when the state of federal government decides to take a hatchet to their budget.

PA Democratic Party June Meeting

The state Democratic Party will have having their meeting in June. In addition to the state committee meeting there will be several free workshops. Schedule available on the party's website.

New News Source

From the inbox:

Editors at DailySource.org scan over one thousand publications
including daily newspapers, television network sites, news magazines,
journals, blogs and others. DailySource.org also gives readers easy
access to establish links to other news sources, including local
papers, a favorite sports site, or any sites of their choosing. The
site allows seamless contact with members of the media and elected
officials, and information on over 850,000 non-profits one can donate
to or volunteer for.

They have links to a number of Pennsylvania newspapers so it might be something to check out.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Mandatory Overtime for Nurses

During the infamous pay raise debacle two years ago, we sometimes heard that we needed to pay legislators more money to get quality people and because of the demands of the job. One word that came to my mind was nurses . If there is any group of people I want to be well qualified, well paid and happy with their jobs it is not legislators, it is nurses. Like doctors they work long hours, often mandatory overtime, with long term health consequences like back injuries from lifting or moving heavy patients, and with greater expectations for people skills. We are accustomed to ego in doctors. Let a nurse show some and there might be a problem.

Today’s Wall Street Journal had an article on nursing, “Slowdown’s side effect: more nurses” by Conor Dougherty. It says “For the past few decades, nursing has been a kind of reverse economic indicator.” When times are bad more part-time nurses go full-time and those who left the profession come back; enrollment in nursing programs goes up. In good times nurses leave or reduce their hours. Nationally, in early 2001 13% of all nursing jobs were unfilled. At the end of 2006, 8.1% of jobs were unfilled. So there is still a notable shortages of nurses, which is why they are often forced into mandatory overtime.

(For those interested in more information on nursing as a career in Pennsylvania, see the article on registered nurses in the Pennsylvania Occupational Outlook Handbook).

In June of 2007 the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 834 which would ban mandatory overtime for health care workers. It is currently in the senate. See www.protectpatientcare.org for more details.

Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-161) has sent out a letter noting that May 6-12 is National Nurses Week and urging the passage of HB 834. It reads in part:

On May 6, 2008, the American Nurses Association and my office are sponsoring National Nurses Week, which is held every year during May 6-12. The purpose of National Nurses Week is to raise public awareness of the value of nursing and to help educate the public about the vital roles registered nurses play in meeting the health care needs of the American people. In addition to acknowledging the good work of this segment of the medical community, I’m taking this opportunity to draw attention to a crisis that affects these dedicated professionals and, potentially, puts all patients in harm’s way.

When the American Nurses Association surveyed 4,800 nurses, almost 3,400 of those surveyed work mandatory or unplanned overtime each month – some as many as three or four times per month.

More than 2,400 nurses work up to 16 hours of overtime, and only 960 of those nurses surveyed worked no overtime. Many said they work between 40 and 60 hours a week, with the average nurse in the survey working as much as 10 hours beyond the usual 40-hour work week. Nearly 500 nurses surveyed said they worked 61 to 80 hours a week, almost every week.

It is no secret that when employers demand that employees work to the point of exhaustion, mistakes will inevitably be made. However, in this instance, a mistake can cause injury and, even, lives.

This week, as your state representative, I voted in favor of House Resolution 575 to oppose mandatory overtime. Now, I urge you to join me in standing up for our nurses by contacting your senator and demanding he/she take action on House Bill 834. If passed, this bill will help ensure that the safety and wellbeing of medical professionals and those they care for come first.

An Update on HB 2420, Redistricting Reform

From the inbox:

State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton/Lehigh, today introduced new redistricting reform legislation that would create a more fair and open process for legislative reapportionment.

House Bill 2420, which was developed with the assistance of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters and Common Cause of Pennsylvania, is co-sponsored by 90 state representatives, 50 Democrats and 40 Republicans.

“Our goal is to take the politics out of the redistricting process,” Samuelson said. “Changing the way districts are drawn in Pennsylvania to an open and nonpartisan process is a long-term reform that has lasting impact on our democracy. Our current process could be described as gerrymandering. We need fundamental change. We need to open up the process and put redistricting in the hands of a non-partisan entity.”

Under this bill, Samuelson said transparency and openness will be the hallmarks of the redistricting process with data available online and opportunities for public input.

“Under our current method of redistricting, townships are traded, districts take on unimaginable shapes and communities are split up,” Samuelson said. “Politics is at the center of the current process and the people need to take it back.”

The bill would require that redistricting of Pennsylvania’s Legislative and Congressional Districts be conducted by the Legislative Reference Bureau. The preliminary plan developed by the LRB would be open for public comment at a series of five public hearings around the state. The hearings would be conducted by a bipartisan redistricting commission, the function of which is advisory only. Based upon the public input that is received, the LRB would develop a revised plan, which would go to the General Assembly for a vote. If the revised plan is rejected by either the House or the Senate, the LRB would develop a final plan and re-submit it to the legislature for a vote. The plans would not be amendable by the legislature.

“The Legislative Reference Bureau has a reputation for fairness and nonpartisanship,” Samuelson said. “The proposed three-step process would provide for meaningful public input, and also guarantees that the ultimate redistricting plan will be the work product of a nonpartisan body rather than party leaders in the House and Senate.”

Samuelson said this reform movement has been gaining strength over the years, and that this new legislation combines the best of the past several proposals put before the House.

“In 2002, a similar bill had 25 co-sponsors,” Samuelson said. “In 2006, another bill had 38 co-sponsors. We have 90 co-sponsors on this bill. It is time this legislation moves forward, and I’m confident it has the momentum to do so.

“The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania has made redistricting reform its top legislative priority, and I am encouraged by grassroots interest in changing the system,” Samuelson said. “A forum last Saturday in Monroe County drew 75 citizens for a discussion of redistricting reform.”

House Bill 2420 has been referred to the House State Government Committee.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Another View of the PA Legal System

The Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has released their rankings for state lawsuit climate.

Mark Your Calendars

A few items for your consideration:

Environmental Issues and Green Jobs
Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, May 7 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Bensalem Municipal Township Building
2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem

With presentations by:
Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania;
Mike Russo, President, Local 4889, United Steelworkers;
Rick Ewing, Lower Makefield Township Environmental Advisory Council
John Hanger, President and CEO, PennFuture; and

Representatives from local renewable energy companies.

Two bills are pending before the State Senate, the Energy Savings Bill (House Bill 2200) and the Clean Energy Funding Bill (Special Session House Bill 1)

Find out more about the bills and the issues.

Sponsored by Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future

DVRPC Public Meetings

As the federally designated metropolitan planning organization, DVRPC develops the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is the regionally agreed-upon list of priority projects, as required by federal law. The TIP document must list all projects that intend to use federal funds, along with nonfederally funded projects that are regionally significant. Also included are all other state funded capital projects. The projects are multi-modal; that is, they include bicycle, pedestrian, freight-related projects, and innovative air quality projects, as well as the more traditional highway and public transit projects.

DVRPC will open a public comment period for the Draft FY 2009 TIP for New Jersey , which covers Burlington , Camden , Gloucester and Mercer counties; and for Pennsylvania , which includes Philadelphia , Montgomery , Delaware , Chester and Bucks counties. The Draft TIP for New Jersey contains over 135 projects totaling more than $1.5 billion for phases to be advanced over the next four years, while the Draft Pennsylvania TIP contains approximately 350 projects totaling over $4 billion for phases over the next four years. The public comment period for the Draft TIPs will open on May 2, 2008.

In conjunction with the Draft FY 2009 NJ TIP and Draft FY 2009 PA TIP, DVRPC will need to amend the Destination 2030 Long-Range Plan, and conduct a Transportation Conformity finding. Destination 2030 is DVRPC’s federally mandated long-range plan, which is being updated as a result of changes to the TIP. Transportation Conformity is the process that ensures that plans and programs receiving federal funding are consistent with the region’s air quality goals. The public comment period for the Destination 2030 amendments and the Transportation Conformity finding of the TIPs as well as the Destination 2030 amendments will begin on May 16, 2008.

Please join us for a public meeting and information session on the Draft TIPs, amendments to the Destination 2030 Plan, and the Transportation Conformity findings between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. on:

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
DVRPC Conference Center
190 North Independence Mall West, 8thFl.
Philadelphia, PA

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Cherry Hill Library
1100 Kings Highway North
Cherry Hill, NJ

TIP documents available at http://www.dvrpc.org/transportation/capital/tip.htm

These are lengthy documents but it would be well worth your time to look through the one for you county or area.

Monday, May 05, 2008

First Quarter 2008 FEC Report Round Up

Introductory Notes:

I've been working on this post in bits and pieces for weeks; for some reason it has been harder to do this quarterly report round up than the previous ones. Could be part of post-presidential primary malaise. No telling. In any event, since it was done over a longer period of time remarks are less consistent from district to district.

This post covers only the January - April 2nd quarterly report and not the 48 hour filings that had to be made just before the primary. Those will show up in the June reports, filed in mid-July.

Itemized contributions are those over $200; the donor's name, address, occupation, amount of donation and amount of total donations are listed. Contributions under that amount are lumped together as unitemized so it is impossible from the reports to see if those people live in Pennsylvania, etc.

In addition to the straight numbers there are some other things I note. One is whether or not the reports are scrambled. Most reporting software keeps donations in alphabetical order by donor's last name. This makes it easy to see multiple donations in a quarter and so on. However, the treasurer or assistant treasurer can scramble the reports so the donations are listed randomly. This makes it more difficult for people, such as their opponent and me, to keep track of their donations. So it has no bearing on politics generally, it just makes my review more difficult and more prone to error. Two items I note that scrambled reports discourage is counting how many donors have contributed all that they legally can, a total of $4600 ($2300 for the primary, another $2300 for the general) and how many donors are from out of state. The convoluted geography of congressional districts makes determining how many donors are from out of the district far too cumbersome, in state is as close as I can get. You should be all the more certain to double check anything I say about a scrambled report.

Another item I track is whether or not there are disbursement notes for health insurance. After all, if a candidate is in favor of people having access to health insurance that access ought to start at home, so to speak. I also note how many paid staffers are listed. And generally, anything else that catches my eye.

However, you should, as always and above all, keep in mind that I am a rank amateur, doing this by counting on my fingers or with a pencil and scratch paper and prone to being interrupted by small children yelling "The cat just threw up!" or something else breaking my train of thought. Should you be intrigued by anything mentioned here, please do look at the full report yourself. They are available at www.fec.gov.

If more than one number is listed, the first is for this quarter, the second for the cycle as a whole. Most of the challengers are filing their first reports so there is no second number for them as yet.

6th Congressional District:

Jim Gerlach, Incumbent Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 165,285.61
Individual, untemized: 15,719.50
Individual, total: 181,005.11 / 724,784.05
Political Party committees: 98.00 / 1,662.82
PACs: 204,720.97 / 750,220.97
Total: 385,824.08 / 1,476,667.84
Transfers: 30,854.61 / 34,278.91
Refunds: none this quarter
Other Receipts: 5,191.65 / 14,751.09
Total Receipts: 421,870.34 / 1,530,383.14

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 206,828.56 / 914,641.48
Refunds: 250.00 / 4,850.00
Other: 450.00 / 2,350.00
Total: 207,528.56 / 921,841.48

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 500,238.01
Contributions: 421,870.34 / 1,530,383.14
Disbursements: 207,528.56 / 921,841.48
Ending cash on hand: 714,579.79

Personal Observations: Scrambled. Of direct contributions, not including those via partnerships, approximately 30 donors were from out of state. This is a comparatively low number. 6 newly maxed out contributors. There are contributions listed for the Chicksaw Nation, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, as if they were individuals, and a donation from someone who works at Video Gaming Technologies. 4 paid staffers, pays health insurance, pays for cable tv, DC web hosting service; spent a total of about 68K on NJ media consultants and a DC fundraising consultant. That’s a lot. 16K for a Texas direct mail company. Several large payments to VISA with no breakdown of what it was for, a note says see subvendor for detail. A PA fundraising consultant was paid over 23K.

Bob Roggio, Democratic challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 123,275.00
Individual, untemized: 17,824.99
Individual, total: 141,099.99
PACs: 3,600.00
Total: 144,699.99
Loans from the candidate: 60,500.00
Total Receipts: 205,199.99

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 36,941.07
Total: 36,941.07

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 00.00
Contributions: 205,199.99
Disbursements: 36,941.07
Ending cash on hand: 168,258.92

Personal Observations: Scrambled. There are some very interesting things here. For one, just over 10% of Roggio’s donors are from out of state, and only 3 maxed out. So he has a solid in-state base of donors that he can go back to for additional donations. Not very many were even into four figures so there is potentially a lot more money to come from the group he has already established contact with. And that isn’t including the $5K he has raised from Act Blue. Roggio has paid 5 people to work on his campaign, one named Roggio. Excluding things beyond his control (where the credit card fees are paid, etc), he only sent $1K out of state, for accounting services. He also made health insurance payments. Very impressive.

7th Congressional District:

Joe Sestak, Incumbent Democrat

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 374,382.11
Individual, unitemized: 67,960.05
Individual, total: 442,342.16 / 1,694,834.82
Political Party committees: 50.28 / 2236.69
PACs: 195,195.62 / 684,226.89
Candidate: none this quarter (4,600 total)
Transfers: none this quarter
Refunds, etc.: none this quarter
Other Receipts: 8,367.29 / 15,328.10
Total Receipts: 645,955.35 / 2,439,352.53

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 95,422.80 / 472,888.71
Refunds: 1,104.16 / 8,234.16
Total: 96,526.96 / 481,122.87

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 1,713,302.21
Contributions: 645,955.35 / 2,439,352.53
Disbursements: 96,526.96 / 481,122.87
Ending cash on hand: 2,262,730.60

Personal observations: This report is lengthy and scrambled so I am less sure of these numbers than any other candidate’s numbers. 28 newly maxed out contributors. Of individual contributors not donating via a partnership or via Act Blue, 69 were from out of state. 5 paid employees, 2 named Sestak. No mention of health insurance. Webhost in VA, online campaign tools from DC. Nearly $3K to Council for a Livable World. Uses a PA printer.

Craig Williams, Republican challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 112,692.74
Individual, untemized: 7,045.00
Individual, total: 119,737.74 /
Political Party committees: 1,250.00 /
PACs: 12,850.00 /
The Candidate: 1,061.00
Total Receipts: 134,898.74 /

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 1,984.35 /
Total: 1,984.35 /

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 000.00
Contributions: 134,898.74 /
Disbursements: 1,984.35 /
Ending cash on hand: 132,914.39

Personal Observations: Scrambled. 13 (18?) out of state donors, out of around 100 total. 5 maxed out donors. About $700 paid to Complete Campaigns of California, another $1000 for rent, and $200 in kind for office supplies. About $18,000 in debt, most to Keystone Strategies of PA for computer services, etc.

8th Congressional District

Patrick Murphy, Incumbent Democrat

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 422,647.49
Individual, unitemized: 53,992.41
Individual, total: 476,639.90 / 1,440,219.95
Political Party committees: none this quarter
PACs: 137,000.00 / 775,620.33
Total: 613,639.90 / 2,222,935.41
Transfers: none this quarter
Other Receipts: 1,725.88 / 45,125.22
Total Receipts: 615,365.78 / 230,3681.11

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 115,942.35 / 688,173.52
Refunds: 9,700.00 / 14,977.00
Total: 127,992.35 / 708,500.52

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 1,171,977.42
Contributions: 615,365.78 / 2,303,681.11
Disbursements: 127,992.35 / 708,500.52
Ending cash on hand: 1,659,350.85

Personal Observations: Out of 493 individual itemized contributors (not included those who donated via Act Blue or partnerships), 219 are from outside Pennsylvania. 15 maxed out contributors (some showing up as maxed out are listed as having some contributions refunded). There are a number of payments for taxi fare, parking, and Amtrak. Almost $2000 in webhosting costs to a firm in MA. Paid around $4000 to a PA printer. Paid over $10,000 to Sutter’s Mill Fundraising in DC. 5 paid staff. Pays health insurance costs. Murphy feels your pain – he lists costs for gas and office heating. Small debt for copy machine lease.

Tom Manion, Republican challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 340,998.93
Individual, untemized: 14,720.00
Individual, total: 355,718.93
PACs: 66,760.00
Total: 422,478.93
Other Receipts: 40.63
Total Receipts: 422,519.56

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 4,383.00
Refunds: 1,400.00
Total: 5,783.00

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 000.00
Contributions: 422,519.56
Disbursements: 5,783.00
Ending cash on hand: 416,736.56

Personal Observations: Scrambled. 44 out of state donors. 14 maxed out donors. No paid staff. Over $3,000 to a bookkeeping consultant in Maryland.

13th Congressional District

Allyson Schwartz, Incumbent Democrat

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 234,606.60
Individual, unitemized: 17,490.00
Individual, total: 252,096.60 / 1,299,351.59
Political Party committees: 19.00 / 491.87
PACs: 141,750.00 / 605,950.00
Total: 393,865.60 / 1,905,793.46
Refunds, etc.: none this quarter
Other Receipts: 8,460.08 / 27,392.79
Total Receipts: 402,325.68 / 1,953,642.13

Disbursements
Operating: 141,020.80 / 496,786.96
Refunds: 4600.00 / 7300.00
Other: 975.00 / 225,815.00
Total: 146,595.80 / 729,901.96

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 1,619,431.38
Contributions: 402,325.68 / 1,953,642.13
Disbursements: 146,595.80 / 729,901.96
Ending cash on hand: 1,875,161.26

Personal observations: There were 367 itemized individuals, 110 from out of state. Only 8 are maxed out (there were 9 but someone was granted a full refund). I noticed a number of contributors from the non-profit world and medical / health practitioners (midwives, etc). Health insurance paid. A VA polling firm paid $38,000. A fundraising consultant in DC paid over $12,000. Delaware web hosting firm. A legislative staffer paid over $11,000 for consulting and $1947 for travel. 3 paid employees. The DCCC paid $19.00 for fundraising. The campaign is buying a car (car payments listed). This was odd: $233.55 paid for food from Bed Bath & Beyond. If the petit fours you ate at that last fundraiser tasted soapy maybe there’s a reason?

Marina Kats, Republican challenger

Kats received $4600 in individual itemized contributions, plus $1000 from a PAC for a total of $5600. She had $124.00 in operating expenditures, leaving her with a total of $5476.00 cash on hand at the end of the quarter.

Personal Observations: She received a total of $4600 from one donor (a gentleman whose name was paired with hers as a sponsor on an invitation to a charitable event I recently received) and $1000 from the Friends of Jim Saxton, located in New Jersey.

15th Congressional District

Charlie Dent, Incumbent Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 99,420.00
Individual, unitemized: 9,009.00
Individual, total: 108,429.00 / 530,122.44
Political Party committees: none this quarter
PACs: 59,000.00 / 399,837.33
Total: 167,429.00 / 930,253.77
Transfers from other authorized committees: 34,033.72 / 34,033.72
Refunds, etc.: none this quarter
Other Receipts: 2,944.86 / 7,448.62
Total Receipts: 204,407.58 / 974,593.11

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 123,665.16 / 602,957.97
Refunds: 300.00 / 450.00
Other: none this quarter
Total: 123,965.16 / 633,082.97

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 535,091.73
Contributions: 204,407.58 / 974,593.11
Disbursements: 123,965.16 / 633,082.97
Ending cash on hand: 615,534.15

Personal observations: Scrambled, 8 out of state individuals. Some donations from LLPs without a breakdown of individuals. 6 newly maxed out contributors, one donated $4900, but was refunded the $300 overage. Over $34000 donated from D&G PAK. $11,000 paid to a firm in VA to do a voter survey, $8000 to a Virginia firm for consulting. Charlie is now reimbursing Shawn for health insurance!!! Yippee!!!!! Over $5000 paid to a Philadelphia firm for consulting. Over $3000 paid to a Philadelphia firm for fundraising and consulting. 3 paid employees.

Sam Bennett, Democratic challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 59,950.01
Individual, unitemized: 9,420.63
Individual, total: 69,370.64 / 21,2016.67
PACs: 48,460.00 / 99,710.00
Total: 117,830.64 / 311,726.67
Other Receipts: 332.44 / 1,582.44
Total Receipts: 118,163.08 / 313,309.11

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 29,603.27 / 130,064.77
Other: not this quarter
Total: 29,603.27 / 130,539.77

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 94,270.03
Contributions: 118,163.08 / 313,309.11
Disbursements: 29,603.27 / 130,539.77
Ending cash on hand: 182,829.84

Personal observations: I counted about 24 out of state itemized individual donors out of about 95 total, and about 6 newly maxed out donors. Two paid employees, no mention of health insurance. An in-state consultant received nearly $3800 and an out of state web designer $2500.

16th Congressional District

Joe Pitts, Incumbent Republican

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 39,950.00
Individual, unitemized: 00.00
Individual, total: 39,950.00 / 93,145.00
PACs: 46,000.00 / 215,054.35
Total: 85,950.00 / 308,199.35
Other: not this quarter
Total Receipts: 85,950.00 / 313,769.17

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 46,777.94 / 246,717.83
Other: 5,000 / 54,250.00
Total: 51,777.94 / 315,967.83

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 175,897.11
Contributions: 85,950.00 / 313,769.17
Disbursements: 51,777.94 / 315,967.83

Ending cash on hand: 210,069.17

Personal observations: Reports are scrambled, with PACs and individuals mixed in. One paid employee, no mention of health insurance. Largest single expense, almost $8,600 is for a fundraising firm in Virginia, another $5000 contribution to a county GOP party.

Bruce Slater, Democratic challenger

Contributions
Individual, itemized: 5,420.00
Individual, unitemized: 4,834.72
Individual, total: 10,254.72 / 25,093.89
PACs: 250.00 / 250.00
Total: 10,504.72 / 25,343.89
Loans from the candidate: 540.60 / 1515.60
Total Receipts: 11,045.32 / 26,859.49

Disbursements
Operating Expenditures: 13,323.81 / 23.500.78
Total: 13,323.81 / 23,500.78

Summary
Beginning Cash on hand: 8,387.56
Contributions: 11,045.32 / 26,859.49
Disbursements: 13,323.81 / 23,500.78
Ending cash on hand: 6,109.07

Personal observations: All but one of the 13 itemized contribution from Pennsylvania. No newly maxed out contributions. In disbursements, $8,000 in consulting fees.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Bill to Stop Gerrymandering

Inquirer columnist Chris Satullo writes that this Monday HB 2420 will be introduced in the Pennsylvania House. It is designed to keep communities and municipalities within the same congressional and state legislative districts. Satullo, in "Stop the gerrymander," points out some of the quirky boundaries we have at present:

You see, the line separating the Sixth District, represented by Republican Jim Gerlach, from the Seventh, represented by Democrat Joe Sestak, cuts across this block at a 45-degree angle. As best I can tell, the folks in the house to my right are represented by Sestak, but the cars in their garage are on Gerlach's turf.

Those who keep up with state congressional politics know that Patrick Murphy won the 8th congressional district because of the votes in that odd shaped bit of Montgomery County that was pasted on during the last redistricting. But I defy anyone to specify exactly where those district boundaries are, especially right where Bucks and Montco meet.

You can see the boundaries of the nation's congressional districts at nationalatlas.gov. As a good example, take a look at the 6th congressional district. Seriously, what logic went into that? Check around at some of the other states. I saw a few that had whacky districts but nothing that was chopped up quite as badly as Pennsylvania's Montgomery County.

This is an issue that needs attention. The bill will have to be acted upon quickly, before the legisative session ends, to have any real impact on the next redistricting, done every 10 years and coming up very soon.

Flavia Colgan Gets New TV Gig

From this Sunday's Inqlings by Michael Klein, in the Inquirer

Daily News columnist Flavia Colgan has been hired as a correspondent for the CBS Early Show to do stories on ordinary folks doing positive, inspirational things. First piece will be on Timmy Kelly, the local teen who sings at Eagles games. The interview took longer than expected, Colgan says, because she and her crew grew emotional. Air date has not been announced.

Colgan blogs for the Daily News at Citizen Hunter.

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

The only mentions I saw were of last month’s presidential primary, all in passing, and I didn’t include those.

PA Businesses

“Pay gap fuels worker woes,” by Carol Hymowitz (4/28) quotes Peter Cattelli of the Wharton School and cites Analytical Graphics of Exton as a example of compensation and bonuses tied to performance targets.

The Matrix Laboratories division of Mylan, Inc. of Canonsburg are mentioned in “Clinton foundation, Unitaid strike deals on price cuts for AIDS drugs,” by Marilyn Chase (4/29)

Hershey mentioned in “More sweet deals in the candy aisle?” by Julie Jargon and Aaron O. Patrick (4/29). On the same day Hershey is mentioned in “Mars’s takeover of Wrigley creates global powerhouse,” by Janet Adamy, Matthew Karnitschnig and Julie Jargon. Trivia: M&Ms introduced in 1941.

The Comcast tower is described in “Comcast’s surprise,” by Vishesh Kumar, Kris Hudson, and Jonathan Karp (4/30). Comcast again in “Comcast’s phone, web gains salve TV woes,” by Shira Ovide (5/02)

Other PA

Abington Memorial Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, all in the Philadelphia area, are mentioned and officials from there are quoted in “As doctors get a life, strains show,” by Jacob Goldstein (4/29)

The American Lung Association has named Pittsburgh as the country’s sootiest city, see “U.S. Watch,” (5/02)

Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch is the subject of “A final farewell,” by Jeffrey Zaslow (5/03)

Jebby Potter, some time resident of Sewickley is profiled in “Profiles in retirement,” by Kristi Essick (5/03).

Other Interesting Tidbits

A distressing trend is highlighted in “Hospitals demand cash upfront from patients,” by Barbara Martinez (4/28):

Hospitals are adopting a policy to improve their finances: making medical care contingent on upfront payments. Typically, hospitals have billed people after they receive care. But now, pointing to their burgeoning bad-debt and charity-care costs, hospitals are asking patients for money before they get treated.

Take note, Gov. Rendell, “Utilities, plug-in cars: near collision?” by Rebecca Smith (5/02) discusses the role of smart meters in electrical use.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Pennsylvania Progressive Update

For those who are fans of The Pennsylvania Progressive and were dismayed when the blog was discontinued, take note of an update posted today:

The new host for the blog is being established and work developing the blog, design, formating, links, blogrolls and features will begin being developed next week. The domain name for the blog, ThePennsylvaniaProgressive.com will be the URL for the new location and is no longer linked to this location. I'm sorry for any confusion resulting from the changeover. It may be some weeks before we are up and operating again.

weekly legislative update

Versus Network Hiring in Philadelphia

Just in time for the upcoming elections, the network that televises World Extreme Cagefighting is moving to Pennsylvania (update: to Philadelphia). That could solve a lot of things; too bad they missed the primaries!!

Versus, formerly the Outdoor Life Network, broadcasts a number of sporting events:

VERSUS (VERSUS.com) celebrates real competition in all its forms. Now in more than 72 million homes, the network is the national cable home of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as best-in-class events like The Tour de France, the America's Cup, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Professional Boxing, the Boston Marathon and Davis Cup. The network also offers collegiate sports from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West. VERSUS features the best field sports programming on television and is a destination for sports fans, athletes and sportsmen to find exclusive, competitive events that audiences can't find elsewhere. VERSUS, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

Even better, they are hiring. Check out the jobs link on their website.

[Full disclosure -- I accepted an ad from this company; it is currently running on my sidebar.]

Thursday, May 01, 2008

A Quick Note on HR 5351

A few weeks ago I sat in on a conference call with some people from the Sierra Club to talk about some energy legislation. One bill they discussed is HR 5351, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, which would continue tax credits for energy conservation and renewable energy. The bill passed the House in February and has been sitting in committee in the Senate every since. As a local note, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13) was the only Pennsylvania co-sponsor. If I read the Congressional Budget Office cost assessment correctly (and this is always an iffy proposition), the bill will begin increasing revenues in 2011.

Steve Santarsiero's Website

Steve Santarsiero, Democratic candidate for the 31st state house district in Bucks County, has launched his campaign website, www.voteforsteve08.com

Friday, May 16, 2008

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Monday, May 12, 2008

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Friday, May 09, 2008

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Monday, May 05, 2008

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Friday, May 02, 2008

Thursday, May 01, 2008

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