The Kids Are Allright, Print Edition

Recently while browsing in the library a book caught my eye. I haven't read it and probably won't, at least for some time, but a few readers may want to track it down. The relative political activism of younger adults has been in the press a lot lately.

The Good Citizen: How a Younger Generation is Shaping American Politics by Russell J. Dalton (CQ Press, 2007) takes the view that the younger generation is active but in different ways, not often measured in traditional surveys.

Interesting.

Rambling Christmas Day Thoughts

In the early 1990's I developed a yen, no idea why, for French Christmas carols. On trips to New York I would look around in music stores and French stores but the only items available sounded like Alvin and the Chipmunks singing pop holiday songs. I was looking more for traditional French carols. The mood passed and I forgot all about it until zooming around in Amazon yesterday. Several items are listed that look like they might fit the bill. Ah, the wonders of the Internet.

I learned some interesting things in college Latin class, how to pick up women at the coliseum (a skill that has yet to come in handy), the words to "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" in Latin (which often comes to mind for some reason), and assorted phrases that can be dropped in conversation when trying to look clever.

One class assignment involved translating a passage from the Vulgate (the Latin Bible). We all got the same thing. It wasn't "Peace on Earth, good will to men" but "Peace on Earth and to men of good will." Big difference. To find out what the original meaning was you would have to check in whatever language it was originally written in. It is interesting, though.

Platts: Priorities in Order

According to Pennsyltucky Politics, U.S. Rep. Todd Platts (R-19) passed on being present when Pres. Bush signed the energy bill, something Platts had supported, to attend his son's school play. I know which of those two would remember his presence or absence longer. Kudos to Rep. Platts for having his priorities in order.

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

Sen. Spector does the honors this week. From “Bush nears a victory over spying powers,” by Siobhan Gorman and Evan Perez (12/17):

But there has been little progress. One proposal from Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Spector, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, would subtstitute the government as a defendant in several lawsuits filed against telecommunications companies. Even after Mr. Spector included changes negotiated with Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the proposal failed to win the support of their committee. It will likely have similar problems in the full Senate.

PA Businesses

Chocolate companies doing business in Canada (PA’s own Hershey included) are getting some iffy press. “Chocolate probe cites Canadian pricing,” by Douglas Belkin and Julie Jargon (12/22) and “Chocolate makers face probes by US., Canada over pricing,” by Julie Jargon and John R. Wilke (12/21). Hershey, Toll House, I just want you to know I am rooting for you.

This week’s Mark Zandi (of Moody’s Economy.com) quote came in “New, even borrowers with good credit pose risks,” by George Anders (12/19)

Patrick Gallagher, of Gallagher group, a job search firm in Blue Bell, is quoted in “Web sites improve recruiters’ odds,” by Sarah E. Needleman (12/18)

Brief mentions:
Pilgrim’s Pride (12/21)
Comcast (12/19)

Other PA

Some time musician and former U Penn student Bruce Meyer is quoted in “Crib sheets for guitar heroes,” by Ethan Smith (12/21)

A chart accompanying “Slow building of a rescue plan,” by Michael M. Phillips, Damian Patetta, and John D. McKinnon (12/21) shows PA with 1-2% of homes with adjustable-rate subprime mortgages whose rates are due to reset over the next two years, as a percentage of total homes.

Another sign of increasing crime in Pennsylvania: “This month in Lancaster, Pa, someone sliced the head off an inflatable Santa that the Ide family had in their front yard.” From “Abominable snowmen: the war on lawn decorations,” by Sara Schaefer Munoz (12/20)

The professional association for “hospitalists,” (doctors who specialize in the care of hospital patients), The Society of Hospital Medicine, is located in Philadelphia. “’Hospitalists’ are seen as help,” by Jennifer Levitz (12/20)

An IRS employee in Philadelphia pled guilty to unauthorized disclosure of tax-return information; her lawyer says she was coerced. “IRS combats its in-house snoops,” by Tom Herman (12/19)

A review of the new Perelman Building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, “An expansion a Quaker could love,” by Lee Rosenbaum was printed on 12/19.

Penn State labor studies professor Alexander Colvin is quoted in “When suing your boss is not an option,” by Nathan Koppel (12/18)

Another Penn State professor, David Myers, a political scientist who specializes in Venzuela, is quoted in “Backlash tangles Chavez,” by John Luhnow and John Lyons (12/17)

Oren and Colleen Spiegler of Upper Saint Clair, Pa are among those highlighted in “Savings strategies,” by Kristi Essick (12/17). Their section is titled “Clipping coupons is just the start.”

One of the family members mentioned in “How Iraq conflict rewards a Kuwaiti merchant family,” by Cam Simpson and Glenn R. Simpson (12/17), attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Other Interesting Tidbits

For those who keep track of such things, the Fair Isaac Corp. is slightly changing the formula is uses to compile FICO scores (the number that decides if you can get a loan and at what interest rate).

Book Synopsis: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton

I need to start out by saying a few things. I respect the work that Sen. Clinton has done and admire her drive and tenacity; without a doubt she is a very bright and capable woman. Her work in the areas of health care and child welfare is extensive and thorough and has made a difference for the better. She has worked hard for the things she has achieved in life. That said, I found parts of this book very difficult to read. At one point I put it down for about two weeks. In fact, I read this book about 10 months ago and have written and re-written a review several times since then. I am still not completely satisfied with it. And so, in place of a review, I offer instead a synopsis, so if you are inclined you can find the sections you might want to read. At a later date I may try again to write a more formal review.

My recommendation would be to skip the first parts of the book and start in around page 130 or later, when they are already in the White House. The writing really picks up speed around page 211 or even 228.

But let’s start at the beginning and work our way through. The chapters are not numbered nor are they divided into sections.

The first two chapters (pp. 1-26) cover her family history and life up to high school.

The next three chapters (pp. 27-61) cover her college years (including law school). She was a driven and serious student, the first student commencement speaker at Wellesley. It generated national interest and she was featured in Life magazine because of it.

She also talks about meeting Bill Clinton in law school. On p. 61 she talks of Bill Clinton’s repeated proposals, which she declined:

My mother had suffered from her parents’ divorce, and her sad and lonely childhood was imprinted on my heart. I knew that when I decided to marry, I wanted it to be for life. Looking back to that time and to the person I was, I realize how scared I was of commitment in general and of Bill’s intensity in particular. I thought of him as a force of nature and wondered whether I’d be up to the task of living through his seasons.

The next two chapters (pp. 61-100) concern her work in Washington after college, marrying Bill Clinton, working as a lawyer, having her daughter, and her years as Arkansas’ First Lady. All of that in 39 pages. I would have liked this to be fleshed out a little more.

The next chapter (pp. 101-116) is about Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign. Again, I wish there had been a little more detail here.

The next eight chapters (pp. 117-242) are on the first two years in the White House. Here we have a lot of her work on health care, the death of Vince Foster and the beginnings of the Whitewater investigation.

The next chapter is on the 1994 mid-term elections (pp. 243-257).

Again, eight chapters (pp. 258-377) on the second half of the first presidential term. Here Mrs. Clinton steps back from policy issues and instead focuses on more traditional First Lady issues, education, the role of women, and children; the exception, or perhaps intersection, is welfare reform, which she discusses in detail. Other domestic events or issues include the Oklahoma City bombing. She relishes the travels she takes, to Pakistan, Eastern Europe, a variety of Asian countries, Bosnia, Ireland.

The next chapters touch on Bill Clinton’s second presidential campaign and inaugural (pp. 378-396).

The next four chapters (pp. 397-448) are on the first two years of Bill Clinton’s second term as president.

The next four chapters (pp. 449-494) cover the Lewinski episode, impeachment and the 1998 mid-term elections.

The final two years in the White House, her decision to run for Senate in New York and that campaign are covered in the last two chapters (pp. 495-528).

There is a thorough index to help you find anything in particular that you are looking for.

Mrs. Clinton, now Sen. Clinton, is passionate about public policy. She knows her issues in and out, thoroughly. She is willing to fight for her values and beliefs, most of which I share. Her zest for public life is wonderful. The narrative of the White House years is written primarily in the voice of a policy maker, and one with a compassionate heart and solid thinking skills.

weekly legislative update

No bills passed in the Pennsylvania state House or Senate this week, though some were shuffled around in committees.

Our accountant friends at PICPA, though, never sleep, and have provided their usual weekly update.

House Republicans also have a weekly update.

Allyson Schwartz Has Paid Her Dues!!

In a 12/19 article from the Politico, "Dem leaders try tix-for-cash fundraising," by Josephine Hearn, we learn that:

Among Democrats, party leaders have dictated that each lawmaker must contribute $125,000 to $800,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, with exact amounts depending on seniority and leadership positions.

The only Pennsylvanian on the list of 17 House Democrats (plus the Speaker) to have paid their allotted amount in full is Rep. Allyson Schwartz of the 13th congressional district.

Philadelphian Speaks for Ron Paul

This week's Campaign Insider has a brief interview with native Philadelphian Jesse Benton, who is currently the spokesman for presidential candidate Ron Paul. Previously Benton was the press secretary for Americans for Tax Reform. Someone make sure Pat Toomey has his number.

News Updates

A few updates that you may have already seen:

1) In Montgomery County, Republican Jim Matthews and Democrat Joe Hoeffel did indeed make public a power sharing agreement, which is outlined in "Castor left out of power-sharing deal," by Jacob Fenton in today's Intelligencer. Matthews was re-elected this past November. Hoeffel has served as a county commissioner before, and Bruce Castor was, until his election as commissioner, the county's District Attorney.

2) Josh Drobnyk over at Pennsylvania Avenue is reporting that Democrats are trying to woo Chris Casey, brother of Sen. Bob Casey, Jr., and son of the late Gov. Bob Casey, Sr., to run against Rep. Jim Gerlach in the 6th congressional district. Move quickly, folks, time is short.

3) If you are concerned about the safety of children's toys and you a high tolerance for hearings or reports, Sen. Casey will be on PCN tomorrow at 4:35 with the Pennsylvania Fair Trade Coalition to talk about "Imported Toy Quality." For the truly wonky, the Geospatial Policy Symposium will be on at 10:00, sans the senator.

Shapiro Still Aspen's Only Pennsylvanian

In a previous post, it was noted that Pennsylvania State Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-153) is the only Pennsylvanian to be named an Aspen Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. The third class of Aspen Fellows has been named and no Pennsylvanians are on the list. Thus, Shapiro maintains his "one and only" title. There are surely enough bright young elected officials in the state that we could field a few more. Let's cross our fingers for next year. Maybe Shapiro could give some pointers?

More Congressional Updates

Our congressional delegation is getting a little press again.

As a group, our regional reps are likely to get a free rise to re-election this year, or so the National Journal says (as reported by Keystone Politics). According to KP, The Hotline is saying Jim Gerlach (R-06), Patrick Murphy (D-08), and Joe Sestak (D-07) may not see any opposition this time around. I haven't heard anything about the 13th so Democrat Allyson Schwartz may also get a pass.

Over at the Politico, "Hard work helps freshman get ahead," by Amie Parnes, gives an honorable mentions to Murphy.

For the Person Who Has Everything

Doing your last minute holiday shopping? Keep in mind that Dec. 31 is the end of a campaign finance reporting period. Granted, our local congressional races are shaping up to be a little dull, unless you live in the 15th (where Sam Bennett is taking on Charlie Dent, sort of) or the 19th (where Bruce Slater is taking on Joe Pitts).

The rest of us may have to be content with state and local elections. So if Aunt Tootie has everything you could possibly think of, perhaps telling her you made a political donation instead (this is most effective if the two of you agree on politics) would do the trick. Plus you can do so at home and at the last minute.

Here's one suggestion. State Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-161) represents a district where 56% of the registered voters are Republican. He's done a fine job in his first year in office (and added fatherhood to his list of roles). His campaign website, www.votelentz.com has recently been updated and there may be some other changes to in in the near future. There is an ActBlue button on the right hand side of the main page. Click that and away you go.

Something to Do

For those who are looking for something to do over the holidays, and aren't inclined towards the perennial favorite, jigsaw puzzles, I have a suggestion.

The Wikipedia entry for Pennsylvania State Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202) has been tagged as:

This article or section is written like an advertisement.
Please help rewrite this article from a neutral point of view.

I am sure that Rep. Cohen would appreciate any assistance in making the entry more acceptable to Wikipedia standards. It is in his favor that he has so many ardent supporters willing to write such glowing things that the entry was tagged. Please keep in mind that anyone can sign up and post to Wikipedia. [updated: you can, within the wikipedia entry, view edits to the entry and see discussion among those doing the editing. In this case, it looks like a few people have done most of the editing.]

It has already had a little work done. I'm not sure what the copyright regulations are on Wikipedia but I have included some lengthy excerpts for demonstration purposes. The 12/12/07 edit is what is currently available as the cached copy and I am comparing it to the current 12/17/07 edit. For example the 12/12 entry has a long description of his online involvement:

Cohen is the most active Daily Kos diarist and commenter among elective officials who write in their own names. He is also the most active phillyblog thread starter, leader of threaded discussion and poster among elective officials who write in their own names. He is a strong believer and active participant in citizen journalism. He is an active member of Facebook. He is the prime sponsor in the Pennsylvania House of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. He has been a strong supporter of state regulation of lobbying and campaign finance and has worked successfully to make voter registration easier for voters. He has initiated the ongoing efforts to establish a state university in Philadelphia, and to appropriate state funds for MRSA superbug research.

"Call Him Rep. Blog," a front page profile of Cohen by reporter Lauren Fritsky that appeared in the August 2, 2007 issue of the Northeast Times, said he "seems to be steering the bandwagon of cyberpolitics... reinventing himself as he pioneers a new form of constituent service."

In the same issue, the Northeast Times published an editorial stating that "Mr. Cohen is perhaps the best known participant on Phillyblog and he deserves lots of credit for having the intestinal fortitude to state his opinions in the open for all to see.... Thanks to the ability of politicians like Mr. Cohen to speak out via the Internet, chatrooms, blogs, etc. the public can get the transparency it so richly deserves."

Said the August 1, 2007 Frankford Gazette about the Northeast Times article, "If you follow phillyblog at all, you may have seen posts by Cohen. The surprising thing about finding him posting there is that it is so atypical for a pol to say what he thinks out there in a public forum knowing it will be impossible for him to deny it later. Agree with him or not but we need more like him who are willing to say what they think and take part in an exchange of ideas."

Cohen's engagement with both online and traditional media is shown in his list of Facebook friends.

A long list of friends followed. That section has now been reduced to one sentence in the 12/17/07 edit.

He is an active member of Facebook, Daily Kos, and phillyblog.

This section from the 12/12/07 edit has been deleted entirely in the 12/17/07 edit:

Cohen is an active reviewer of nonfiction books for amazon.com.[3], with a reviewer rank in the top 2% of all volunteer amazon.com reviewers. Commenting on his customer review ("How Bentonville Surpassed Wall Street and Washington") of The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works -- and How It's Transforming the American Economy, William Wellisch said on September 1, 2007 "This is an outstanding review. It is detailed, objective, filled with relevant extracts to make the point. This is how book reviews should be written."

The "Praise from Advocates" section has also been deleted.

The criticism section is rather interesting. Here it is in full, as of the 12/17/07 edit:

Mario Cattabiani, the Harrisburg reporter of Philadelphia Inquirer, who was censured in the Columbia Journalism Review[5], pointed out that Cohen had billed his state legislative expense account for $28,200 in the prior two years for books and $3,050 for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. [6]

Cohen was also found by Cattabiani to have collected over $46,000 in per diem payments over two years, the third highest among all legislators, despite the fact that he owns a home in Harrisburg with no remaining mortgage and incurred no hotel costs. Cohen noted that he incurs numerous other costs, including taxes, home repairs, and maintenance. [7]

Cohen was the only vote among the members of the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform against a proposal to allow electronic access to all legislative expense account records.[8] Cohen said he feared that the expenses would become gossip fodder for the press, but voted for the final version of the Commission recommendations at a Commission meeting and on the House floor. Cohen also voted against a study of a Constitutional Convention proposed by Rep. Dwight Evans and supported by Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the reform commission, Rep. Josh Shapiro. [9][10] Cohen has critiqued some media in kind for focus on legislators' salary and employee benefits while generally ignoring of important public policy issues.

Democracy Rising PA, an advocacy group run by retired Democratic staffer Tim Potts, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, published a 2007 study, released July 12, 2007, rating legislative independence from House and Senate floorleaders. Rep. Cohen was rated on the Microsoft Excel spreadsheets enclosed with the study as voting with Democratic leader Bill DeWeese 220 out of 232 times, voting with DeWeese more times than 61% of the House Democratic Caucus; he has long been part of Democratic leadership as an elected caucus leader since January, 1990. [11]

Here is the longer 12/12 criticism section:

Cohen has been questioned by reporters in the local media for what they claim is dubious spending. Cohen has responded that the questions are on his strong work ethic of spending many extra days in Harrisburg and doing research on many issues to be an active leader on them.8 "I'm a very hard worker," Cohen said. "I do a lot of paperwork in the office. I take this job extremely seriously."8

Mario Cattabiani, the Harrisburg reporter of Philadelphia Inquirer, who was censured in the Columbia Journalism Review[9], pointed out that Cohen had billed his state legislative expense account for $28,200 in the prior two years for books and $3,050 for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Cattabiani's article did not note Cohen's strong career advocacy for the Philadelphia school district. Cohen's book total was more than some individual schools in cash-starved Philadelphia School District had spent for library books in the same period, during which time period library resources were being heavily spent on internet and computer literacy. [10]

Cohen--a strong supporter of aid to libraries who has obtained numerous grants for school libraries and public libraries within and near his legislative district--replied that he was a "voracious reader" and felt that the books did help him become a more effective legislator. Indeed, the non-fiction books he purchased were generally scholarly titles and policy works including Preachers of Hate: Islam and the War on America and Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Neighborhood Revival. However, other books he purchased with taxpayer funds included AOL for Dummies and The Zen of Gambling. The latter was purchased at the time the legislature was considering legalizing slot machines and other forms of legalized gambling. [11]

Cohen was also found by Cattabiani to have collected over $46,000 in per diem payments over two years, the third highest among all legislators, despite the fact that he owns a home in Harrisburg with no remaining mortgage and incurred no hotel costs. Cohen noted that he incurs numerous other costs, including taxes, home repairs, and maintenance. [12]

In a column for the Philadelphia Daily News, John Baer, a former staff member for Republican Lieutenant Governor William Scranton III, noted that Cohen was the only vote among the members of the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform against a proposal to allow electronic access to all legislative expense account records.[13] Cohen said he feared that the expenses would become gossip fodder for the press, but voted for the final version of the Commission recommendations at a Commission meeting and on the House floor. Baer, a self-proclaimed " professional cynic" (Philadelphia Daily News, November 5, 2007), noted that Cohen also voted against a study of a Constitutional Convention proposed by Rep. Dwight Evans and supported by Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the reform commission, Rep. Josh Shapiro. Baer did not note that the study was opposed by Pa Cleansweep leader Russ Diamond and many members of the reform commission and was not a proposal of the reform commission. Baer did quote Shapiro as saying "it may be too premature" to have a constitutional convention. [14][15]

Cohen has critiqued some media in kind for focus on legislators' salary and employee benefits while generally ignoring of important public policy issues. "I think, 10 years from now, the newspaper coverage in Pennsylvania will be taught in journalism schools as a model of abuse. This is propaganda not news (covered with objectivity). The old leaders of the Soviet Union would be very proud of Pennsylvania newspapers' coverage of this issue."

Cohen is the only member of the General Assembly identified by Mario Cattabiani as billing his expenses for the Pennsylvania Society's annual meeting back to his legislative expense account. Cohen believed that as he attended no political events at or around the meeting of the non-profit, non-political organization, this would be a legitimate use of legislative expense money. The Philadelphia Board of Ethics, in a 2004 decision discussing Pennsylvania Society attendance in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia's ethical code, called the Pennsylvania Society annual New York dinner an "official function." In addition, many private sector lobbyists and local government officials are reimbursed for the their expenses at Pennsylvania Society meetings and Cohen saw so reason that legislators cannot do the same at meetings in which state legislation and state policies are frequently discussed.[16][17]

Democracy Rising PA, an advocacy group run by retired Democratic staffer Tim Potts, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, published a 2007 study, released July 12, 2007, rating legislative independence from House and Senate floorleaders. Rep. Cohen was rated on the Microsoft Excel spreadsheets enclosed with the study as voting with Democratic leader Bill DeWeese 220 out of 232 times, voting with DeWeese more times than 61% of the House Democratic Caucus; he has long been part of Democratic leadership as an elected caucus leader since January, 1990. [18]

I didn't include the footnotes. There were 18 in the 12/12 edit and 11 in the 12/17 edit. It should be noted that it was the Inquirer and not Cattabiani himself who was given a "dart" (as opposed to a laurel) by the Columbia Journalism Review, although some of the stories referenced were written by Cattabiani; all dealt with coverage of state Rep. Daylin Leach's leachvent blog and had nothing to do with Cohen.

Even so, it looks like the entry could still use a little work. If you can post to Wikipedia you might stop by and do a little editing.

News from Montco

The election's over and now the fun starts. The Montgomery County commissioners race ended as it began, with two Republicans and one Democrat. However, instead of Jim Matthews, Tom Ellis, and Ruth Damsker, it is now Bruce Castor, Joe Hoeffel, and Jim Matthews. Traditionally, but not always, the senior commissioner is the chair, or at least has right of refusal. Traditionally, but not always, the two commissioners from the majority party marginalize the commissioner from the minority party. Last time this didn't happen was when Joe Hoeffel was the minority commissioner and he made a deal with one of the majority commissioners to marginalize the other majority commissioner.

Both the PA Water Cooler and Capitol Ideas are reporting on a CapitolWire story that Jim Matthew and Joe Hoeffel have made a similar bargain, wherein Matthews would be the chair and Hoeffel the vice chair.

Late today the PA Water Cooler posted the text of an email Bruce Castor sent to Matthews (and apparently shared with a number of others), asking Matthews not to ally himself with Hoeffel. Note the options he offers:

Even if we could agree on nothing else (which won’t happen), we still would be running the government together (as co-chairmen or alternating chairman or something) without empowering the Democrat.

Matthews as sole chair is not really included in that wording. So if both of them want to be chair, someone has to make a deal with the devil (sorry, Joe, just a figure of speech). It sounds like Matthews would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven, and that leaves Bruce Almighty out in the cold, as the snowball without a chance. (h/t John Milton's Paradise Lost, with apologies for the mixed metaphors)

My Blogging Space

Fellow blogger PSOTD challenged a long list of bloggers, myself included, to post a photo of where they blog. Interesting idea. Not practical in my case. Initially I blogged from the only pc in the house, using a dial up connection. Later we added dsl. About 18 months ago we bought a laptop. I try to maintain the fiction that it is the household laptop but no one really believes that. It is Mom's laptop and Mr. J asks if it is okay before he takes it to meetings or wherever. The children know better than to touch it. About the same time we acquired wireless in the house.

So that is my blogspace, the house. And I seldom blog in just one place on any given day. Trying to do anything before the kids are asleep requires moving from room to room either to follow them or escape them as the case may be. Fairly often I am sitting on the floor with a scattering of source material around me. There is some vanity in being past 45 and still able to sit cross-legged comfortably for any length of time. Often I start at the dining room table and eventually move to the den. The house isn't large enough for there to be a separate home office so I carry the home office around with me. It's a Gateway, on sale at Best Buy when the model was discontinued or the store was going to stop carrying it.

My favorite blogging spot, though, is the sofa. Sometimes Mr. J and I will have the time to sit together, each of us with our backs to one end and our feet stretched out in front of us, towards the other person. I'll have the laptop and he will be listening to music or reading the paper. It is very cozy though I have noticed that in recent years the sofa seems to be getting narrower.

Presidential Finances, the Personal Version

The new issue of Money Magazine has an article on the personal finances of the leading presidential candidates. "Millionaires-in-Chief" is available online. Some interesting tidbits:

John Edwards was paid $480,000 a year as a part-time consultant for a hedge fund.

Barack Obama is the only one profiled who owns only one home. He also has the least amount of money, a household net worth of 1.3 million.

Most of the McCain assets are in the name of his wife or their children. A financial consultant provides some advance to each candidate. The one for McCain says "I'd advise the senator to keep Cindy very happy -- or have a good prenuptial agreement." Keeping the spouse happy, sound advice for married men everywhere.

For those interested in book advances, there is a chart of the presidential candidates' book, a one sentence synopsis, the advance paid, and the number of copies sold. The average unknown author get $50,000; the average presidential candidates' advance is $2.3 million. So I guess $100,000 for a new congressman with an interesting life story would not be out of line.

HB 1643 Update

In a previous post on HB 1643, I noted that it had been voted in 101-100 but listed as defeated, and wondered how something that had more votes for than against could be listed as defeated. However, I am informed that a bill has to get 102 votes to pass. My thanks to the gentleman who was willing to explain this to me. And congrats to him for being quoted in the paper recently.

Platt Campaign Goes Flat

Philadelphia Magazine editor Larry Platt has decided not to run for congress after all. Inky blog Heard in the Hall is reporting that after 2 days at the Pennsylvania Society meeting last weekend Platt is saying he will stay at the magazine and not challenge 6th district Republic Rep. Jim Gerlach.

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

Gov. Rendell does the honors. In “Green projects generate splits in activist groups,” by Greg Hitt (12/12), the Audobon Society’s opposition to a wind farm in western Pennsylvania. Note this paragraph:

In Pennsylvania, Democratic governor Ed Rendell has made wind power a priority. In 200, he persuaded Gamesa SA, a Spanish energy company, to establish its U.S. headquarters in his state. Gamesa’s Shaffer Mountain project in Somerset County was proposed last year.

PA Businesses

Do not read this while drinking or eating. From “Are big bonuses still due after a bust?” by George Anders (12/12):

At some big home builders, CEO’s continued to collect multimillion-dollar bonuses last year – albeit smaller ones than before – even as business prospects and their companies’ stock prices weakened. Robert Toll, the CEO of Toll Brothers, Inc., got $17.5 million in cash and stock.

Note: That is more than the VA paid Toll Brothers for the land that hopefully will become a veterans cemetery in Bucks County. Everybody keep that in mind.

Brief mentions:
Hershey (12/12)

Other PA

One of the films playing at the Sundance Film Festival this year will be “Mysteries of Pittsburgh”, as noted in “Strike thickens the plot at Sundance,” by Peter Sanders (12/14)

David Lacy, described as a Pennsylvanian, is a researcher at Amgen, as mentioned in “Can new osteoporosis drug strengthen Amgen,” by Marilyn Chase (12/14)

Clinical trials conducted by University of Pennsylvania nursing professor Mary Naylor are highlighted in “Keeping patients from landing back in hospital,” by Laura Landro (12/12)

Other Interesting Tidbits

“Reading the mind of the body politic,” by Alexandra Alter (12/14) makes me definely want to keep political consultants out of my brain cells.

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. They have some interesting things to say this week about a possible increase in the sales tax.


Other updates this week:

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



Bills

Special Session

House

HB 5 Prior Printer's Nos. 4, 43.Printer's No. 51. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for the High-Performance Buildings Tax Credit.

Senate

SB 1 By Senators M. WHITE, TOMLINSON, PILEGGI, ERICKSON, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, MADIGAN, GORDNER, WOZNIAK, WAUGH, PUNT, O'PAKE, FERLO, WONDERLING and EICHELBERGER. Prior Printer's Nos. 8, 33.Printer's No. 48. An Act providing for development of alternative sources of energy.

SB 22 By Senators TOMLINSON, M. WHITE, PILEGGI, WASHINGTON, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, GORDNER, STOUT, BOSCOLA and PIPPY. Prior Printer's Nos. 13, 30.Printer's No. 47. An Act amending the act of November 29, 2004 (P.L.1376, No.178), known as the Alternative Fuels Incentive Act, further providing for definitions and for the Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund; and providing for biodiesel production incentives.

SB 36 By Senators M. WHITE, TOMLINSON, PILEGGI, ERICKSON, EARLL, LAVALLE, ORIE, STOUT, O'PAKE, KITCHEN, GREENLEAF, BROWNE, WAUGH, D. WHITE and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 29.Printer's No. 32. An Act providing for the study and mandated content of biodiesel fuel.

General Session

House

HB 1281 Prior Printer's Nos. 1542, 1834.Printer's No. 2935. 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 1787 Prior Printer's Nos. 2384, 2919.Printer's No. 3009. An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, providing for procedure for municipal curative amendment subsequent to appellate court decision.

SB 1 Prior Printer's Nos. 772, 1509, 1553, 1562, 1583.Printer's No. 1646. An Act providing for access to public information, for a designated open-records officer in each Commonwealth agency, local agency, judicial agency and legislative agency, for procedure, for appeal of agency determination, for judicial review and for the Pennsylvania Public Records Office; imposing penalties; providing for reporting by State-related institutions; requiring the posting of certain State contract information on the Internet; and making related repeals.

SB 1100 By Senators PILEGGI, M. WHITE, MUSTO, ERICKSON, PUNT, VANCE, GREENLEAF, GORDNER, RHOADES, BOSCOLA, WOZNIAK, MADIGAN, ROBBINS, CORMAN, BAKER, STOUT, FERLO, WAUGH, D. WHITE, PIPPY and BROWNE. Prior Printer's Nos. 1483, 1617.Printer's No. 1483. An Act providing for the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, for its funding, for expenditures from the fund and for audits of the fund; making an appropriation; and making related repeals.

SB 1156 By Senators FOLMER, PILEGGI and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 1536.Printer's No. 1576. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for notice and hearing and for disposition of dependent child.

SB 737 By Senators RAFFERTY, PILEGGI, FUMO, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, ORIE, CORMAN, RHOADES, O'PAKE, COSTA, PICCOLA, WONDERLING, GORDNER, STACK, ARMSTRONG, REGOLA, BROWNE, MUSTO, PIPPY and WASHINGTON. Prior Printer's No. 806.Printer's No. 1188. An Act amending the act of December 3, 2002 (P.L.1144, No.141), entitled "An act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages and for inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages," extending the expiration provision.

SB 810 By Senator MUSTO. Prior Printer's No. 907.Printer's No. 1301. An Act authorizing and directing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey certain lands situate in the City of Pittston, Luzerne County, to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittston; and authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to Bensalem Township, certain lands situate in Bensalem Township, Bucks County.

SENATE

HB 1109 By Representatives STABACK, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, DeLUCA, FABRIZIO, GERGELY, HALUSKA, HERSHEY, HESS, JAMES, KORTZ, KOTIK, McGEEHAN, PETRONE, REICHLEY, J. WHITE, LEVDANSKY, HORNAMAN, DENLINGER, SIPTROTH and SONNEY. Prior Printer's Nos. 1338, 2638.Printer's No. 2984. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing, in fishing licenses, for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing licenses, for issuing agents and for license, permit and issuing agent fees.

HB 1621 By Representative M. O'BRIEN. Prior Printer's No. 2074.Printer's No. 2980. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Protection, to lease to VTE Philadelphia, LP, or its nominee, land within the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia; and affirming the authority of the General Assembly to enact certain conveyances.

HB 1627 By Representative M. O'BRIEN. Prior Printer's No. 2080.Printer's No. 2981. An Act authorizing the Department of General Services, with the concurrence of the Department of Environmental Protection, to lease to NCCB Associates, LP, or its nominee, land within the bed of the Delaware River in the City of Philadelphia; and affirming the authority of the General Assembly to enact certain conveyances.

HB 1877 By Representatives BUXTON, PAYNE, MARSICO and HELM. Printer's No. 2574. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for authorization of hotel tax.

HB 1961 Prior Printer's No. 2719.Printer's No. 2832. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for information relating to prospective child-care personnel.

SB 317 By Senators RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, CORMAN, O'PAKE, COSTA, WAUGH and BROWNE. Prior Printer's Nos. 352, 1088.Printer's No. 1653. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, further providing for public buildings to be used where possible, for organization of State committee, for affidavit of circulator, for objections to nomination petitions and papers, for absentee elector files and lists, for filing fees and certificates of filing and for advertising.

SB 1135 Prior Printer's No. 1563.Printer's No. 1647. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for tests of certain electronic devices.

HB 17 By Representatives MARKOSEK and GEIST. Prior Printer's Nos. 42, 1262.Printer's No. 2982. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further defining "automated red light enforcement system" and "serious traffic violation"; and further providing for period of registration, for person with disability plate and placard, for weight restriction relating to special registration plates, for use and display of illuminated signs, for automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities, for employer responsibilities and for unlawful activities related to equipment standards.

HB 131 Prior Printer's Nos. 157, 1414, 2511.Printer's No. 2910. An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, prohibiting fees for police services.

HB 489 Prior Printer's Nos. 545, 1992.Printer's No. 2983. An Act amending the act of March 20, 2002 (P.L.154, No.13), known as the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act, in insurance, further providing for medical professional liability insurance, for the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund and for actuarial data; providing for the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Reserve Fund and the Medical Safety Automation Fund; transferring the Volunteer Health Services Act into the act; further providing for license renewal, continuing education requirements and disciplinary and corrective measures; in the Health Care Provider Retention Program, further providing for the abatement program, for the Health Care Provider Retention Account and for expiration; further providing for expiration of the patient safety discount; and making a related repeal.

SB 711 Prior Printer's No. 925.Printer's No. 1608. An Act providing for the protection of consumers from having spyware deceptively installed on their computers and for criminal and civil enforcement.

SB 838 Prior Printer's No. 973.Printer's No. 1582. An Act amending the act of May 26, 1947 (P.L.318, No.140), known as the CPA Law, further providing for definitions, for State Board of Accountancy, for general powers of the board, for examination and issuance of certificate, for education requirements, for experience requirements; providing for requirements for issuance of certificate; further providing for certificates issued by domestic reciprocity and for certificates issued by foreign reciprocity; providing for practice in this Commonwealth by individuals under substantial equivalency, for practice outside this Commonwealth under substantial equivalency; further providing for licenses to practice, for licensing of firms, for peer review, for grounds for discipline, for reinstatement, for unlawful acts and for acts not unlawful.

SB 1114 By Senator KASUNIC. Printer's No. 1474. An Act designating the scenic view on State Route 40 in Wharton Township, Fayette County, as the "Blue Star Point Lookout."

SB 880 By Senators KASUNIC, FONTANA, FUMO, BOSCOLA, COSTA, ERICKSON, FOLMER, GORDNER, LAVALLE, LOGAN, MUSTO, O'PAKE, ORIE, RAFFERTY, REGOLA, ROBBINS, STOUT, TARTAGLIONE, WAUGH and WONDERLING. Prior Printer's No. 1029.Printer's No. 1570. An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for vouchers for licenses and permits.

SB 1121 By Senators BAKER, RAFFERTY, ARMSTRONG, O'PAKE, WOZNIAK, ERICKSON, McILHINNEY, ORIE, FERLO, MUSTO, BOSCOLA, DINNIMAN, EARLL, BRUBAKER and STACK. Printer's No. 1482. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further defining "emergency vehicle."