Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Joe Scarnati and other Senate leaders are suing outgoing Governor Tom Corbett over his vetoes of spending bills as the state budget was enacted this summer. The lawsuit argues that Corbett did not follow rules for providing public notice of vetoes, he used the line-item veto on the wrong type of legislation and he put the money in an unlawful reserve. Scarnati, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and Minority Leader Jay Costa want Commonwealth Court to invalidate the vetoes and the use of the reserve. Corbett's spokesman and legal office say the lawsuit is being reviewed. He vetoed $72 million for a variety of purposes. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Pennsylvania State Senate has voted 43-7 in favor of a bill that would legalize some forms of cannabis for medical purposes. The bill now goes on to the State House, where it is expected to meet some resistance. Democratic Senator Daylin Leach, co-sponsor of the bill, thanked Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati and Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, who control the Senate calendar. "The path of least resistance is always not to run something controversial ... put it on the back burner," Leach said. "It took a lot of courage and a lot of push back among people in their own party to run this bill. The people who have family members who are suffering should remember the very important role they played in moving this bill forward." We'll have more on this story later this afternoon. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Today was the deadline for Governor Tom Corbett to make a decision about signing the state budget, or not. During a news conference in Harrisburg this morning he said he’s decided to use his power of line-item veto to cut out about $65 million in Legislative spending. He said he made the move because of lawmakers’ failure to come up with a public pension reform plan. Corbett addressed Pennsylvania citizens during the news conference, encouraging them to tell their representatives in Harrisburg to stop bowing to unions and get pension reform done. Top GOP senators say they are disappointed that Corbett has not been able to work effectively with the Republican majorities in the Senate and House to address important fiscal issues in the state. Senators Joe Scarnati, Dominic Pileggi, Jake Corman and Pat Browne, in a joint statement, said, “Reforming public pension benefits is an important goal that Senate Republicans have been engaged in for months.” The statement goes on to say tha...

EXTON – Governor Tom Corbett today signed legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) to modernize Pennsylvania's 51-year-old Library Code, the law which governs how public libraries operate in the state. The ceremonial bill signing took place at the Chester County Library and District Center with dozens of librarians and library supporters looking on. "I introduced this legislation to modernize Pennsylvania's Library Code because I believe in public libraries," Senator Pileggi said. "I believe the mission of public libraries is more critical than ever." Senate Bill 1225 dramatically updates the Library Code, freeing libraries from the burden of unnecessary and outdated requirements. The 1961 law, for example, requires every district library center to have a minimum of 300 16-millimeter films in its collection. "When it was enacted in 1961, Pennsylvania's original Library Code was a national model," Senator P...

HARRISBURG – Senate Republicans today elected their leadership team for the 2013-2014 legislative session. Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) has been nominated once again to serve as President Pro Tempore. The full Senate will vote on Scarnati’s nomination when it reconvenes in January. As President Pro Tempore, he will be responsible for appointing the chairpersons and members of the standing committees of the Senate. He will also play a significant role in negotiations with the Administration and the House of Representatives. A native of Brockway in Jefferson County, Scarnati was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2000. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University at DuBois, the Senator is a third-generation small business owner and served in local government. Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-9) will serve his fourth term as Senate Majority Leader. His duties include overseeing the legislative agenda, developing policies an...

HARRISBURG - Four state Senate leaders are looking to make changes to Pennsylvania's pension system. Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Brubaker will soon introduce legislation to change Pennsylvania's pension system for government employees from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan, similar to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan. The new defined contribution retirement system will be provided for all state employees and public school employees hired on or after December 1, 2012. "Significant policy decisions regarding Pennsylvania's pension system must be made soon," Senator Browne said. "Without significant changes in the design of Pennsylvania's pension system, including a switch to a defined contribution system, the long-term costs will be unaffordable to Pennsylvania taxpayers." "Over the past few dec...

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66), Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-28) announced today that the Senate and the House will not convene for a lame-duck session this year. "This will be the third consecutive legislative session in which the Senate does not convene for a lame-duck session," Senator Scarnati said. "This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that members of the General Assembly are accountable to the public for the decisions we make." "This legislative session has seen a remarkable number of reform-related bills signed into law," Representative Turzai said. "New laws will create an online budget database, strengthen the Sunshine Law and reform the regulatory process. This announcement is another significant step forward in our commitment to change how Harrisburg operates." "Fewer than a dozen s...

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the people who filed appeals to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s final plan. The justices voted 4 to 3 to send the plan back to the commission with the majority saying in its written opinion that the approach was “contrary to law.” The two-page order says current district lines will remain as they are until the commission comes up with a new plan. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa issued a statement saying, “We are thankful that the court and the many petitioners understood the concerns of the voters who took the time and effort to express their concerns to both the Commission and ultimately the Court. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court acted with respect for the Constitution, communities across our commonwealth, and the voters.” Other members of the commission are House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, Senate and House majority leaders Dominic Pileggi and Mike Turzai and an appointed judge. They have not issued statements yet. ...

Chris Hauser will not be taking the bench as McKean County’s second judge before January. After Hauser won both the Republican and Democratic primaries last month, Senator Joe Scarnati asked Governor Tom Corbett appoint Hauser to the position earlier than January. Late last week, Pennsylvania Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ronald Castille wrote to Corbett, Scarnati and others saying that with the court system’s current fiscal problems they can’t afford to pay any new judicial salaries for this year. In fact, Castille wrote, projections indicate that the court system will not have sufficient funding to next year to pay for the 70 Common Pleas court judges and 87 district judges. Castille added that it is possible in the general election for an independently filed candidate to win, although “it is a difficult task to be sure.” He also said, in the months to come, he looks forward to working with Corbett, Scarnati and senators Dominic Pileggi and Jay Costa to “right-size’ the district...

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Speaker of the House Sam Smith (R-66) announced today that they have officially certified the four caucus floor leaders – Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-28), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43), and House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-33) – to serve on the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC). The certification, required by Article II, Section 17(b), of the state constitution, was delivered this morning to Carol Aichele, Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth. The LRC is a five-member panel responsible for redrawing the boundaries for state Senate and state House districts. Article II, Section 17, of the state constitution names the four caucus floor leaders as members of the Commission. They are to choose a fifth member, who serves as chair of the LRC. The deadline for that selection is 45 days from today's certification, or April 4. In Januar...

HARRISBURG – The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that as a result of the 2010 U.S. Census statewide population totals, Pennsylvania will lose one Congressional seat. The state currently has 19 members in the U.S. House of Representatives; that number will decrease to 18 for the 2012 elections. "Although it is disappointing, this result was expected," said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9). "It is one of the consequences of the fact that Pennsylvania's population growth has not kept pace with other states. "I will work with Governor-elect Corbett and my colleagues in the General Assembly to reverse that trend by enacting policies to foster job creation and overall economic growth. We must focus on attracting people to Pennsylvania and allowing the next generation of graduates to find family-sustaining jobs here in the Commonwealth." Following the 1920 U.S. Census, Pennsylvania had 36 members in the U.S. House of Representatives. The number of C...

HARRISBURG -- Senate Republicans today elected their leadership team for the 2011-12 legislative session. Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25) has been nominated once again to serve as President Pro Tempore. The full Senate will vote on Scarnati's nomination when it reconvenes on January 4. As President Pro Tempore, he will be responsible for appointing the chairpersons and members of the standing committees of the Senate. He will also play a significant role in negotiations with the Administration and House of Representatives. A native of Brockway in Jefferson County, Scarnati was elected to the State Senate in 2000. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University at DuBois, the Senator was a third-generation small business owner and served in local government. "I am honored and humbled by the support of my colleagues in electing me President Pro Tempore of the Senate to a third term," Scarnati said. "Working with the basic premise of less taxes and less regulation, prom...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Senate Republican leaders don’t believe a new tax on natural gas extracted from Marcellus Shale will be approved anytime soon. “I don’t believe we’re any closer to a deal,” Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said in a news conference Tuesday. The prospects of getting the bill finished “diminish by the hour,” he said, adding that the House and Senate are “worlds apart.” Scarnati adds that some of the main sticking points are finding an acceptable tax rate, certain exemptions and safety issues. Scarnati says the bill passed by the House two weeks ago, calling for a levy of 39 cents per thousand cubic feet of gas, is too high and is unacceptable. Also unacceptable, he says, is the fact that small gas producers in the state that drill shallow wells are not exempted from any new tax in the House bill. Governor Ed Rendell’s proposal would “tax shallow gas producers out of the state,” Scarnati said. “These are the Mom and Pop producers that have...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Most of the oil and gas drilling companies working in the county have been cooperative in fixing the roads they damage, according to McKean County Commissioners. Commissioners Joe DeMott, Al Pingie and Judy Church attended Monday’s Foster Township Supervisors meeting as part of their effort to attend meetings in every municipality in the county. So far, in three months, they’ve visited 20 of 22 municipalities. Seaward Avenue resident Tom Perry asked who’s responsible for making sure the companies adhere to weight limits, and take care of damaged roads. Pingie said it’s up to the municipalities to make sure the companies are following the rules and regulations. “So far … they’ve been very good about taking care of the roads,” Church said. “They replaced a road in Norwich Township.” She said supervisors met with the drilling company, got an estimate for road repairs and company paid it. DeMott added that the companies have been cooperative. “Most ...

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi has just asked for a vote on the general appropriations bill. If the Senate passes it, and the House concurs, this will be the first time in 8 years Pennsylvania will have an on-time budget. The fiscal year ends at 11:59 p.m.

State senators on both sides of the aisle say they’re making real progress in budget negotiations. Democratic Whip Mike O’Pake says he hopes the talks don’t stall. “Hopefully we will make significant steps next week so that we’re ready by June 30th to send a package to the governor which he can sign, and that way we will fulfill our responsibilities to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania,” he said. SPeaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said he thinks they are on a path that will lead to passage and adoption of a budget by June 30. The Senate will be back in session on Monday.

The state House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing Wednesday on making medical marijuana legal in Pennsylvania. Representative Mark Cohen of Philadelphia is the sponsor of the bill, and estimates that medical marijuana could bring in $25 million a year in tax revenues. Cohen says it's time that Pennsylvania provides relief for people who suffer from chronic pain that can be relieved by medical marijuana according to some studies. State Representative Matt Baker of Tioga County has some concerns about the issue, including the benefits of using the drug. "Despite anecdotal claims, smoked marijuana has not been found to be safe or effective treating any medical condition, primarily because its alleged therapeutic utility has yet to be sufficiently demonstrated in well-controlled clinical trials," Baker said. In a letter to the committee, Attorney General Tom Corbett said he opposes the bill, saying that even the limited legalization of marijuana could compoun...

HARRISBURG – Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, and Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow announced that they will jointly introduce a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct for the state Senate. "Events over the past several years have shown that we need to formalize a clear set of rules so that everyone understands what is permissible and what is not," Scarnati said. "The Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct are the result of months of work, and I believe they achieve that objective." "Over the past three years, we have made good progress in terms of reforming state government," Pileggi said. "It is important to continue that work to help re-establish public confidence in the Legislature, and these rules are another significant step forward." "Senators and Senate staff will know what conduct is acceptable," Mellow said. "The new rules are clear, easily understood and meaningful. They provide...

Governor Rendell has called a meeting with legislative leaders to help resolve the dispute over table games that's holding up funding for the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and other institutions and organizations. The meeting is scheduled for Monday. Pitt, Penn State, Temple and Lincoln are supposed to get more than $600 million in state funding this year, but that funding is linked to table games legislation. So far, legislators have not agreed on the license fee for casinos to add table games or how much to tax them. On Wednesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi sent a letter to House Speaker Keith McCall asking for a quick resolution to the issue. Scarnati and Pileggi expected to work on the legislation last week but McCall hasn't scheduled another House session until November 9. You can read the letter to McCall from Scarnati and Pileggi here . from Governor Rendell's Web site, Senate Republican Communications,...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Governor Ed Rendell and legislative leaders have agreed on a nearly $28 billion spending plan that would raise cigarette taxes and extend the state's sales tax to concert and theater tickets. The plan would also take money from the state's rainy day fund and the account that helps doctors pay for malpractice insurance, as well as legalize table games at casinos. "We are all very pleased, extremely pleased, to bring something to the table that has taken a lot of time (and) we wish we would have been able to do sooner," said Lt. Governor Joe Scarnati. "But it has met the priorities and the goals of those of us here. Although there are compromises made, none of us compromised our principles." Pennsylvania's fiscal year started on July 1, and the state is the last in the country to agree to a budget plan. The plan still requires legislative approval, and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said the bills will start...