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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

A former state senator facing public corruption charges has died following a long illness. 85-year-old Raphael Musto died this morning in his Luzerne County home. He had recently been released from a federal medical prison in North Carolina, where he was sent early this year after being declared unfit to stand trial. Musto was charged for accepting cash and other perks for helping obtain taxpayer money for development projects. He had pleaded not guilty. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa released the following statement: "Our thoughts and prayers go out today to Senator Musto’s family and friends as we mourn his passing. Senator Musto was a champion of the environment, a legislative force and a friend who always had a kind word to help his colleagues during difficult times. “Senator Musto was a lawmaker of depth, substance and compassion. He took time to learn issues and he used his experience and expertise to benefit the citizens of Luzerne County and Northeastern Pennsylvani...

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Speaker Sam Smith (R-66) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court Ruling on Act 13 Zoning Provisions: The decision made by four Supreme Court Justices today to invalidate a portion of Act 13 of 2012 is incredibly disappointing. While recognizing that a decision of this length will take weeks to fully absorb, we are stunned that four Justices would issue this ruling which will so harshly impact the economic welfare of Pennsylvanians. The majority decision seems to raise significantly more questions than it answers. Chief Justice Castille’s opinion relies in part on inaccurate antidotes and unproven science. The consequences of this decision will likely be the increase of natural gas prices for consumers, while at the same time costing a multitude of jobs in Pennsylvania. It is important to note that this decision resets the clock on zoning prior to the enactment of Act 13, therefore municipalities will contin...

Harrisburg – State Senate Democrats applauded Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Corbett Administration’s plan to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a U.K.-based company Camelot Global Services. “The Attorney General made a proper decision,” Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. “Pennsylvania seniors all Pennsylvania residents can rest easy now that the Attorney General took this action and put a stop to the expansion of gaming without proper authorization.” “The entire plan was flawed.” Costa, the Democratic Leader said. “It is clear that there are ways for current employees of the Lottery to be given the latitude to implement changes that will produce better results and even more money being generated.” At a news conference today in Harrisburg, Kane said that she could not approve the deal negotiated between the Corbett Administration and Camelot. The Attorney General cited several reasons for her denial including ...

The Corbett Administration has awarded a contract to British company Camelot Global Services to take over management of the Pennsylvania Lottery. The deal pledges $34 billion in profits to the state over the next 20 years. Pennsylvania currently has one of the country’s largest lotteries with $3.5 billion in sales last year. But challenges to the plan are not over. State Treasurer Rob McCord and the labor union representing state lottery employees say Camelot is banking on an expansion of gambling they contend is not currently allowed by state law. McCord has threatened not to pay Camelot until he is satisfied that its plans to expand gambling are legal, and the union, Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, has sued to block the contract. Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa said in a news release, “This is extremely disappointing and disturbing. The action taken by the Corbett Administration was done without public input. (Friday's) deci...

Harrisburg – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected leaders for the upcoming 2013-14 legislative session, with Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) reelected for a second term as Democratic Leader. Wednesday's leadership elections were held nearly one week after Democrats gained three seats in last week’s General Election, strengthening the caucus to 23 members. “I am grateful and honored by the support of my colleagues and humbled by the trust they have placed in me to lead them forward,” Costa said. “Our momentum has never been stronger and the caucus more unified in facing the challenges in front of us. “As we welcome three new members and welcome back caucus members who are already serving Pennsylvania, we look forward to next session with renewed energy and optimism for the future.” Prior to being elected Democratic Leader by his colleagues, Costa served as Democratic chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was fi...

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...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Joe Scarnati says he’s enjoyed serving as lieutenant governor, but now he’s looking forward to spending more time in his senate district. Scarnati has been serving as senator, Senate President as well as Lt. Governor since the death of Catherine Baker Knoll in November of 2008. The current lieutenant governor’s term ends January 18, 2011, at 11:45 a.m. when Jim Cawley is sworn in. “It’s been a very difficult last several years,” Scarnati said of holding all three jobs, as well as dealing with difficult budget issues. “I hope to be back in somewhat of a routine to get around a lot more often (in the district) than I’ve been able to in the last two years.” “It’s been a pleasure serving as lieutenant governor,” he said, then added with a smile, “maybe not as lieutenant governor to Ed Rendell -- but it’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve the Commonwealth in that capacity. But I like being the state senator from the 25th District.” He does plan ...

Harrisburg –State Senate Democrats today elected Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) as their new Democratic floor leader. “I am honored that my Senate Democratic colleagues have expressed the confidence in me to lead them in the next session. I hope to provide strong, aggressive and unified leadership as we work together to solve problems,” Costa said. Last session, Costa was elected by his colleagues to serve as Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and previously served as Allegheny County Register of Wills (1992-96) and Deputy Sheriff (1984-89). Costa succeeds retiring Democratic Leader Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna/ Luzerne/Monroe), who held the position since 1989. Other Democratic senators were also elected to the leadership slate. Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) was elected Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee chairman. Hughes has served in the state legislature since 1987. He was elected to ...