Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Calling it a “common sense vote for a harmless and leisurely activity that most people already assume is legal,” state Sen. Lisa Boscola today announced that the Senate voted 45 to 5 in favor of her proposal that would legalize small sports betting pools. Boscola described the pools, which are often associated with events such as the Super Bowl or “March Madness” college basketball tournament, as a “fun, spirited and harmless way to test one’s knowledge and luck at sports." “These pools are available in nearly every social club you go to,” Boscola said. “Today’s vote finally signals a willingness to legitimize an activity that many people enjoy and rightly assume is legal.” Under the legislation (House Bill 290), volunteer organizations and clubs that have a small games of chance license may offer small sports betting pools if: · the entry amount is $20 or less; · there are no more than 100 participants; and · all pool pro...

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...

PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 2012 — One year after the low-cost state health coverage plan adultBasic was dismantled, Pennsylvanians are still struggling to purchase or maintain affordable health care. A panel discussion hosted by the Senate Democratic Policy Committee today at Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia examined how last year’s demise of the program, which provided low-cost health care to working Pennsylvanians who made too much to qualify for Medical Assistance, is impacting the 40,000 former adultBasic recipients. More than half of the former enrollees still do not have health insurance. The hearing was held at the request of state Sen. Mike Stack (D-Phila.), whose district contained the second highest number of adultBasic recipients in the state. “AdultBasic served to help working individuals who continue to work hard to make ends meet, especially in these difficult economic times. By the time they pay their bills and buy groceries, they have little left to pay for heal...

Senator Lisa M. Boscola and PUC Chairman James H. Cawley announced today that they will work together on behalf of Pennsylvania electric customers by advocating before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reform the retail pricing of electricity for consumers, businesses and the economy of Pennsylvania. The Senator and Chairman Cawley will seek to bring electric price relief to all classes of consumers by focusing on the wholesale cost of electricity. Wholesale costs are regulated by FERC, and the Senator and the Chairman believe that FERC can be more responsive to consumer needs by improving market design, resolving power transmission cost issues, providing retail customers with better tools to respond to higher electricity prices and making sure that smart meter grid technology is used effectively to help consumers reduce their electricity costs. “FERC plays a critical role in determining consumer electric costs, yet few understand its role in determining what we all ...

The Senate Appropriations committee held its budget hearing this week for the Public Utility Commission but Senator Lisa Boscola used the hearing to challenge the PUC over whether electric deregulation is working in Pennsylvania. PUC members said deregulation is working and because rate caps have expired for most utilities in the state, more electric suppliers are now entering the market in Pennsylvania. However, Boscola pointed out that even with additional suppliers, rates for most residential and industrial utility customers have gone up dramatically. Boscola complained that because of deregulation the PUC will have little oversight over future rate increases. She also urged the PUC to keep track, as best it can, of the commercial businesses and industries in Pennsylvania who either close their operations or move to another state because of higher utility costs. Boscola says that’s how the success of electric deregulation should be measured in Pennsylvania. Boscola says, however, t...