July 17, 2015

Weekly Wrap:

Week two of the budget stalemate is behind us, and there’s very little news to report. While news of a potential stop-gap budget and possible agreement on the imposition of a natural gas extraction tax might seem encouraging, there’s been no real action on either of those fronts. It appears the standoff will spill over into yet another week.

To read about a potential stop-gap budget, check out:  http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2015/07/hints-of-a-stop-gap-budget-but-no-big-breakthrough.php

For updates on the extraction tax, go to: http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/07/14/senate-republican-leader-isnt-ruling-out-gas-tax

Meanwhile, the Senate was in Harrisburg this week for two days of voting session. On Tuesday, the House and Senate Transportation Committees held a joint hearing on enhancing highway safety.  Participants from both the government and transportation industry testified before the panel, including representatives of the state and local police, the Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association. As for floor action, the Senate sent S.B. 487 (McIlhinney, R-Bucks), which would prevent health insurers from charging multiple copays to the governor for his signature,  and S.B. 474 (Rafferty, R-Montgomery), which would require Senate confirmation for the CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, to the House for its consideration.

A Look Ahead:

The House will be in session next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Senate has not yet scheduled any additional days before September 21.

Only a handful of committee meetings have been scheduled so far: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/CMS/index.cfm?Chamber=H

And to see what the House might take up on the floor, check out The Week Ahead: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2015/2015071683.PDF

In Other News: