February 5, 2016

Weekly Wrap:

Tuesday was Groundhog Day, and our own Punxatawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, signaling that Spring will arrive early this year. But, it seems we in Pennsylvania have been living Groundhog Day- the movie- for the last eight months. As we’ve waited for the enactment of a complete 2015-2016 state budget, the Governor’s 2016-2017 budget address seems to have crept up on us, which will be followed by agency budget hearings and more debate on spending and fiscal priorities. As Bill Murray asked in the 1993 film, “Didn’t we do this yesterday?”

Neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate were in session this week; however, the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on the “delay and delivery of transportation projects” since the enactment of Act 89 of 2013. Act 89, known to most as THE transportation bill, was to increase funding for transportation projects by $3.2 billion annually and create at least 62,000 jobs in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards testified that right now, funding will likely come up $6 billion short over the twelve-year projected life of the program.

To read more, go to: http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/9900885-74/projects-transportation-testimony

For an overview of Act 89 as enacted, go to: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/PublicTransportation/GeneralInformation/Act%2089%20of%202013.pdf

It was another tough week for Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The Montgomery County Court announced this week that Kane’s criminal trial will begin on August 8th Also, House Majority Leader Rep.Dave Reed (R-Indiana) announced that the whole House will vote next week on the resolution to begin the process to impeach Kane. (So far, the resolution has been voted out of the Judiciary Committee.)

Read more here: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/date_set_for_ag_kathleen_kanes.html And here: http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/02/pa_house_leader_plans_vote_to.html#incart_river_index

Finally, speaking of the Attorney General, former state and federal prosecutor Joe Peters has announced his intention to run in the Republican primary for that post.

Check out: http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/9920266-74/county-attorney-state

A Look Ahead:

Both the House and Senate will be in Harrisburg for voting session next week, but the headliner will be the Governor’s 2016-2017 Budget Address. Gov. Tom Wolf will address a joint session of the state legislature at 11:30 A.M. on Tuesday to lay forth his spending priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.  But, save your wagering for the Super Bowl this weekend; we’ve got no odds on when this budget will be resolved or what the price tag will be, given that the 2015-2016 budget is still hanging in the balance.

Other than the date and time, the Governor has given few clues as to what will be included in the speech. Expect:

An increase in education spending: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2016/2016020258.HTM

A focus on early childhood education: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2016/2016020479.HTM

And a continued battle over pension reform and PERC: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2016/02/02/Wolf-moves-to-close-commission-that-reviews-public-pension-plans/stories/201602020043

Amid the commotion of the budget address, the committees will be busy next week. On Monday, the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a joint hearing to hear testimony regarding the implementation of the partially-vetoed, partially-enacted 2015 General Appropriations Act, and the House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on funding the Pennsylvania State Police through the Motor License Fund. The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will also hold an informational meeting to consider imposing a severance tax on natural gas production.

On Tuesday, the House Gaming Oversight Committee will hold a meeting to consider H.R. 619 (Matzie, D-Beaver) urging Congress to lift the ban on sports betting. Additionally, the House Urban Affairs Committee will meet to consider two bills designed to address blight and homelessness: H.B. 1500 and H.B. 1501, both sponsored by Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks).

To read H.R. 619, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0619

To read H.B. 1500, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1500

And H.B. 1501, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1501

Finally, on Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on the Pa. Turnpike’s response to the January 22 snowstorm, and the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee will hold an informational meeting to discuss the current laws and regulations of assisted living residences in the Commonwealth.

For a complete list of committee meetings, go to: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/session.cfm

For anticipated floor action in the House, check out The Week Ahead: http://wallaby.telicon.com/PA/library/2016/2016020480.PDF

And for the Senate, check out: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/SessionCalendars/index.cfm?Chamber=S

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