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Pennsylvania Legislative Services
07-28-2010
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07-28-2010 |
Property tax on natural gas a simple matter of fairness
There has been much discussion about a natural gas tax being reinstated in
Pennsylvania. This is not a new tax. As superintendent of the Bald Eagle
Area School District, a rural school district that has the lowest tax base
in Centre County, here are the facts surrounding that debate as they apply...
- CENTRE DAILY |
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07-27-2010 |
Tax sense?
Pennsylvania is one of only 11 states in the Union that have no severance
tax on extraction of natural resources. The other 10 in this class have no
big hydrocarbon or mineral reserves. Pennsylvania has never taxed coal, oil
or gas extraction, despite hundreds of years of mining and drilling....
- WILLIAM. SUN |
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07-26-2010 |
Senator opposes gas company pooling
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Harveys Lake, on Thursday took a strong stance
against forced pooling by natural gas companies, vowing to provide vigorous
opposition to it.
"I believe this is as fundamental as the American republic," Baker said.
"The important principle is people can't have their property taken away...
- HAZLE. STANDARD |
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07-16-2010 |
Fight is on vs. consolidation
BY MARY KLAUS mklaus@patriot-news.com
Carroll Twp. officials have nothing against local governments consolidating
-- as long as it's voluntary.
Township supervisors this week voted unanimously to oppose state
legislation establishing the county as the basic level of local government...
- PATRIOT |
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03-23-2010 |
House Local Government
9:30 a.m., 3/23/10, 39 East Wing
By Kimberly Hess Collins
The committee met to consider bills.
The committee first took up a package of four bills drafted by the Local
Government Commission (LGC). LGC Executive Director Mike Gasbarre explained
the bills repeal "clearly unconstitutional" provisions relating to the
removal of local elected officials. He said the courts have ruled that the
Constitution has the exclusive means to removed local elected officials and
commented the bills will remove ambiguity.
- ( 185858) |
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03-17-2010 |
Hopes for reimbursement melt away
Neither Bucks nor Montgomery County will see federal funds related to snow
cleanup.
Montgomery and Bucks counties and their municipalities will not receive any
state or federal funds to help offset their costs in tackling the cleanup
from the Feb. 9-10 snowstorm....
- THE INTELLIGENCER |
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03-17-2010 |
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
9:30 a.m., 3/17/10, Hearing Room 1, North Office Building
By Mike Howells
The committee met to receive an update from the EPA on Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) requirements for the Chesapeake Bay.
- ( 183499) |
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03-16-2010 |
House Local Government
9:30 a.m., 3/16/10, Room 205 Ryan Office Building
By Jeff Cox
The committee conducted a public hearing on outdoor advertising and zoning.
HB 1237
(PN 1470) The Highway Corridor Enhancement Act states a highway corridor
conservation easement may encompass an entire fee simple interest in a
parcel or real property or any portion thereof or an estate therein. A
highway corridor conservation easement interest acquired by a municipality
or a land trust shall be held for public purpose and shall be exempt from
taxation. The assessment of a private interest in land subject to a highway
conservation easement interest under this act shall reflect any change in
market value of the property that may result from the acquisition of a
conservation easement interest by a municipality or a land trust; providing
a municipality may establish a highway corridor overlay district within 660
feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of any highway or portion of a
highway within the municipality; providing restrictions; providing outdoor
advertising permits.
- ( 182831) |
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03-12-2010 |
DA discourages local bans on drivers using cell phones
State legislation forbidding calling while driving would be more
appropriate, the prosecutor says.
Chatting on hand-held cell phones while driving is dangerous, but Berks
County District Attorney John T. Adams said it's impractical for
municipalities to enact ordinances to ban it....
- READING EAGLE |
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03-11-2010 |
COG officials talk economic woes
Potential opportunities to help municipalities out of economic woes were a
significant part of the agenda during Wednesday’s meeting of the Tuna
Valley Council of Governments.
Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel discussed a recent trip to Harrisburg that he
took as an invited guest of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and...
- BRADFORD ERA |
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03-05-2010 |
Dinniman proposes tax on Marcellus Shale gas reserves
WEST CHESTER — State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th Dist., has introduced
legislation that would impose a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas
extraction and use the revenues from that tax to give Pennsylvania
homeowners property tax rebates.
Dinniman said a 5 percent tax on the natural gas from the state's Marcellus...
- POTTS. MERCURY |
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02-19-2010 |
Pa. workers with less hours could get benefits
The Pennsylvania House and Senate are considering legislation that would
allow workers who have their hours cut to collect partial unemployment.
Sen. Rich Alloway, R-Chambersburg, and Rep. Dan Moul, R-Gettysburg, are
co-sponsoring "shared work" bills in the Senate and House at a time when...
- CHAMBERS. P.O. |
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02-17-2010 |
On the hook: Unscrupulous tow operators must be reined in
City Council adopted uniform rates for all towing companies that work in
Pittsburgh 10 years ago, but too many operators either don't know what they
are or deliberately ignore them.
When Post-Gazette reporter Vivian Nereim last week asked a sampling of
companies how much it would cost to retrieve a passenger car that had been...
- POST-GAZ. |
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11-24-2009 |
Tax-exempt fees proposed for Pa.
Brookline's Fontana says large nonprofits should pay for services
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Large tax-exempt landowners would have to pay their host cities fees based
on the size of their buildings, under legislation that state Sen. Wayne...
- POST-GAZ. |
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11-19-2009 |
Auditor general seeks ban on swaps
Auditor General Jack Wagner called for the repeal of a 2003 law that paved
the way for the State College Area school district to enter into a complex
and risky financial transaction with the Royal Bank of Canada.
The district has $53.9 million tied up in a qualified interest rate...
- CENTRE DAILY |
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11-16-2009 |
Property assessment: Legislators need to develop statewide model
Across the state, people are grappling with our system of property
assessment.
In many places, county government officials are trying to figure out the
best way to update their assessments, especially as other neighboring
counties choose not to do so.
The state must step in and develop a plan so Pennsylvania can look at...
- PATRIOT |
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11-12-2009 |
Gas drillers aren't paying their fair share
by Camille 'Bud' George
It feels more like Halloween than Thanksgiving for many Pennsylvanians.
Poverty is worse than first believed. Using a formula that accounts for
rising Medicare premiums, deductibles and a coverage gap in the drug
benefit costs, a recent report said almost 47.5 million Americans lived...
- PATRIOT |
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11-09-2009 |
Area lawmakers wary of state police levy
By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN — An initiative to charge Pennsylvania municipalities that do
not have full-time local police departments and rely on state police –
entirely or partially – appears to have stalled amid the state budget
brouhaha of recent months, but the author of HB1500 says he is not...
- JOHN. TRIB |
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11-09-2009 |
Rural areas upset by Sturla fee for troopers
His bill would charge those without police forces. Supervisors’ group
fires back.
State Rep. Mike Sturla's bill to require rural municipalities to pay more
for state police protection is taking fire from all sides.
HB1500 remains bottled up in the House Appropriations Committee,...
- SUNDAY NEWS |
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10-25-2009 |
How Marcellus Shale gas came to be tax-exempt in Pa.
HARRISBURG - All through Pennsylvania's 101-day budget impasse, Gov.
Rendell spoke of pain.
A recession-weary state had to tighten its belt. Revenues had to rise -
income tax, sales tax, new taxes on whole industries. "We can't get this
budget resolved," Rendell said, "without everyone feeling some pain."...
- INQUIRER |
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10-23-2009 |
Fighting for piece of table game tax
Both Sen. Tomlinson and Rep. DiGirolamo have bills proposing a portion of
the tax revenues from the games go to Bensalem and Bucks County.
Any agreement to tax table games at Pennsylvania's slot-machine casinos to
fill a $200 million budget hole must include revenue for Bensalem and Bucks...
- Bucks County Courier Times |
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10-19-2009 |
A big gas bill
AMONG THE MANY boneheaded moves during the recent state budget crisis, the
one we fear will come back to haunt us in unexpected ways is the failure to
impose a tax on companies drilling for natural gas in the state.
The tax started out as a pet idea of Gov. Rendell, who acknowledged a "gold...
- DAILY NEWS |
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10-13-2009 |
The state budget: A weaselly punt
And so, the Great Pennsylvania Budget Saga of 2009 has ended. After a
101-day impasse, the Keystone State finally has a spending blueprint for
fiscal 2010. Woo-hoo and ding-dong and all that.
Some pols are slapping themselves on the back for avoiding a personal...
- TRIB |
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10-13-2009 |
State budget limits forest drilling impact
HARRISBURG - The new state budget is supported with $60 million in
anticipated revenue from natural gas drilling on state forest lands, but
environmentalists claim success in blocking more ambitious plans to open up
the forests for drilling.
One of the final compromises reached as part of the $27.8 billion budget...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
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10-13-2009 |
As state funding drops, public library turns to municipalities
WEST CHESTER — Like many of the county's libraries, the West Chester
Public Library's resources are being stretched. But some area elected
officials don't see a need to step in and help it cover the costs of
serving their township's residents.
In the last two years, use of the library has risen 21 percent, while...
- WC DAILY |
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09-28-2009 |
Municipal officials seek cut of money
Expecting more expenses from table-games traffic, the 2 East Hanover
townships hope to get financial help for their roads.
Monday, September 28, 2009
BY BARBARA MILLER barbmiller@patriot-news.com
With table games such as blackjack and poker apparently headed to the...
- PATRIOT |
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09-27-2009 |
Marcellus Shale brings big checks for some landowners
Hundreds of people from far-flung farms and rural communities across a
large swath of northern Pennsylvania trekked to an American Legion post
this weekend to have checks -- often for large, life-changing amounts of
money -- pressed into their hands.
It went on throughout the day yesterday and continued this morning. Some...
- PATRIOT |
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09-25-2009 |
Pocono officer: Regional force 'better'
McADOO - A police officer from Monroe County presented his case for police
regionalization to members of the Schuylkill County Boroughs Association
who might consider joining forces.
Detective Harry Miller of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department told
the group Wednesday that he was opposed to regionalization when it was...
- POTTS. REP. |
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09-22-2009 |
City council president heads state COG
2826931.jpg
2826931.JPG
Hazleton City Council President Joe Yannuzzi was elected president of the
Pennsylvania Council of Governments at its convention earlier this month.
Yannuzzi was instrumental in establishing the local Mountain Council of
Governments (M-COG) during his first term on city council in 1988, and has...
- HAZLE. STANDARD |
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09-13-2009 |
'Reforming' pensions: Fools' parade
Bill George told the Pennsylvania House to jump and it asked, "How high?"
What absolute spineless weasels.
You might recall that Mr. George, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO,
employed the nomenclature of a Mafioso don Tuesday last. He said he'd place
on a re-election "hit list" any legislator who had the gall to support bona...
- TRIB |
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09-11-2009 |
Proposed pension bill gives Pittsburgh 2 years to boost assets
HARRISBURG — The city of Pittsburgh, which lobbied for an exemption
from a state takeover of municipal pension systems, is the only
municipality subject to a potential takeover in a revised House bill.
Pittsburgh would have two years to substantially boost the assets in its...
- TRIB |
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09-11-2009 |
Phila. relief bill gets House panel OK
By Mario F. Cattabiani and Marcia Gelbart
Inquirer Staff Writers
HARRISBURG - A House panel last night approved changes to Philadelphia's
budget-relief package that would strip out most of the provisions that
organized labor vehemently opposed in recent days....
- INQUIRER |
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09-03-2009 |
Pension bill could assist towns
But state might control some plans
Thursday, September 03, 2009
By Moriah Balingit, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A pension reform bill passed by the state Senate last week could
dramatically impact how much money municipalities pay into their pension
funds each year, easing at least some of the increasing financial burden...
- POST-GAZ. |
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08-27-2009 |
Pa. Senate OKs Phila. sales-tax hike
By Tom Infield
Inquirer Staff Writer
HARRISBURG - With solid support from the Philadelphia delegation, the state
Senate moved yesterday to break a summerlong deadlock over letting the city
raise its sales tax to avoid what Mayor Nutter terms a financial
"doomsday."...
- INQUIRER |
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08-25-2009 |
Pa. lawmakers OK bills on assessments, pensions
Senate panel action affects Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- The state Senate Finance Committee yesterday approved two
important bills, one that would have a major effect on Allegheny County's...
- POST-GAZ. |
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08-25-2009 |
Senate bill proposes state takeover of Pittsburgh pension system
HARRISBURG — The state would take over the city of Pittsburgh's pension
system under legislation that will be detailed today, a Senate aide said.
A Senate amendment aimed at reforming municipal pension systems provides
for state takeover of systems with less than 50 percent of the assets...
- TRIB |
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08-25-2009 |
Getting Closer on a Pennsylvania Budget? Depends Who You Ask.
by KYW's Tony Romeo
Governor Ed Rendell and Pennsylvania legislative leaders not only disagree
on a budget, but now they apparently can't agree on how much progress
they've made.
Rendell says there’s been significant progress in one area of the
budget -- that is, on how much will be spent overall:...
- KYW |
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08-24-2009 |
Public pension crisis foretold for Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG — When it comes to municipal pension plans, Pennsylvania is
king.
Pennsylvania has four times more pension funds than any other state, and
more than one-fourth of all the municipal pension plans in the country,
according to the Public Employee Retirement Commission, an agency that...
- TRIB |
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08-24-2009 |
In Pa., tax collecting an old, personal job
By TOM JOYCE
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 08/22/2009 10:41:19 PM EDT
In the course of an interview, Emiline Weiss had to briefly get off the
phone several times to answer her door.
People were stopping by her home in Telford Borough, north of Philadelphia,...
- YORK DAILY |
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08-24-2009 |
Senate Finance
6:00 p.m., 8/24/09, Room 461 Main Capitol
By Matt Hess
The committee met to consider two bills.
HB 1828
(PN 2521) Amends Municipal Pension Plan Funding Standard and Recovery Act
providing a city of the first class (Philadelphia) may amortize its entire
unfunded actuarial accrued liability as a level dollar amount with the
amortization target date being the end of the plan year occurring 30 years
after the plan year commencing after January 1, 2009, and ending before
December 31, 2010, with payments to commence in the next plan year;
providing reporting requirements; providing a minimum funding standard; and
providing for an alternative funding mechanism. The bill also authorizes a
city of the first class (Philadelphia) to impose a 1% sales tax on tangible
personal property or services purchased at retail, for certain uses
stipulated in the legislation. (Prior Printer Number: 2384)
- The bill was unanimously reported as amended.
- ( 97181) |
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08-21-2009 |
Yaw Comments on Gas Issues
Sen. Gene Yaw has become deeply involved in the natural gas issue in the
first year of his four-year term in the Pennsylvania Senate. The successor
to Roger Madigan is already heavily involved in legislative issues related
to the industry and the Marcellus Shale....
- WYALUSING R. C. |
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08-20-2009 |
GOP senators fail to override vetoes on state budget
Republicans spend hours assailing Rendell budget plan
Thursday, August 20, 2009
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- Senate Republicans failed to override Gov. Ed Rendell's
vetoes of expenditures for a dozen human services programs, but not before...
- POST-GAZ. |
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08-20-2009 |
House sends animal-cruelty legislation to Rendell
The Pennsylvania House gave final approval, 179-10, yesterday to
animal-cruelty legislation that would make it illegal for anyone other than
a veterinarian to perform certain surgical procedures on dogs.
HB39 would prohibit owners and breeders from performing debarking...
- INQUIRER |
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08-19-2009 |
Adopt severance tax
In the struggle to close the state budget deficit, there is a source of
funding that could provide much-needed relief and support proven, effective
conservation and environmental initiatives - a tax on the extraction of
natural gas.
Reserves of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation are attracting...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
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08-19-2009 |
Governor Rendell signs EMS law
HARRISBURG - Paramedics will be able to deliver swine flu vaccine if
necessary under a new state law regulating first responders, ambulance
crews and other members of local emergency medical service teams.
Expanding the role of paramedics is just one of many changes the law...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
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08-19-2009 |
House Finance
9:30 a.m., 8/19/09, Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
By Mike Howells
The committee met to consider a number of bills.
HB 968
(PN 1105) Amends the State Lottery Law by removing the current definition
of "income" and adding language providing for a new definition of "income"
for the purposes of this Act.
- The bill was reported as committed by a vote of 17-3, with
Minority Chairman Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) and Representatives John Bear
(R-Lancaster) and Gordon Denlinger (R-Lancaster) voting in the negative.
- ( 95236) |
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08-19-2009 |
Senate Finance
10:00 a.m., 8/19/09, Room 8E-B East Wing
By Kimberly Collins
The committee held a hearing on public pension issues and financing.
Members in attendance included Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Minority
Chairman Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) and Senators LeAnna Washington
(D-Philadelphia), John Eichelberger (R-Blair), Jake Corman (R-Centre), Jane
Earll (R-Erie), and Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).
- ( 95259) |
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08-18-2009 |
Bill would take over Pennsylvania pensions in trouble
HARRISBURG -- The sponsor of a House bill that provides for state takeover
of "severely distressed" municipal pension systems said Monday he opposes
exempting the city of Pittsburgh.
"Why should you start making exceptions?" said Rep. Tom Caltagirone,
D-Reading. "If you have something that helps them, why should they not be...
- TRIB |
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08-18-2009 |
Hilltop council opposes police patrol bill
By Kathy Coffaro
Monday, August 17, 2009 9:23 PM CDT
Herald correspondent
The Pleasantville Borough Council approved a motion last week to send a
notice to residents on HB1500, the State Police Municipal Patrol
Services Act.
Borough officials and council members are strongly opposed to the bill,...
- TITUS. HERALD |
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08-17-2009 |
Bill to help reduce energy costs proceeds
A proposed state bill that would allow municipalities to reduce energy
costs for consumers has cleared a hurdle.
SB168, which has state Sen. Mike Brubaker of Lancaster County as
a prime sponsor, was unanimously approved Wednesday by the state Senate.
It would give municipal governments the authority to take part in...
- Sunday News |
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08-12-2009 |
Senate Finance
1:00 p.m., 8/12/09, 8E-B East Wing
By Kimberly Collins
The committee held a public hearing on municipal pension issues.
Members in attendance included Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Minority
Chairman Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) and Senators Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne),
LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia), Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), John
Eichelberger (R-Blair), Jake Corman (R-Centre), Jane Orie (R-Allegheny),
Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), and Pat Vance (R-Cumberland).
- ( 92394) |
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08-11-2009 |
Layoffs are imminent for state workers
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- Because of the state's ongoing budget problems, Gov. Ed
Rendell plans to lay off 255 more state workers as of Aug. 28.
With previous layoffs made earlier in the year and a hiring freeze that
started in October, the state soon will have 1,091 fewer workers than it...
- POST-GAZ. |
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08-11-2009 |
Pa. Senate may take action soon on Phila. budget
By Patrick Kerkstra and Mario F. Cattabiani
Inquirer Staff Writers
Under mounting public pressure, State Senate Majority Leader Dominic
Pileggi predicted yesterday that a pair of measures sought by Mayor Nutter
to rescue Philadelphia's budget would be approved, but he warned that there...
- INQUIRER |
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08-11-2009 |
House bill targets pension funds
HARRISBURG - Legislation aimed at helping troubled municipal pension funds
is moving through the House as the state budget impasse continues.
The measure by Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Reading, would lead to a state
takeover of pension funds that have less than 50 percent of the assets they...
- WB CIT. VOICE |
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08-10-2009 |
Monroe County sales tax proposal mulled in state House
There's another attempt at property tax relief brewing in Harrisburg —
and this time, it's county-based.
State Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, introduced an amendment to a house bill
that allows counties to add 1 percent to the state sales tax. The original
bill, HB1862, allocated half the tax to the county and the other half to...
- POCONO RECORD |
|
08-07-2009 |
Bristol Borough eyes stricter dog laws
In response to the recent dog attacks in the borough, residents along
Bristol Borough Council have been diligently working together to have laws
put in place to contain vicious dogs.
If passed, HB1243 will allow municipalities in Pennsylvania to
create and enforce their own dog laws and ordinances....
- BRISTOL PILOT |
|
08-06-2009 |
HB 1489 fair for gas industry, landowners – and taxpayers
BY CAMILLE GEORGE
The gas industry didn’t say how much it paid for a recent study that
concludes that a severance tax on drillers in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus
shale deposit would reduce drilling in the state by more than 30 percent
and cause an $880 million reduction in state and local taxes over the next...
- JOHN. TRIB |
|
08-06-2009 |
Ross Twp. eyes aid to fight police law
At issue is a state proposal to bill communities relying on state police
for protection.
EILEEN GODIN Times Leader Correspondent
ROSS TWP. – Supervisors have sought a state representative’s
support to stop a bill that would charge municipalities without full-time...
- WB TIMES LEADER |
|
08-05-2009 |
Rendell signs partial budget, vetoes more than half
HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell today signed a partial 2009-10 state budget
that calls for spending $11 billion, allowing most of the state's 77,000
workers to finally get paid. But he vetoed an even greater amount of
proposed spending -- $13 billion, including money for state-owned colleges,...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
08-03-2009 |
Option for sales tax increase gives communities tools they need
As the state budget debate continues in Harrisburg, local communities,
especially our urban areas, are already thinking about and working toward a
new budget year in 2010. Close monitoring of our local year-to-date
expenditures and budgeted revenues paints a bleak picture for next year....
- YORK DISPATCH |
|
07-22-2009 |
Recycling bills worthy of support
Y JOHN P. VATAVUK
In these tough budget times, our local government officials need as many
tools as possible to make sure that they can continue to deliver
much-needed services.
One of these important services is county-level recycling programs. We all
know that recycling is good for our environment – reducing the amount...
- JOHN. TRIB |
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07-20-2009 |
Pa. shale gas estimated at $1,000,000,000,000
Pennsylvania, the home of the American Industrial Revolution — first
fueled by anthracite coal, then bituminous coal, and later the home of the
first oil well — may soon be the Saudi Arabia of natural gas.
Pennsylvania State University estimates that the wellhead value of gas...
- POCONO RECORD |
|
07-16-2009 |
Why post legal ads on Internet? TO THE EDITORS:
State Rep. Tom Creighton 37th Legislative District Rapho Township
I would like to thank you for the editorials in Monday's paper (7/6)
concerning HB1757. I would also like to correct some of the
misinformation that was mentioned.
As you stated, HB1757 would permit local governments...
- Intelligencer Journal |
|
07-15-2009 |
Local officials oppose proposed police bill
By Andrea Ciccocioppo, Sentinel Reporter, July 15, 2009
Last updated: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:39 AM EDT
1 comment(s)
Members of the Western Cumberland Council of Governments voted Monday to
oppose legislation that would force municipalities to pay for state police...
- CARL. SENTINEL |
|
07-14-2009 |
Brenner to push for sales tax
York Mayor John Brenner will make a push Tuesday for legislation that would
create a local-option sales tax and, officials say, relieve the property
tax burden on the city's residents.
Brenner will hold a news conference to urge state lawmakers to pass House...
- YORK DAILY |
|
07-13-2009 |
Reps will fight fees
Two local lawmakers have joined the opposition to a bill that would require
municipalities without full-time police forces to pay for state police
coverage.
The bill is "an attack on rural Pennsylvania," according to state Rep. Dan
Moul.
Moul, R-Conewago Township, and state Rep. Will Tallman, R-Reading Township,...
- HAN. EVENING SUN |
|
06-17-2009 |
Column: From the Capitol
The clock keeps ticking as state lawmakers work toward a budget resolution.
With 15 days left until the state constitution requires a budget to be in
place, both sides are hunkering down for a drawn-out fight. Democrats are
hinting at an increase in the state sales tax and an increase in the...
- HONES. WAYNE IND. |
|
06-14-2009 |
Share wealth of natural resource bounty
Tax revenue on natural gas drilling should be used in various areas.
With any new tax, a chief question arises: Where will the money go?
In the case of a severance tax on natural gas companies drilling in the
Marcellus Shale layer under Pennsylvania, the best answer might have three...
- PATRIOT |
|
06-14-2009 |
Marcellus Shale: Tax benefits lie beneath the surface
Some are already comparing the natural gas reserves underneath Pennsylvania
to the Gold Rush.
Industry is drilling in Marcellus Shale play for natural gas. State should
impose a tax.
We do not know yet how much of it lies in the Marcellus Shale play that
runs under much of our state, but experts say it's sizable....
- PATRIOT |
|
06-12-2009 |
Gas drillers should be taxed
To the Editor:
Your recent editorial, "A lesson in less," told of the cutbacks the state
is taking because of the revenue shortfall. But Republicans in the state
Legislature are holding back on a potential source of revenue that would
assist in overcoming this shortfall....
- The Intelligencer |
|
06-12-2009 |
Town meeting draws concern
Area residents got a crash course Monday night in Montrose about gas
drilling in the Marcellus play and whether it can go hand-in-hand with land
conservation.
North Branch Land Trust executive director Paul Lumia plodded through some
of the fundamental issues that persons who have drilling rigs nearby should...
- NEW AGE EXAMINER |
|
06-10-2009 |
Officials seek to yank legal ads from state newspapers
Local government officials pressed the case Tuesday for a bill that would
allow them to pull taxpayer-funded legal notices from the pages of
paid-circulation newspapers and post them on government-controlled Web
sites instead.
Local and school district leaders told the House Commerce Committee that...
- MORNING CALL |
|
06-02-2009 |
Budget deficit climbs toward $3 billion
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG -- State revenues continue to sink considerably lower than
expected, with the 2008-09 budget deficit likely to hit or top $3 billion
by June 30.
General Fund collections for the month of May were $287.5 million, or 15...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
05-28-2009 |
Pa. can't have local road laws, such as cell phones
May 28, 2009
Pennsylvania drivers should never have to encounter different traffic laws
while traveling from city to city and county to county within the
commonwealth. That is why I have authored legislation that would withhold
state funds from municipalities that enact local traffic ordinances which...
- MORNING CALL |
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05-28-2009 |
GOP bill would detour Main Street revitalization program
Proposed cuts in the state budget threaten the Main Street Program, which
several Alle-Kiski Valley communities use or hope to use for revitalizing
their business districts.
Republican-sponsored SB850 eliminates the Main Street Program
line item, essentially cutting 60 administrative positions and funding for...
- VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH |
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05-27-2009 |
Bill would strip prevailing wages provision in law
By Nick Pipitone, Special to the Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- A Republican senator from Lancaster is calling for a
three-year halt to the state's prevailing wage law for construction
projects, labeling it an unnecessary tax burden for taxpayers and something
that could water down the positive effect of federal stimulus funds....
- POST-GAZ. |
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05-21-2009 |
Senator hopes Main Street program survives
State Sen. John Gordner, R-27 of Berwick, said he voted in favor of the
Senate version of a $28 billion budget bill — which includes
eliminating funding for the Main Street program — because of a
necessity to balance the troubled spending plan.
He said his vote for the bill, which is 400 pages long, by no means...
- DAILY ITEM |
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05-20-2009 |
Hazleton fire chief pushes for CO legislation
Hazleton Fire Chief Donald Leshko believes a carbon monoxide detector is
just as important as smoke detectors in a home.
That’s why on on May 12 he traveled to Harrisburg for a press
conference at which the Pennsylvania Safe Homes Coalition urged the
adoption of legislation that would require carbon monoxide detectors in all...
- HAZ. STANDARD SPEAKER |
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05-20-2009 |
A charity can't sell a pie? Ban jostles Pa. Legislature
The squeaky wheel gets the ... Crisco?
As the wrangling over ways to fill a $3 billion hole in the state budget
gets under way in Harrisburg, some lawmakers are hoping to make a little
noise about home-baked pies.
Lawmakers introduced bills in the House and Senate recently that would...
- TRIB |
|
05-19-2009 |
Revitalization could take hit in the Valley
Letter-writing campaign urged to save Main Street program
By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item
SELINSGROVE -- While Selinsgrove celebrated its Main Street program with a
ribbon-cutting and open house Monday evening, a bill to end funding for
similar programs across the state awaited a vote that could lead to their...
- DAILY ITEM |
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05-18-2009 |
Bill: Justify rate increases
A bill in the state house would force municipal electric departments, like
those in Perkasie and Quakertown, to justify rate increases to the Public
Utilities Commission rather than simply pass them by a vote of borough
council.
State Rep. Tim Solobay, a Washington County Democrat and sponsor of House...
- The Intelligencer |
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05-18-2009 |
NEW LOCAL: Bill would help to put blight out of sight
Ask redevelopment consultant Jeri Stumpf, and he’ll likely tell you the
owners of run-down properties are guilty of committing crimes that, if left
unchecked, can snowball into the destruction of a community.
He may also say that’s where the local government should be empowered...
- MEAD. TRIB |
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05-15-2009 |
Local sales tax worth thought
The eternal quest to wean Pennsylvania’s local governments and school
districts from over-reliance on property taxes is even more intense amid
the ongoing recession.
Because the economic slowdown has sapped state government revenues,
systemic property tax reform is a non-starter....
- POTTS. REP. |
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05-14-2009 |
Our view: Sunshine Law changes balance bad with good
When it comes to government reform efforts, it sometimes happens that we're
forced to take the good with the bad.
For example, not long ago we called for an increase in penalties associated
with violations of the Sunshine Act, since current law provides little...
- CHAMBERS. P.O. |
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05-14-2009 |
Bill would let PUC regulate municipal electric rate hikes
HARRISBURG - State Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, has introduced a bill
that would give the state Public Utility Commission the same oversight of
municipal electric companies such as Middletown's that it has over
utilities such as Met-Ed and PPL.
At present, municipalities "are free to raise electric rates at will,"...
- PATRIOT |
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05-14-2009 |
Lawmakers consider letting legal ads go online
HARRISBURG -- County, borough and school district groups clashed with
newspaper industry representatives today over three bills that would make
major changes in how legal advertising is disseminated to the public.
The House Judiciary Committee is considering HB677, which would...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
05-11-2009 |
Bill granting benefits to firefighters with cancer debated
HARRISBURG — A bill to provide financial benefits to cancer-stricken
firefighters is generating debate as it advances in the House.
The measure by freshman Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-113, Scranton, would declare
cancer suffered by a firefighter an occupation-caused disease, thus...
- WB CIT. VOICE |
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05-07-2009 |
Pa. Senate passes cut-heavy budget; House likely won't
By Amy Worden
Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau
The Pennsylvania Senate yesterday approved legislation that would whack
more than $1 billion off Gov. Rendell's proposed budget, reject tax
increases, and impose cuts across a wide swath of education, health care,
and social services programs....
- INQUIRER |
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05-01-2009 |
Tax assess ruling reaches wide
60 of 67 counties in state could be vulnerable to a legal challenge
Friday, May 01, 2009
By Karamagi Rujumba and Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As many as 60 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania are vulnerable to a legal
challenge to their property assessment systems as a result of the Supreme...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
05-01-2009 |
Gas tax would shelter public
With straining state budgets and the burden of natural gas exploration on
governments and communities, a movement to tax natural gas production in
Pennsylvania gained another supporter and more momentum.
The Harrisburg-based Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center weighed in on...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
|
04-28-2009 |
Bill seeks new rules for teen drivers
State House OKs measure that bans cells, texting and full cars to keep 16-
and 17-year-olds safer.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
State House members wrapped up a weeklong discussion of distracted driving
Monday by passing a bill loaded with safety rules for teenage drivers....
- PATRIOT |
|
04-27-2009 |
Video poker machine, or ‘lottery terminal’?
HARRISBURG – What’s in a definition?
Plenty when it comes to one of the most controversial proposals facing
state lawmakers this spring: the legalization of video poker machines in
order to provide more state aid to help students at state-owned
universities and community colleges with tuition costs....
- HAZ. STANDARD-SPEAKER |
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04-26-2009 |
Letters
For real reform, voters need more ballot choices
Most "top 10" reform proposals ("Ten of the Most Talked-About Improvements
in Harrisburg," April 19) have merit but share a common drawback. While
they might weaken incumbency for individual officeholders, they strengthen...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
04-22-2009 |
Fixing wages
Kudos to Bethel Park for joining the growing coalition to reform
Pennsylvania's costly 1961 Prevailing Wage Law.
The law forces the commonwealth to pay an artificially high labor rate.
Essentially, taxpayers must cough up union wage rates instead of market
rates for "public work." That includes construction, reconstruction,...
- TRIB |
|
03-26-2009 |
Local police getting surprise 'injection' of stimulus funds
After many police agencies were forced to tighten their belts, local
departments large and small are getting a boost from federal stimulus
funds.
Allegheny County is eligible for $3.2 million in Justice Assistance Grant
money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. About...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
03-26-2009 |
Don't hire unregistered contractors
Paul Muschick
The Watchdog
March 26, 2009
When signing a home improvement contract, the number next to the dollar
sign isn't the only important one.
Look for a contractor's state registration number, too.
It's a new requirement. If most contractors don't have one by July 1,...
- MORNING CALL |
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03-26-2009 |
‘Energize PA’ initiative revealed to tap state gas deposits
The House Republican Energy Task Force today unveiled at a capitol news
conference the “Energize PA” plan to expand natural gas drilling on
390,000 additional acres of state forest land during the next three years.
The proposal would provide an additional $260 million per year for state...
- TOWANDA DAILY |
|
03-25-2009 |
Editorial: Taxpayers footing ‘free’ cops in Middletown
State Rep. John Pallone, D-54, of Westmoreland County, is at it once again.
Last year, he joined forces with fellow Westmoreland County Democratic
state Rep. James Casorio.
This year, his partner in fairness is state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Allegheny.
They and 26 co-sponsors introduced HB747, almost a replica of last...
- POTTS. MERCURY |
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03-23-2009 |
Bill would require locales to pay fee for state police
State Rep. John Pallone, D-54, of Westmoreland County, has reintroduced
legislation he drafted last year that would require certain municipalities
to pay a fee for the services of Pennsylvania State Police.
Under HB747, municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more...
- DELCO TIMES |
|
03-16-2009 |
News from the Pennsylvania General Assembly
(AP) — NEWEST SENATOR: Schuylkill County Republican David Argall is
scheduled to be sworn in as state senator Tuesday. Argall won a special
election to fill the seat of Sen. Jim Rhoades, who died of injuries
suffered in an October car crash. Argall has been a state representative...
- AP |
|
03-11-2009 |
House member revives talk of allowing counties to drill
HARRISBURG — Eyeing potential Marcellus Shale riches, a House lawmaker
renewed an effort Monday to give local officials the right to assess the
value of natural gas production for property tax purposes.
House Majority Whip Bill DeWeese, D-Greene County, said his assessment...
- WB CIT. VOICE |
|
02-27-2009 |
Municipalities can decide where its OK to drill wells
Municipalities can decide where gas wells are permitted in their
communities, the state Supreme Court ruled in an Oakmont dispute.
The court ruled unanimously last week that the state Oil and Gas Act
doesn't strip local governments of their zoning authority....
- TRIB |
|
02-27-2009 |
PennDOT adds $70M more for '09 projects
PennDOT wants to spend nearly $70 million more than last year on roads and
bridges around Pittsburgh this summer, but officials say the extra money
won't keep up with repair and replacement needs.
In a town hall meeting in Heidelberg, PennDOT officials on Thursday...
- TRIB |
|
02-27-2009 |
Oakmont case gives guidance on drilling
A state Supreme Court decision involving an Oakmont case that gives
municipalities a say in the location of gas wells through zoning laws is
significant, according to attorneys familiar with the issues.
The court, in a unanimous opinion issued Feb. 19, ruled that Huntley and...
- VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH |
|
02-24-2009 |
Orie bills encourage municipal cooperation
State Sen. Jane Orie has introduced three bills that encourage
municipalities and municipal authorities to share resources and make it
easier for them to do so.
One of the bills would increase the amount local governments can borrow for
equipment purchases and facility upgrades....
- VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH |
|
02-18-2009 |
Mount Airy cash aids local projects
Updated: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 4:13 AM EST
The first disbursement of gaming revenues from Mount Airy Resort and Casino
will spread $12.3 million among 29 projects in Monroe, Lackawanna, Wayne,
Pike and Carbon counties, Department of Community and Economic Development...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
|
02-17-2009 |
Highway projects line up for $1.5 billion
HARRISBURG — More than 900 miles of highways and 428 bridges are ready
for construction work when $1.5 billion flows to Pennsylvania from the
federal stimulus bill awaiting President Barack Obama's signature,
officials said Monday.
The projects are considered "shovel-ready" for work to begin in three to...
- TRIB |
|
02-15-2009 |
Rendell wants cut of poker machines
HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell wants to transform the state’s
gambling landscape by legalizing video poker machines in establishments
with liquor licenses.
But the proposal is drawing criticism from skeptical casino operators who
fear competition and from anti-gambling advocates....
- SCRANTON TIMES |
|
02-15-2009 |
Local sales tax hike mulled
A state proposal that would allow Pennsylvania counties to add a penny per
dollar to the 6 percent sales tax could bring up to $25 million in revenue
to Erie County governments.
But Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio said he won't support such a move
unless the money is used to reduce county residents' property taxes....
- ERIE NEWS |
|
02-12-2009 |
Salty winter costly for municipalities
Everyone knows it's been a tough winter, but municipalities in the region
are the ones paying the price, literally.
January weather that turned roads into ice rinks forced municipalities to
use more salt than they typically do, while some towns paid more than twice...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
02-12-2009 |
Biden says stimulus will boost Pa.
BY ROBERT SWIFT
HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF
Published: Thursday, February 12, 2009 4:06 AM EST
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania would save 150,000 jobs and receive billions
of dollars in aid under the compromise federal economic stimulus package
headed to passage, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday during a visit...
- WB CIT. VOICE |
|
02-06-2009 |
Sales tax hike would give Valley millions
Lehigh Valley governments would gain more than $36 million per year under a
state proposal that would allow counties to add a penny per dollar to the
state sales tax.
Unveiled Wednesday by Gov. Ed Rendell, the plan would give each county the
option of raising the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent and give...
- MORNING CALL |
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02-06-2009 |
BUDGET BACKLASH
SALES TAX: Timing couldn't be worse, retailers' group says
Friday, February 06, 2009
BY JOHN LUCIEW
Of The Patriot-News
Retailers seeing red -- as in profit losses -- is nothing new in this sour
economy.
This week, however, it was a flash of anger over Gov. Ed Rendell's twin...
- PATRIOT |
|
02-06-2009 |
Main Street awaits help from economic bailout package
AS I SEE IT CHRIS CAP
Main Street awaits help from economic bailout package
Friday, February 06, 2009
Conventional wisdom says, "I don't mind paying out if I can see that I'm
getting something worthwhile in return."
That's why the massive national infrastructure rebuilding contemplated by...
- PATRIOT |
|
02-04-2009 |
Rendell wants legal video poker
Proceeds would be used to fund college tuition relief in state
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
By Tom Barnes and Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell has devised a startling and controversial
plan to generate $550 million a year for tuition assistance for 175,000...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
02-04-2009 |
Rendell to back legalizing video poker
HARRISBURG -- Gov. Ed Rendell today will ask the Legislature to legalize
video poker machines, which long have flourished as an illegal industry in
Pennsylvania, to provide tuition relief for families earning up to $100,000
per year.
"This is not an expansion of gambling. It is the recognition that video...
- TRIB |
|
02-02-2009 |
AS I SEE IT DWIGHT EVANS
PA budget crisis -- citizen involvement is a must
Monday, February 02, 2009
Over the last weeks, I travelled around the state meeting with elected
officials, community leaders and interested Pennsylvanians to brief them
about the impact the economy is having on our state budget. Critics said my...
- PATRIOT |
|
01-30-2009 |
Mandate bids for services
When Lackawanna County Controller Ken McDowell noted this week that the
county commissioners had violated their own policy by making an insurance
deal without issuing a public request for qualifications, it raised a
larger issue.
Pennsylvania law allows local governments to contract for a wide array of...
- SCRANTON TIMES |
|
01-30-2009 |
Salt becomes hot commodity in wake of winter blast
In the wake of this week's winter storm, salt is a hot commodity for both
Valley residents and their municipalities that clear the roads.
And sometimes, it's hard to find.
"Everybody wants it, the problem is getting it," said Sue Eiler owner of
Eiler's Hardware in Verona. "It's like we get whatever we can get from the...
- VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH |
|
01-30-2009 |
Boro’s code enforcement agency tops 450 violations
The new code enforcement agency in Gettysburg has issued more than 450
violations, drawing plaudits from town leaders who are impressed with the
work.
“Our code enforcement and outsourcing have been incredibly successful,
not only in public relations, but in bringing different codes into...
- GETTYS. TIMES |
|
01-28-2009 |
State's budget problems may force tax hike
HARRISBURG -- The state's budget problems are so serious that some sort of
tax increase may be needed to erase a deficit that's $2.35 billion and
still growing, the state House Appropriations Committee chairman said
yesterday.
"I believe there will be some sort of a tax increase in order to solve this...
- POST-GAZ. |
|
01-25-2009 |
Gasoline tax unable to fill federal highway fund's tank
When you were pumping $1.09-per-gallon gas in 1993, $4 gas last summer and
the deflated $1.79 product this month, there was one constant -- 18.4 cents
of the price of each gallon went to the federal government to pay for
roads, bridges, transit and other needs....
- POST-GAZ. |
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