Saturday, June 29, 2013

Senate, House Republicans, Governor Reach Agreement On Budget

This evening, Senate and House Republicans and Gov. Corbett announced they reached agreement on a $28.3 billion state spending plan, slightly less than the Governor’s $28.4 billion proposed budget.  The agreed-to budget represents a 2.3 percent increase in spending over the current year budget.
House Bill 1437 (Adolph-R- Delaware) was then amended with the new FY 2013-14 General Fund budget and reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  The full Senate expects to take up the measure tomorrow first thing (11:00 a.m.).  The House is expected to vote Sunday evening, just making the June 30 midnight deadline.
For its part, the House did not take up the transportation funding bill-- Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R- Montgomery)-- as expected, waiting, it was reported, for the Senate to take up the liquor privatization bill-- House Bill 790 (Turzai-R-Allegheny).
There was no action on the liquor privatization bill in the Senate today.
The Senate Appropriations Committee did report out legislation-- House Bill 1075 (Moul-R-Adams)-- directing the Governor to enter into an agreement to expand Medicaid (among other changes to the Welfare Code) which was a major priority of Senate and House Democrats.  
House Republicans vow to prevent any floor vote on the bill if it returns to the House for concurrence.
Meanwhile, pension reform is still nowhere.
There is no word yet on budget-related changes to the Tax Code, Fiscal Code or Education Code.
Click Here for the agency-by-agency budget spreadsheet which compares current year funding, the Governor’s request and the agreed-to budget numbers.  Some highlights include--
DEP
Conservation Districts- $2.5 million ($350,000 less than last year)
Sewage Facilities Planning Grants- $200,000 (zeroed out last year)
Overall- $2.8 million increase
DCNR
Heritage Parks - $2.2 million (zeroed out last few years)
Overall - $22.7 million cut (probably substituted more Oil & Gas Lease Fund monies
Agriculture
Conservation Districts- $869,000 ($150,000 less than last year)
Overall- $5.7 million cut ($3.4 million cut in General Govt. Operations)
Environmental Hearing Board- $2.1 million ($181,000 more than last year)
Commonwealth Financing Authority- $7.5 million less than last year
NewsClips:
House Fails To Take Up Transportation Bill
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Saturday NewsClips

Corbett Wants DRBC To Lift Drilling Ban
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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Friday, June 28, 2013

July 1 PA Environment Digest Now Available

The July 1 PA Environment Digest is now available.  Click Here to print entire Digest.
Corbett Urges Delaware River Basin Commission To Finalize Drilling Rules


On Thursday, Gov. Tom Corbett wrote to the Delaware River Basin Commission expressing his "frustration and disappointment" over the failure of the Commission to finalize its regulations on Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.
"For over three years, a moratorium issued by the DRBC has been in place which has prohibited the development of natural gas within all or parts of 13 Pennsylvania counties that lie within the basin.  Adoption of this moratorium-- namely through the postponement of consideration of well pad dockets-- was purportedly done to all for the drafting of appropriate standards that would protect the water resources of the basin.
"However, deferring the submission of applications until regulations are adopted presumes that regulations will, ultimately, be adopted.  That has failed to occur.
"This moratorium has done more than prohibit the citizens of Pennsylvania who reside within the basin from enjoying their property rights.  It has depressed economic growth in the region, discouraged the investment of private capital in the Commonwealth, and reflected poorly on the DRBC's ability to function effectively.
"Moreover, since the DRBC’s scheduled November 2011 meeting to consider adoption of final rules was cancelled, Pennsylvania has significantly enhanced environmental protection standards through passage of Act 13 in February 2012.  Act 13 represents the first comprehensive update of the state’s Oil and Gas Act since 1984, incorporating proposals from the Governor’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission and members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
"The citizens of Pennsylvania residing within the basin have been denied the enjoyment of their property rights due to the inaction of the DRBC. Operators interested in developing natural gas have closed offices and laid-off employees; lease payments have been withheld; force majeure clauses in contracts have been exercised, and communities have watched their neighbors outside the basin benefit tremendously. In addition to this inequity, the DRBC’s inaction may very well constitute a ‘taking’ under the U.S. Constitution, subjecting its members, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to financial and other legal ramifications.
"Hopefully the residents of Wayne County won’t have to wait another three years for a decision from the DRBC and will soon be able to take part in the growing natural gas industry that has so significantly benefitted much of the rest of Pennsylvania."
A copy of the letter is available online.
NewsClips:
Wayne County Urges Quick End To Drilling Ban
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Friday NewsClips

Another Day Of Mixed Progress On Budget Issues
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Thursday NewsClips

Budget Deal Close, Not So Much On Other Priorities
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Wednesday NewsClips

Weekend Deadline Nears For Budget, Roads, Wine
Pension Reform Has Potential $37 Billion Extra Cost
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tuesday NewsClips

Crunch Time For Corbett’s Big 3 Agenda
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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Monday, June 24, 2013

DEP Issues Air Quality Action Day For Southeast PA For June 25

The Department of Environmental Protection and its regional air quality partnerships have forecast an orange air quality action day for ozone for Tuesday, June 25, for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.  Click Here for all the details.
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Budget Week Begins: Monday NewsClips

House GOP To Propose Another Transportation Funding Plan
Click Here for PA Capitol Digest NewsClips
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