Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Democrats voice concerns while Republicans lend support for Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget.
Western Pennsylvania Democrats had some harsh words for Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 state budget, which he presented Tuesday, while state Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason called the governor's plan a "balanced and responsible budget that reinvests in Pennsylvania." “The plan presented by the governor is disappointing,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills. “It was long on politics but short on solutions.” State Rep. Erin Molchany, a newly elected Democrat serving South Hills communities said the governor’s "Band-Aid budget does little to make up for the hurt this state has felt from his deep cuts." State Rep. Robert Matzie, a Democrat representing the Sewickley area, said: “New Jersey has Chris Christie as …
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
“Our plan gives consumers what they want by increasing choice and convenience, and helps to secure our future by adding $1 billion in funding toward the education of our
children, without raising any taxes,” the governor said Wednesday.
Gov. Tom Corbett, joined by Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, on Wednesday announced his plan to privatize the liquor system in Pennsylvania and committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. Corbett said the $1 billion will be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, which will provide flexibility to schools, allowing our public schools, instead of Harrisburg, to decide what their students need. The grant will focus on four priority areas: school safety, enhanced early education programs, individualized learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. “Our proposal is part of my commitment to changing Harrisburg, streamlining government and moving Pennsylvania …
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson talks about his decision, state House Majority Leader Mike Turzai's gives reaction—and see what Pennsylvanians are saying on Twitter.
Here are some stories from our sister Patch sites in eastern PA regarding Tuesday's decision by Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson: Why Judge Simpson Delayed Voter ID Law GOP's Mike Turzai Issues Pa. Voter ID Statement Twitter Reacts to Voter ID Ruling Remember, Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the last day to register to vote or to change your voter information.
Commonwealth Court judge rules after hearing two days of testimony. An appeal to the state Supreme Court is possible.
A judge ruled today that Pennsylvania's tough new Voter ID Law should be put on hold until after the Nov. 6 general election, according to an Associated Press report. The ruling can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, which said it would expedite any further action in the case since Election Day is just five weeks away. Do you agree with the ruling? Tell us in the comments section below. Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson heard two days of testimony last week, as directed by the Supreme Court, to determine whether the state has made it easy enough to get a photo ID in order to vote. Opponents say the law disenfranchises voters—especially the young, poor and elderly, who tend to vote for Democrats. Supporters say the law will …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Will this decision stick? Both sides had said they would appeal this ruling.
Pennsylvania’s new voter identification law will stand … for now. Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson released his decision Wednesday that parties challenging the Voter ID law were not able to prove it will cause “immediate and irreparable harm” to the electorate. The challenge to the law was brought by voter advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP. It’s unclear what this decision will actually mean, since both sides had vowed to appeal the judgment if it didn’t go their way. State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-North Strabane urged voters not to wait for a possible Supreme Court ruling on the matter if it is appealed. "They should educate themselves (on the proper identification necessary to vote) so there …
Friday, July 6, 2012
The PA Department of State released figures this week after comparing PennDOT and voter registration databases, including information for Allegheny, Washington and Butler counties.
In Allegheny, Butler and Washington counties alone, there are 117,909 registered voters who do not have a PennDOT ID number that will be required to vote in the fall general election, according to a Pennsylvania Department of State comparison of voter registration rolls and PennDOT ID databases. In March, state lawmakers approved a new voter ID bill (House Bill 934) that requires each voter to present proof of identification at every election. Sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, the law is scheduled to take effect for the Nov. 6 general election. The law has been controversial as Democrats have challenged that it will disenfranchise voters without proper IDs while Republicans say it will fight voter fraud. The database …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Democrats say his remarks prove political motivation behind the bill.
State Sen. Tim Solobay said the old adage is true: A picture tells a thousand words. But in this case so does a video. Democrats such as Solobay are criticizing a comment from State House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, about the newly enacted voter identification law—one that is now making the rounds on YouTube. Sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, the law requires voters to show photo identification before they vote at the polls. After a dry run in the April primary, it is scheduled to take effect for the Nov. 6 general election. Speaking at a meeting of the Republican State Committee in Hershey over the weekend, Turzai was listing the accomplishments of the state House and Senate, when he pointed to the new law…
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The House passed the measure Wednesday. State Reps. Brandon Neuman and Jesse White both voted yes on the measure.
The state House on Wednesday approved a bill that would reduce the size of the Legislature—with both state representatives from the Canon-McMillan area voting yes on the measure. House Bill 153, a constitutional amendment that would reduce the size and cost of state government, passed the House with a 140-49 vote. “As Republicans, we stand for smaller government, and that includes a smaller Legislature,” state Rep. Mike Turzai, the majority leader in the House, said. “This legislation is an opportunity for us to ‘right-size’ Pennsylvania government, and frankly, a smaller group of lawmakers could deal more efficiently and effectively with the major issues facing the state.” With 253 members, the Pennsylvania General Assembly is the second-…
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The governor signed the bill into law Thursday.
The state House on Wednesday approved legislation that requires voters to present identification at the polls. The legislation, House Bill 934, requires each voter to present proof of identification at every election. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill into law Thursday. “I am signing this bill because it protects a sacred principle, one shared by every citizen of this nation. That principle is: one person, one vote,’’ Corbett said. “It sets a simple and clear standard to protect the integrity of our elections.’’ The law goes into effect immediately, but the photo ID will not be required for the primary election next month. However, voters will be reminded at that time that a photo ID will be required for November’s general election. …
Thursday, March 1, 2012
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai canceled debate on the matter scheduled for March 12.
Movement on a controversial bill that would require women to have ultrasounds before undergoing abortions was halted by a state House Republican leader Thursday. The PennLive website reported that Majority Leader Mike Turzai told his members by email on Wednesday “that he has canceled a March 12 floor debate on the bill because of ‘concerns raised by the medical community, among others.’” H.B. 1077 would require a woman to undergo an ultrasound at least 24 hours before an abortion is performed. The bill would also require that the ultrasound display be placed in the patient’s line of vision, and that she be offered the opportunity to listen to the fetal heartbeat. Local lawmakers had expressed concern over the bill, with some questioning …
Jon Wain
1:09 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
first the lottery next the state stores next the gas tax next-------------------------------------- Frank oyu said it right.Opps forgot the turn pike more ›