A state legislative update from
the PA House Democratic Caucus THE LATEST... House, Senate Democratic leaders ask new AG to reject Camelot contract  House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody
and Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa have sent a letter to new
Attorney General Kathleen Kane urging her to reject the contract
recently finalized by Gov. Tom Corbett with Camelot Global Services PA
to privately manage the Pennsylvania Lottery. The House and Senate Democratic leaders have argued for months that the Corbett administration needs the legislature to pass an amendment to the lottery law for such a contract to be legal. Corbett did not announce the lottery privatization plan until after the legislature recessed last fall, and signed the contract with Camelot this week, before any the General Assembly had a chance to consider any legislation. The letter to Kane also argues that the contract violates federal law, and that the administration has shown no compelling reason to sell off management of the very successful Pennsylvania Lottery. “It’s clear that there are serious issues with this [contract] regarding legal authority, fiscal responsibility, public accountability and transparency,” the letter states. “It is our firm belief that this contract is counter to state and federal law.” DERMODY/COSTA LETTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL KANE Democratic lawmakers question Corbett lottery plan  House Democratic legislators said this week
serious questions remain unanswered about Gov. Tom Corbett’s plan to
outsource management of the Pennsylvania Lottery to a British firm for
the next 20 to 30 years, including questions about the move’s potential
impact on the state’s existing casinos.“Pennsylvania has the most successful state lottery in the nation. It earned record profits last year and is on track to exceed that this year,” said Democratic Leader Frank Dermody. “It is certainly not broken, so why is the governor so intent on handing it over to a foreign corporation? “Important details of this process were only made public in the last few days and troubling questions remain about whether lottery benefits that are dedicated to older Pennsylvanians will be preserved. Or will this pending contract mainly serve to enrich a British corporation that has done no previous work in Pennsylvania?” said Dermody, D-Allegheny. READ MORE HERE Parker, Philadelphia Delegation unveil tax relief package  The Philadelphia Delegation of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, chaired by state Rep. Cherelle L. Parker, D-Phila., has announced a property tax relief package for Philadelphia homeowners. "Last session, when the city began its efforts to implement the Actual Value Initiative, the General Assembly acted by delaying implementation of the plan for one year, passed legislation to include Philadelphia homeowners in the Homestead Exemption Act already afforded to all other Pennsylvania homeowners, and allowed the city to adjust school district property tax rates to prevent large, unintended tax increases for all property owners. We recognize the financial strain the new tax system may place on many city homeowners and homestead relief may not be enough," said Parker. "Therefore, the delegation is proposing common-sense legislation in an effort to provide relief to residents as they transition to the new rates under AVI." "These measures are a result of an unprecedented collaborative effort between the City of Philadelphia and its state delegation. This tax relief package will provide the city with the flexibility to implement AVI in a fair and common-sense manner," said Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke. READ MORE HERE Nationally known climate scientist and lawmakers urge Pa. to address climate change  A
nationally known climate scientist, environmental groups and state
lawmakers called on Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly to take action on climate change, during a Capitol news conference organized by House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Chairman Greg Vitali. On the heels of the warmest year on record in the contiguous United States, Vitali and others said Pennsylvania must take action now because the state continues to be a significant source of greenhouse gasses. "Pennsylvania emits about one percent of the world’s greenhouse gas, yet Gov. Tom Corbett has failed to even acknowledge the climate crisis," said Vitali, D-Delaware. "To avoid destabilizing the earth’s climate we must significantly increase our use of energy from renewable sources." READ MORE HERE House Democrats push investment in transportation  House Democratic
leaders have introduced legislation to help Pennsylvania establish a
long-term, comprehensive and sustainable plan for funding the
maintenance and improvement of the commonwealth’s crumbling roads,
bridges and transit systems. While Pennsylvanians waited for the governor to lead in the transportation crisis, House Democratic leaders reintroduced a package of bills modeled after the recommendations made by Gov. Tom Corbett’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission in August 2011. The governor has yet to act on those recommendations. "As we begin a new, two-year legislative session, we remain hopeful that Governor Corbett finally will show some leadership on this issue that is of paramount importance to Pennsylvania residents, motorists, workers and businesses," said Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny. "This is a public safety crisis, but it’s also an economic crisis. A modern, reliable transportation system is critical to creating and sustaining thousands of jobs and to enabling businesses to remain competitive and successful." READ MORE HERE |
  
Jan. 18, 2013
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
IN THE NEWS Kane takes oath as state AG PA Senate hearing to discuss impact of closing SCI-Cresson Corbett says decision on PA Lottery is imminent SCI-Cresson faces reality of closing House Democrats say too many questions about deal remain unanswered PA Legislature unlikely to follow NY in enacting weapons ban Hunger-Free PA honors Rep. Haluska for his years of service PA lawmakers have different reactions to lottery contract House Democrats blast Corbett's lottery deal Camelot Global Service changed headquarters site PA deal sparks clashes between Democrats, Corbett Corbett defends PA Lottery privatization contract City of Harrisburg needs help from state to fix sinkholes SCI-Cresson inmate transfers begin in advance of facility's closure Philadelphia's PA House delegation to introduce legislation on city tax reform Rep. Conklin questions speedy decision to privatize PA lottery Possible reuse of SCI-Cresson facility considered Lancaster County leaders set goals for 2013 ------------- Follow the House Democratic Caucus on Social Media:    |
| PA House of Representatives Democratic Caucus PO Box 202250 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2250 |
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