The Pennsylvania Guardian

Rendell pushes tax changes, warns of budget 'tsunami'

2010-02-25T16:24:00.000-05:00

By Bill Toland
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 25, 2010

Gov. Ed Rendell, trying to gather support for a series of proposed tax code changes, told an East End audience today that Pennsylvania would need the extra revenue from expanded sales, tobacco and natural gas taxes to forestall an economic "tsunami" in 2012.

Read the story here

Veon's driver ran errands, campaigned

2010-02-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 25, 2010

HARRISBURG -- When former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon needed his boots shined, he turned to Patrick Cook, whose state job paid $30,000 a year.

Read the story here

Toomey courts big corporations

2010-02-25T15:30:00.000-05:00

Colby Itkowitz
Allentown Morning Call
February 24, 2010

Republican Pat Toomey will be rubbing elbows Wednesday morning with representatives from some of the country's largest businesses.

Read the story here

Sen. Specter and Sec. Clinton: Congressional Debate ‘Weakening’ America Abroad

2010-02-25T15:23:00.000-05:00

By Matt Cover
Staff Writer
CNS News
February 24, 2010

Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both said that partisan debate in Congress has hamstrung President Barack Obama’s foreign policy efforts, and weakened America abroad.

Read the story here

Corbett Unveils Gov't Reform Plan

2010-02-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

John L. Micek
Allentown Morning Call
Feruary 24, 2010

This One's Not Exactly A Surprise ...... since he's been talking about it for a couple of weeks now. But GOP guv candidate Tom Corbett has rolled out the fine-print of his plan to reform state government.

Read the story here

Tea Party Movement Gaining Traction in Pa., Poll Suggests

2010-02-24T13:16:00.001-05:00

Tony Romeo
KYW News Radio
February 24, 2010

A Pennsylvania pollster says the Tea Party movement is becoming a significant factor in state politics.

Read the story here

Questions arise about half-million Murtha left in his campaign coffers

2010-02-24T13:11:00.000-05:00

By Sean J. Miller
The Hill
February 24, 2010

John Murtha’s advisers are scratching their heads over what to do with the half-million dollars left over in his campaign coffers.

Read the story here

Poll: Specter struggling in re-election bid

2010-02-24T12:05:00.001-05:00

By Borys Krawczeniuk
Staff Writer
Citizens Voice
February 24, 2010

U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter's support for re-election remains lukewarm, with the senator still leading his Democratic challenger Joe Sestak but struggling against Republican Pat Toomey, according to a new Franklin & Marshall College poll co-sponsored by Times-Shamrock Newspapers.

Read the story here

Former Veon aide: 'I felt I had to do what I was told'

2010-02-24T11:40:00.001-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 24, 2010

HARRISBURG — Campaign contributions to former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon were logged into a state computer system, and campaign brochures were prepared in Room 626 of the Capitol where Veon's staff toiled on wide-ranging re-election activity at state expense, a witness said today.

Read the story here

Specter introduces bill on witness intimidation

2010-02-24T11:17:00.001-05:00

By Nancy Phillips and Craig R. McCoy
Staff Writers
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 24, 2010

Saying witness intimidation threatens the administration of justice at the most basic level, Sen. Arlen Specter yesterday introduced legislation to make it a federal crime to threaten, harm, or kill a witness in a local criminal case and to provide tough new penalties.

Read the story here

Testing the Murtha Connection

2010-02-23T20:09:00.001-05:00

By Shira Toeplitz
CQ-Roll Call
February 23, 2010

Staffers for the late Rep. John P. Murtha , D-Pa., are hoping one of their own will be the standard-bearer in the special election but at this point it’s still an open field, since the late lawmaker’s wife announced she will not run for the seat.

Read the story here

Sentencing in defense contractor's trial

2010-02-23T19:55:00.001-05:00

By Susan Crabtree
The Hill
February 23, 2010

A defense contractor who accepted a $200,000 kickback and is cooperating with federal agents investigating problems with the Congressional earmark process received five years of probation Tuesday.

Read the story here

Budget Facts 2010: Pennsylvania State Budget Overview

2010-02-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

Commonwealth Foundation
February 23, 2010

Pennsylvania faces a projected General Fund tax revenue shortfall of at least $500 million. Governor Rendell proposed a $29 billion General Fund budget for 2010-11, that increases businesses taxes, imposes new taxes on natural gas and tobacco products, and expands the sales tax to many goods and services currently exempt. This is the first in a series of fact sheets on the state budget.

Read the story here

Rep. John Murtha's absence hits home in House

2010-02-23T10:57:00.001-05:00

By Jonathan Allen
Politico
February 22, 2010

John Murtha’s seat in the southeastern corner of the House chamber sat empty Monday, save for a folded American flag that had flown over the Capitol in his memory.

Read the story here

Ex-aide testifies it would be 'nuts' to think Veon was out of loop

2010-02-23T10:44:00.000-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 23, 2010

HARRISBURG — It would be "nuts" to think ex-House Democratic Whip Mike Veon didn't know his state-paid staff actively participated in political campaigning, a former Veon aide told a jury Monday.

Read the story here

Taxpayers Ante Up More Than $120,000 per "Green" Job

2010-02-23T10:42:00.000-05:00

Jim Panyard
Pennsylvania Independent
February 23, 2010

Gov. Ed Rendell said today the state has "invested" nearly $1 billion in renewable energy jobs "that put more the 8,300 people to work." That is slightly more than $120,000 per job created.

Read the story here

Sen. Williams formally enters race for governor

2010-02-23T10:40:00.000-05:00

By Amy Worden
Harrisburg Bureau
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 23, 2010

HARRISBURG - State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, who has represented Philadelphia for 20 years in the General Assembly, made it official yesterday: He is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.

Read the story here

Sestak, Toomey to meet sans Specter

2010-02-22T18:16:00.001-05:00

By David Catanse
Politico
February 22, 2010

Republican Pat Toomey has agreed to debate Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), setting up a potential Senate candidate showdown that would leave incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter on the sidelines.

Read the story here

Sestak's newest ad takes on Obama

2010-02-22T18:09:00.001-05:00

Colby Itkowitz
Allentown Morning Call
February 22, 2010

In the spirit of the famous "Yes, We Can" video featuring celebrities in black and white singing along to the words of a Barack Obama speech, Rep. Joe Sestak's newest online campaign video shows voters in black and white with a similar mellow instrumental in the background.

Read the story here

Joyce Murtha won't be running for John's vacant congressional seat

2010-02-22T17:03:00.001-05:00

By Salena Zito
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 22, 2010

John Murtha's widow won't be running for his congressional seat, but his district director in Johnstown apparently will.

Read the story here

Introducing the pa2010.com Webcast

2010-02-22T16:40:00.001-05:00

Hello to all you political junkies out there, and welcome to the first ever pa2010.com Webcast!

It’s here that we’ll be joined from time to time by newsmakers, opinion leaders and political insiders of every stripe to discuss the issues surrounding the big 2010 elections. Below is part one of our first episode. Log-on throughout the week to see the rest.

In our first episode, hosted by pa2010.com editor Dan Hirschhorn, we were joined, from…

pa2010.com

Lawmaker says he has nearly $2M to run for Pa. gov

2010-02-22T15:32:00.001-05:00

By Marc Levy
Associated Press Writer
Scranton Times
February 22, 2010

HARRISBURG, Pa. - State Sen. Anthony Williams says he is running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and that he has nearly $2 million in cash and financial commitments.

Read the story here

Caucus employees pressured to campaign, Bonusgate witness says

2010-02-22T15:18:00.001-05:00

By Tracie Mauriello
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 22, 2010

HARRISBURG -- Directives to campaign were so persistent that it often drove employees to tears, Karen Steiner Blanar testified this morning in the political corruption trial known as Bonusgate.

Read the story here

U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey agrees to debate Joe Sestak

2010-02-22T14:29:00.000-05:00

By Tony Rhodin
Lehigh Valley Live
February 22, 2010

Pat Toomey, the former Lehigh Valley congressman who is running for U.S. Senate on the Republican side of the ballot, has agreed to debate U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, who will face U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the May 18 Democratic primary.

Read the story here

White House Accused of Federal Crime in Specter, Bennet Races

2010-02-22T14:06:00.001-05:00

Jeffery Lord
The American Spectator
February 22, 2010

A bombshell has just exploded in the 2010 elections.

For the second time in five months, the Obama White House is being accused -- by Democrats -- of offering high ranking government jobs in return for political favors. What no one is reporting is that this is a violation of federal law that can lead to prison time, a fine or both, according to Title 18, Chapter 11, Section 211 of the United States Code.

Read the story here

John Baer: It's time for a woman's touch - in Pa.'s Legislature

2010-02-22T13:39:00.000-05:00

By John Baer
Political Columnist
Philadelphia Daily News
February 22, 2010

ON THE BIRTHDAY of "the Father of our Country," here's an update on the mothers: Things could be a lot better.

I've long argued that politics needs more women, especially in Pennsylvania's self-protective, bloated, ineffective, scandal-prone, men's-club Legislature.

Read the story here

Mob Talk: Stanfa's Driver Dies In Crash

2010-02-21T19:27:00.000-05:00

PHILADELPHIA - A mob associate involved in an infamous mob attack on the Schuylkill Expressway 17 years ago died in a Delaware County crash this week.

Fox 29's Dave Schratwieser and the Inquirer's George Anastasia report on the death of Fred Aldrich.

FOX 29 Philadelphia

Rendell says Obama got out-messaged by GOP on stim

2010-02-21T18:57:00.001-05:00

Jonathan Martin
Politico
February 21, 2010

President Barack Obama was outmaneuvered by Republicans in selling the stimulus package last year to the American people, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said Sunday.

Read the story here

Pennsylvania: Singel To Run for Murtha's Seat; Welch Drops Out

2010-02-21T18:55:00.000-05:00

Lauren W. Whittington
CQ Politics
February 20. 2010

Two noteworthy pieces of political news came out of opposite sides of the Keystone State on Saturday.

Read the story here

Murtha's unlikely political bedfellow

2010-02-21T18:52:00.001-05:00

By Andrew Malcolm and Johanna Neuman
Los Angeles Times
February 21, 2010

They were always an odd couple -- the fashionable San Francisco progressive and the crusty Marine from Johnstown, Pa. She supported abortion rights. He supported gun rights. She was camera-ready for the cable news era. He was more at home in the cigar-filled rooms of an earlier time.

Read the story here

Raising $1.4 Billion in Taxes by Lowering the Rate?

2010-02-21T18:50:00.000-05:00

Jim Panyard
Pennsylvania Independent
February 20, 2010

Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to lower the state sales tax rate, but expand it to 74 currently exempt categories to generate $1.4 billion in additional tax dollars is not a tax increase, according to Sharon Ward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC).

Read the story here

State's heavyweight political clout growing thin

2010-02-21T18:48:00.000-05:00

By Salena Zito
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 21, 2010

Pennsylvania soon may scrape the bottom of the federal pork barrel.

The Feb. 8 death of U.S. Rep. Jack Murtha was "a major blow" to federal funding in the state, according to Jeff Brauer, a political science professor at Keystone College. The Johnstown Democrat, in Congress since 1974, held considerable clout as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee.

Read the story here

The stimulus: One year later

2010-02-21T18:46:00.001-05:00

Tom Barnes
Harrisburg Bureau Chief
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 21, 2010

CARLISLE -- As he shivered in a cold wind, standing by snow piled on the side of the rebuilt Route 34 bridge, contractor David Maugle said that as far as he's concerned, the first year of President Barack Obama's federal stimulus program has produced impressive results.

Read the story here

CPAC straw poll: 2 percent support Santorum as GOP candidate in '12

2010-02-21T18:43:00.001-05:00

By Colby Itkowitz
Washington Bureau
Allentown Morning Call
February 21, 2010

Against his wife's wishes, then U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum campaigned in 2004 for Arlen Specter's re-election.

Read the story here

Broad Judicial Corruption Alleged in York County

2010-02-21T16:44:00.001-05:00

Eric Boehm
Pennsylvania Independent
February 21, 2010

The author of several books on judicial corruption in Pennsylvania is bringing civil action against a number of judges, a reporter for the York Daily News, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on allegations of rampant political and judicial corruption since 1999.

Read the story here

Constitutional crisis looms in Harrisburg ?

2010-02-21T16:41:00.001-05:00

Citizens Voice
February 21, 2010

HARRISBURG - Is a constitutional crisis brewing in Pennsylvania on the 150th anniversary of the big one that tore the nation apart in 1860?

Read the story here

Editorial: Time to retire this mess

2010-02-21T16:25:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia Inquirer
February 21, 2010

Pennsylvania's pension crisis is staring it in the face. It's time for the legislature to act quickly to devise a solution that balances the needs of taxpayers, workers, and retirees.

Read the story here

Luksik: Let states freely drill for oil

2010-02-21T16:14:00.001-05:00

By Peg Luksik
Contributing writer
Erie Times
February 20, 2010

Federal government policies almost always reach far beyond their intended consequences, creating problems in areas that their Washington advocates never anticipated.

Read the story here

Legislators collect housing stipend while owning homes

2010-02-21T16:12:00.001-05:00

By Borys Krawczeniuk
Staff Writer
Scranton Times
February 21, 2010

State Rep. Jim Wansacz routinely collects up to $163 a day for meals and lodging when he's in Harrisburg, even though he owns a house in the state capital where he stays when conducting legislative business.

Read the story here

Lobby group says Pennsylvania's gun laws are 10th best — but not good enough

2010-02-21T16:10:00.000-05:00

By Michael Sadowski
Pocono Record
February 20, 2010

Pennsylvania received just two stars in an annual test of gun safety by the biggest gun violence protection lobbyist group in the country.

Read the story here

Threat of gas drilling to Pa. State Forests weighed

2010-02-21T16:07:00.000-05:00

By Andrew Maykuth
Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 21, 2010

Pennsylvania's countryside was a smoldering moonscape 90 years ago, the hardwoods decimated for fuel and the hemlocks cut down for tannic acid to process leather.

Read the story here

Road projects depend on tolls to pave way

2010-02-21T16:05:00.000-05:00

Charles Thompson
Harrisburg Patriot
February 21, 2010

The federal government will soon decide whether Pennsylvania can toll Interstate 80. The answer could affect drivers and road projects around the state.

Read the story here

Santorum: D.C. Republicans should stay out of primaries

2010-02-20T15:51:00.000-05:00

Mike Madden
Salon
February 20, 2010

The ex-Pennsylvania senator cheers on conservative primaries and says Arlen Specter has betrayed the GOP .

Read the story here

Rick Santorum: Sorry About Specter!

2010-02-20T15:35:00.001-05:00

By David Weigel
Washington Independent
February 20, 2010

Nobody wants the first Saturday morning speaking spot — the faces of the people who drag themselves into the CPAC ballroom bear the evidence of Friday night’s happy hours and parties.

Read the story here

Sestak holds to story of job offer

2010-02-20T15:18:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Fitzgerald
Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 20, 2010

In the face of a White House denial, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak stuck to his story yesterday that the Obama administration offered him a "high-ranking" government post if he would not run against U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary.

Read the story here

Specter signs public option letter, Toomey told him not to

2010-02-19T23:12:00.001-05:00

Colby Itkowitz
Allentown Morning Call
February 19, 2010

Sen. Arlen Specter joined a number of his Democratic colleagues today in signing a letter supporting the inclusion of a public health insurance option in a health care reform bill, according to Specter's Senate office.

Read the story here

Former aide to Mike Veon says ex-lawmaker spent 80% of taxpayer-paid time fundraising

2010-02-19T23:07:00.000-05:00

By The Associated Press
Harrisburg Patriot
February 19, 2010

A one-time legislative aide testifying in the corruption trial of the former No. 2 state House Democrat said Friday he spent 80 percent of his taxpayer-paid time doing political fundraising work.

Read the story here

Panel looking for ways to reduce Pa. government costs

2010-02-19T16:52:00.000-05:00

By Tom Barnes
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 19, 2010

HARRISBURG -- A new effort to make state government operate less expensively is underway at the Capitol.

The Senate has created a Government Management and Cost Study Commission, which is supposed to issue a report by late June on procedures that can be done differently or better, in hopes of saving money. The 10-member panel met for the first time today.

Read the story here

Witness at corruption trial: Rendell's people did it, too

2010-02-19T15:35:00.001-05:00

Ben Waxman
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 19, 2010

The corruption trial of former State Rep. Mike Veon continues in Western Pennsylvania. Eric Webb, a former top aide to Veon, told the jury yesterday that Democrats kept detailed information on a scheme to use state money to pay for campaign work.

Read the story here

What's at Stake in Bonusgate

2010-02-19T15:32:00.001-05:00

By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young
Metropolis
February 19, 2010

Call it the 99 percent rule. Ninety-nine percent of criminal trials only matter to a small cadre of participants. Defendants, victims, judges, defense lawyers, and prosecutors all play their respective roles. And, of course, society has an abstract stake in it all. But win, lose or draw it is this finite group for whom the personal stakes are the highest and the outcome truly matters.

Read the story here

Former Veon Aide: Room 626 politicking secret

2010-02-19T00:59:00.000-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 19, 2010

HARRISBURG -- A former aide to ex-Rep. Mike Veon testified Thursday that he spent about 80 percent of his time in a taxpayer-funded job raising campaign money.

Read the story here

Kanjorki defends Wall Street bailout

2010-02-19T00:55:00.001-05:00

By Borys Krawczeniuk
Staff Writer
Scranton Times
February 19, 2010

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski defended his support Thursday for the bailout of Wall Street 17 months ago as "a rescue plan for Main Street."

Read the story here

Gubernatorial candidates debate in Center City

2010-02-19T00:48:00.001-05:00

By Tom Infield
Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 18, 2010

It was the fifth time that the candidates for governor had met in a debate. Repeatedly, they had been asked about improving public education, creating jobs, reforming Harrisburg.

Read the story here

Sestak says he was offered federal job

2010-02-19T00:45:00.001-05:00

By Thomas Fitzgerald
Staff Writer
Philadelpia Inquirer
February 18, 2010

Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) said yesterday that the White House offered him a federal job in an effort to dissuade him from challenging Sen. Arlen Specter in the state's Democratic primary.

Read the story here

Mark Singel -- another challenger for Murtha's seat?

2010-02-19T00:33:00.000-05:00

By Timothy McNulty
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 18, 2010

Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel is holding a press conference in Johnstown tomorrow morning to address whether he'll join the Democratic field vying to replace John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District.

Read the story here

Choosing Murtha's successor

2010-02-18T23:43:00.000-05:00

By Joshua Spivak
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 18, 2010

The death of Rep. John Murtha means Pennsylvania will get a turn at the latest nationwide craze: special elections. Given that Murtha represented a swing district that voted for John McCain for president in 2008, the race will be used to take the nation's political temperature.

Read the story here

Murtha House seat likely to disappear

2010-02-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

By Thomas Fitzgerald
Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 18, 2010

The candidate who succeeds the late Rep. John P. Murtha (D., Pa.) in a special election this spring might not want to buy a home in Washington.

Read the story here

Rep. John Murtha's life, work celebrated

2010-02-18T23:18:00.001-05:00

USA Today
February 16, 2010

Former President Bill Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, top military leaders and dozens of members of Congress attended today's funeral for Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha, where the Democrat was remembered as a fierce defender of the nation's troops, a decorated Vietnam combat veteran and as a friend and mentor to many of his colleagues on Capitol Hill.

Read the story here

Ruling delayed in Merlino firm's casino licensing case

2010-02-18T23:08:00.002-05:00

Donald Wittkowski
Press of the Atlantic City
February 17, 2010

ATLANTIC CITY - The owners of a New Jersey construction company reputedly tied to organized crime will have to wait a while longer before casino regulators decide whether to award them a gaming license.

Read the story here

Mobster sentenced for attending wiseguy Christmas party

2010-02-18T17:43:00.000-05:00

By George Anastasia
Staff Writer
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 18, 2010

It was a mob scene at the Saloon, a popular South Philadelphia restaurant, during a Christmas party in December for a bunch of wiseguys.

Read the story here

Doherty to drop Pa Gov bid

2010-02-18T15:37:00.000-05:00

By Jamie Shufflebarger
National Journal
February 17, 2010

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty (D) will announce that he is dropping his PA GOV bid and instead will run for an open state Senate seat, according to local reports, removing one major candidate from a crowded field.

Read the story here

House staffer admits to destroying Bonusgate evidence

2010-02-18T13:57:00.001-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 18, 2010

HARRISBURG — A former House Democratic staffer who maintained a ranking system of aides who worked on legislative campaigns so they could get state-paid bonuses testified today that he destroyed evidence as news about the bonuses began to emerge in January 2007.

Read the story here

Naval Medical Center opens review of Murtha's death

2010-02-18T12:25:00.001-05:00

By Jen Dimascio and Jake Sherman
Politico
February 18, 2010

The Naval Medical Center is conducting an "in-depth, standardized, quality-assurance review" of the surgical care provided to Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. John Murtha, a Navy spokesman told POLITICO Wednesday.

Read the story here

Jack Murtha was a dying breed: an unapologetic partisan for his district.

2010-02-18T12:20:00.000-05:00

By Dennis B. Roddy
Slate
February 17, 2010

The one promise Jack Murtha broke to me was to explain Abscam. The night the news broke that a group of congressmen had been caught boozing up, taking bribes—one tucked the money into his suit and asked, "Does it show?"—Murtha seemed the most implausible of the bribed.

Read the story here

Embattled Democrat Arlen Specter skips Murtha funeral for California money stop

2010-02-18T12:18:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles Times
February 16, 2010

Sen. Arlen Specter couldn't make the funeral today of fellow Democrat and Pennsylvania powerhouse Rep. John Murtha, who died last week from gall bladder surgery complications.

Read the story here

Mob Boss' Former Driver Dies In Crash

2010-02-17T14:51:00.001-05:00

Fox 29 Philadelphia
February 17, 2010

GLENOLDEN, Pa. - Police and FBI sources said Tuesday that a man who died behind the wheel at a subway shop in Delaware County had close ties to a former Philadelphia mob boss.

Read the story here

Cost Study Commission named by Senate

2010-02-17T14:22:00.002-05:00

Pennsylvania Independent
February 16, 2010

State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) and Senate Democrat Leader Robert Mellow (D-Lackawanna) have named members of a Government Management and Cost Study Commission created by the Senate.

Read the story here

Another Ex-Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney Makes House Bid

2010-02-17T14:11:00.001-05:00

By Andrew Ramonas
Main Justice
February 17, 2010

Former Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan this month became the third former U.S. Attorney in Pennsylvania to enter a House race in the state.

Read the story here

Pennsylvania Congressmen spearhead efforts to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

2010-02-17T13:36:00.001-05:00

by Matthew E. Pilecki
Contributor
EDGE Boston
Febuary 17, 2010

With the president’s promise to end "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," two local Congressmen continue to spearhead efforts on Capitol Hill to quickly repeal the controversial policy.

Read the story here

Congressman Murtha was friend to National Gaurd and that included Johnston Airport

2010-02-17T13:25:00.001-05:00

Op-Ed
Harrisburg Patriot
February 17, 2010

I remember it as a good day when a Marine joined my Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit because I knew we wouldn’t have to waste time explaining pup tents and field latrines — and I never heard one whining about using either.

Read the story here

Bonusgate witness says he was ordered to pay political bonuses

2010-02-17T12:58:00.000-05:00

By Tracie Mauriello
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 17, 2010

HARRISBURG -- Something seemed immoral to Personnel Director Earl Mosley about the plan to distribute taxpayer-funded bonuses as payments for campaign work but his boss Scott Brubaker told him it was OK.

Read the story here

Buchanan enters race for Congress

2010-02-17T12:56:00.001-05:00

By Timothy McNulty
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 17, 2010

Former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan is officially running for Congress.

Read the story here

The True Cost of Unemployment Compensation

2010-02-17T12:49:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth Bryan
Commonwealth Foundation
February 17, 2010

Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation fund is bankrupt. Beginning in March 2009, the Keystone State borrowed over $2 billion from the federal government to keep it solvent. Unfortunately, unemployment continues to grow, making a bad situation worse. Since December 2007, Pennsylvania has lost more than 200,000 jobs. It is imperative that policymakers revisit the unemployment compensation system and understand how the existing structure hinders economic recovery.

Read the story here

Purpose of DCED Questioned

2010-02-17T12:42:00.001-05:00

Jim Panyard
Pennsylvania Independent
February 17, 2010

Unlike most pre-budget appropriations hearings, which tend to be dry and tedious affairs, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) presentation to the House Appropriations Committee generated some sparks Tuesday.

Read the story here

Mob associate dies after crashing into a Subway

2010-02-16T21:17:00.001-05:00

By George Anastasia
Staff Wrietr
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 16, 2010

Fred Aldrich, a mob associate who was targeted in one of the most notorious attempted gangland hits in Philadelphia history, died Monday, seconds before crashing his car into a Subway sandwich shop in Glenolden.

Read the story here

Now its dis-organized crime in Atlantic City

2010-02-16T16:29:00.000-05:00

Staff Report
N.J. com
February 16, 2010

When a new day of casinos in Jersey was dawning, Gov. Brendan Byrne once ordered organized crime members and wannabes to “Keep your filthy hands off Atlantic City!”

Read the story here

Ex-aide: Staff lied directly to Corbett about Bonusgate

2010-02-16T16:11:00.000-05:00

By Tracie Mauriello
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 16, 2010

HARRISBURG -- In the days after a legislative bonus program became public, House Democratic staffers scrambled to concoct a story to throw off an impending investigation by Attorney General Tom Corbett, according to testimony presented today.

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Santorum to Iowa, New Hampshire

2010-02-16T15:50:00.001-05:00

By Shira Toeplitz
CQ Politics
February 16, 2010

OK, we got the message. Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) is feeling out a bid for the White House.

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Washington remembers John Murtha

2010-02-16T15:28:00.001-05:00

By Jake Sherman
Politico
February 16, 2010

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — On a snowy day in his home town, in a wood-paneled church adorned with stained glass, John Murtha was memorialized before a powerful gathering of Washington and Pennsylvania leaders who came to honor one of the giants of the House of Representatives.

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Murtha's 12th District seat could be eliminated in redistricting

2010-02-16T14:57:00.000-05:00

By Salena Zito
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 16, 2010

The person who serves the unexpired term of the late Rep. Jack Murtha could be the last to hold the 12th Congressional District seat, political experts say.

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Editorial: Take away the keys

2010-02-16T12:53:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia Inquirer
February 16, 2010

The recent resignation of the vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after two drunken-driving convictions makes it more urgent to blow up the troubled agency.

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Staffer testifies about evidence destruction in Bonusgate

2010-02-16T12:51:00.000-05:00

By Tracie Mauriello
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 16, 2010

HARRISBURG -- Scott Brubaker, the state House Democratic caucus' former director of staffing and administration, has been on the stand this morning in the public corruption trial of former state Rep. Mike Veon and three legislative aides.

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Has Rep. Evans ditched embattled Rep. DeWeese

2010-02-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia Inquirer
February 16, 2010

Their districts may be hundreds of miles apart and world's away, but for decades, Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Phila.) and the former top House Democrat, Bill DeWeese of Greene County, were allies in the upper echelons of House leadership.

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Conservatives Say NO To Endorsement Process

2010-02-16T12:47:00.000-05:00

Jim Panyard
Pennsylvania Independent
February 16, 2010

The "nebulous" people, between 350 and 400 of them, met less than 50 yards from where state Republican Party gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett was tapped to wear the establishment's GOP gubernatorial crown on Saturday.

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Capitol rally supports sales of six-packs in Pa.

2010-02-16T12:44:00.001-05:00

By Angela Couloumbis
Harrisburg Bureau
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 16, 2010

HARRISBURG - A Montgomery County senator is championing a bill to allow Pennsylvanians to buy six-packs of beer at grocery and convenience stores, as well as their local beer distributors.

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Campaign bonuses were off the books: former top aide

2010-02-15T20:02:00.001-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 15, 2010

HARRISBURG — House rules didn't require public disclosure of taxpayer-financed bonuses for campaign work and top Democratic staffers used that as justification to keep the program "hidden," the former caucus personnel director testified today.

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EXCLUSIVE: Hafer running to succeed Murtha

2010-02-15T14:45:00.001-05:00

John Manganaro
pa2010.com
February 15, 2010

Former state treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer said Monday that she will seek the House seat long held by the late Congressman John Murtha, making her the first Democrat to declare her candidacy in the wake of Murtha’s death last week.

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Legislature must now deal with pensions

2010-02-15T14:04:00.000-05:00

Citizens Voice
February 15, 2010

Even in a state with a record of habitually passing its budget late, the governor's introduction of a new budget proposal occupies the Legislature's attention.

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Senior Deputy Attorney General onday 10 of the Bonusgatye trial

2010-02-15T13:49:00.001-05:00

Roxbury News
February 15, 2010

Pennsylvania Senior Deputy Attorney General E. Marc Costanzo takes questions from the media on day 10 of the Bonusgate trial.

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Ex-aide continues to detail political activity

2010-02-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

By Tracie Mauriello
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
February 15, 2010

HARRISBURG -- Legislative staffers called Jeff Foreman "the grim reaper" behind his back because he was persistent about "stealing a piece of their time" to work on campaigns, he testified this morning.

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Gates, top military brass to attend Murtha’s funeral

2010-02-15T11:58:00.000-05:00

By Roxana Tiron
The Hill
February 15, 2010

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the top military service leaders will travel to Pennsylvania Tuesday for Rep. John Murtha’s funeral.

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Fears that Rendell's budget shortchanges needy

2010-02-15T11:32:00.001-05:00

By Amy Worden
Harrisburg Bureau
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 15, 2010

HARRISBURG - Battered by deep cuts last year, groups that offer services to the disabled, the elderly, and children are wincing at what they see in Gov. Rendell's latest proposed budget.

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Per-mile fee might not please Pennsylvania motorists

2010-02-15T11:29:00.000-05:00

By Matthew Santoni
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 15, 2010

Charging motorists for every mile they drive could be more reliable than fuel taxes to pay for bridges, highways and transit systems, but would be hard to sell to motorists, according to a national policy group.

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Stimulus money is difficult to track

2010-02-15T11:26:00.000-05:00

By Scott Kraus
Allentown Morning Call
February 15, 2010

Records often provide almost no way to trace how millions of dollars flowing into the Lehigh Valley region are being spent.

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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - And You Think Greece Has Problems?

2010-02-15T11:22:00.001-05:00

Pennsylvania Independent
February 15, 2010

One of the areas we are going to be very early on is the coming 'class warfare' between the public and private worker. Aside from Mike Shedlock over at Sika Capital, I haven't seen anyone else pounding the table as we have the last 3 years on the large - and growing - disparity between what is happening in the public vs. the private workforce.

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Hundreds wait in the cold to pay respects to John Murtha

2010-02-15T11:20:00.000-05:00

By Chris Togneri
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 15, 2010

During his 36-year career in Congress, Rep. John Murtha became one of the most powerful men in Washington.

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GOP-endorsed Corbett pledges no tax increase

2010-02-14T14:16:00.001-05:00

By Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
February 14, 2010

HARRISBURG -- With Pennsylvania facing what may be the darkest fiscal period in its history over the next two years, Tom Corbett, the Republican Party's endorsed candidate for governor, on Saturday pledged to oppose and veto any state tax increase.

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Corbett gets GOP endorsement, not tea partyers'

2010-02-14T14:14:00.001-05:00

By Thomas Fitzgerald and Tom Infield
Staff Writers
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 14, 2010

HARRISBURG - White-haired and assured, a candidate from central casting, Attorney General Tom Corbett captured the endorsement for governor from the Republican State Committee yesterday and assumed the leadership of a party brimming with confidence for across-the-board electoral gains in Pennsylvania.

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Senate Dems must defend turf

2010-02-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

Citizens Voice
February 14, 2010

HARRISBURG - The outnumbered Senate Democrats got a jump-start on the annual state budget debate by offering proposals on a variety of economic, education and fiscal issues a week before Gov. Ed Rendell unveiled his budget plan.

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Karen Heller: Taxing nothing but patience

2010-02-14T14:05:00.001-05:00

By Karen Heller
Columnist
Philadelphia Inquirer
February 14, 2010

Welcome, friends, to the latest installment of "Getting Squat Done in Harrisburg."

In coming years, Pennsylvania faces billions of dollars in revenue shortfall attributable to a stagnant economy, the end of federal stimulus funding, and skyrocketing pension contributions for teachers and state employees, the equivalent of a colossal balloon mortgage come due.

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