On Monday, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito did not issue a stay of the PA Supreme Court decision that ordered PA’s 18 Congressional districts to be redrawn. The PA Supreme Court ruled that the 2011 Congressional Redistricting Act is unconstitutional and said it would draw lines itself if it doesn’t receive a plan from the General Assembly and governor by Feb. 15. The House State Government Committee reported the bill to the House floor Tuesday, but it still contains no descriptions of what new districts would look like. On Wednesday, the PA Supreme Court issued a 139-page-long order detailing its reasoning why the law is unconstitutional. Until this is sorted out, Congressional candidates running for election stand in limbo to see if they will still reside in the districts they have announced they are running for. In the state House, a constitutional amendment to change the number of House districts to 151 was amended to also change the size of the Senate to 38, but this is not the same measure that passed last session, so it would not be in position to go to voters for approval if it passes in its current form. On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his fourth budget, proposing an additional $1 billion in spending, focusing on education and job training funding. To discuss these topics and others are: Chris Comisac, Bureau Chief with Capitolwire; Steve Esack, Harrisburg Correspondent, Allentown Morning Call; and John Baer, Philadelphia Daily News Columnist. Our host is Brian Lockman.
Archives for February 2018
February 6: PA Budget
Terry Madonna, Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College, and Chris Borick, Director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College, tell us about all of the issues covered in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget address, and how they expect the legislature to respond. Also discussed was property […]
February 7: PA Budget
Charlie Gerow, President & CEO of Quantum Communications, and Mark Singel, President of The Winter Group, talk about what to expect from this years budget process, and how elections play a factor in the bills that can be pushed through the legislature.
PA Budget with Berwood Yost of Franklin & Marshall College
Governor Tom Wolf presents his annual state budget proposal on February 6th. This is a plan that’ll be subject to changes by lawmakers, and typically includes funding increases for certain programs and reductions for others. Berwood Yost, Director of the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin and Marshall College, gives his take on the governor’s […]
Net Neutrality with Sen. Larry Farnese
When you go on the internet to research a topic or to buy something, it’s easy to take for granted the speed at which you get results. That’s because “net neutrality” means internet service providers have to give access to all websites, and they have to run them at the same speed. But a recent […]
Redistricting with Brian Gordon of Concerned Citizens for Democracy
Pennsylvania is on deadline to draw new borders for its congressional districts. The state Supreme Court has ruled that the existing maps are unconstitutional. Brian Gordon, a constitutional attorney and Director for Concerned Citizens for Democracy, says the current map is “gerrymandered”, that is to say, the maps are drawn to favor a particular party. […]
PA Economy & Budget Outlook
Gov. Tom Wolf gives his budget address on Tuesday, Feb. 6th. Marc Stier, Director of the PA Budget and Policy Center, and Matt Brouillette, President & CEO of Commonwealth Partners Chamber of Entrepreneurs, give us a snapshot of PA’s current financial status, and what to expect from the Governor’s address.
PCN Tours: Oakworks
Oakworks makes exam tables to accommodate doctors and patients for a wide range of procedures. They say ergonomics for the practitioner is paramount in their design process. Some models quickly convert from a table into a chair; some have motorized height adjustment. All are designed to maximize comfort and efficiency for patient care as diverse […]
PA Books: “Charles Sheeler: Fashion, Photography, and Sculptural Form”
Philadelphia native Charles Sheeler (1883-1965) is recognized as one of the founding figures of American modernism. Initially trained in impressionist landscape painting, he experimented early in his career with compositions inspired by European modernism before developing a linear, hard-edge style now known as Precisionism. Sheeler is best known for his powerful and compelling images of […]
PA Budget
Dave La Torre, Founder of La Torre Communications, and Steve Crawford, President of S.R. Wojdak & Associates, provide commentary on the Governor’s budget, before and after his speech.