Prison Security with PA Corrections Officers Assoc., Wednesday at 8pm

Pennsylvania’s Corrections Department wanted to figure out why their prison officers were getting sick.  They decided the reason was a certain contraband getting into their institutions.   A form of synthetic marijuana known as K2 had been found on the flaps of envelopes and even in crayon drawings that had been mailed to inmates.  These incidents […]

Felons Collecting PA Pensions with Sen. John DiSanto, Monday at 8pm

“At a time when public pensions are wreaking havoc on state and school district budgets, it’s especially egregious that taxpayers are continuing to fund the pensions of public employees who commit felonies on the job,” says Senator John DiSanto.  The problem, he says, is a “loophole” in the Pension Forfeiture Act of 1978;  it doesn’t […]

PA Farm Bill with Agriculture Sec. Russell Redding, Tuesday at 8pm

Governor Wolf and Agriculture Secretary Redding have borrowed the idea of a “Farm Bill”  – a term usually reserved for a federal plan for farmers – and repurposed it for Pennsylvania.   Anticipating over the next decade approximately 75 thousand farming job vacancies, the plan calls for budgeting $24 million to help inspire a new generation […]

Workforce Development with Rep. Curt Sonney, Wednesday at 8pm

When Governor Wolf announced his new budget for Pennsylvania, he said, “Pennsylvania is at a turning point.  We either have to strengthen workforce development or we risk falling behind.”  Rep. Curt Sonney and his colleagues in the House are introducing a package of bills designed to improve career and technical education.  The bills address a […]

Gun Laws with Sen. Steve Santarsiero

After the fatal shooting of eleven people at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh last year, Governor Tom Wolf called for tougher gun laws.  Several gun-related bills have already been introduced in Pennsylvania’s still-young legislative session.   One bill bans people who have been involuntarily committed to mental health institutions from having guns.  Another would […]

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting

As long as anyone can remember, hunting on Sundays has been prohibited in Pennsylvania.  A bill in the state Senate may change that.  The bill’s main sponsor, Senator Jim Brewster, says compromise has been built into the legislation.   It would allow hunting on a limited number of Sundays during regular hunting season, not all […]

PA Environmental Agenda with PA Sierra Club

Governor Wolf has put his support behind an effort that would reduce greenhouse gases in Pennsylvania.  This type of emission traps the earth’s heat,  and is a factor in climate change, according to scientists.   Tom Schuster of the Sierra Club of Pennsylvania is impressed that the governor is setting his own agenda, especially in consideration […]

Changes to Voting and Elections with. Sen. Mike Folmer

With respect to to “election antiquation”, Chris Borick from Muhlenberg College says Pennsylvania ranks 9.5 on a 10-point scale.    Senator Mike Folmer reinforces the point by saying, “Our election code hasn’t been looked at in 70 years.”   With the help of his colleagues in both the House and Senate,  the group has put together […]

Sunday Hunting with PA State Grange

Being allowed to hunt on Sundays may be a step closer for Pennsylvania sportsmen.  A state committee has approved a bill to that effect that will go to the full House of Representatives for their consideration.  But the State Grange believes outdoor enthusiasts  should be able to have Sundays free to enjoy the fresh air […]

Governor’s Budget with Sen. Joe Scarnati, President Pro Tempore

February 5th is the day Governor Tom Wolf announces his new budget proposal.    Minimum wage, a new tax on Marcellus shale natural gas drillers,  and funding for basic education are major budget and legislative concerns.  Add to those issues a changing dynamic within the legislature, as it repopulates itself with new faces with new ways […]