PA Budget with House Appropriations Minority Chair Matt Bradford

The new budget due at the end of June will be the first one Rep. Matt Bradford has considered from the perspective of a leadership position.  He thinks it’s time to spend new money on needs that have been deferred for too long a time, such as education and infrastructure.   Issues orbiting the budget at […]

State Police Coverage Fee with Rep. Mike Sturla

Some small communities in Pennsylvania say they don’t have enough money to pay for their own local police force.  That means they rely on the State Police for protection.  But Governor Wolf and a Democratic lawmaker want those communities to pay a fee for that service.  Rep. Mike Sturla says the current arrangement amounts to […]

School Safety with Rep. Dan Miller

Representative Dan Miller and his Democratic colleagues have put together a package of bills called “Beyond Safe Schools.”    They support more firearms training for school security officers,  more school nurses, and bringing school guidance counselors up to national standards.  Beyond securing the school building itself, the lawmakers say it’s important to address mental health issues, […]

Nursing Home Funding with LeadingAge PA

When Pennsylvanians in nursing homes exhaust their own assets, they get Medicaid to pay for their long-term care.  But the nursing home industry says Medicaid needs a raise from the governor.  Adam Marles, President and CEO of LeadingAge PA, a trade group representing nursing homes, says five of his members are tempted to close their […]

PA Budget with Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa approves of the governor’s ideas for the state’s spending plan.   More money for education, preparing Pennsylvania’s workforce for the needs of the future, and raising the state’s minimum wage are elements of the proposal he’s watching closely.   With the budget due at the end of the month, these priorities […]

PA Budget with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman told the Pennsylvania Press Club that Governor Wolf’s proposal to raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $12, then eventually to $15,  was too dramatic.  The Majority Leader indicated a “modest increase” might be worth talking about, but the governor and Senate Democrats need to agree on […]

Democrat for Mayor of Philadelphia, Alan Butkovitz

As the primary for Philadelphia’s mayor draws near,  an Inquirer poll shows that voters say crime, poverty, and education are on top of their list of concerns.  One of the hopefuls in the race is Democrat Alan Butkovitz, a former City Controller for twelve years.  He says residents have paid increases in property taxes ranging […]

Race for Congress with Marc Friedenberg

When congressman Tom Marino unexpectedly resigned his seat in Pennsylvania’s District 12, just a few months after he was sworn in, a special election became necessary.  Democrat Marc Friedenberg, a candidate in May’s primary for the seat, says he would invest federal money in long overdue road and bridge projects.  He also wants to try […]

Recreational Marijuana with PA District Attorneys Association

Lt. Governor John Fetterman is taking a tour of Pennsylvania to find out how the public feels about the prospect of legalizing recreational marijuana.  So far, he says, he’s found a clear majority that supports legalization of the drug.  But the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association testified to a Senate committee that marijuana is “not safe […]

Workforce Development with Centre County Chamber of Business & Industry

Employers say they’re having a tough time finding workers with the right set of skills to do the job.  Governor Wolf says it’s time to address what’s become known as the “skills gap.”  But there’s more to the solution than giving prospective employees the right technical skills.  Vern Squier, President and CEO of the Chamber […]