HARRISBURG, October 18, 2011 – – Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today applauded Senate passage of legislation that would reduce Pennsylvania’s over-crowded prison population and expand eligibility for essential reentry programs.
Democratic amendments to Senate Bill 100 implemented provisions that would distinguish between the correctional needs of violent and non-violent offenders through a risk assessment instrument and expand the eligibility for County and State Intermediate Punishment programs, State Motivational Boot Camp and the Risk Reduction Incentive program.
“While we continue to push forth on our jobs first agenda, this legislation will capitalize on the positive connections between reductions in recidivism and employment,” Costa said. “This legislation was one facet of our PA Works Now job creation initiative and Senate Democrats hope that our Republican colleagues will see the benefits in the other facets of PA Works Now that will put Pennsylvanians back to work.”
Costa said that Senate Bill 100 also includes provisions for pre-release from a state prison if a qualifying non-violent inmate has already served at least 9 months of their sentence at either a state or county prison.
Senate Bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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October 18, 2011 – Sen. Costa joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate members from Western Pennsylvania to update the public on the ongoing efforts to bring an end to the UPMC/Highmark impasse.
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“We have strongly urged both of these entities to do the right thing. They need to get back to the table and start showing everyone that the people of Western Pennsylvania whom they serve are a priority for them. We intend to pursue every option available to us as elected officials to make sure that happens. While stepping into the affairs of private enterprise is usually frowned upon, we are very concerned when it potentially affects the health and well-being of our constituents,” said Costa.
It was a lively discussion on the state issues during Sen. Costa’s town meeting in Forest Hills. Area residents shared their concerns and opinions on topics ranging from Marcellus Shale gas drilling, the economy and education funding. The meeting was one in a series of meetings scheduled at various locations within the 43rd district.
HARRISBURG – State Senate Democrats today responded to Governor Tom Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Impact Fee proposal.
State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said he was heartened by the governor’s focus on job creation, but the plan falls short.
“The governor said we must move quickly in order to make sure Pennsylvania creates jobs,” Costa said. “Senate Democrats have been arguing for months that creating jobs for Pennsylvanians must be the number one priority for this fall’s session of the General Assembly. We’ve also been waiting months for an energy policy from the administration. We’d be the first to argue we must move. Let’s do so responsibly.”
“I am very concerned by the way money is being allocated for transportation. As I have said repeatedly in the past, road repairs have been and should remain the responsibility of the drilling companies. Imposing an impact fee shouldn’t relieve them of this responsibility.”
“The utter lack of funds going toward environmental protection is also a concern. This meager amount, layered on budget reductions which have already been imposed on the agency tasked with protecting Pennsylvania while this industry grows at breakneck pace, is severely lacking. We only get one shot at this – and if we don’t protect our water and our land, then we have learned nothing from our history.”
25% of fee revenue would be allocated statewide under the governor’s plan. Of that, the governor seeks to channel only 10.5% of that to the Department of Environmental Protection. Corbett’s proposal would direct the money to the restricted account for plugging of abandoned and orphaned oil and gas legacy wells and administration of enforcement of oil and gas program and other permits related to natural gas development.
“While I respect the governor for finally recognizing that job creation must be our top priority and for bringing job training into the public discussion, we need to be clear on one thing: all Pennsylvanians must benefit .” said Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman, Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery). “That doesn’t happen under the governor’s proposed plan. There was entirely too much focus on the industry, and what the industry needs to create jobs. The governor said today that Pennsylvania is sitting on the second largest energy reserve in the country. The gas companies aren’t going anywhere.”
“We also need to look closely at this plan as it pertains to transportation. We can’t let these multi-million dollar companies forego their obligation to repair the wear-and-tear on roads and infrastructure just because an impact fee has been imposed, and PennDOT is getting some of this money.”
The governor’s impact fee proposal would send 75% of fee revenue to local municipalities where drilling occurs. It is expected to generate $120 million in the first year. If so, Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation would get $21 million; DEP $3.15million; and counties $32.4 million.
Senate Environmental Resource and Energy Committee Democratic Chairman John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Monroe/Carbon) warned of the potential unintended consequences of allocating the majority of revenue to counties to distribute to local host and surrounding municipalities.
“The governor’s county-assessed fee approach will create a fragmented patch work of ’have and have-not’ communities across Pennsylvania. It completely overlooks countless communities across Pennsylvania that have road, water system, and other infrastructure demands placed upon them.” said Yudichak.
“We do not apply this type of ‘point of origin’ revenue standard to any other industry whether its gaming, landfills or our corporate tax structure. If the governor truly believes in this industry’s potential to create jobs and revitalize our economy, he must realize we need a strong statewide job’s policy — not a limited county-by-county jobs policy. How can you develop a secondary markets for natural gas in Pennsylvania like power generation and natural gas vehicles if the bulk of the money only goes to those counties that host a Marcellus Shale rig?”
Yudichak added that he was pleased that the governor singled out community colleges and other state-related and state-system universities for their vital role in developing the industry and preparing Pennsylvanian’s workforce.
“I hope when all is said and done, we do indeed see a very active role from these institutions. They took a big hit in this year’s budget, but their importance to our economy is greater than ever. As the natural gas industry grows, they should grow and benefit as well. They have been and will continue to be willing partners.”
“If there’s one thing we must continue to support aggressively, it is education and job-training,” said Hughes. “In the end, it comes down to creating a ready, willing, and able workforce.”
“The well-being of Pennsylvania workers, Pennsylvania unions, and our communities as a whole is what’s important. That is why I am pleased to see the governor putting jobs on the front burner. Now we need to sit down and work together to make sure we reap the economic rewards in a prudent way that protects our natural resources. We want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy prosperity in Pennsylvania for years to come.”
Editor’s note:
The Democrats’ job creation plan includes renewed investment in job-producing programs and public works such as water and sewer projects as well as money for new business investments. The plan also provides a new round of capital infusion for the state Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund and would establish Pennsylvania’s version of the successful “Georgia Works” on-the-job training program.
The Pennsylvania Investment Bank would target more than $1.2 billion for water and sewer system reconstruction, new business investment and other public works. The bank would capture funds generated from existing borrowing capacity. The bank would use $500 million in Commonwealth Finance Authority dollars plus a half-billion from PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority).
The investment bank would also utilize $80 million in funds from a proposed Marcellus Shale tax or fee along with surplus state revenues. Democrats estimate that these sources would generate $180 million.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate spiked by nearly a half percent from July to August – rising to 8.2 percent. Since May, the number of unemployed Pennsylvanians grew by 45,000.
HARRSIBURG – State Senate Democrats today unveiled their revised job creation plan, called “PA Works Now,” which they claim would create 80,000 new jobs and leverage billions in private investment to generate jobs and economic activity.
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State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said job creation is the number one priority for this fall’s session of the General Assembly. He added that the PA Works Now package does not require new broad based taxes, is fully paid for and does not put additional strain on the state General Fund.
“PA Works Now features a new investment vehicle called the Pennsylvania Investment Bank that will quickly pump $1.2 billion into the economy and create jobs,” Costa said. “Our goal is to jump start the economy and create new jobs in the shortest possible time.
“Job creation is the most important issue lawmakers must tackle this fall.”
The Democrats’ plan includes renewed investment in job-producing programs and public works such as water and sewer projects as well as money for new business investments. The plan also provides a new round of capital infusion for the state Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund and would establish Pennsylvania’s version of the successful “Georgia Works” on-the-job training program.
The Pennsylvania Investment Bank would target more than $1.2 billion for water and sewer system reconstruction, new business investment and other public works. The bank would capture funds generated from existing borrowing capacity. The bank would use $500 million in Commonwealth Finance Authority dollars plus a half-billion from PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority).
The investment bank would also utilize $80 million in funds from a proposed Marcellus Shale tax or fee along with surplus state revenues. Democrats estimate that these sources would generate $180 million.
“There are so many workers who are looking for jobs and even more who are worried about what is next for them in this very difficult economic recovery,” Costa said. “Our comprehensive PA Works Now plan addresses job creation and presents an opportunity to move our economy forward.”
Democrats said action is needed now on their job creation plan because of the recent increase in unemployment. Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate spiked by nearly a half percent from July to August – rising to 8.2 percent. Since May, the number of unemployed Pennsylvanians grew by 45,000.
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) decried the alarming increase in unemployment and the inaction of both the Corbett Administration and Republican lawmakers who control floor action in both the state House and Senate.
“The Corbett Administration has failed to respond to the hardship in the labor market in any discernable way,” Hughes said. “The administration is either tone-deaf to the plight of the unemployed or focusing on political wedge issues that do not create jobs. They’ve produced no new jobs plan.
“The priorities of the administration are skewed,” Hughes said.
Hughes criticized Corbett and Republicans for focusing on changing the apportionment of electoral votes, English-only legislation and voter ID legislation. These issues interest only “politicos on the extreme political fringe of the Republican Party. These proposals do nothing to help our economy grow,” Hughes said.
“We are stuck debating issues that appeal to the political extreme at the expense of working families,” Hughes said. “Working men and women need jobs. They don’t need political talk. That is a sham and it’s a shame.”
Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) said the state has lost an opportunity to reverse negative economic trends. She noted that the recent business downturn has had a disproportionate impact on educators, women, minorities and Pennsylvania’s youth.
According to Schwank, the Corbett budget cuts have put several thousand educators or school staff out of work. The Berks county lawmaker said Senate Democrats will soon flesh-out a package of bills that would specifically help women, minorities and young people find jobs.
“Failing to take action now condemns those who have a difficulty getting jobs in a robust economy – women, minorities and our youth – to even deeper despair when the labor market contracts,” Schwank said. “Doing nothing on job creation is not an answer and it’s not fair. That’s why we need to work on a jobs plan like PA Works Now.”
Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe), who previously served as secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, said PA Works Now would inject much-needed capital into business investment and job creation programs. He said doing so is essential toward generating economic activity and employment opportunities now.
“There is no question that our recovery from the recession is soft,” Blake said. “The state has a responsibility to incent private sector investment for job growth.”
Costa, Hughes, Schwank and Blake were joined by a host of Senate Democratic colleagues at the Capitol news conference.
Senate Democrats unveiled a previous version of PA Works earlier this year.
Senators who attended today’s news conference included Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Chairman Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset), Caucus Secretary Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Administrator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and state Sens. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Monroe/Carbon) and Tim Solobay (D-Washington/Greene).
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