HARRISBURG – June 26, 2013 – At a Capitol news conference, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) and Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) called for a more rapid pace of reform of the governing structure at Penn State and said the General Assembly has a role to play in ensuring that appropriate changes are made quickly.
The lawmakers are calling for hearings to be held over the summer leading to speedy consideration of comprehensive reform legislation in the fall.
[hdvideo id=87 ]
Yudichak, who has been a longtime advocate of board reforms, but a critic of the pace and depth of the modifications made thus far by the Penn State board, said it is important for taxpayers to understand that Penn State is accountable and that the General Assembly can force systemic changes in the university’s governing structure.
Teplitz, who formerly served as chief counsel and policy director to Auditor General Jack Wagner, helped prepare a comprehensive report on the governing structure at Penn State. He noted that few of the recommendations have been implemented.
According to State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), Penn State’s Board of Trustees has enacted mild reforms, but needs to do more. Dinniman has introduced SB 410, which would make specific changes to Penn State’s governance structure including reducing the board’s size, implementing term limits for board members and limiting the university president’s role among other things. Another bill that Dinniman authored, SB 408, would expand the Ethics Act to cover board members of state-related universities.
“As an alumnus I am very proud of Penn State and want to ensure that it maintains its world-class status,” Dinniman said.
###
Harrisburg – June 18, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the liquor privatization plan offered by Sen. McIlhinney.
“Senate Democrats are unified in support of modernization not privatization.
“We believe that the system should be modernized and have offered details in legislation sponsored by Senator Ferlo. Senator Ferlo’s modernization plan has the full support of Senate Democrats.
“The modernization plan updates and refreshes the Wine and Spirits system, preserves jobs, improves convenience for consumers and provides protection against minors gaining access to alcohol.
“The plan offered by Senator McIlhinney confuses the issue and raises significant questions about lost revenues and wine and spirits expansion into to tens of thousands retail outlets without control.
“Instead of cobbling a new plan together at the last minute, the Senate Republicans should use Senator Ferlo’s legislation which has bipartisan support and sponsorship.
“The plan outlined today has too many questions. It bleeds revenue and cuts jobs without replacement and fails to address concerns that have been raised.
“It’s time to modernize, not privatize.”
###
HARRISBURG, June 13, 2013 – Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said Senate Democrats believe Gov. Tom Corbett has made excellent choices in selecting highly qualified, experienced, skilled and dedicated public servants as nominees to fill vacancies on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Turnpike Commission, Liquor Control Board (LCB) and Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Costa said Senate Democrats think the governor’s choices are balanced and thoughtful and that they cross political lines.
Corbett nominated Superior Court President Judge Correale F. Stevens to fill the vacancy on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, former U.S. Rep. Tim Holden for the Liquor Control Board, former state Sen. Sean Logan to fill a spot on the Turnpike Commission, and Senate Democratic Deputy Chief Counsel Gladys M. Brown for the Public Utility Commission.
Costa issued the following statement about the governor’s nominees:
“The governor made excellent choices for each of these positions and Senate Democrats are very pleased with the nominees. These individuals are exceptional and accomplished and, once confirmed, we have no doubt they will make significant contributions as members of the Supreme Court, LCB, Turnpike and PUC.
“The nominees are very talented and each has achieved a great deal in their careers in public service. Judge Stevens is a skilled, experienced jurist with a long career on the bench and in other public service positions. He is able and talented and will be a superb addition to the court.
“Rep. Tim Holden had a long career in Congress and has deep roots in Schuylkill County. He was a leader and a fighter in Washington D.C. and crafted important federal law. Rep. Holden will be able to continue his work in public service and will play a significant role in shaping policies that meet the needs of Pennsylvania as a member of the LCB.
“Gov. Corbett’s nominee for the Turnpike Commission, Sen. Sean Logan, is a former colleague from Allegheny County. Sean is a leader who has been intimately involved in key issues as a senator and as the mayor of Monroeville. His work at each stop in his career in public service has been significant. His knowledge of transportation and finance issues will enable Sean to make an immediate and long-lasting contribution as a member of the commission.
“Gladys Brown has the education, background, experience and expertise to be a leader on the broad issues that come before the PUC. Gladys’ knowledge of utility issues is thorough and her work product is impeccable. For many years, she has helped the members of the Senate craft legislation and has worked on many important measures relating to public utilities and other matters. Gladys’ work is highly valued and I have no doubt that she will be an outstanding member of the PUC.”
-30-
Harrisburg – June 5, 2013 – State Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a signature transportation funding bill (Senate Bill 1). Once fully implemented, the measure would generate an additional $2.5 billion annually to build, repair and maintain roads and bridges in addition to funding mass transit operations.
“The Senate passage of a significant and comprehensive transportation bill sends the signal that we are serious about addressing transportation funding, creating jobs and improving the safety of our roads, bridges and transit systems. It also signals to the state House of Representatives that it is time they get moving on transportation.
[hdvideo id=83 ]
“Without sufficient funds to repair our crumbling roads, bridges and mass transit systems, safety will be compromised and we will be at a severe economic disadvantage. In addition, there is a dire need to invest in our rail system, airports and ports so that new business can be developed.
“The legislation would ensure that we have financing available to fix our transportation system, generate jobs, avoid additional drastic cuts to the Port Authority transit routes and aid all mass transit operations statewide.”
Costa said that a meaningful transportation funding measure has been a legislative priority of Senate Democrats for several years.
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
###
Harrisburg, June 3, 2013– Senate Democrats today presented their version of a 2013-14 state budget which they say is a responsible alternative to the short-sighted and ill-advised spending plans offered by Gov. Tom Corbett and House Republicans.
Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said that the $28.4 billion spending plan focuses on job creation, education and social service programs. He said it is a balanced plan that uses policy innovations and budget savings to make key investments.
“The Corbett Administration apparently believes there are not enough resources available this year to make meaningful investments in jobs, education, social service programs and other key lines. Instead, they have offered short-sighted, ill-advised budgets that fail to meet the needs of Pennsylvania,” Costa said. “The Senate Democratic plan proves the Corbett Administration is wrong and that more can be done.
[hdvideo id=80 ]
“Senate Democrats have produced a reasonable and responsible alternative to the Corbett and House Republicans budgets.”
Costa said that highlights of the Senate Democratic plan include $212 million more for education, an extra $125 million for job creation plus funding to help small cities deal with economic distress.
According to Costa, through policy changes the Senate Democrats believe they can develop the resources to make investments now without raising broad-based taxes. The Allegheny County lawmaker said the plan is fully paid-for and balanced and does not rely on accounting gimmicks
“The Senate Democratic alternative uses policy choices and proven strategies to produce a reasonable spending plan for not only this year, but next year as well,” Costa said.
Democratic Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said that “the Senate Democratic budget changes the direction that Pennsylvania is going. The plan would put people back to work, invest in children and their education and makes the needs of the citizens of Pennsylvania the priority.”
Hughes said that the plan was formed through input from Democratic Senators and was the result of listening to citizens during a series of statewide policy hearings.
“The plan includes funding for jobs, education, innovation and technology in addition to funding for elements of the Senate Democratic initiative to help small cities rebound from economic challenges,” Hughes said.
Hughes said that it is important to Senate Democrats to detail a budget that uses available resources in order to demonstrate that priorities can be funded properly amid extremely difficult fiscal conditions.
Hughes said that Senate Democrats would use policy changes to produce a spending plan that overcomes budget challenges such as the estimated $360 million revenue deficit.
According to Hughes, the Senate Democratic budget alternative utilizes funds generated from liquor modernization, savings from the expansion of Medicaid and a one-year freeze in the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to produce a reasonable spending plan.
“By agreeing to expand Medicaid, modernize liquor distribution and freeze the phase-out of the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax for one year we can responsibly generate funds and make a real difference,” Hughes said. “These policy decisions are not difficult and the governor should step up and agree to move Pennsylvania in a new direction.”
Hughes said the plan includes $9 million to hire 300 State Troopers and $8 million for the Attorney General that will be used to combat gang violence, illegal firearms and drugs.
Costa said other highlights of the plan include $39 million in new funds for distressed schools, an additional $50 million for Accountability Block Grants and other classroom assistance for a total of $150 million plus $84 million for a Charter Development Program. He said the plan trims spending for the Department of Public Welfare by $180 million and redistributes the savings for key items.
The Democratic Leader said he was hopeful that the plan would become part of budget negotiations. The budget deadline is June 30.
-30-
