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PA Capitol Report: Wolf Makes Nearly $6 Billion In Pre-Budget Address Announcements

Because In Politics, Everything Is Connected To Everything Else. Gov. Wolf continued to preview initiatives that will be part of his February 4 budget address last week, including taking another run at his $4.5 billion Restore PA infrastructure proposal, a new $1.1 billion program to address lead and asbestos in schools and water systems, a new workforce development strategy and much more.

He also said he would make increasing the minimum wage a key part of his budget agenda-- for the sixth year in a row.

House Republicans reminded the public last week this year’s budget deliberations start with a $904 million deficit because of what they see as overspending by the Governor that needs to be reigned in through additional budgeting reforms. Read more here.

Minimum Wage Hike - Again

On January 28, Gov. Wolf proposed an increase in the minimum wage as part of his next budget-- for the sixth time-- to $12/hour immediately rising to $15/hour. The proposal would give an increase to about 1 million Pennsylvania workers. Read more here.

IRRC OKs Overtime Rules

On January 31, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 3 to 2 to approve final Department of Labor and Industry regulations expanding the coverage of overtime to 82,000 more workers.

The new regulations require overtime pay to most full-time salaried workers in executive, administrative, and professional jobs if they make less than $45,500 by 2022. Read more here.

The House and Senate can still block the regulation from going into effect, if they both pass a concurrent resolution disapproving the regulation and Gov. Wolf doesn’t veto it, which he will.

In November, the Senate passed a minimum wage increase to $9.50/hour, in exchange for the Wolf Administration holding off on the final overtime regulations.

House Republicans have made it clear they will not be considering a minimum wage increase any time soon, so Gov. Wolf went ahead with the overtime rule.

Workforce Strategy

On January 27, Gov. Wolf was joined by leaders of business, labor and economic development, and several cabinet members to release the first report from the Governor’s Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center. The Command Center provided 42 recommendations to address employment barriers. Read more here.

Connecting Medicaid Recipients To Work

On January 30, the departments of Human Services and Labor and Industry announced a new Medicaid Work Support Initiative to connect recipients of state Medicaid assistance to employment and training programs. Read more here.

Senate and House Republicans have been supporting a Medicaid work requirement for the last several years and Gov. Wolf has vetoed two bills on the issue. Read more here.

$4.5 Billion Restore PA - Again

On January 28, Gov. Wolf vowed to continue his fight to fund Pennsylvania’s critical infrastructure needs with the $4.5 billion Restore Pennsylvania funded by a new severance tax on natural gas production. First unveiled last year, the proposal would fund broadband, flood damage prevention, recreation, land conservation, and other infrastructure projects. Read more here.

$1.1 Billion Lead/Asbestos

On January 29, Tom Wolf announced a series of proposed 2020-21 budget items totaling more than $1.1 billion to support reducing the risks to Pennsylvanians of lead and asbestos, and remediating hazardous substances in schools, day care centers, homes, and public water systems. Most of the funding for structural improvements would come through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Read more here.

Where Do State Grants Go?

PennLive.com’s reporter Jan Murphy answered a question many people have-- who do state grants go to and who gets the most?

Gov. Wolf has approved about $1 billion in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants to fund economic development projects during his time in office. Each are worth $1 million or more.

No surprise-- Philadelphia got the most- $238.6 million, Allegheny County next- $149.3 million and York County (the Governor’s home county)- $58.7 million, followed by Delaware County- $39.7 million.

Click Here for a summary. Click Here to find out who got the most.

Wolf Has $2.2M To Spend On Campaigns

Associated Press reporter Marc Levy wrote last week Gov. Wolf has $2.2 million in his campaign warchest to help elect Democrats to the House and Senate, since he isn’t running again.

A Wolf campaign spokesperson said the Governor has a lot he wants to get done and he thinks more Democratic partners in Harrisburg would help him get those things across the finish line. Read more here.

Democrats Fail To Endorse Auditor General Candidate

At a meeting over the weekend, the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee failed to endorse a candidate for Auditor General, out of seven choices. Incumbents, including Attorney General Josh Shapiro and State Treasurer Joe Torsella, were both endorsed. Read more here.

Election Glitches, Delays

An Allentown Morning Call headline summarized a Senate hearing on county readiness to implement last year’s election reforms-- “New Voting Machines, Sweeping Election Reforms, What Could Go Wrong?”

County election officials warned the pa Senate Republican Policy Committee during a hearing last week that longer voter registration periods, the new late deadlines for absentee ballots, the mail-in ballot option and elimination of straight-ticket voting could all work together to delay getting early voting results and increase wait times at polling places. Read more here. Click Here to watch the hearing.

Meanwhile at the PA Press Club, Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, who supervises elections in the state, said she’s a little worried too and about the same kinds of things, especially in a major election year. Read more here.

Gerrymandering

With the 2020 U.S. Census set to begin in the next few weeks, the issue of how Pennsylvania draws its legislative voting districts is back in the spotlight.

Fair Districts PA is again pushing the General Assembly to pass bipartisan legislation, overwhelmingly supported by the public, to give an independent commission the authority to draw districts that don’t benefit one party or the other.

In 2018, the PA Supreme Court declared the state’s congressional districts were unconstitutional gerrymandering, and after giving the General Assembly time to redraw new ones, had to issue their maps when the Senate and House failed to come up with a new map.

“It’s not red. It’s not blue. It’s just fair,” said Fair Districts PA member Liz Kisenwether. Read more here. Click Here for more.

Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) and Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) introduced legislation to establish an independent citizens Legislative Reapportionment Commission-- Senate Bill 1022 (Boscola)-- and an independent citizens Congressional Reappointment Commission-- Senate Bill 1023 (Killion).

Both are constitutional amendments that would have to be passed in two successive sessions of the General Assembly before the amendment would go to the voters. Which means 2021 at the earliest.

Poll Position

A new Franklin & Marshall Poll released January 30 found--

-- Right Direction: 51 percent believe Pennsylvania is headed in the right direction; 38 percent believe it isn’t;

-- Worst Problem Faced By State: Politicians- 18 percent (increased from October), economy/ personal finances- 13 percent (increased from October), taxes 11 percent (decreased since October), environment- 6 percent (increased from October).

-- Trump: 38 percent believe President Trump is doing an excellent or good job, slightly higher than in October; 41 percent said he did a good enough job to be re-elected, 57 percent said it’s time for a change;

-- Democratic Candidates: 22 percent support Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders- 15 percent, Elizabeth Warren- 14 percent, Michael Blooburg- 7 percent;

-- Political Views: Moderate- 38 percent, conservative- 34 percent, liberal 24 percent;

-- Primary Source For News: Cable News Channels- 28 percent, Internet (other than social media)- 26 percent, Traditional networks- 22 percent, radio 7 percent, daily newspaper- 6 percent, social media- 6 percent; Fox News is relied on most- 51 percent, CNN- 20 percent, MSNBC-18 percent;

-- Shale Gas Drilling: 48 percent support, 44 percent oppose; 49 percent believe environmental risks outweigh the economic benefits, 38 percent the reverse; 48 percent favor a ban on fracking, 39 percent oppose; 35 percent said quality of life in communities with drilling has improved, 38 percent not;

-- Immigration: 71 percent believe legal immigration is good, 33 percent believe it should be increased;

-- Gun Laws: 60 percent strongly favor or somewhat favor more laws regulating gun owners (same as October);

-- Abortion: 52 percent legal under certain circumstances, 33 percent in any circumstance;

-- Right To Know: citizens have a right to obtain any government record with few restrictions- 79 percent.

Senate Action

The Senate was in voting session for the first time this year last week, while the House took the week off.

The Senate swore in a new new member-- Sen. David Arnold (R-Lebanon)-- and shuffled some committee members to make room. Sen. Arnold will serve on the Education, Finance, State Government, Game and Fisheries, and Intergovernmental Operations Committees.

There are now 28 Republicans, 21 Democrats and 1 Independent.

In addition, new Committee Chairs were also named--

-- Sen. John DiSanto (R-Cumberland) will be Majority Chair Of State Government

-- Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) will be Majority Chair Urban Affairs & Housing

-- Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair) will be Majority Chair Aging & Youth

They also took action on a number of election-related issues, including passing legislation to move the 2024 Presidential Primary to March so Pennsylvania will have more of a say in picking national party nominees. They also passed a bill to end the separate election of Lt. Governors.

The Senate took final action on legislation to block the closure of state centers for intellectually disabled individuals sending it to the Governor. Wolf has promised to veto it. Read more here.

The Senate Labor and Industry Committee held a hearing on bipartisan legislation requiring businesses to give their workers paid leave for vacations, sickness, pregnancy, family obligations or other circumstances. Labor groups supported it, business groups opposed. Read more here.

During the public outpouring of grief on the death of Kobe Bryant, a Montgomery County native, Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery) reminded people on Twitter “Kobe’s talent does not override or neutralize the fact that he was charged with rape. Pray for the victims’ families, but don’t silence the truth by forgetting he’s a credibly accused rapist with DNA evidence.”

Sen. Muth is a survivor of sexual assault.

Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) had announced plans on the Senate Floor to introduce a resolution to honor Bryant’s legacy, but those plans are now up in the air since it would not have unanimous consent. Read more here.

Sen. Leach, himself, has been the subject of sexual misconduct allegations and has been urged to resign from the Senate by Senate Democratic Leadership and Gov. Wolf. Read more here.

Coronavirus vs. Flu

While lots of public attention was focused on the spread of the coronavirus last week, the Department of Health reported there have been 33 deaths from the flu virus in Pennsylvania and 48,510 cases documented so far this season. Puts things in perspective. Read more here.

Only In Pennsylvania

In the continuing saga surrounding the “death” of Mr. Peanut, the good citizens of Wilkes-Barre, where Planters Peanuts got its start, will hold a vigil in the Public Square on Monday.

In a related honor, a Wilkes-Barre artist added Mr. Peanut to the Picasso masterpiece “Family of Saltimbanques,” which is now on display at Nucleus Raw Foods.

Not to be outdone, Hershey Foods Friday crushed the Guinness World Record for the biggest candy bar with a 5,943 pound Reese’s Take 5 Bar, beating out the previous record holder-- a 4,728 pound Snickers bar.

And don’t forget, live Coverage Of 134th Groundhog Day from Punxsutawney starts at 5:45 a.m. February 2: Click Here to watch online. Hosted by VisitPA.com Countdown To The Big Event!

Other Noteworthy Events

DHS: Pennsylvania Will Not Participate In Trump Administration Scheme To Cut Medicaid

AP: Report Finds Emergency Radio System Upgrade Still On Budget

U.S. Supreme Court Refused To Hear Appeal Of Truckers Lawsuit Over PA Turnpike Tolls

Stephen Caruso: West Coast Conservative Group Attempts To Sway Public Workers To Leave Unions

State Sets Filing Deadlines For Erie Community College Hearing

Fewer Than 5% Of Teachers Are People Of Color In Pennsylvania

5 Of The Country’s Most Economically Segregated School District Borders Are In Western PA

PA Superintendents Demand Private Charter School Reform Ahead Of Wolf’s Budget

Paul Muschik: Cameras Catch Drivers Zooming Past Stopped Allentown School Buses Endangering Over 200 Students

John Baer: What’s With All These Politicians Running Away From Office?

Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse Survivor Announces Democratic Bid To Challenge Sen. Langerholc

Laura Olson/Ford Turner/Nicole Radzievich: How Pennsylvania Will Make Or Break Donald Trump’s Re-Election Bid

Prescription Drug Markups By Pharmacy Benefit Managers Make it Difficult To Determine Savings

AP-Mark Scolforo: Victim Rights Amendment, On Hold Since Nov. Vote, Heads To Court

AP-Mark Scolforo: PA Judge Puts Hold On State Ghost Guns Policy

Her Parents Said She Had A Month To Live, Lebanon County Judge Put Their Daughter In Jail Anyway For Stealing $100 Worth Of Merchandise

PA, NJ Get Failing Grades On Tobacco Control In New American Lung Association Report

Satellites Avoid Massive Collision In Space Over Pittsburgh

Fundraisers

With the House and Senate both in session the week of February 3, there are no fewer than 18 fundraisers scheduled for individual members and the House and Senate Republican Caucuses. Click Here to see the list week by week.

What’s Next

The Senate and House are in session February 3, 4 and 5, primarily to hear the Governor’s budget address on February 4-- at high noon.

Then they both start agency by agency budget hearings February 18 through March 15 when no voting sessions are held. Click Here for Senate, House budget hearing schedule.

Other resources--

House

-- Click Here for expected action on bills by the full House

-- Click Here for a summary of expected House Committee actions

-- Click Here for full House Bill Calendar

-- Click Here for full House Committee Schedule

-- Watch House Session Live Online

-- House Budget Hearing Schedule Click Here to watch online

Senate

-- Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar

-- Senate Executive Nomination Calendar

-- Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule