Thank a Veteran

Gov. Rendell began to lay out his priorities for “Rendell 2” this week after easily winning his bid for re-election. They include items like transportation funding, promoting alternative and renewable fuels, governmental reform, health insurance for low-income adults and raising the state Sales Tax to provide more property tax relief.

The Rendell Administration set up a transportation task force last year to study funding options for highways, bridges and mass transit which is due to issue its report next week. They have tentatively identified from $800 million to $2.2 billion in annual funding needs.

The task force looked at a variety of funding options, including a higher sales and personal income taxes and a higher realty transfer tax as well as privatizing certain highways to make up the funding gap.

Republicans and Democrats in the House are also looking at the future when they return to session November 13, but their issue is a little more basic—who will have the majority next year? And who will be the leaders in each Caucus as well as Appropriations Chair (for the Republicans at least).

Right now Republicans have a tentative hold on the majority with 102 to 101 seats, however, both sides are looking very closely at the 19 votes and the remaining absentee ballots in Chester County’s 156th District.

There are also two other very close state House results—District 70 in Montgomery County- where Republican Jay Moyer held a 69 vote edge in a three way race and in District 3 in Erie County where Republican Rep. Good is losing his seat by 110 votes.

There was no change in the make up of the Senate – 29 Republicans and 21 Democrats, but Senate Republicans face the task of reorganizing their leadership and electing a new chair for Appropriations when they return to session on November 20.

Stay tuned for more ….

Link: 2006 Election Results – PA Dept. of State

Session Schedule

The House will return to session on November 13. The Senate and House are scheduled to be in session on November 20 and 21.

PA Environment Digest Video Blog

· Volunteers Join In 29th Street Cleanup Along the Capital GreenBelt

· 2006 River Sojourn Season a Success!

On the Hill

· On the Senate/House Agenda/On Governor’s Desk

· Bills on the Governor’s Desk

Other News

· National Fish Habitat Initiative Focuses on Restoring, Protecting Critical Habitat

· 2006 Green Business Award Recipients Announced in Chester County

· Legacy Property Fund Provides New Tool To Financially Support Conservation

· Parks and Forests Foundation Announces Cliff Jones Land Acquisition Fund

· Natural Gas Suppliers Brief PUC on Gas Supplies for This Winter

· PUC Sets Emergency Notification Requirements for Water Utilities

· Students! Applications For Ralph W. Abele College Scholarships Due May 5

· November Issue of EE Connections Newsletter Now Available

· Game, Fish & Boat Commission, Wild Resource Fund Have Holiday Gift Ideas

· Help Wanted: West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Initiative

Opinion

· Pennsylvania Transportation Strategy Needs “Smart Growth” Principles, By 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

Feature

· Game Commission Intensifies Efforts to Help Endangered Birds, By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

11/10/2006