Audit: $50 toll ahead without PA turnpike debt reform
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s auditor said that requiring the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to make $450 million annual payments to the state will take an ever increasing toll on taxpayers’ pocketbooks.
Read More →Turnpike subsidies could end under PA transportation bill
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As lawmakers negotiate how much they want to spend on road and bridge repairs throughout Pennsylvania, they’ve got a $450 million elephant in the room.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission annually subsidizes the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation with $450 million worth of improvement to state roads as part of Act 44 [...]
PA property taxes continue uphill climb as lawmakers debate reform
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — After years of seeing Pennsylvania property taxes creep up, some lawmakers are saying enough is enough.
Before casting a “no” vote on this year’s state budget, Rep. Mark Painter, D-Montgomery, explained why he opposed the plan.
Reading from a prepared speech on the House floor, Painter said he thinks the GOP-backed [...]
Corbett makes final push for liquor privatization before budget deadline
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — With 17 days left until the state budget deadline, Gov. Tom Corbett is in the home stretch trying to clinch one of his top priorities — liquor privatization.
But opponents aren’t letting that happen without a fight.
The next three weeks promise to culminate a decades-long emotional debate one way or the other, [...]
PA school districts look to cash stash to balance budgets
By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent
HARRISBURG — As business manager for the Mercer Area School District, Mike Stabile has spent the last several years budgeting around a myriad of factors.
Among that list: a school board that won’t raise taxes, state level cuts and increased future costs for charter school students and pension payments — and the district is down nine teachers from the last few budgets.
Read More →Pennsylvania
Cartoons of the Week
View All CartoonsFraud of the Day
Facebook Social Reader
