Better transparency, clearer rules would help PA redistricting process in 2021

By   /  May 10, 2013  /  Accountability, Featured, Issues, News, Pennsylvania, Politics & Elections, Redistricting, State Government, State House, State Politics, State Senate  /  No Comments

NOW OFFICIAL: The second set of district maps (Senate map seen here) were approved by the Supreme Court this week. But should there be changes when the process begins again in 2021?

In the aftermath of a legal battle over redrawing Pennsylvania’s state House and state Senate district maps, one key player believes the commission charged with redistricting the state every 10 years can do better.

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PA lawmakers, unions, business make for a complex political brew

By   /  May 9, 2013  /  2010 Midterm Election, Elections, Featured, Issues, News, Pennsylvania, State Government, State House, State Politics, State Senate  /  No Comments

CENTER OF THE STORM: State Sen. Charles McIlhinney, R-Bucks, is at the center of the liquor privatization fight.

In April 2010, someone in Newtown, Bucks County, threw a party — a political fundraiser, like dozens or perhaps hundreds of similar events held across the state that election cycle.

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PA lawmakers crafting new tax loophole for private aircraft

By   /  April 25, 2013  /  Featured, Finances, Issues, News, Pennsylvania, State Budgets, State Government, State House, State Senate, Taxes  /  No Comments

FEWER TAXES, MORE JOBS: The sales tax exemption would lure jobs to Pennsylvania, supporters say.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s state sales tax code – already full of carve-outs for niche industries and special interests – is about to get a little more complicated.

The state General Assembly appears to be on the way to passing a new sales tax exemption for airplane parts and maintenance, meaning private plane sales and repair expenses would go untaxed. The change would mean a loss of $12 million dollars in tax revenue for the state General Fund.

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Could ire against transportation plan put VA’s Silver Line in the cross-hairs?

By   /  April 24, 2013  /  Governor, News, Politics, State Elections, State House, State Politics, transportation, Uncategorized, Virginia  /  No Comments

Gov. Bob McDonnell's transportation plan will devote $300 million to construction of the Silver Line Metro to Dulles over the next three years. (Photo by Stephen Barna, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project)

By Carten Cordell │ Watchdog.org, Virginia Bureau
ALEXANDRIA — Gov. Bob McDonnell touted Tuesday that funds set aside for the Silver Line Metro project, from within his controversial transportation plan, would help lessen the burden on drivers using the Dulles Toll Road.
But while the first $100 million will be delivered when fiscal year 2014 starts July [...]

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PA Week in review: (Bankruptcy) lawyers, guns and money in Pennsylvania

By   /  April 12, 2013  /  Accountability, Ethics, Featured, Federal Government, Finances, Fraud, Issues, News, News Roundup, Pennsylvania, Pensions, Pensions, Power Abuse, State Budgets, State Government, State House, State Politics, State Senate, Taxes, Transparency, transportation  /  No Comments

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Debt is drowning governments across Pennsylvania. It’s not a new story, but this week financial problems at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and in the state’s municipalities were front and center.

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