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HOUSE SELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP
The recent elections resulted in House Republicans retaining their majority for the new session, holding a 111-90 margin at the printing of this Bulletin, with two seats to be vacant due to the election of Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) to the Senate and Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) as Auditor General. At the close of the 2011-2012 session, that margin was 109-91, with three vacant seats.
Both the House Republicans and Democrats met after the election to select their 2013-2014 leadership. The Republican caucus retained its leadership team, nominating Rep. Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) as Speaker of the House, (the formal election of Speaker takes place when the chamber convenes in January). Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) remains Majority Leader. Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) remains Majority Whip, and Rep. Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) continues in his position as Majority Appropriations Committee Chair. Also reprising their leadership roles are Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna) as Caucus Chair, Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) as Caucus Secretary, former CCAP member Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer) as Caucus Administrator, and Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) as Policy Committee Chair.
The House Democratic caucus re-elected Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) as Minority Leader. Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton) retains his Whip position, Rep. Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny) returns as Democratic Appropriations Committee Chair, and Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny) remains Caucus Chair. Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) replaces retiring Rep. Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh) as Caucus Secretary and Rep. Ron Waters (D-Philadelphia) replaces retiring Rep. Ron Buxton (D-Dauphin) as Caucus Administrator. Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) remains Democratic Policy Committee Chair. |
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SENATE CAUCUSES ELECT LEADERS
Both Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Senate have elected their leaders for the 2013-2014 session. Republicans now hold a 27-23 majority in that chamber, with Democrats gaining three seats. The leadership teams for both caucuses remain the same as the 2011-2012 session.
The Senate again nominated Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) as President Pro Tempore, with the formal vote by the entire Senate to take place when the body reconvenes in January. The Senate Republican caucus retains Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester) as Majority Leader, and Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) as Appropriations Committee Chair. Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) continues as Majority Caucus Whip, while Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer) remains Caucus Secretary and Sen. Michael Waugh (R-York) will continue as Caucus Chair.
Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) was re-elected as the Minority Leader by the Senate Democratic caucus. Sen. Vincent Hughes (D- Philadelphia) was also re-elected as Democratic Appropriations Committee Chair. Sen. Rich Kasunic (D-Fayette) remains Caucus Chair, Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) remains Caucus Secretary and Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) retains his position as Whip. Sen Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) is Caucus Administrator and Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) was again selected as Democratic Policy Committee Chair.
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COMMISSIONERS AT THE POLLS
A number of current and former CCAP members appeared on the November 2012 general election ballot, seeking state or federal office. Complete election results are on the Department of State web page, www.dos.state.pa.us.
State Treasurer
Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan (R) was defeated in her bid for Treasurer.
Congress
Incumbent and former Bucks County Commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick (R) retained his 8th district seat. In the 18th district, Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi (D) was unsuccessful in his challenge to incumbent Tim Murphy.
PA Senate
Incumbent Judy Schwank (D), former Berks County Commissioner and CCAP first vice president, retained her 11th district seat. Incumbent and former Chester County Commissioner Andrew Dinniman (D) won reelection to his 19th district seat. In the 23rd district, incumbent and former Lycoming County Solicitor Gene Yaw (R) won reelection, as did incumbent Kim Ward (R), former Westmoreland County Commissioner, in her 39th district seat.
PA House
Former Erie Clerk to Council Flo Fabrizio (D) was unopposed in the general election for reelection to his 2nd district seat, as were former Mercer County Solicitor Mark Longietti (D) in the 7th, former Mercer County Commissioner Dick Stevenson (R) in the 8th, former Mercer County Commissioner Michele Brooks (R) in the 17th, and former Clarion County Commissioner Donna Oberlander (R) in the 63rd. Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken (D) was unsuccessful in seeking the 74th district seat being vacated by Rep. Bud George.
Greene County Commissioner and CCAP Second Vice President Pam Snyder (D) won the 50th district seat, after replacing Rep. Bill DeWeese on the November ballot.
Former Centre County Commissioner Scott Conklin (D) was unopposed for reelection for his 77th district House seat, as was incumbent and former Perry County Commissioner and CCAP President Mark Keller (R) in his 86th district seat. Former Lebanon County Commissioner RoseMarie Swanger (R) also had no opposition for reelection to her 102nd district seat. Former Dauphin County Commissioner John Payne (R) won reelection to his 106th district seat.
In the 107th district, former Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser (R) retained his seat. Incumbent and former Bradford County Commissioner Tina Pickett (R) was unopposed for her 110th district seat. Former Schuylkill County Commissioner Jerry Knowles (R) won reelection to his 124th district seat. Joseph Brennan (D), incumbent and former Northampton County Councilmember, withdrew after the primary for reelection to his 133rd district seat. Former Clerk to Lehigh County Council Steve Samuelson (D) won reelection to his 135th district seat.
Former Montgomery County Commissioner Larry Curry (D), a member of the House since 1993, chose not to run for reelection to his 154th district seat. Incumbents Tom Killion (R0inh), a former Delaware County Councilmember, and former Monroe County Commissioner Mario Scavello (R0inh), both won reelection. |
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ACT 13 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DISTRIBUTION
On Nov. 14, the State Conservation Commission (SCC) approved the distribution of funds earmarked for conservation districts under Act 13, the shale gas amendments to the Oil and Gas Act. The total distribution is $2.5 million.
Under Act 13, half of the revenues must be distributed by dividing it equally among all conservation districts. Conservation districts will receive a "block grant" payment from the PUC of approximately $18,939 by paper check by Dec. 31, 2012. The funds can be spent for any use consistent with the Conservation District Law, including staffing, program administration, installing best management practices, advising landowners and providing technical assistance, among others.
The other half of the revenues will be distributed by the SCC as a general Administrative Assistance Grant. Eligible expenditures include those under the SCC's Conservation District Fund Allocation Program Statement of Policy for administrative assistance activities, such as mileage and travel expenses, publication of the annual report, postage and record keeping. Half - $625,000 - will be distributed equally among the districts (approximately $9,469 per district). The other $625,000 will go to districts impacted by shale gas drilling, consisting of a base grant of $5,000 for counties with wells, and the remainder on the relative number of wells in 2011, or approximately $89 per well. These funds will be processed as soon as possible under the current payment process.
Letters were sent to the districts on Nov. 15 with more details. The SCC notes that the Nov. 14 decision applies to the current distribution only; future allocation methodology for Act 13 revenue will be decided at a later date. |
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DEP PUBLISHES FINAL PERMIT IMPROVEMENT POLICIES
After receiving hundreds of comments during the September public comment period, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has finalized its Permit Review Process and Permit Decision Guarantee and Permit Coordination policies. The policies implement Gov. Corbett's July 24 Executive Order, outlining the process DEP will use to guarantee an efficient timeframe for decisions on permits and authorizations. The full policies are under the Permit Decision Guarantee link on the DEP web page, www.depweb.state.pa.us.
The policies also apply to county conservation districts and county health departments who authorize permits covered under the Guarantee through a delegation agreement with DEP. The Department acknowledges that these delegation agreements may need to be revised to accommodate the new policy, and this review is ongoing.
Under the Permit Decision Guarantee policy, DEP will guarantee, for 278 different types of authorized permits, to provide permit decisions within published timeframes, provided an applicant submits a complete, technically adequate application. The policy encourages pre-application meetings to discuss expectations and obligations. In addition, DEP will now prioritize permits for review, based first on those needed to protect public health, safety or the environment from imminent threats, and then those necessary for economic development projects that create or retain jobs, leverage private investment or provide significant economic benefit. The companion Permit Coordination policy outlines how staff should coordinate projects that require multiple permits. |
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