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Archive of Pennsylvania on Wednesday May 07, 2008
Oprah Winfrey will back revised dog law for Pennsylvania
Talk about a lobbyist with clout. Oprah Winfrey -- the woman with the power to send authors to the top of the New York Times best-seller list and drive down the price of beef -- is planning to appeal to viewers today to back a crackdown on puppy mills in the state. Read More
Same-sex marriage ban likely dead in Pa. Senate
A bill that would amend the state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage is in a deep coma and is probably dead, at least for the rest of this session. Read More
No-divorce proposal left at Senate altar
Legislation was offered in the state Senate Tuesday making it illegal to get a divorce in Pennsylvania. Sen. Vincent Fumo, a Philadelphia Democrat, proposed it as a political antidote to a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage and civil unions. Read More
Health insurance reform plan could aid 284,000
A health insurance reform plan adopted by the state House and awaiting Senate action could within 10 years cover some 284,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians, while remaining affordable and sustainable, state officials said. Read More
Morganelli calls on attorney general to require lost, stolen handguns be reported
Democrat John Morganelli on Tuesday ratcheted up the rhetoric in his bid to unseat state Attorney General Tom Corbett, calling on the Republican to require people to report lost or stolen handguns. Read More
Phila. judge ordered to step down
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court yesterday ordered Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Deborah S. Griffin to step down because she was a convicted felon when she attained her judgeship. Read More
State rules former Carlisle aide can keep $6,175
A former aide to City Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle can keep six weeks of unemployment pay she collected after she was fired for her part in a kickback scheme that stole $43,000 from taxpayers. Read More
Bee population research gets $20,000 boost
Pennsylvania boosted funding Tuesday for research into the causes of the honeybee Colony Collapse Disorder that continues to jeopardize food crops from Keystone State apples to Florida oranges and California almonds. Read More
Wal-Mart selects 20 capitols, including Pa.'s, for energy audits
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced partnerships with Pennsylvania, 18 other states and Puerto Rico to help them save on energy and electricity costs at their capitols. Read More
Silver Alert helps rescue lost seniors
When an elderly person with dementia is lost, seven states can trigger a Silver Alert to let the community know. Proposals in Congress would expand the successful missing persons program to all 50 states. Read More
Will states fix 2012 primary process?
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state. Read More
Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views. Read More
WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in. Read More
Parents turn to states for autism help
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs. Read More
With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say. Read More
Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure. Read More
More states offer choice in long-term care
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes. Read More
Credit crunch hits states' college loans
(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)
The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college. Read More
Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
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Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
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'Purple' states turn a little more 'blue'
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. Read More |
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