Capitol Report

Legislative Action for Week of July 4, 2011

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Following is a listing of legislative and executive for the week of July 4. Members of the General Assembly are scheduled to return to session in September.

Lawmakers Spar Over Extra General Fund Monies

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Democrats tend to refer to the $785 million in excess tax collected over the 2010-11 fiscal year as a "surplus," which should go toward education and social services. Republicans call the money a revenue over-estimate, meaning that budget officials underestimated the revenue the state would collect when they made their predictions last August.

Fee on Drillers Set for Fall Vote, but Details Unclear

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

In the fall session, state lawmakers are almost certain to consider legislation that imposes a fee on natural gas drillers. But two key issues are still up in the air: the amount of the fee and who receives the funds.

Corbett Signs Measure Curbing Joint and Several Liability

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Last week, Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation that makes sweeping changes to Pennsylvania's common-law doctrine of joint and several liability.

Legislative Action for Week of June 27, 2011

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The following is a listing of legislative and executive action for the week of June 28, 2011.

State Budget Postpones Action on Drillers' Fees Until Fall

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

House members sent Gov. Tom Corbett a state spending plan on Wednesday, two days before the fiscal year's beginning on Friday, July 1.

Legislative Action for Week of June 20

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Following is a listing of executive and legislative action for the week of June 20. Members of the General Assembly were scheduled to return to session on June 27.

Groups Divided on Economic Benefits of Marcellus Shale

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The economic benefits of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale are a fraction of what drillers claim, according to a recent statement from a Harrisburg-based think thank.

Bill Expanding Castle Doctrine Before Corbett

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Legislation that expands Pennsylvania's common-law castle doctrine to eliminate the requirement that victims retreat from their attackers before using lethal force is before Gov. Tom Corbett.

GOP Waiting for a Strong Candidate in AG's Race

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

I was a political reporter in Harrisburg in 1996 covering statewide races when I had my "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment.

High Court Says Orie's Double Jeopardy Claim Can Be Heard

The Legal Intelligencer

Friday, June 24, 2011

The state Supreme Court has ordered the Superior Court to determine whether a claim of double jeopardy made by state Sen. Jane C. Orie, R-Allegheny, was frivolous in her attempt to avoid a second trial over her election work on state time.

Recent Action

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Following is a listing of legislative and executive action for the week of June 13. Members of the General Assembly were scheduled to return to session on June 20.

Fee On Natural Gas Drilling Gains in Legislature

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A fee on natural gas drillers to help local governments cover added costs for road repair, water use and other impacts on the local infrastructure has cleared the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.

Deal is Reached to Extend Jobless Benfits

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The business community and organized labor reached a deal on a legislative initiative that will extend unemployment compensation benefits for some 45,000 Pennsylvanians.

Arbitration Proposed for Gas Well Disputes

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The Legal Intelligencer

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

An arbitration panel established for a little-used natural gas extraction process would be expanded for all natural gas and oil well disputes in Pennsylvania under legislation recently introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate.