The mortgage crisis and the PTC

Capitolwire: Turnpike commission keeping millions in Fannie, Freddie.
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire 
HARRISBURG (July 24) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reduced its investment holdings in beleaguered mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by nearly $183 million in 2008.
For the fiscal year that ended May 31, the PTC had $242.7 million invested between the two companies. That’s [...]

Contract follow-up

SENATE GOP URGE RENDELL TO INCLUDE GRANTS IN CONTRACTS DATABASE
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 23) — The state Department of Community and Economic Development has posted more than 400 grants and contracts on the Department of Treasury’s new contract database as required by the state’s new Right-to-Know Law.
But as of Wednesday only a few dozen [...]

One of many summer hearings

Capitolwire: Committee hears testimony on ‘drug-endangered children’ task force.
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 21) — Law enforcement officials and victim advocates on Monday praised a plan that would help children exposed to illegal drug production, use and abuse during one of several House Judiciary Committee hearings taking place this summer.
Monday’s hearing focused on [...]

Environmental round up

Capitolwire: Environmental laws a presence in latest batch of signed bills
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 21) — Within the bevy of legislation Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law in the weeks following the state budget agreement were several environmental measures.
The four bills do everything from studying Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas emissions to joining a regional Great [...]

Falconry laws? Who knew?

Capitolwire: New law lets falconers hunt close to home.
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 21) – A plan to allow falconers to hunt closer to buildings and homes took flight last week when Gov. Ed Rendell signed it into law.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark Keller, R-Franklin, now allows falconers to hunt within 50 yards of [...]

Post-budget round up

Capitolwire: Bills on fire-safe cigarettes, newborn screenings among those signed by governor.
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 21) — Gov. Ed Rendell signed more than 80 bills into law as part of the annual flood of legislation passed in the weeks after the state budget.
Since June 27, the governor stamped his mark of approval on everything [...]

Capitolwire catch-ups

My newsroom travels have taken me to Capitolwire.com.  Since this news wire service is subscription-only, here’s just a teaser of what I’ve been writing.  Subscribe and you can access my whole stories and much more.
Capitolwire: Senate GOP leaders ask House Dems to act on reform bills.
By Kari L. Andren
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (July 15) – Senate [...]

Museum funding-the next reform?

Today’s Patriot-News contains, sadly, my last story with them. I have moved onto Capitolwire.com now, a subscription-only statewide news wire service stationed here in the State Capitol. For now, my final P-N endeavor…

Bill might cut state money to Whitaker Center
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
BY KARI ANDREN
For The Patriot-NewsThe Whitaker Center for Science and the [...]

A Volunteer Incentive

Tax credit could help keep volunteer firefighters
Sunday, July 13, 2008
BY KARI ANDREN, For The Patriot-News
The work of volunteer firefighters and emergency services workers received recognition when Gov. Ed Rendell signed the state budget, giving them a $100 state tax credit.
But in today’s economy, how much of a difference can $100 make?
Some say the tax credit [...]

An Important Distinction

THE LAW: Line clearly drawn between jobs, political work
Saturday, July 12, 2008
BY KARI ANDREN, Of The Patriot-News
State workers can work on political campaigns.
That’s common.
But the state attorney general’s office says 12 people linked to the state House Democratic caucus went about it the wrong way. They are accused of illegally using taxpayers’ money and staff [...]