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Monthly Archives: February 2015

Curtain Up on State Budget Tuesday – Sondheim Season?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum edition: As ERG Partners watches and listens to the pronouncements, the leaks and the responses this week, we can’t help but be reminded of Stephen Sondheim’s refrain from Zero Mostel as Pseudolus – “Something familiar, something peculiar, something for everyone, a comedy tonight!”

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Keystone XL Vetoed, Now What?

President Obama took just a few hours to veto the Keystone XL pipeline bill, rejecting Congress’ attempt to force approval, and setting the stage for an attempt next week on an override vote that will most likely fail. Even before Obama leaned on his veto pen, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to hold a vote no later than March 3.

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Vitali: Legislation introduced to reduce Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas emissions

State Rep. Greg Vitali (D, Delaware) has unveiled legislation designed to encourage Pennsylvania to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during a news conference today in the Capitol. He was joined by representatives of environmental organizations, a professor and a legislator who voiced support for the legislation.

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Wolf Unveils Natural Gas Tax Proposal

This week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced his plan to seek higher taxes on Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry to help boost aid to public schools. The Governor, kicking off a statewide “Schools that Teach” tour, appeared at Caln Elementary School in Chester County, and called for a five percent severance tax on the value of the gas, plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet assessed on Marcellus Shale natural gas production. He said the taxes would yield $1 billion a year and help restore funding to public schools.

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ERG Partners Announces New Associate

ERG Partners today announced that Sarah L. Gulick will become an associate with the Harrisburg-based public affairs firm. Ms. Gulick is currently Director of PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports & Waterways, a position she has held for five years. She is responsible for administration and oversight of two yearly grant programs totaling $40 million.

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Keystone XL Approved by Congress, Facing Death by Veto

The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 270-152 to pass a bill that would grant approval to the Keystone XL pipeline, setting up the first major veto of Obama’s presidency.

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Federal Budget and Energy

The budget request process at the federal level is often symbolic. The White House shows off its priorities and how it would allocate tax dollars if it had free reign. President Obama’s budget request this year mirrored themes from his State of the Union address, particularly when it comes to energy policy. The budget proposal includes a new $4 billion fund for states that goes further and faster than the current timeline allotted in the Clean Power Plan.

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February in the Capitol – Spring Training for the Budget Season?

February in Harrisburg, like spring training in Florida and Arizona, is a time for the players to get back in shape, work with possible new player combinations, learn whether the gifted rookie really fits in the lineup, find the true power hitters, and prepare for the real season which begins when the Governor throws out his first budget pitch in early March.

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Wolf Signs Moratorium on Public Lands’ Gas Leases

In a ceremony at Benjamin Rush State Park in Philadelphia Thursday morning, Governor Wolf signed an executive order that reinstates a moratorium on further gas leasing of public lands. The executive order trumps an executive order signed by former Gov. Tom Corbett last year that overturned a previous ban on further drilling of public lands. Many environmental groups were quick to issue statements praising the decision.

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State of the Union – Misses Energy Goals

President Obama has outlined energy policy goals in every one of his State of the Union addresses – until this week. On Tuesday night, he avoided specifics and instead promoted positive domestic changes in fossil fuels and renewable electricity.

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