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.
MORE »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.
MORE »It’s certainly been an interesting week and a half for Pennsylvania’s new “different kind of Governor” and political observers. Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania’s 47th Governor, took his oath of Office shortly after noon on January 20, and outlined his goals for the state and calling for bipartisanship in Harrisburg (See story below.) Legislative reaction to his inaugural address was positive, and hopes for many were high that a spirit of new graciousness would ensue and help leaders find compromises to benefit all Pennsylvanians.
MORE »Harrisburg is primed for the Inauguration of Pennsylvania’s 47th Governor, Tom Wolf, the start of the real 2015 legislative session and the beginning of the Wolf Administration. Inaugural activities will take front and center stage next Tuesday, January 20, starting with the swearing in of Lt. Governor Mike Stack in the Senate chamber at 10 a.m., and then proceeding with Governor Wolf’s inaugural ceremony.
MORE »The Obama administration laid out a blueprint Wednesday for the first regulations to cut down on methane emissions from new natural gas wells, aiming to curb the discharge by roughly half.
MORE »Members of the Pennsylvania House and Senate will be sworn into office on January 6. Leadership is already in place for both chambers, but committee chairs and subsequent memberships have not yet been finalized.
MORE »Wolf made several key senior staff appointments to join him in the Governor’s Office in addition to Katie McGinty, who was previously named his chief of staff. Last week, Wolf named John Hanger as his secretary for planning and policy, Mary Isenhour as secretary of legislative affairs, and Obra S. Kernodle IV as deputy chief of staff and director, Office of Public Liaison.
MORE »Governor-elect Tom Wolf has named the individuals tasked with reviewing state agencies, commissions, and various issue areas.
MORE »Governor-elect Tom Wolf campaigned on a five percent severance tax on natural gas extraction to raise $1 billion to fund schools and fill the state’s growing budget deficit – an idea that continues to split residents and business owners looking for any way possible to make ends meet without hurting their own bottom lines.
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