Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners, will be interviewed on “Inside Story” Sunday morning, which is Mother’s Day. The show airs at 11:30 a.m. on WPVI, Channel 6.

Channel 6 anchor Tamala Edward will be the host. The interview was taped Friday,and the segment with Shapiro will lead off the show. Next will come a panel discussion featuring political commentators.

“Inside Story” airs on Channel 6 immediately after “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

Jeremy Roebuck and Bonnie Cook of The Philadelphia Inquirer write:

“Consolidating county departments, improving technology and adopting corporate-style management structure were among the recommendations made Wednesday by a panel charged with developing tactics to reshape Montgomery County government.

The proposals largely focus on paring down the size of government and making county departments more transparent and accessible to constituents.

They come as Montgomery County continues to struggle with a tight financial forecast and five months after a county grand jury condemned the county’s previous administration for wasteful spending and ineffective management.

“This document is going to help us move forward,” said Democratic Commissioners’ Chairman Josh Shapiro, who appointed the 50-member transition team shortly after his election last year. “We didn’t just take ideas from Democrats, we took them from Republicans. We didn’t just take ideas from labor, we took them from business. This was an open and transparent process.””

To read the full article click here.

David Powell of Ambler Patch writes:

“Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards joined State Representative Matt Bradford (D-70) and non-profit and business representatives on the steps of the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown on Thursday to denounce cuts to health and human services in the proposed Pennsylvania state budget for 2012-13.”

To read the full article click here.

Bonnie L. Cook of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes:

“When the Montgomery County commissioners toured the Human Services Center in Norristown earlier this year, they were stopped by two workers.

Would it be possible to take the forlorn-looking rooftop garden just off the third floor and make it come alive again, the pair wondered?

Why not, said the commissioners.

On Wednesday, in a mist more nurturing to perennials than people, several hundred county workers gathered to dedicate the not-so-secret garden that now features park-style benches scattered among raised beds of green-and-white hostas and lacy, red maples.”

To read the full article click here. To see pictures from the ribbon cutting click here.

Jenny DeHuff of Main Line Media News writes:

“The Montgomery County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the 2012 capital fund budget, an aggregate of $156 million over five years, during its Thursday night board meeting.

The resolution was adopted as the 2012 through 2016 capital plan, including the 2010 capital fund budget. It includes allotments for public property, roads and bridges, information technology and solutions, vehicle replacement, SEPTA, economic development, and perhaps most notably, a county infrastructure initiative.

Presented in a series of graphics and charts by county Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson, the county infrastructure initiative takes up a good portion of the budget, with $38.6 million being paid towards it through 2016.”

To read the entire article click here.

Margaret Gibbons of The Intelligencer writes:

“Montgomery County government turned blue Tuesday morning.

And it wasn’t from the cold weather.

The Republicans’ 150-year stranglehold on county government ended at 10:45 a.m. when Democrats Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards were sworn in as the majority county commissioners on the three-member board.

But the two new commissioners said they are willing, and even looking forward, to working with everyone, Democrats and Republicans alike, to make the county a better place to live.”

Read the rest of the entry here  Read the rest of this entry »

James Myers of Norristown Patch writes:

“Starting today, you’d better keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road or it may cost you. The new law banning texting while driving and making the crime a primary offense carrying a $50 fine is in full effect.

Senate Bill 314 was adopted back in October and bans reading, writing or sending a text message while driving. The amendment making it a primary offense punishable by fine was actually introduced by then state representative and now Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro. According to PennDOT, there were nearly 14,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in 2010 where distracted driving played a role. Sixty eight people died as a result.” Read the rest of this entry. Read the rest of this entry »

Chairman Josh Shapiro spoke and presented awards at the Montgomery County Human Services Center in honor of  Black History Month. Watch the full video here.

Linda Finarelli of Montgomery News writes:

“NORRISTOWN — The new voter ID law will likely get a trial run in Montgomery County during the April 24 primary election, according to the commissioners, though the law does not require voters show photo identification until the November election.

The Pennsylvania House Bill 934, which requires voters to show a valid photo identification when they come to the polls, was approved in the House Wednesday by a 104-88 vote along party lines. Every House Democrat and three Republicans voted against the bill. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill Wednesday night.”

Read the full story here.

Karen Heller of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes:

“The three Montgomery County commissioners, nearing their 100th day of governance, are getting along beautifully. At meetings, during dozens of votes, there hasn’t been a single no vote among Josh Shapiro, Leslie Richards, and Bruce Castor. Also, no fights, no name-calling, no drama.

Such good will! Last week, when evidence of spring first bloomed, the trio served water ice outside to government employees that was paid for, along with contributions from other top officials, out of their own wallets.

Which is really great for Montgomery County, but is such a bummer for, well, me.” Read the full article here.

From the Norristown Patch:

“Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro, Leslie Richards and Bruce Castor joined other local luminaries at Elmwood Park on Saturday for Norristown’s Bicentennial Kick-Off Party. The trio took the opportunity to voice their continued commitment to the county seat and their support of Norristown’s revitalization efforts.

Read more about the Bicentennial activities planned for this year on the municipality’s website.” To see video of the commissioners’ remark click here.

Today, April 12th, marks the 100th day of the new Montgomery County administration. You can watch a live stream of the special Commissioners’ Meeting at 10 AM here.

David Powell of Bryn Mawr-Gladwyne Patch writes:

“The current Montgomery County Board of Commissioners marked its first 100 days in office Thursday morning with a special meeting that introduced new county ethics and procurement policies intended to increase transparency and eliminate patronage and corruption from county government.

Board chairman Josh Shapiro said Thursday marked the beginning of a “new era” for Montgomery County.

Reading from a prepared statement, Shapiro said the new procurement policy will “ensure a level playing field and a good value for the taxpayers” while the “totally revamped” ethics policy will “value integrity and not one’s political agenda.”

To read the full article and watch video click here.