Posted by Mark Koenig on Monday, January 31, 2011
Carl Hessler of The Mercury writes:
Pennsylvania lawmakers have re-introduced a proposal in the state House that would ban cell phone and texting for all drivers and impose stricter rules for teen drivers.
“I’m going to be fighting very, very hard in my time in the House to get this done,” state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153rd Dist, said on Monday.
The latest bill, House Bill 330, combines some ingredients from two bills considered last session — House Bill 67, which set passenger and cell phone restrictions for teen drivers, and House Bill 2070, which would have prohibited all drivers from using hand-held cell phones and text messaging but allow cell phone use if a hands-free device is used.
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Posted by Mark Koenig on Monday, January 24, 2011
From Montgomery Media:
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, announced that he intends to introduce legislation to statutorily eliminate the legislative surplus and circulated a memo to his colleagues asking for co-sponsorship of his legislation.
In December, the General Assembly audit, completed by independent auditors from Ernst & Young and unanimously approved by the Legislative Audit Advisory Commission, found that the legislature ended the 2010 fiscal year with a $188,554,281 legislative surplus. The audit recommended that Pennsylvania adopt a policy to limit the legislative surplus.
“Most states have policies in place to either prohibit legislative surpluses or to limit them,” said Shapiro. “I believe we should eliminate the legislative surplus in Pennsylvania and, given the challenging fiscal climate we face as we prepare for the upcoming budget, we ought to use the current surplus to address the needs of Pennsylvanians.”
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Posted by Mark Koenig on Saturday, January 22, 2011
Kaitlyn Foti of Montgomery Media writes:
Seniors gathered in the community room at the Plaza Apartments Jan. 20 to hear about transportation options available now that the Abington senior bus is no more.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, organized a group of representatives from SEPTA and TransNet to discuss free or reduced-fare methods for senior to get around.
“I want to ask two things from you,” Shapiro told those in attendance.
“First, I want to ask you to be good listeners. Second, I want you to be my ambassadors, and tell other folks about these options. It is easier to keep these programs if we know that people are making good use of them.”
Shapiro listened as seniors criticized the now-defunct Abington Township-funded senior bus, which was cut for budgetary reasons at the start of 2011. He explained that, while he had nothing to do with the decision to end the service, he did recognize the need to inform seniors of the alternatives.
Rochelle Cullbreath, a spokeswoman for SEPTA, spoke to the group about free rides for seniors.
(…)
Shapiro, who stated that he often comes to the Plaza Apartments for town hall meetings, said he organized the information session, along with two others in the area, so that seniors can find convenient and affordable ways of getting around.
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Posted by Mark Koenig on Thursday, January 20, 2011
Brad Bumstead of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes:
As the House prepares to roll out a bill next week to require a user-friendly, online database for taxpayers, Senate officials today said it is a priority for senators and Senate leaders.
(…)
Lawmakers failed last session to get a version on the governor’s desk.
It’s a priorty for Republican Gov. Tim Corbett, who talked about it during his campaign.
Another Corbett campaign pledge — eliminating or reducing the Legislature’s $188 million surplus — got a boost today from an unlikely source: a Democratic House member.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, said he intends to introduce legislation to eliminate the legislative surplus by law, and circulated a memo to his colleagues asking for support.
Shapiro chaired a legislative audit committee that found, based on an independent audit, the Legislature ended the 2010 fiscal year with a $188.5 million legislative surplus.
“Most states have policies in place to either prohibit legislative surpluses or to limit them,” said Shapiro. “I believe we should eliminate the legislative surplus in Pennsylvania and, given the challenging fiscal climate we face as we prepare for the upcoming budget, we ought to use the current surplus to address the needs of Pennsylvanians.”
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Posted by Mark Koenig on Sunday, January 16, 2011
From The Times Chronicle:
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-153, will host representatives from SEPTA and CCT Connect Jan. 20 for three information sessions on free and low-cost transportation services for senior citizens in our area.
Information on Senior Citizen Transit ID cards, Paratransit and Shared-Ride Programs and other transportation services will be available.
The sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Holy Redeemer Village Community Room, 1551 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley (open to Village residents only); 1:30 to 3 p.m. at The Plaza Apartments Community Room, 1250 Greenwood Ave., Jenkintown; and 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Rydal East Lobby, 1570 The Fairway, Jenkintown.
