Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, June 16, 2022

Pennsylvania

There’s Bipartisan Support for Lowering the Corporate Tax Rate But Little Agreement on How to Do It

Both Democrats and Republicans agree that they should lower the state corporate tax rate, which stands at 9.99 percent, the second highest in the nation. But competing proposals on how to do it are stalled in the State Senate. Some legislators want an aggressive reduction down to 5.99 percent by 2025, while others — including Governor Wolf — support a reduction to 5.99 percent by 2027. Spotlight PA has more.

State Senate Blocks Wolf’s New Charter School Regulations from Taking Effect

A 30-20 vote to block new regulations on charter schools passed yesterday, following State House support of the same bill. It prevents new regulations supported by the Wolf Administration — which would require more public disclosure and application requirements for hopeful charter school founders — from taking effect. However, the bill that blocks the regulation will likely be vetoed by Wolf. Read more from PennLive.

State Rep. Grove Says He Wants to Pursue Bipartisan Election Reforms Before November

Seth Grove (R-York), chair of the House State Government Committee, says he wants to see a bipartisan piece of legislation on election reforms before the November general election. However, Governor Wolf says such a legislation is a non-starter, having vetoed previous election reform bills out of Grove’s committee. City & State PA has more.

State’s Controversial Marijuana Vape recall Is Overturned By Appeals Judge

In February, the Pennsylvania Department of Health mandated a recall and ban of cannabis concentrates for vaping. Today, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled that marijuana companies can continue selling the vapes. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

State System of Higher Education Passes New Funding Formula But Says More State Funding Is Needed

The leaders of the State System of High Education, which oversees Pennsylvania’s public universities, passed a new funding formula for its schools which would put a premium on increasing the quality of education, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds on campuses. However, the board members say for the formula to have the intended effects, the state legislature needs to put more money into the entire system, which is one of the least funded per capita in the country. Read more from the Post-Gazette.

Report Critical of State’s Unfunded Pension Liabilities

A new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council, which reviews state pension funds across the country, found that Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom in unfunded liabilities and funding ratio. However, critics of the report say the way it calculates the unfunded liabilities differs significantly from how the state calculates them. The Center Square has more.

Philadelphia

City Likely to Boost Property Tax Relief and Cut Business Taxes

Philadelphia City Council voted in committee yesterday to increase the property tax homestead exemption from $45,000 to $80,000 and to decrease the city business income and receipts tax from 6.2 to 5.99 percent. The proposed budget also includes a small reduction in the resident and nonresident wage taxes. The changes will be finalized on June 23. The Inquirer has more.

Prevention Point Philadelphia Facing Allegations of Sexual Harassment

Some longtime employees of Prevention Point Philadelphia, a noted opioid treatment organization, say it has a plethora of internal problems, including unpunished sexual harassment. Read more from the Inquirer.

Pittsburgh

Bill to Expedite Property Acquisitions for Pittsburgh Land Bank Clears Senate

Although the Pittsburgh Land Bank was established in 2014, it has only acquired two properties. In response, the Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation that would allow land banks in Allegheny County to acquire properties through sheriff sale. The Tribune-Review has more.

Vice President Harris to Visit Pittsburgh Tomorrow

Vice President Harris and officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency will come to Pittsburgh tomorrow. The Tribune-Review has more.

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