Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Library Group Wants a Deeper Discussion about Privacy
The American Library Association is encouraging people to discuss issues surrounding privacy, the collection of personal data and control over information by labeling this week "Choose Privacy Week." Barbara Jones, Director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom says people may not be aware that every time they swipe a credit card, grocery points card, or use a pass to go through a toll booth, data is being gathered on their habits and activities. She says that social networks like Facebook are constantly collecting information on users and that the site should do a better job of spelling out its privacy policies. Jones says libraries can serve as a model for privacy disclosure since most libraries delete information on the materials patrons' check-out within a set period of time and only a few people have access to the data. The ALA is encouraging libraries nationwide to foster discussion about privacy issues--the organization's president Camila Alire says "privacy is a fundamental right and a necessary condition for the unique and important work of American libraries--facilitating open access to information for all."
Arizona-Style Immigration Legislation Introduced in Pennsylvania
Representative Daryl Metcalfe from Butler county introduced legislation, House Bill 2479, modeled after Arizona's controversial law which would give state and local law enforcement full authority to apprehend Pennsylvania's estimated 140,000 undocumented immigrants.
Metcalfe blames undocumented immigrants for mounting taxpayer costs, lost jobs and crime. “The purpose of this legislation is to offer every illegal alien residing in Pennsylvania two options, leave immediately or go to jail. Whether you came to steal Pennsylvania jobs or to leech off of our state’s fraud-ridden, ‘close your eyes and verify’ welfare system, once this law is enacted there will be absolutely no economic incentives for you to remain here,” he said.
The law also would create a new criminal offense for undocumented immigrants who violate federal law by either willfully failing to register or failing to possess proper proof of such registration when stopped for another primary offense such as a traffic violation. It would require law enforcement officers to attempt to verify anyone's immigration status. It would create a new criminal offense for anyone who is unlawfully present in the United States and is applying for work. It would allow law enforcement to impound a vehicle driven by an undocumented immigrant.
Legislators Dan Frankel and Angel Cruz issued a statement denouncing the discriminatory law. "We are opposed to importing Arizona's discriminatory 'show us your papers; law to Pennsylvania. Such a law leads inevitably to racial profiling and harassment - something neither the state, nor our law enforcement should take part in. Instead, we should focus on commonsense remedies to worker exploitation such as stronger enforcement of wage and labor laws," read the statement.
State Senate Bill 1070, introduced this week by Sen. Daylin Leach, would prevent Pennsylvania from enacting a law similar to Arizona's.
Metcalfe blames undocumented immigrants for mounting taxpayer costs, lost jobs and crime. “The purpose of this legislation is to offer every illegal alien residing in Pennsylvania two options, leave immediately or go to jail. Whether you came to steal Pennsylvania jobs or to leech off of our state’s fraud-ridden, ‘close your eyes and verify’ welfare system, once this law is enacted there will be absolutely no economic incentives for you to remain here,” he said.
The law also would create a new criminal offense for undocumented immigrants who violate federal law by either willfully failing to register or failing to possess proper proof of such registration when stopped for another primary offense such as a traffic violation. It would require law enforcement officers to attempt to verify anyone's immigration status. It would create a new criminal offense for anyone who is unlawfully present in the United States and is applying for work. It would allow law enforcement to impound a vehicle driven by an undocumented immigrant.
Legislators Dan Frankel and Angel Cruz issued a statement denouncing the discriminatory law. "We are opposed to importing Arizona's discriminatory 'show us your papers; law to Pennsylvania. Such a law leads inevitably to racial profiling and harassment - something neither the state, nor our law enforcement should take part in. Instead, we should focus on commonsense remedies to worker exploitation such as stronger enforcement of wage and labor laws," read the statement.
State Senate Bill 1070, introduced this week by Sen. Daylin Leach, would prevent Pennsylvania from enacting a law similar to Arizona's.
Onorato Widens Lead, Specter Margin Shrinking
Two weeks before the Pennsylvania Primary, a new Quinnipiac University poll was released today amid heavy TV advertising.
The survey of likely primary voters shows that Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is widening his lead in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In the four-way race, Onorato received 36% support....up from 20% a month ago. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel received 9% and Auditor General Jack Wagner and State Senator Anthony Williams 8% apiece. 37% of those surveyed are still undecided.
Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, says in the Senate Democratic Primary, 5-term incumbent Arlen Specter leads Congressman Joe Sestak 47% to 39%. A month ago, Specter led 53% to 32%.
"The Senate race is closing and could be headed for a close finish."
Brown says the narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other factors.
The narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other measures as well:
* Democrats trust Specter more than Sestak to do what he says he will do 42 - 31 percent, compared to 43 - 26 percent April 7;
* Voters give Specter a 57 - 31 percent favorability, compared to 60 - 26 percent;
* Sestak gets a 43 - 11percent favorability, compared to 33 - 6 percent.
However, Democrats say 60 - 23 percent that Specter is more likely to win in November.
The survey of likely primary voters shows that Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is widening his lead in the race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In the four-way race, Onorato received 36% support....up from 20% a month ago. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel received 9% and Auditor General Jack Wagner and State Senator Anthony Williams 8% apiece. 37% of those surveyed are still undecided.
Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute, says in the Senate Democratic Primary, 5-term incumbent Arlen Specter leads Congressman Joe Sestak 47% to 39%. A month ago, Specter led 53% to 32%.
"The Senate race is closing and could be headed for a close finish."
Brown says the narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other factors.
The narrowing of the Specter/Sestak race is confirmed by other measures as well:
* Democrats trust Specter more than Sestak to do what he says he will do 42 - 31 percent, compared to 43 - 26 percent April 7;
* Voters give Specter a 57 - 31 percent favorability, compared to 60 - 26 percent;
* Sestak gets a 43 - 11percent favorability, compared to 33 - 6 percent.
However, Democrats say 60 - 23 percent that Specter is more likely to win in November.
Corbett: Benchmarks for Each Teacher
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett wants to overhaul Pennsylvania’s teacher evaluation system.
Visiting a York charter school with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Corbett unveiled his education platform.
Corbett wants to change the way the commonwealth’s teachers are evaluated by looking at student testing data, but also creating individual benchmarks for each educator.
"Where do I need to improve? Do I need to improve in my skills of sitting with a student and taking them through my classroom presentation? Am I capturing the interest of my students? Teaching is a very unique profession. We’ve all known we’ve had very good teachers, and some not so good teachers."
Corbett says he’d work with teacher unions to overhaul teacher evaluations....
"We bring them in and sit them down at the table with us. As I have done everything in my career, we will sit down with the school boards, the teachers, the principals. How do we do this? How do we learn what improves the quality of the education of the student?"
Corbett says he supports the Rendell Administration’s increase in state basic education funding, but he wants to improve accountability benchmarks, to make sure schools are taking advantage of the money. Corbett is calling for an A through F school grading system, which would include student test scores, graduation rates and other factors.
Jeb Bush says he’s endorsing Corbett because “the era of big government is over.” He says that’s due to a mix of popular will, as well as the economy, which is forcing states to trim spending.
"Either way, limited government is going to be the norm. And I think it’s important to have principled, centered leaders that have the creativity and belief for us all that it’s true. That they would do it voluntarily if they had their druthers. And that they have the creativity and energy to make it a reality."
Corbett's opponent in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary, State Representative Sam Rohrer, unveiled his education proposals recently.
Spending Cuts & Layoffs Expected in PA
Pennsylvania’s budget deficit has expanded to more than a billion dollars. Governor Ed Rendell says that means another round of state employee layoffs.
April tax collections came in nearly 400 million dollars below projections, increasing the state’s revenue shortfall to 1.1 billion dollars.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, a Centre County Republican, says he expects the figure to reach 1.3 billion dollars by the end of June.
Governor Rendell agrees with Corman on the fact more budget cuts will now be needed.
"And there is some area to be cut, but not much. That means further cuts and reductions in spending will have to come from layoffs and furloughs."
Corman says the shortfall makes Governor Rendell’s February budget proposal obsolete.
"We really need to start over, start from scratch, and figure out a way to put this budget together on time before June 30th, that reflects the revenues we have, as opposed to what was reflected back in February."
Rendell agrees he needs to trim his proposed 29-billion dollar budget.
Corman says all four legislative caucuses are against a broad-based tax increase, but Rendell says the state needs to bring in new revenue.
He wants the General Assembly to pass taxes on natural gas drilling, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. In February, Rendell proposed setting those tax proceeds aside in a special fund. He now says some of that revenue would be needed in next year’s budget.
April tax collections came in nearly 400 million dollars below projections, increasing the state’s revenue shortfall to 1.1 billion dollars.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, a Centre County Republican, says he expects the figure to reach 1.3 billion dollars by the end of June.
Governor Rendell agrees with Corman on the fact more budget cuts will now be needed.
"And there is some area to be cut, but not much. That means further cuts and reductions in spending will have to come from layoffs and furloughs."
Corman says the shortfall makes Governor Rendell’s February budget proposal obsolete.
"We really need to start over, start from scratch, and figure out a way to put this budget together on time before June 30th, that reflects the revenues we have, as opposed to what was reflected back in February."
Rendell agrees he needs to trim his proposed 29-billion dollar budget.
Corman says all four legislative caucuses are against a broad-based tax increase, but Rendell says the state needs to bring in new revenue.
He wants the General Assembly to pass taxes on natural gas drilling, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. In February, Rendell proposed setting those tax proceeds aside in a special fund. He now says some of that revenue would be needed in next year’s budget.
Johnstown Church Preservation Effort
The nonprofit groups Partners for Sacred Places and Save Our Steeples will begin searching for ways to best reuse three defunct churches.
Five Catholic churches once stood in the town’s Cambria City neighborhood, but last summer the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese announced a merger would put three of those to disuse.
Save Our Steeples has since been raising money to save the churches from becoming warehouses – or parking lots, like the former St. Emerich church building.
But S.O.S. cofounder Marie Mock says her organization scored a victory earlier this year, when the Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership granted it $10,000.
“A lot of people are saying, ‘Well gee, if you’re going to put all that money into a study, why don’t you just do something with it yourself?’ Well, none of us are capable of doing this,” says Mock. “We’re not in the business of marketing these kind of buildings, and to do it properly, we’re going to have to spend money to make money.”
Mock says these buildings are works of art built by European immigrants, but they have uses beyond worship. She says the group held a successful concert in Immaculate Conception Church in February and plan another fundraiser for May 23.
For more information, visit Save Our Steeples' website.
Five Catholic churches once stood in the town’s Cambria City neighborhood, but last summer the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese announced a merger would put three of those to disuse.
Save Our Steeples has since been raising money to save the churches from becoming warehouses – or parking lots, like the former St. Emerich church building.
But S.O.S. cofounder Marie Mock says her organization scored a victory earlier this year, when the Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership granted it $10,000.
“A lot of people are saying, ‘Well gee, if you’re going to put all that money into a study, why don’t you just do something with it yourself?’ Well, none of us are capable of doing this,” says Mock. “We’re not in the business of marketing these kind of buildings, and to do it properly, we’re going to have to spend money to make money.”
Mock says these buildings are works of art built by European immigrants, but they have uses beyond worship. She says the group held a successful concert in Immaculate Conception Church in February and plan another fundraiser for May 23.
For more information, visit Save Our Steeples' website.
Specter, Sestak Square Off
Two weeks from today, Democratic voters in Pennsylvania will go to the polls to choose their party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate.
Don’t look for another debate in the next 2 weeks. The one and only face-to-face exchange between the incumbent Arlen Specter and the challenger Joe Sestak was held this past weekend. The race seems to be tightening. A Quinnipiac University poll from early April gave Specter a 53-32 lead over Sestak, but a Muhlenberg College survey released over the weekend shows a gap of just six points, with Specter ahead 48-42.
Listen to DUQ’s Scott Detrow's report.
Don’t look for another debate in the next 2 weeks. The one and only face-to-face exchange between the incumbent Arlen Specter and the challenger Joe Sestak was held this past weekend. The race seems to be tightening. A Quinnipiac University poll from early April gave Specter a 53-32 lead over Sestak, but a Muhlenberg College survey released over the weekend shows a gap of just six points, with Specter ahead 48-42.
Listen to DUQ’s Scott Detrow's report.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Shale Gas is the Focus of Two-Day Conference
Balancing the environment, the economy, people and the rights of municipalities is the focus of a two-day Marcellus shale conference underway in Pittsburgh. The goal of the conference is to hash out some of the knowns and unknowns and help chart a course for the future. Kent Moors runs the Energy Policy Research Group at Duquesne University. He says what happens in Pennsylvania will set the tone for nontraditional gas drilling worldwide. Moors believes the state’s ability to properly regulate the activity and the industry’s ability to bring new technologies to the process will be used as a model as far off as Poland and Germany. He says that includes not only dealing with taxing and environmental concerns but, also with issues like supply and demand for clean water, steel, qualified workers and even the price of an egg at the local diner. Many believe the amount of water that could be consumed by Marcellus drillers could force some farms and manufacturing plants out of business as the cost of clean water goes up beyond what they can afford.
It is still unclear how much gas is trapped below Pennsylvania in the Marcellus shale formation. Moors says to get a good handle on that you need to have between 8,000 and 14,000 operating wells. Right now there are 1,400 operating wells in the Marcellus shale but Moors says there is already a trend, “Every indication is pointing to… there is more recoverable natural gas in the Marcellus than originally anticipated, the pressure is higher, the recovery volume is greater, and the overall operating costs are declining.” Moors estimates the average Marcellus well can make money when gas is above $3.60 MMBTU. Some producers say they are pulling gas from prime locations in the state at $2.20. The current price is just more than $3.90. Moors says the lower cost gas will push some of the more expensive gas out of the market. He says companies are rushing to Pennsylvania at the rate of one or two a week looking to get into the market.
A panel at the conference focused on the big unanswered questions with representatives from the business, environmental, legal and research communities all chiming in on the subject. Marcellus Shale Coalition President Kathy Klaber says there needs to be honest and open debate about regulations. She says the state needs to get this right the first time. Klaber says the tax dollars that can be generated by the shale gas industry can be used to pave roads and improve waterways but all sides need to come to the table with an “open attitude.” PA Dept. Of Environmental Protection Deputy Sec. J. Scott Roberts says the industry and the state need to figure out how to make the holes they are punching in the ground safe at all stages of the process including proper bonding of drillers and plans to deal with the wells after all the gas is removed. Thorp Reed and Armstrong Lawyer Clifford Levine says property rights issues and the rights of local government versus the state need to be considered. CMU’s Water QUEST director Jeanne VanBriesen says regulators need to look not only at water quality issues but water quantity issues as well. Penn Environment Director David Masur called on everyone to think about the legacy we will leave our children when the drilling is over. Nearly everyone on the panel agreed that this is a once in a generation opportunity that must not be botched.
It is still unclear how much gas is trapped below Pennsylvania in the Marcellus shale formation. Moors says to get a good handle on that you need to have between 8,000 and 14,000 operating wells. Right now there are 1,400 operating wells in the Marcellus shale but Moors says there is already a trend, “Every indication is pointing to… there is more recoverable natural gas in the Marcellus than originally anticipated, the pressure is higher, the recovery volume is greater, and the overall operating costs are declining.” Moors estimates the average Marcellus well can make money when gas is above $3.60 MMBTU. Some producers say they are pulling gas from prime locations in the state at $2.20. The current price is just more than $3.90. Moors says the lower cost gas will push some of the more expensive gas out of the market. He says companies are rushing to Pennsylvania at the rate of one or two a week looking to get into the market.
A panel at the conference focused on the big unanswered questions with representatives from the business, environmental, legal and research communities all chiming in on the subject. Marcellus Shale Coalition President Kathy Klaber says there needs to be honest and open debate about regulations. She says the state needs to get this right the first time. Klaber says the tax dollars that can be generated by the shale gas industry can be used to pave roads and improve waterways but all sides need to come to the table with an “open attitude.” PA Dept. Of Environmental Protection Deputy Sec. J. Scott Roberts says the industry and the state need to figure out how to make the holes they are punching in the ground safe at all stages of the process including proper bonding of drillers and plans to deal with the wells after all the gas is removed. Thorp Reed and Armstrong Lawyer Clifford Levine says property rights issues and the rights of local government versus the state need to be considered. CMU’s Water QUEST director Jeanne VanBriesen says regulators need to look not only at water quality issues but water quantity issues as well. Penn Environment Director David Masur called on everyone to think about the legacy we will leave our children when the drilling is over. Nearly everyone on the panel agreed that this is a once in a generation opportunity that must not be botched.
Downtown Traffic Patterns to Shift
The second phase of Market Square construction began in downtown Pittsburgh today.
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President Michael Edwards says traffic coming from Forbes Avenue will now be shifted to the left, as that half of the square reopens after 8 ½ months of construction.
The right side will be closed to traffic, but will remain open to pedestrians.
Edwards says the interior square is scheduled to reopen June 1, allowing for events like the Farmers Market and concerts. He says the Downtown Partnership is also applying for an outdoor dining permit at the Zoning Hearing Board.
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership President Michael Edwards says traffic coming from Forbes Avenue will now be shifted to the left, as that half of the square reopens after 8 ½ months of construction.
The right side will be closed to traffic, but will remain open to pedestrians.
Edwards says the interior square is scheduled to reopen June 1, allowing for events like the Farmers Market and concerts. He says the Downtown Partnership is also applying for an outdoor dining permit at the Zoning Hearing Board.
City/County Fleet Merger?
In order to begin a fleet consolidation process, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has asked City Council to extend its contract with Cincinnati-based First Vehicle Services up to six months so that it will end when Allegheny County’s separate contract with First Vehicle ends. City Councilman Bill Peduto held a post-agenda meeting this morning.
Three bidders have submitted proposals to manage both the city and county vehicle fleets. Peduto says the process must be thorough from purchasing through parts, repair, and preventive maintenance to get the maximum benefits.
On that larger scale, he says it may make sense to bring the operations in-house and to extend them to schools and other municipalities so they too could take advantage of the cost savings.
The overall goals he thinks council members share are service, dependability and safety with maximum efficiency.
Under Act 47, the city had to put fleet management, which had been in-house, up for bids, and First Vehicle took over in 2005. (Garbage services were also put out for bids, but the in-house service was low bidder, according to Peduto.)
Councilman Doug Shields says there’s a failure of leadership in moving forward with the overall City/County consolidation that’s been talked about for so long. He says the problem is with leadership from the mayor and the county executive, not City Council.
In January, City Controller Michael Lamb’s audit of First Vehicle's fleet management showed rising costs and problems with preventive maintenance and turn-around time for repairs. He suggested investigating bringing the services in-house.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris says the only thing privatization of the city's fleet has done is cost more.
Three bidders have submitted proposals to manage both the city and county vehicle fleets. Peduto says the process must be thorough from purchasing through parts, repair, and preventive maintenance to get the maximum benefits.
On that larger scale, he says it may make sense to bring the operations in-house and to extend them to schools and other municipalities so they too could take advantage of the cost savings.
The overall goals he thinks council members share are service, dependability and safety with maximum efficiency.
Under Act 47, the city had to put fleet management, which had been in-house, up for bids, and First Vehicle took over in 2005. (Garbage services were also put out for bids, but the in-house service was low bidder, according to Peduto.)
Councilman Doug Shields says there’s a failure of leadership in moving forward with the overall City/County consolidation that’s been talked about for so long. He says the problem is with leadership from the mayor and the county executive, not City Council.
In January, City Controller Michael Lamb’s audit of First Vehicle's fleet management showed rising costs and problems with preventive maintenance and turn-around time for repairs. He suggested investigating bringing the services in-house.
Councilwoman Darlene Harris says the only thing privatization of the city's fleet has done is cost more.
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