State News

New Special Interest Comes to PA Liquor Privatization Party

The liquor privatization debate has brought out a new special interest—the property owners who rent space to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

By Melissa Daniels | PA Independent HARRISBURG — Inside Pennsylvania’s liquor privatization debate, everyone wants a taste. A new special interest is asking for a seat at the table after the state legislature’s actions threaten the finances of its members. The Liquor Store Real Estate Owners Association is the latest opponent to liquor privatization. The group is comprised of property owners who have lease agreements with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Among their ranks is David Neal, a Philadelphia real estate owner who owns the property for the state-owned wine and spirits shop on South Street. His lease, like all others in the state store system, has a termination clause, one without any penalties if the agreement ends. This …

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State News

Corbett Administration Pushes Back Against Medicaid Expansion Savings

As much as $515 million in costs and savings of Medicaid expansion were mis-estimated by the IFO, according to the Corbett Administration.

By Eric Boehm | PA Independent HARRISBURG — The administration of Gov. Tom Corbett says a report on Medicaid expansion by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office improperly claims as much as $515 million as savings, revenue or underestimated costs to the state. The IFO report, published in April and updated last week to reflect new information, showed expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania would produce $180 million in savings for the next during the next budget year – mostly due to shifting state-level costs to the federally funded Medicaid program. The expansion of Medicaid is a part of the federal health-care reform law, but states must voluntarily opt-in to the program, something Corbett has so far been unwilling to do. In a letter sent to …

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Baseball, Pancakes, Picnics and More

There's so much to do this weekend!

HATBORO SUMMER FUN FESIVAL AND CARNIVAL Where/When: 6 p.m. nightly through Monday at Miller Meadow Natural Area, Horsham & South York roads, Hatboro. Why go: The Festival includes thrill rides, games, food and live entertainment to benefit the Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro and the revitalization project of  Elm Street Hatboro. Cost: $2  VINTAGE BASEBALL GAME RETURNS Where/When: Noon Monday at Pickering Field, N. Chancellor and Jefferson streets in Newtown Borough. Why go: Players from the Newtown Strakes will face theFlemington Neshanock Base Ball Club, a squad that wears uniforms and uses equipment from the 19th Century. The game is sponsored by Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association. Cost: No cost for admission.   BRING YOUR OWN …

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Bustling State Street Impresses Fox 29 Film Crew

'Fox loved everything about our town,' Derrick Morgan, of the Merchants of Doylestown, said. Host Jenn Frederick said Doylestown set the bar very high for other towns on the series.

A film crew from Fox 29 that was in town Wednesday filming a live segment "loved" Doylestown, Derrick Morgan of the Merchants of Doylestown told Patch. The station shot live in Doylestown Borough from 7 to 10 a.m. as part of the Good Day Philadelphia show’s "Celebrate Your Town" series. "Fox loved everything about our town," Morgan said. Host Jenn Frederick said Doylestown set the bar very high for other towns on the series, according to Morgan. In celebration of the television shoot, residents and businesses organized live entertainment, including dancing, a Zumba demonstration, music, painting and more. State Street was closed for the morning and businesses and organizations set up displays and booths. Click here to see the video Fox 29 …

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Doylestown Buzzes With Excitement for Live Film Crew

Fox 29 shot live in Doylestown Borough Wednesday morning as part of the Good Day Philadelphia show’s 'Celebrate Your Town' series.

Children and adults alike were excited for their chance to be on live television Wednesday, as a film crew from Fox 29 shot live in Doylestown. The station shot live in Doylestown Borough from 7 to 10 a.m. as part of the Good Day Philadelphia show’s "Celebrate Your Town" series. In celebration, residents and businesses organized live entertainment, including dancing, music, painting and more. Like Doylestown Patch on Facebook for local news updates.

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Casey, Toomey Comment on IRS Hearing

Wednesday's Senate hearings on the IRS 'Tea Party' scandal included Pennsylvania's Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Bob Casey, who both released statements after the event.

Pennsylvania's Sen. Bob Casey (D) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R) both participated in Wednesday's hearings about IRS scrutinty of conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status. Both men released statements regarding the event. Witnesses before the Senate Finance Committee were: Casey, chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, said:  “Pennsylvanians and Americans across the country deserve to know that the IRS and all government agencies do their jobs without prejudice or political agenda.  I intend to hold accountable those responsible for any breach of the taxpayer’s trust.  Today, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I directly questioned top IRS officials about what took place, who was …

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BCCC Alum to Address Graduating Class

Illustrator James Bennett returns to BCCC as commencement speaker.

James Bennett, an award-winning illustrator and graduate graduate of Bucks County Community College, will address the 2013 graduating class at commencement on Thursday at 6 p.m. Bennett, who still lives in Bucks County, earned an associates degree in fine arts from BCCC, continued his education at the School of Visual Arts in New York after his 1983 graduation.  Bennett's work has appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, Time, Sports Illustrated, Mad, Business Week, Reader’s Digest, and Philadelphia magazines. He has also illustrated books including "Tell Me a Scary Story...But Not Too Scary" by Carl Reiner, and "Halloween" by Jerry Seinfeld. The college will recognize Bennett’s achievements by granting him an honorary Doctor of Public …

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Mosquito Treatment Program 'In Best Interest' of Borough, EAC Says

At the recommendation of the Environmental Advisory Council, Doylestown Borough has again opted in to the Bucks County Integrated Pest Management Program, which can include the spraying of pesticides.

Doylestown Borough has again opted in to the Bucks County Integrated Pest Management Program despite recent protests from residents about the spraying of pesticides to kill mosquitoes.  On Monday, Borough Council voted to opt in to the pest management program based on the Environmental Advisory Council's recommendation that continued participation “is in the best interest of the residents of Doylestown Borough,” according to an EAC report on the issue. The pest management program aims to prevent and treat mosquitoes with the goal of preventing a West Nile outbreak. Treatments can, but likely will not, include the spraying of pesticides, Borough Manager John Davis said. The borough has participated in the program since 2000 and only once …

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