Jun 30
HARRISBURG (June 30) – The first mining reform law in 47 years passed the Senate unanimously Monday afternoon, hailed by Democrats and Republicans as a landmark modernization of the state’s Bituminous Coal Mine Act.
The bill now returns to the House of Representatives. At an afternoon press conference, Gov. Ed Rendell predicted that it will pass the House easily and he will sign it.
“We will have the best mine safety law in the land,” said Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Fayette, the prime sponsor of the bill.
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Jun 27
HARRISBURG (June 27) – A senior fellow at the Commonwealth Foundation testified that it is “unreasonable” to expect a 12 percent return on the proceeds of a Turnpike lease, and that 6 to 7.5 percent would be far more realistic.
The foundation has been one of the leading private advocates of the plan, but its fiscal estimate matches that of plan opponents, who say that rate of return makes the deal untenable.
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Jun 26
HARRISBURG (June 26) – Sen. Vince Fumo, D-Philadelphia, collapsed on the Senate floor at about 5 p.m. Thursday and was taken to Harrisburg Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Senators and aides rushed to his side and attempted to catch him as his legs buckled under him.
The paramedics were summoned and took him by wheelchair out of the chamber to an ambulance.
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