Podcasts about house state government committee

State Rep. Torren Ecker (R- Adams, Cumberland) interviews State Rep. Seth Grove, Chair of the House State Government Committee, about the behind-the-scenes election processes.

State Rep. Torren Ecker (R- Adams, Cumberland) interviews State Rep. Seth Grove, Chair of the House State Government Committee, about the behind-the-scenes election processes.

State Rep. Torren Ecker (R- Adams, Cumberland) interviews State Rep. Seth Grove, Chair of the House State Government Committee, about the behind-the-scenes election processes.

Pennsylvania State Representative Seth Grove (R-York), Chairman of the House State Government Committee, has relentlessly identified myriad problems with the state's election systems including the uneven application of voting statutes, ignored in […]

Pennsylvania State Representative Seth Grove (R-York), Chairman of the House State Government Committee, has relentlessly identified myriad problems with the state's election systems including the uneven application of voting statutes, ignored in […]

In this edition of Conversations with Clint, Rep. Owlett talks with Rep. Seth Grove, chairman of the House State Government Committee and prime sponsor of legislation that would make comprehensive reforms to the state's Election Code to improve security, integrity and accessibility. House Bill 1300 was endorsed by the committee June 15 and is now awaiting action in the state House

In this edition of Conversations with Clint, Rep. Owlett talks with Rep. Seth Grove, chairman of the House State Government Committee and prime sponsor of legislation that would make comprehensive reforms to the state's Election Code to improve security, integrity and accessibility. House Bill 1300 was endorsed by the committee June 15 and is now awaiting action in the state House

Kimberly Potter, the officer that shot and killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man, has been fired and will face second-degree manslaughter charges. Potter, a 26 year veteran of the Brooklyn Center, MN police force and president of the police union. She claims she meant to use a taser, but pulled her weapon instead.  In more arguments for why we need to defund the police, Chicago police released body cam footage of an officer killing 13-year-old young black man, Adam Toledo, as he raised his hands up.  Minnesota protests continued and have been met with militarized police response.  Meanwhile, in Virginia a cop drew a weapon and pepper-sprayed a uniformed soldier at a traffic stop. The Windsor Police Department officer apparently thought the car had no plates, despite the new car temporary tags clearly displayed in the rear-window. When Army lieutenant Caron Nazario asked the officer what was going, officer Joe Jutierrez responde, “What’s going on is you’re fixing to ride the lightning, son.”  And lawyers for Derek Chauvin, the cop that slowly killed George Floyd, rested their case after trying to smear Floyd and falsely attribute his death to drugs. Chauvin refused to take the stand, invoking the 5th Amendment. President Biden has been dragging his feet on relaxing Trump’s inhumane restrictions on refugees, leading to a lot of head-scratching and anger from Democrats and immigrant and refugee rights groups. According to new reporting by CNN, the reason for the delay is that Biden is fretting over the “political optics” of allowing more refugees into the country. The delay has left thousands of people seeking refuge in a state of limbo after an already lengthy waiting process.  The Guardian reports that police officers and public officials from around the country have been donating to Kyle Rittenhouse’s legal defense fund.  An executive internal affairs officer from Norfolk Virginia gave a donation that said “keep your head up, you’ve done nothing wrong.” The Florida Senate passed an “anti-riot bill” that Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has been drooling over. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the bill will “grant civil immunity to people who drive through protestors blocking a road; prevent people arrested for rioting or offenses committed during a riot from bailing out of jail until their first court appearance; and impose a six-month mandatory sentence for battery on a police officer during a riot.”  In addition, “A new crime of “mob intimidation,” defined as three or more people “acting with a common intent” forcing or threatening to force another person from taking a viewpoint against their will, is created by the bill. It is punishable as a first-degree misdemeanor, and bail is denied until first court appearance for anyone charged with the crime.” More alarming news on the climate front. In a new study by the Key Biodiversity Areas Secretariat in Cambridge, UK, scientists found that “just 3% of the world’s land remains ecologically intact with healthy populations of all its original animals and undisturbed habitat,” according to The Guardian. Previous analyses put the number between 20- and 40%. However, those studies relied heavily on satellite images, which can give the false impression that the ecosystems are intact. The numbers are in. Workers hoping to unionize the Amazon plant in Bessemer, AL lost their election in a blowout. The vote was 738 in favor to 1,798 against.. Writing in the The Nation, Jane McAlevey argues that the effort does not mean that unionizing Amazon plants are doomed; rather, there were warning signs all over that the campaign had some serious problems - some due to Amazon’s union-busting efforts, but also due to some “fatal flaws” in the organizing campaign itself.  Inaccurate lists of workers Poor handling of discussions about union dues Focus on plant gates, no house calls No sign of majority support Seth Grove and the House State Government Committee ended their dog and pony show relitigating the 2020 election. The meetings spanned 2 months, took up a total of 48 hours and continued to spread disinformation surrounding the 2020 election.  In the waning days, Grove invited members from multiple Heritage Foundation fronts, the Foundation for Government Accountability, the Public Interest Legal Foundation and other Koch Brother backed organizations to continue Trump’s big lie. The next phase of the PA House Republican’s plan to cancel voting rights in Pennsylvania moves forward. It may take months for legislation to take shape, but Pennsylvania will be a focal point as Republicans look to push a smorgasbord of voter suppression tactics, like signature matching and voter ID’s.  The Philadelphia Police Department launched a short-lived initiative to combat gun violence in the city this week.  Commissioner Outlaw announced that the police department was going to team up with the Department of Parks and Recreation and teach children about gun safety.  The problem?  The Commissioner stated that they were going to use the NRA’s Eddie Eagle program without stating it was an NRA backed program.  The initiative lasted less than a day after gun safety advocates and residents pounced on this idea.  Philadelphia Councilmember Kendra Brooks, introduced two bills this week that would end practice of landlords denying turning away prospective tenants based upon eviction records. Brooks explained her rationale to WHYY: “Structural barriers and biases in the renting process disproportionately impact low-income renters, especially Black women. And as we know, these same renters have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. We must work toward a pandemic recovery that leaves no one behind and protecting renters’ rights to access affordable rental properties is a key part of that.” PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein, made his case for his plan to fundamentally redesign the 14 state-owned university system to the Board of Governors on Thursday. Board of Governors Chair, Cynthia Shapira, called Greenstein’s remarks “inspirational” as she threw her support behind his plans to merge 6 of the universities into 2; fire hundreds of faculty and staff; and force students into more online classes. A piece of good news from the meeting that is getting much more coverage is the Board agree to freeze tuition for a third straight year.  Kutztown University student, Natalie Santos running for Allentown City Council.  NASA’s InSight Mars lander is going into emergency hibernation due to a build up of dust on the lander’s solar panels. Since landing in Elysium Planitia in 2018, InSight has been busy - detecting more than 500 Mars quakes and beginning to measure Mars’s core. Scientists say the lack of the powerful gusts of wind that are common in other parts of the planet have led to the build up.  Still no flight for Ingenuity. An expected test flight for the little Mars helicopter was called off earlier this week due to a software issue related to its flight control. A fix has been identified and the NASA team say that Ingenuity may be ready to give it another go as early as next week.  Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk announced that not only will the Artemis mission put the first woman on the moon, it will also send the first person of color as well.  I will be seeking out Human Robot beer this coming week. Free Will releases.

Justin and Sam return to the podcast to discuss the state's halt in using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and what it could mean for vaccine hesitancy. Plus, Sam examines what types of legislation could result from the end of the House State Government Committee's election oversight hearings. Like what you hear? Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify and iHeart.

U.S. Intelligence officials released their “Global Trends” report and its pretty bleak. As the Washington Post headline reads: “Intelligence forecast sees a post-coronavirus world upended by climate change and splintering societies.” Biden’s infrastructure bill is pretty awesome.  A new study by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats, found that most of the January insurrectionists came from counties with the most significant declines in the non-Hispanic White population. That is, most didn’t come from deep read counties; they came from places like Bucks County, PA that is experiencing a significant shift in demographics. The study also found that those involved in the insurrection are older and more professional than right-wing groups studies in the past; they were all, however, 95% white and 85% male. The lead researcher, political scientist Robert Pape, suggests that 90% of the insurrectionists are still in the process of congealing into a mass movement that is willing to put “violence at its core.” The Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, helped pave the way for Democrats to use budget reconciliation again this fiscal year to pass Biden’s proposed $2 trillion infrastructure plan. She stated that the Section 304 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 allows for the Senate to use reconciliation more than once a fiscal year, because it says "the two Houses may adopt a concurrent resolution on the budget which revises or reaffirms the concurrent resolution on the budget for such fiscal year most recently agreed to."  Just to balance the equation apparently, Joe Manchin flip-flops, saying that there is no way he would vote to get rid of or weaken the filibuster.  Biden’s new Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, calls for a single minimum global corporate tax.  Biden announced on Thursday moves to end gun-maker liability protections as part of a series of executive actions in response to gun violence.  Things just get worse and worse for Trump-loving, and all-around creepy, Florida congressman Matt Gaetz.  The New York Times reported that Gaetz went pardon shopping in the final weeks of Trump’s term.  Apparently he asked Trump for an unconditional pardon for any crimes he may or may not have committed. One out of every three UK teachers plans to quit in the next 5 years because of rapidly increasing workload and growing disrespect for teachers. That’s according to the results of a survey that the National Education Union asked of 10,000 members.  Congratulations to Kadida Kenner from the Pennsylvania Budget Policy Center & We The People for accepting her new role as Executive Director at The New Pennsylvania Project.  Kadida will be fighting to protect voting rights right here in Pennsylvania as Republicans continue to push Trump’s Big Lie in 2020 and ramp up their nationwide attacks on voting rights. Speaking of the attacks on voting rights by Pennsylvania Republicans, Republicans Daryl Metcalfe, Seth Grove, Cris Dush and dozens of other conservative republicans were spotted having dinner with Chris Kobach Tuesday evening.  Kobach was the Secretary of State in Kansas and helped weaponize Trump’s unfounded election fraud claims in 2016. If that’s not bad enough, Seth Grove is wrapping up his show hearings on the 2020 elections and has started inviting Koch aligned front groups to push their anti-voter agenda at the latest House State Government Committee hearings.  Grove had members from the Foundation for Government Accountability and the Heritage Foundation’s Honest Elections Project speak at his most recent hearings. In their 2021 Gerrymandering Threat Index, Represent.us has moved Pennsylvania into the moderate risk category as PA Republicans gear up their voting repression machine.  Get ready Pennsylvania, because the push to restrict rights at the ballot box is coming our way. Rep. Scott Perry struggles with using Venn diagrams. Did you know that if you offer people a discount to shop at your store you just might be part of the plan of microchipped lizard-men to eat your liberties? It could happen. Well, and it kind of did happen to Donna Gouldery, a owner of Allora Gifts & Home Decor in Doylestown, PA. The crazy story is highlighted in Cyril Mychalejko’s latest column, “Hysterical social media mob targets Doylestown business woman.” We’ll get into it.  COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in PA and NJ even as vaccines roll out.  The University of Pittsburgh is has ordered students to shelter in place as coronavirus cases spike again.  70% of PASSHE faculty oppose mergers.  NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter survived its first several days detached from the Perseverance rover. Yesterday, the little helicopter unlocked its rotors and will go through a series of tests before attempting the first-ever powered flight on the Red Planet sometime after Sunday, April 11. .  It’s official, I am signed up for the 2021 Mars Society Virtual Convention. Yes, Raging Chicken will be attending this year’s Mars Society Convention from October 14-17. brings together prominent scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and space advocates to discuss the significance of the latest scientific discoveries, technological advances and political-economic-social developments that could affect plans for the human exploration and settlement of Mars. The Mars Society was founded in 1998 by Robert Zubrin, who Motherboard writer Abraham Riesman calls, the “Right-Wing Mars Guru.” Down the rabbit hole I go. 

Election Audits, and how the House State Government Committee is examining our elections, Covid Vaccine Update - On this Moment with Matt with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset).

Election Audits, and how the House State Government Committee is examining our elections, Covid Vaccine Update - On this Moment with Matt with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset).

State Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) discusses the House State Government Committee hearings on Election Issues.

Election Audits, and how the House State Government Committee is examining our elections, Covid Vaccine Update - On this Moment with Matt with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset).

Election Audits, and how the House State Government Committee is examining our elections, Covid Vaccine Update - On this Moment with Matt with Rep. Matt Dowling (R- Fayette & Somerset).

In the latest episode of Right 2 Know, The PLS Reporter team breaks down the first House State Government Committee hearing looking at the administration of the 2020 general election. Plus, in her final appearance on the podcast, Asha takes a look back at her time covering Pennsylvania state government. Like what you hear? Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify and iHeart.

On this Weekly Update with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron), we cover the House State Government Committee’s hearings on election integrity, Causer’s petition to encourage the preservation of services at Bradford Regional Medical Center, and an update on Covid Vaccine distribution.

On this Weekly Update with Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean, Potter & Cameron), we cover the House State Government Committee’s hearings on election integrity, Causer’s petition to encourage the preservation of services at Bradford Regional Medical Center, and an update on Covid Vaccine distribution.

On this Conversation with Clint, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga, Bradford, Potter) talks with Rep. Garth Everett, Chairman of the House State Government Committee, about changes to the state’s upcoming primary election.

On this Conversation with Clint, Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga, Bradford, Potter) talks with Rep. Garth Everett, Chairman of the House State Government Committee, about changes to the state’s upcoming primary election.

From Frankfort, Renee Shaw and guests discuss the special legislative session in Kentucky on the pension crisis facing quasi-governmental agencies. Scheduled guests: Bryan Sunderland, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Office of the Governor; State Rep. Joni Jenkins, D- Shively, House Minority Whip; State Rep. Jerry Miller, R- Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; State Rep. Joe Graviss, D- Versailles, member of the House State Government Committee; and State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Taylor Mill), chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

From Frankfort, Renee Shaw and guests discuss the special legislative session in Kentucky on the pension crisis facing quasi-governmental agencies. Scheduled guests: Bryan Sunderland, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, Office of the Governor; State Rep. Joni Jenkins, D- Shively, House Minority Whip; State Rep. Jerry Miller, R- Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; State Rep. Joe Graviss, D- Versailles, member of the House State Government Committee; and State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Taylor Mill), chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee.

Renee and guests discuss the public employee pension reform legislation released last week in the General Assembly. Scheduled guests: Sen. Joe Bowen (R-Owensboro), Chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee; Sen. Robin Webb (D-Grayson); Rep. Jerry Miller (R-Louisville) Chair of the House State Government Committee; and Rep. James Kay (D-Versailles).

Renee and guests discuss the public employee pension reform legislation released last week in the General Assembly. Scheduled guests: Sen. Joe Bowen (R-Owensboro), Chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee; Sen. Robin Webb (D-Grayson); Rep. Jerry Miller (R-Louisville) Chair of the House State Government Committee; and Rep. James Kay (D-Versailles).

Renee Shaw welcomes four legislators to discuss the latest public pension reform proposal from Gov. Matt Bevin and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. Scheduled guests: Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester; Rep. Jerry MIller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; Kentucky Senate Minority Floor Leader Ray Jones, D-Pikeville; and Kentucky House Minority Whip Wilson Stone, D-Scottsville.

Renee Shaw welcomes four legislators to discuss the latest public pension reform proposal from Gov. Matt Bevin and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. Scheduled guests: Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester; Rep. Jerry MIller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; Kentucky Senate Minority Floor Leader Ray Jones, D-Pikeville; and Kentucky House Minority Whip Wilson Stone, D-Scottsville.

Renee Shaw and her guests discuss the recent proposal from Gov. Matt Bevin and legislative leaders to change the public employee pension system. Guests: Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown; Kentucky Senate Minority Whip Dennis Parrett, D-Elizabethtown; Rep. Jerry Miller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; and Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills.

Renee Shaw and her guests discuss the recent proposal from Gov. Matt Bevin and legislative leaders to change the public employee pension system. Guests: Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown; Kentucky Senate Minority Whip Dennis Parrett, D-Elizabethtown; Rep. Jerry Miller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; and Rep. Chris Harris, D-Forest Hills.

Renee and her guests discuss recent recommendations from a consulting group to shore up public employee pensions in Kentucky. Scheduled guests: State Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee; State Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville; State Rep. Jerry Miller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; and State Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford.

Renee and her guests discuss recent recommendations from a consulting group to shore up public employee pensions in Kentucky. Scheduled guests: State Sen. Joe Bowen, R-Owensboro, chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee; State Sen. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville; State Rep. Jerry Miller, R-Louisville, chair of the House State Government Committee; and State Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford.

Apart from House members flitting in and out of various low-profile meetings, the state Capitol has been mostly deserted this week, and devoid of official legislative activity. The only exception was Wednesday, when House State Government Committee chairman Daryl Metcalfe convened an “informational meeting” on Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack’s heavy use of government money. Paula … Continue reading "Episode 20: Stack’s snacks get attention, but budget stays stalled"

Renee Shaw and her guests discuss the upcoming special legislative session involving state tax reform. Scheduled guests: Former Democratic State Rep. Harry Moberly of Richmond, former chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee; former State Budget Director Brad Cowgill who served during Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher's administration; former Democratic State Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton, former chair of the House State Government Committee; and former Republican State Rep. Bill Farmer of Lexington.

Renee Shaw and her guests discuss the upcoming special legislative session involving state tax reform. Scheduled guests: Former Democratic State Rep. Harry Moberly of Richmond, former chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee; former State Budget Director Brad Cowgill who served during Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher's administration; former Democratic State Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton, former chair of the House State Government Committee; and former Republican State Rep. Bill Farmer of Lexington.