For the eighth consecutive year in a row, Dauphin County Commissioners approve a budget with no tax increases. Not only that, but the budget is $6 million less than last year's.

"It's a win/win," Commissioner Mike Pries declared. "We're still providing services to all the constituents around the County and no tax increase."

The $192,940,854 2013 Budget reflects an abolishment of 51 vacant positions, which is the primary reason for the $6 million decrease from the $199 million 2012 Budget. According to Commissioner Jeff Haste, there were "difficult conversations we had to have" in order to devise the savings.

Dauphin County will still draw $13.5 million from its reserve fund to balance the budget.

by Tara Leo Auchey

As released by the Office of Sam Smith, The Speaker 66th District Pennsylvania House of Representatives:

Speaker-Designate Smith Announces House Committee Chairs for the 2013-14 Session

HARRISBURG – Speaker-designate Rep. Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County) today announced the appointments of both Republican and Democratic committee chairmen for the 2013-14 Legislative Session, which begins in January.

House committees study each bill and determine which proposals will go to the full House. They conduct public hearings on key issues, allowing citizens and interested groups to have a say in the legislative process, and they serve as a resource for members and others.

"These House committees will tackle the serious issues facing Pennsylvania and, through public hearings and meetings, vet those issues and proposed solutions with public," Smith said. "These men and women of both caucuses will lead the way in preparing legislation for the full House to consider."

Committees are outlined in the House Rules that are enacted for each session.

Smith made the following appointments, which are unofficial until announced on the House floor:

Aging and Older Adult Services:

Republican: Rep. Tim Hennessey, 26th legislative district, Chester County. Democrat: Rep. Steve Samuelson, 135th legislative district, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Agriculture and Rural Affairs:

Republican: Rep. John Maher, 40th legislative district, Allegheny and Washington counties. Democrat: Rep. Joseph Petrarca, 55th legislative district, Armstrong and Westmoreland counties.

Children and Youth:

Republican: Rep. Kathy Watson, 144th legislative district, Bucks County. Democrat: Rep. Louise Bishop, 192nd legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Commerce:

Republican: Rep. Chris Ross, 158th legislative district, Chester County. Democrat: Rep. W. Curtis Thomas, 181st legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Consumer Affairs:

Republican: Rep. Robert Godshall, 53rd legislative district, Montgomery County. Democrat: Rep. Peter J. Daley, 49th legislative district, Fayette and Washington counties.

Education:

Republican: Rep. Paul Clymer, 145th legislative district, Bucks County. Democrat: Rep. James Roebuck, 188th legislative district, Philadelphia County. Environmental Resources and Energy:

Republican: Rep. Ron Miller, 93rd legislative district, York County. Democrat: Rep. Greg Vitali, 166th legislative district, Delaware County.

Finance:

Republican: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, 171st legislative district, Centre and Mifflin counties. Democrat: Rep. Phyllis Mundy, 120th legislative district, Luzerne County.

Game and Fisheries:

Republican: Rep. Martin Causer, 67th legislative district, Cameron, Potter and McKean counties. Democrat: Rep. Gary Haluska, 73rd legislative district, Cambria County.

Gaming Oversight:

Republican: Rep. Tina Pickett, 110th legislative district, Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties. Democrat: Rep. Rosita Youngblood, 198th legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Health:

Republican: Rep. Matt Baker, 68th legislative district, Bradford and Tioga counties. Democrat: Rep. Flo Fabrizio, 2nd legislative district, Erie County.

Human Services:

Republican: Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, 18th legislative district, Bucks County. Democrat: Rep. Angel Cruz, 180th legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Insurance:

Republican: Rep. Nick Micozzie, 163rd legislative district, Delaware County. Democrat: Rep. Tony DeLuca, 32nd legislative district, Allegheny County.

Judiciary:

Republican: Rep. Ron Marsico, 105th legislative district, Dauphin County. Democrat: Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, 127th legislative district, Berks County.

Labor and Industry:

Republican: Rep. Mario Scavello, 176th legislative district, Monroe County. Democrat: Rep. Bill Keller, 184th legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Liquor Control:

Republican: Rep. John Taylor, 177th legislative district, Philadelphia County. Democrat: Rep. Paul Costa, 34th legislative district, Allegheny County.

Local Government:

Republican: Rep. Kate Harper, 61st legislative district, Montgomery County. Democrat: Rep. Bob Freeman, 136th legislative district, Northampton County.

Professional Licensure:

Republican: Rep. Julie Harhart, 183rd legislative district, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Democrat: Rep. Harry Readshaw, 36th legislative district, Allegheny County.

State Government:

Republican: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, 12th legislative district, Butler County. Democrat: Rep. Mark Cohen, 202nd legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Tourism and Recreational Development:

Republican: Rep. Jerry Stern, 80th legislative district, Bedford and Blair counties. Democrat: Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, 159th legislative district, Delaware County.

Transportation:

Republican: Rep. Dick Hess, 78th legislative district, Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon counties. Democrat: Rep. Michael P. McGeehan, 173rd legislative district, Philadelphia County.

Urban Affairs:

Republican: Rep. Keith Gillespie, 47th legislative district, York County. Democrat: Rep. Ted Harhai, 58th legislative district, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness:

Republican: Rep. Stephen E. Barrar, 160th legislative district, Chester and Delaware counties. Democrat: Rep. Chris Sainato, 9th legislative district, Beaver and Lawrence counties.

As released by the Senate Republican Communications Office on December 19, 2012:

Senate Standing Committee Chairs for the 2013-14 Legislative Session

HARRISBURG - Today Chair assignments have been announced for each of the 22 Senate Standing Committees, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-25).

"We are fortunate to have members from various backgrounds and regions across our Commonwealth who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Harrisburg,” Scarnati said. “Membership of committees will be announced prior to the reconvening of the Senate on January 22, 2013."

Senate Standing Committee Chair Assignments:

Aging & Youth – Senator Bob Mensch (R-24)

Agriculture & Rural Affairs – Senator Elder A. Vogel, Jr. (R-47)

Appropriations – Senator Jake Corman (R-34)

Banking & Insurance – Senator Don White (R-41)

Communications & Technology – Senator Randy Vulakovich (R-40)

Community, Economic & Recreational Development Senator Kim L. Ward (R-39)

Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Senator Robert M. Tomlinson (R-6)

Education – Senator Mike Folmer (R-48)

Environmental Resources & Energy – Senator Gene Yaw (R-23)

Finance – Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36)

Game & Fisheries – Senator Richard Alloway (R-33)

Inter-governmental Operations – Senator-elect Scott E. Hutchinson (R-21)

Judiciary – Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-12)

Labor & Industry – Senator John R. Gordner (R-27)

Law & Justice – Senator Charles T. McIlhinney, Jr. (R-10)

Local Government – Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. (R-30)

Public Health & Welfare – Senator Patricia H. Vance (R-31)

Rules & Executive Nominations – Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-9)

State Government – Senator Lloyd K. Smucker (R-13)

Transportation – Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44)

Urban Affairs & Housing – Senator David G. Argall (R-29)

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness – Senator Lisa Baker (R-20)

For the second year in a row, Dauphin County is planning on making a $1.5 million bond debt payment for the Harrisburg University.

As acknowledged by Dauphin County's Chief Clerk Laura Evans, the County recently received notification from the Harrisburg University's bond trustee informing the County that as guarantor of the University's debt, it would have to step up and make the payment. This is based on the Harrisburg University declaring it does not have the funds to make the upcoming March 2013 payment, and as guarantor, the responsibility falls to Dauphin County.

Previously, Dauphin County Gaming funds were used to make the first $1.5 million payment in the spring of 2012.

by Tara Leo Auchey

Photo/Natalie Cake