Legislation to bring Pennsylvania out of the post-Prohibition era by finally moving the sale of wine and liquor into private hands has been introduced in Harrisburg. The bill is designed to modernize and privatize wholesale and retail sales of alcohol while reforming the tax structure, strengthening enforcement efforts and enhancing alcohol education programs. Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) that privatization makes sense considering the current financial situation facing the Commonwealth. Mike Davies reports, full story and stand alone bite available.

School choice legislation that targets relief to low-income students attending failing schools and increases education alternatives for the children of middle-income families was introduced this week in Harrisburg. Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) said the “Students and Schools Rescue Act” would combine a school voucher program with the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, improving educational opportunities for students in the Commonwealth. House Bill 1708 would create a school voucher plan as soon as next year for students in the lowest performing 5 percent of Pennsylvania school districts and would expand in the following year. Chuck Nichols reports, wrap and stand alone bite available.

In response to the public pension crisis looming over state government, state lawmakers this week introduced legislation to make significant reforms to how legislative pensions are administered. Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) a co-sponsor of the bill, said lawmakers could save taxpayer money by changing their pensions from the traditional defined benefit plan, to a more affordable 401K-type defined contribution plan that is more common in private industry. Mike Davies reports ... story and stand alone bite available.

Doubt about the future financial stability of many municipal government pension plans was the topic of a public hearing held Tuesday by the House Republican Policy Committee in Harrisburg. Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) said the legislation to correct the municipal pension system problem needs careful consideration in order to avoid increasing the burden on Pennsylvania’s taxpayers. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

Dozens of Republican lawmakers have joined a call for House Democrat leaders to get down to work on the state budget and use the legislative committee structure to actually discuss needed budget cuts before the June 30th constitutional deadline. Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) said the call for early and careful consideration of the state budget plan would give lawmakers an opportunity to fully explore proposals for spending and tax cuts that may be essential to balance this year’s spending plan. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.