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Business group endorses Hackett over Carney

A prominent business group today endorsed Republican Chris Hackett in his attempt to unseat freshman lawmaker U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) in the state's 10th Congressional District, Roll Call reports (subscription only). (PolitickerPA.com, Dan Hirschorn)

Link: http://www.politickerpa.com/danh/766/business-group-endorses-hackett-ove...

Tour guides challenge Phila. licensing law

An unconstitutional law in the birthplace of the Constitution?

There is, indeed, claim three tour guides who have taken issue with City Council's attempt to assure that they know their history. (Inquirer, Joseph Gambardello)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080703_Tour_guides_challenge_Phil...

Details on $28.2 billion Pa. budget still lacking

HARRISBURG - Three days after a smile-and-a-handshake deal was struck on the state budget, mum's the word on the details of its contents.

Legislators want the budget passed today, before the start of the long July Fourth weekend. (Inquirer, Amy Worden)

Link: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080703_Details_on__28_2_billion_P...

Voters not gettin' what they paid for

Philadelphia taxpayers have spent $20 million over the last five years to upgrade the city's voting machinery, permitting a rapid, computerized vote count on election night.

But the general public has little to show for it. (Philly Daily News, Bob Warner)

Link: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20080703_Voters_not_gettin__what_t...

Legislators consider alternative energy spending package

HARRISBURG — Lawmakers face final votes in the next several days on a $650 million state spending package to spur development of alternate energy projects, while action to help consumers conserve on electric use and deal with the lifting of rate caps is being put off until the fall. (Citizens Voice, Robert Swift)

Link: http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19826042&BRD=2259&PAG=...

Formal tax appeals are under way

Formal assessment appeals began Wednesday as part of Luzerne County’s reassessment, and Dallas Township property owner Noreen Diaco nervously went first.

Diaco came to contest the $25,000 value of a 0.11-acre vacant parcel next to her Gerald Avenue home. Diaco said the parcel isn’t marketable because it is not big enough to hold a building. (Times Leader, Jennifer Learn-Andes)

Link: http://www.timesleader.com/news/Formal_tax_appeals_are_under_way_07-02-2...

Ravenstahl balks at casino changes

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today sent a letter to state Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Mary DiGiacomo Colins, expressing his concerns about proposed changes to the planned North Shore casino. (Tribune Review, Staff)

Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_575733.html

Mackereth departure opens GOP ballot

Within hours of state Rep. Bev Mackereth's announcement Tuesday that she will withdraw her bid for re-election in November, local political leaders had begun to search for her successor.

And so far, the heads of both York County's Republican and Democratic organizations say they haven't had trouble finding interested parties. (Evening Sun, Erin James)

Link: http://www.eveningsun.com/ci_9763767?source=rss

No DA funding in budget plan

In a time when government officials have tried to reduce property taxes, counties may have no choice but to raise them if state lawmakers can't work into the budget about $7 million to help fund full-time district attorneys. (Altoonamirror.com, Jessica Venderkolk)

Link: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/508874.html?nav=742