On-time budget, behind-schedule redistricting

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What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, June 22, 2018:

In a departure from about ten years of unhappy tradition, Pennsylvania lawmakers are on the brink of passing a budget before the June 30th deadline.

Their proposal has made it through the House and, as of Friday morning, is awaiting final Senate consideration. It’s a mostly status-quo bill–spending $32.7 billion, or about 1.7 percent more than last year’s plan.

That extra cash doesn’t come from any new revenue (there’s none in the plan) but instead, from strong returns in the 2017-18 fiscal year, healthy projections next year, and some internal transfers. Plus, election year pressures are giving lawmakers extra incentive to agree to a plan and get out of Harrisburg fast.

The new money largely goes toward pension and healthcare obligations, plus a bump in education spending, including a new $60 million fund for school safety.

WITF’s Capitol Bureau Chief Katie Meyer leads a discussion on the ins and outs of the budget plan with Capitolwire Bureau Chief Chris Comisac and Marc Levy of the Associated Press–plus explains why all budget numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.

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Chris Comisac and Marc Levy

We’ll also provide an update on lawmakers’ long-awaited congressional redistricting overhaul, which seems increasingly unlikely to pass the House in time to impact the 2021 redistricting process.

PA impacted by Supreme Court inaction?/Parkinson’s Disease

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What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, June 21, 2018:

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped two cases — without ruling on whether they are Constitutional — related to how Congressional districts are drawn.  Many had hoped the Court would provide an answer to whether maps in Wisconsin and Maryland were gerrymandered.  Instead, the justices ruled unanimously that the plaintiffs didn’t have standing or couldn’t show they were negatively affected by the districts and sent the cases back to a lower court.

Will there be an impact in Pennsylvania that has been at the epicenter of a redistricting battle this year?

Political science professor Dr. Kyle Kopko of Elizabethtown College appears on Thursday’s Smart Talk to analyze.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell announced publicly earlier this week that he is battling Parkinson’s Disease.  Rendell indicated he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three years ago and is being treated.

So what is Parkinson’s Disease?

It’s a neurodegenerative disorder that affects about one million Americans and 10 million people around the world. Symptoms develop over time and can include tremors, difficulty balancing, apathy and depression.

The disease is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease, but medication and surgical treatments can ease its symptoms. New research is looking into potential ways to better treat the disorder.

On Thursday’s Smart Talk, we’re joined by neurologist Dr. Thyagarajan Subramanian of Penn State Health’s Hershey Medical Center.

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Dr. Thyagarajan Subramanian

Tavern games not popular with taverns

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, June 20, 2018:

When the state decided five years ago to allow bars and taverns to expand the number of games of chance in their establishments, it was estimated that about two thousand bars and taverns would seek licenses to offer games such as pull tabs, raffles and daily drawings. 

Those games would return an estimated $93 million to state coffers each year.  Instead, fewer than 50 bars and taverns have licenses and only about one and a half million dollars goes back to the state annually.  What happened?

Tavern owners say the cost of the licenses are too high and they have other concerns as well.

Appearing on Wednesday’s Smart Talk are Chuck Moran, Executive Director, PA Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association and Jim Delisio, owner of Racehorse Tavern in York.

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Chuck Moran and Jim Delisio

Also, the documentary film Justice in Chester airs Thursday night at 8 on WITF-TV.  The film documents the history of the grassroots struggle to stop the clustering of commercial waste facilities in the city of Chester, just south of Philadelphia.  The documentary addresses the issue of environmental justice.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk we discuss the film and environmental justice with Ulysses Slaughter, program manager for the “Chester Made” project and Dr. Diane Sicotte, author of the book From Workshop to Waste Magnet: Environmental Inequality in the Philadelphia Region.

Should fatal DUI be a felony in PA?

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, June 19, 2018:

Eighteen-year-old Meredith Demko was killed in a Lancaster County car crash in July, 2014.  The driver of the other vehicle had been arrested twice previously for driving under the influence and was driving with his license suspended.  His blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit and he had heroin in his system at the time.  Even though the driver’s actions resulted in a death and he had multiple offenses, he wasn’t automatically charged with a felony that would result in a longer prison sentence.  Pennsylvania is one of just a handful of states where fatal DUIs aren’t treated as automatic felonies.

In fact, Pennsylvania is considered to have some of the most lenient DUI laws in the country.  But a few lawmakers and parents who lost children to drunk or impaired drivers are trying to change that.

Meredith’s father and mother, Chris and Susan co-founded the group Pennsylvania Parents Against Impaired Driving and have fought a passionate battle to make DUI laws tougher.  Chris Demko is on Tuesday’s Smart Talk.  Also with us are Republican State Senator John Rafferty and Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman.

In Pennsylvania, first-time DUI offenders don’t automatically have their driver’s licenses suspended or serve time in jail.  The severity of the penalty often depends on the driver’s blood-alcohol level.

Repeat offenders account for about 40% of all fatal DUI-related crashes and tens of thousands continue to drive without a vaild license.

Should DUI laws be toughened in Pennsylvania? 

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Susan and Chris Demko

F&M poll shows voters want reform

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What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, June 18, 2018:

The latest Franklin and Marshall College Poll that was released last week shows that almost three out of four Pennsylvania voters want real change and reform in how their state government operates and would like to see a Constitutional Convention formed to review the fundamentals of government.  However, at the same time, the poll indicates almost half of the registered voters surveyed said they felt the state was moving in the right direction — one of the highest figures in recent years.

Large majorities of voters support changes in campaign finance laws, the structure and operation of the legislatures, redistricting and state and local government financing.

The F&M poll also finds that more than a third believe President Donald Trump is doing an excellent or good job as president.  Republicans and conservatives are much more likely to think so compared to Democrats and liberals. 

Another result of the poll is that the incumbent governor — Democrat Tom Wolf leads Republican Scott Wagner 48-29% with 23% undecided.  Wagner’s campaign criticized the poll afterwards saying more Democrats than Republicans were surveyed. 

Franklin and Marshall College political analyst and pollster Dr. G. Terry Madonna appears on Monday’s Smart Talk to discuss the poll results.

Documentary film Quest/Keeping kids safe from guns

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The Raineys from the film Quest

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, June 15, 2018: 

Monday night at 10 on WITF-TV,  POV presents the documentary film Quest.  The critically-acclaimed and multi-award-winning film follows a North Philadelphia family for 10 years.  Chris “Quest” Rainey brings hip hop artists from all over the city into his home studio giving them an opportunity to be creative instead of hanging out on the streets.  During that decade, his daughter grows into a teenager and is the victim of gun violence.  It’s a film about race and class in an urban setting.

Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk to discuss important film are Director Jonathan Olshefski and Producer Sabrina Schmidt.

Also on the show, when your children go over to a friend’s house to play, attend a birthday party or just visit – how much do you know about where they’re going and the people who will there?  Are there pets in the home?  How about a swimming pool?  And what about a gun in the home and if so is it secure so kids can’t get to it? 

These may be tough questions to ask but the group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is on a campaign encouraging parents to ask those questions.

Joining us on Friday’s program are Shari Jacobson and Mary Markle from the Central Valley chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

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Mary Markle & Shari Jacobson

 

Canadian official makes trade case

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Consul-General of Canada Phyllis Yaffee

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, June 14, 2018:

The tariffs on steel and aluminum imported to the United States have resulted in tensions between the U.S. and its largest trading partners.  After last weekend’s G-7 Summit made up of the world’s most prosperous Democratic nations, President Donald Trump lashed out at the Prime Minister of Canada Justine Trudeau.  After Trump complained of a trade deficit with Canada, Trudeau said Canada would not be pushed around and threatened tariffs on American products.

Trump angrily pulled the U.S. from an agreement signed by the other six nations and criticized Trudeau.

It’s an unusual bit of tension between two countries that have been the closest of allies and reliable trading partners. 

The Consul-General of Canada Phyllis Yaffee was in Harrisburg this week as part of an effort to work on trade between Canada and Pennsylvania.  She sat down for Smart Talk and the conversation airs on Thursday morning’s program.

Also, the impact of the opioid crisis is being felt in many aspects of American life and that includes schools.  The children of parents using opioids are dealing with a lot of uncertainty and chaos at home and it is affecting their education.

Health Smart: Education vs. Epidemic will be broadcast on WITF-TV Thursday night at 9.  Producer/Host Keira McGuire is on Smart Talk tell us about the crisis and the show.

Why have suicide deaths increased so dramatically?

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What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

The Centers for Disease Control reported last week that suicide rates have increased — dramatically — across the country from 1999 to 2016.  The CDC said suicide rates went up in 49 states.  Nevada had a 1% decrease during that time period and was the only state without more suicides.

The suicide rate increased more than 34% in Pennsylvania during those 17 years.  That’s a substanial number of people taking their own lives. About 2,000 Pennsylvanians die from suicide each year. 

It’s a topic that should be discussed more, but often doesn’t get attention until a well-known person takes their own life.  Last week, designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Boudain died by suicide and that has prompted a national conversation.

On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, we’ll ask why suicide rates have increased, the signs that someone may be thinking of ending their life and how and where to get help.

Appearing on the program are Govan Martin, Chair of the Board of Directors of the organization Prevent Suicide PA, Kelly Gollick, Executive Director of CONTACT Helpline in Central Pennsylvania and Perri Rosen, who is a school psychologist and Project Director of the Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant.  She is employed by the Office of Mental Health Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) under the Department of Human Services.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help, call

1-800-273-TALK (8255) or in Central PA, call 2-1-1. 

Sometimes you just need a friendly ear and someone to listen.

Dial 800-932-4616. 

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Kelly Gollick, Perri Rosen & Govan Martin

Road Trip to York Harley-Davidson

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What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, June 13, 2018:

There are very few brand names that are recognized around the world for their history, quality and prestige.  But Harley-Davidson motorcycles is one of those brands.  Started in the early 1900s Harley-Davidson quickly became a standard for motorcycles.  Those who own or ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles are as loyal to the brand as any consumers alive.  

So, a Smart Talk Road Trip to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Vehicle Operations in York is a treat.

On Wednesday’s Smart Talk Road Trip, we’ll discuss the iconic motorcycle, its history, what makes its reputation and what the future holds.

Guests include Amy Warner who leads Harley-Davidson’s Factory Tour Operation and Bernadette Lauer, Communications Manager at Harley-Davidson.

Meanwhile, York County bills itself as the Factory Tour Capital of the World and this week markes the 20th anniversary of the Made in America Tours Event.

More than 30 factories and artisans can be toured as part of this year’s event.

We’ll speak with Louise Heine of the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chris Clark from Sunrise Soap Company and John Lloyd of MANTEC about the factory tours and manufacturing on Wednesday’s program.

Books to read this summer

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What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, June 11, 2018:

Have you made your vacation plans for this summer?  Whether you’re traveling to the beach or mountains or just lounging by the pool or staying cool in an air conditioned house, a good book is probably an essential part of your efforts to relax.

On Monday’s Smart Talk, we’ve assembled a panel to discuss what they’re reading and suggest a few books you may enjoy too.

Joining us on the program are Catherine Lawrence, a writer and owner of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg and Travis Kurowski, Assistant Professor of English (Creative Writing and Publishing), York College of Pennsylvania.

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Catherine Lawrence and Travis Kurowski

We’d also like to hear about a few of the books you’ve read lately.  Call the program at 1-800-729-7532 or email us at smarttalk@witf.org.

All literary genres are welcome including novels, short story collections, mystery thrillers, historical fiction, or romance.  Our panel will even offer ideas on books of poetry.  Current best-sellers, classics, or paperbacks — we’re open to all suggestions with a brief synopsis as well.