Category Archives: Judiciary

Union Fights Corbett Administration Decision to Close Nearly Half of Pennsylvania’s Health Centers

There are currently 60 health care centers across Pennsylvania where people who have illnesses or injuries but don’t have the money for treatment can go for care. The Corbett administration is now planning to close nearly half of them before … More after the jump

Posted in Budget/Taxes/Spending, Governor Corbett, Health, House of Representatives, Judiciary, Labor and Unions, Senate, Social Services, State Government

The Unaccountable Judicial Branch

Joan Orie Melvin’s argument that she can’t be prosecuted because separation of powers is obviously hilarious, but it’s not as hilarious as it should be. PA’s got some real weird laws protecting judicial branch employees from accountability to the political branch, which is … More after the jump

Posted in Judiciary, State Government

Latest Veon Conviction Brings Count to 22

That’s right, with yesterday’s latest conviction of former Rep. Mike Veon, the Bonusgate scandal is now up to 22 convictions/guilty pleas. Meanwhile, his colleague Bill DeWeese is scheduled to be sentenced the same day he’s on the primary ballot to … More after the jump

Posted in Campaign Finance and the Influence Game, Corruption, Judiciary Tagged , ,

Pennsylvania Shows Death Penalty Is Completely Flawed

These reversal numbers are staggering. Out of 391 capital convictions since 1976, 125 have been reversed or sent back for new hearings. It’s some of the best evidence I’ve seen that convinces me the death penalty needs to be abolished. … More after the jump

Posted in Judiciary, Police Blotter Tagged ,

PA Sues Over Coal Mine Discharges

Apparently the state government is ok with suing for some environmental damage… as long as the companies aren’t Friends of Tom. The state of Pennsylvania is suing the energy producer Consol Energy over discharges from two coal mines in West … More after the jump

Posted in Business, Environment and Energy, Judiciary Tagged

PA Withdraws From 5 Pollution Lawsuits

The Corbett Administration’s priorities are on full display with this one – the state has withdrawn from 5 key environmental lawsuits: Pennsylvania has withdrawn from five federal environmental lawsuits in which the Rendell administration had intervened in support of health … More after the jump

Posted in Environment and Energy, Judiciary

Fracking Company Files Suit Protesting Restrictive Law

With Governor Corbett in the pocket of the shale fracking companies, municipalities across the commonwealth are taking matters into their own hands by passing local ordinances restricting fracking within their borders. South Fayette has just such an ordinance, but now … More after the jump

Posted in Environment and Energy, Judiciary, Pittsburgh / SW Region Tagged , , , , ,

Must-See TV? PCN Will Broadcast PA Supreme Court

Seems to me that the justices are doing this to raise their public profiles and will be tempted to play for the cameras. Thoughts? In a move that could take Pennsylvania one step closer to televising its local court trials, … More after the jump

Posted in Judiciary Tagged

Lancaster Judge Dismissed Her Own Parking Tickets

Talk about doing yourself a favor… Lancaster city district judge Kelly Ballentine took the liberty of dismissing her own parking tickets. This is generally frowned upon in the judicial community, but no one is saying whether Ballentine will be reprimanded … More after the jump

Posted in Corruption, Harrisburg / South Central, Judiciary Tagged ,
Briefly Noted

Philadelphia’s SAM (Small Amount of Marijuana) program has been a smashing success. Instead of prosecuting people caught with a less than an ounce of weed, the DA’s office sends them to a quick class on drug abuse. Sea change from … More after the jump