Monthly Newsletter for CTL PA PAC members

1. CenturyLink Employee PAC of Pennsylvania
February 8, 2011
The Commonwealth Update
Monthly newsletter with political, legislative and telecom
industry updates for Pennsylvania’s CenturyLink PAC Members.
Governor Corbett Announces His Reform Plan for a More Efficient
and Responsible Pennsylvania Government
In a News Release issued on January 25, 2011 - Governor Corbett outlines his top points for government reform,
following through on his commitment to root out waste and fraud, while returning fiscal responsibility and ac-
countability back to Pennsylvania.
At the top of his list is changing to a biennial budget process. Across the nation, 20 other states already use a two-
year budget cycle, which Corbett believes will provide a more focused, long-term analysis of the effectiveness of
government programs and the use of tax dollars.
Transparency in State Government
Corbett is directing the Office of Administration
and Department of General Services to create
an ongoing joint task force with the General
Assembly to examine ways to institute broader
transparency and make information available
online more accessible.
Performance-Based Budgeting
Working with his cabinet members, Corbett will
establish performance goals, review them an-
nually and require state departments and agen-
cies to meet them. Funding for any program
that has failed to meet its stated goals over a
multi-year period will be reviewed.
Consolidation of Services
Corbett is directing the Office of Administration and Department of General Services to work with all state agencies
to consolidate services, especially information technology and administrative office functions, to eliminate waste
and make government more efficient.
Sunset and Audit of State Boards and Commissions
Governor Corbett is issuing an executive order to establish a task force to immediately review all of the common-
wealth’s boards and commissions. The panel will have one year to conduct its work and submit a report. Boards and
commissions found to be inactive or ineffective will be sunset. For new boards, commissions, the commonwealth
will institute a five-year life span.
Reducing the Size & Cost of Government
Corbett is setting a goal to streamline state government by reducing the cost of how it does business by 10 percent
during his four-year term in office in all branches of government. As a first step toward this reduction, Corbett is
directing the Department of General Services to conduct an immediate audit of the state’s vehicles under the
governor’s jurisdiction – including a review of any leases and identifying the number of state-owned vehicles.
The audit is to be completed within 90 days.
Ban Gifts during the Procurement Process
Corbett is directing the Office of Administration and Department of General Services to conduct an immediate
review of all policies that govern gifts during the purchasing process and bidding for state contracts. The governor is
asking that the review be completed within 90 days and that the Department of General Services continue to work
to strengthen existing policies to ban them.
Elimination of WAMs and Discretionary Funds
Corbett will eliminate the use of discretionary funds, known as walking around
money or WAMS, which are used to finance pet projects.
Elimination of per Diems for State Employees
Corbett is directing the Office of Administration to require state employees under
his jurisdiction to provide receipts for travel, food and lodging. The governor or-
dered an updated policy for employees be completed within 90 days.
Reduce Legislative Reserves
Corbett believes that the General Assembly should limit the amount of taxpayer
money which is held in reserve. This will be a topic of negotiation during the
budget process.
Health Insurance Contributions
Corbett is encouraging the members of the legislature to make the same financial
contribution as other state employees for the health insurance they receive.
FIRST PAC BOARD MEETING FOR 2011
Board Members met via conference call on January 20, 2011 to
conduct this year’s first meeting and begin setting the PAC goals
and priorities based on the new political and legislative landscape
and most importantly the best way to utilize your financial
support to ensure continued success at CenturyLink.
Expenditure YTD: $125 / PA Chamber’s Meet the New Legislators Event
IS ANYONE INTERESTED???? Feedback Requested!
Are there employees out there that would like to meet their legislators, or other members
of the General Assembly?
If there was a morning planned with the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader of the
Senate or even the Governor, would you be interested
in coming to Harrisburg for a few hours?
For years, thousands of people have entered the hall-
ways of the Capitol to speak to their legislators about
important issues and to build relationships with the
elected leaders of their community.
Every day your legislators are representing YOU in the
decision making process. With so many new faces
recently elected and the new Administration let’s get
to know them and more importantly make sure they
know CenturyLink!
Please forward this information to fellow employees in
your office! Reply to this email and give your thoughts
& feedback or call (717) 245-6448. If you prefer to submit
your ideas anonymously, fax comments to (717) 236-1389.
CURRENT LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2011-12 SESSION
Deregulation of the telecommunications industry which will put CenturyLink on
a level playing field with Comcast, Armstrong Cable and wireless carriers.
Reauthorization of Pennsylvania’s 911 statute.
Centurylink will work to ensure that all industry
segments – ILECs, VoIP carriers, cable telephony and
wireless – are treated fairly.
Elimination of the Gross Receipts Tax on
telecommunications services, which places CenturyLink
at a competitive disadvantage.
PA 2011/12 LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
2011 SENATE SESSION SCHEDULE
February: 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28
March: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
April: 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 26, 27
May: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24
June: 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
*Senate Budget Hearings will be held
March 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31
2011 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
February: 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28
March: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9
April: 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 25 (NV), 26, 27
May: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 23, 24, 25
June: 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30
*The Governor’s 2011 Budget Address is scheduled for March 8, 2011.
House Budget Hearings will be held March 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31
HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP ELECTION RESULTS
Senate Republican Leadership
President Pro Tempore: Joe Scarnati (Jefferson)
Leader: Dominic Pileggi (Delaware)
Appropriations Chairman: Jake Corman (Centre) **
Whip: Pat Browne (Lehigh)
Caucus Chair: Mike Waugh (York) **
Caucus Secretary: Bob Robbins (Mercer) **
Caucus Administrator: John Gordner (Columbia) **
Policy Chair: Edwin Erickson (Delaware)
Senate Democratic Leadership
Leader: Jay Costa (Allegheny)
Appropriations Chairman: Vince Hughes (Philadelphia)
Whip: Anthony H. Williams (Philadelphia)
Caucus Chair: Richard Kasunic (Fayette) House Republican Leadership
Caucus Secretary: Christine Tartaglione (Philadelphia) Speaker: Sam Smith (R-Jefferson)
Caucus Administrator: Wayne Fontana (Allegheny) Leader: Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)
Policy Chair: Lisa Boscola (Northampton) Appropriations Chairman: Bill Adolph (R-Delaware)
Whip: Stan Saylor (R-York)
Caucus Chair: Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna)
Caucus Secretary: Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery)
Caucus Administrator: Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer)
Policy Chair: Dave Reed (R-Indiana)
House Democratic Leadership
Leader: Frank Dermody (Allegheny) elected unanimously
Appropriations Chairman: Joe Markosek (Allegheny)
Whip: Mike Hanna (Clinton)
Caucus Chair: Dan Frankel (Allegheny)
Caucus Secretary: Jennifer Mann (Lehigh)
Caucus Administrator: Ron Buxton (Dauphin)
Policy Chair: Mike Sturla (Lancaster)
** = Designates legislators who represent CenturyLink’s
local operating territory in Pennsylvania.
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