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.


                                Please Reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE if you no longer want to receive this newsletter.

Legislative Newsletter

  • 1.
    CenturyLink Employee PACof 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. Please Reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE if you no longer want to receive this newsletter.