Controverisal payout to former PPA head, then the Pa. legislature

Guests: Eugene DePasquale, John Baer and John Micek

We’ll start by talking with Pennsylvania Auditor General EUGENE DePASQUALE about what he’s called “egregious, excessive and inappropriate” payouts to former Philadelphia Parking Authority head Vince Fenerty, who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and reportedly received more than $227,000 in benefits. Then, we’ll turn to Pennsylvania’s legislators who returned to Harrisburg this week. The Pa. GOP holds majorities in both chambers larger than they’ve been in decades. In the coming months, they’ll also be confronted with big work: including a $604 million budget deficit, a massive pension problem and bad bond ratings. In this hour we’ll talk about some of the new faces in Harrisburg and the bills they’re expected to consider including reducing property taxes, regulating online gambling, and changing the retirement benefits for future state and public school workers. We’ll be joined by JOHN MICEK, Editor of the editorial and opinion pages for The Patriot-News and PennLive, and JOHN BAER, a Political columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News.