Pennsylvania Federation of Republican Women                          Political Briefing - Week of May 5, 2008     President                                                                            E-Newsletter Chair     MaryAnn O. Garvey, Esq.                                                  Debbie Taylor

At the May 3rd PFRW Board Meeting a motion was made and passed that regular political briefings be edited and distributed by PFRW E-Newsletter Chair, Debbie Taylor.   The purpose of this publication is to keep PFRW members informed about legislation and issues important to Republicans so PFRW members can take action.

PA State Legislature

The National Taxpayers Union has sent a letter to members of PA State Senate to pass SB 1350.  This bill would put the entire state budget online in a searchable format so taxpayers could see how their tax dollars are being spent.  The measure is scheduled to go before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.  For more information please go to www.legis.state.pa.us.

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PA Turnpike - Last week it was reported in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Governor Rendell didn?t receive any bids for leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike by his self-imposed deadline of April 30th.  The article stated there is interest from several private companies in the multi-billion dollar deal.  ";We have not received any bids to this point but have been advised that a short delay in accepting them may result in higher bids"; according to Rendell spokesman, Chuck Ardo.  He said the delay, recommended by financial adviser Morgan Stanley, might be a few days or weeks.The article went on to say Morgan Stanley has estimated a 75-year turnpike lease could bring in $12 billion to $18 billion.

In related turnpike news a poll done by Susquehanna Research and Polling, Inc. showed informed registered voters favoring leasing the turnpike to an "experienced, qualified private sector operator" is preferable to raising taxes, fees or allowing the Turnpike Commission to issue bonds and impose fees on currently free interstate highways.

To read more about these two developments please go to www.commonwealthfoundation.org and click the appropriate links in the "Right Now" and "CF in the news" sections.