Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) sent a letter to Acting State Police Commissioner Col. Marcus Brown Wednesday asking him to verify his training and certification related to the ability to carry a firearm and exercise law enforcement powers in Pennsylvania.

According to Sen. Baker, after meeting with Col. Brown as part of the confirmation process, it was left with her unclear as to whether or not he met the standards for service recognized by the Municipal Police Officer’s Education and Training Commission (MPOETC).

“I think if you’re using arrest powers, it’s an important question we need to clarify,” she told The PLS Reporter about why she sent the letter.

Talked about as a potential revenue source, the House Gaming Oversight Committee held a public hearing Thursday on the positive points and concerns on legalizing and regulating internet gaming in Pennsylvania.

“What we’re trying to do is…let’s look at the whole thing,” committee Majority Chairman John Payne (R-Dauphin) told The PLS Reporter. “Let’s look at internet, let’s look at fantasy sports, what else do casinos want. How can we help that business in Pennsylvania grow and stay competitive.”

House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) told reporters Wednesday that while he has extended an invitation to Gov. Tom Wolf to put his budget plan—particularly the revenue side—up for an up or down vote in the House, he does not believe Republican support exists for the proposal.

“I do not think there are any Republican votes for the governor’s budget as a whole,” Rep. Reed said.

Regardless, he said he would put the proposal up for a vote if the governor asks him to do so.

“I have offered to the administration that we are willing [to put it up for a vote],” he said.

Here are the highlights from news conferences, rallies, and advocacy days held in the Capitol today: 

• Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie) and Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin) held a joint news conference in the Main Rotunda to reintroduce their legislation that would establish veterans’ courts statewide. HB 887 and SB 517 would establish a specialized veterans’ court in any Pennsylvania county that does not have one.

• Frank Brogan, chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) held a press conference in the East Wing Rotunda to release the results of the latest economic and employment impact study conducted on behalf of the State System and its 14 member universities.

• The Foundation To Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA) and other advocate supporters met on the Main Capitol steps to show support for Statute of Limitations reform in Pennsylvania. 

The House Finance Committee held a hearing on the issue of combined reporting Wednesday that some are calling partisan, while others have defended it as educational.

Combined reporting would require multi-state corporations with a Pennsylvania presence to pay Pennsylvania taxes on the combined income of all entities, regardless of whether they are headquartered in Pennsylvania.

Currently, under the so-called Delaware Loophole, corporations with their headquarters in Delaware can avoid paying Pennsylvania corporate taxes despite having a presence in the Commonwealth.

Wednesday’s hearing was brought together as a result of Gov. Tom Wolf proposing to lower Pennsylvania’s current corporate net income tax of 9.99 percent to 4.99 percent so long as combined reporting is adopted.