PA: Excellent Response from Gov. Tom Corbett

[geekWithA.45]

emphasis mine:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with my office to express your views on the important issues related to gun violence and school safety measures.

As a former law enforcement official, I certainly understand the importance of keeping violent criminals off of Pennsylvania's streets while upholding our unwavering commitment to protect law abiding citizen's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. While no additional restrictions on the rights of law abiding citizens can stop violent predators intent on committing crime, there are a number of ways my administration is working to protect our schools, keep dangerous criminals off the street and provide care for those suffering from mental illness.

I believe that it is important to ensure the safety of our students against violent criminals. That is why I have proposed to invest $1 billion in our public schools with the privatization of our wine and spirit system over the next 4 years through my Passport to Learning Program. This proposal would provide funding for local school districts to invest in initiatives designed to fit the need of each school, including security programs to protect our students.

As part of our efforts to protect Pennsylvania's communities, I was pleased to sign HB 898 into law on October 25, 2012. This law imposes strict sentences for those who participate in straw purchasing of firearms for individuals who are legally ineligible to own a gun. This measure is critical to our ongoing efforts to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals. It is essential that we equip our law enforcement officials with the tools and resources necessary to enforce our existing laws. For this reason, I have also proposed three additional classes of state police cadets in the next fiscal year. These classes will provide up to 290 new troopers to ensure that our State Police force retains the necessary man power to protect our communities.

It is also important to note the critical role of mental health policy in ensuring the safety of our Commonwealth. In my budget address for Fiscal Year 2013-2014, I have proposed investing $40 million to provide critical services to families and individuals affected by intellectual and physical disabilities, including people with mental illnesses. This additional funding will help provide necessary care to bring services to our most vulnerable citizens and enables them to live independently, safely and productively in our communities.

Thank you again for your correspondence on this important topic. I believe the action and proposals I have laid out will help protect Pennsylvanians. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any future questions or concerns related to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,
TOM CORBETT
Governor


The Office of Governor Tom Corbett
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
[email protected]
www.pa.gov

 

[BullfrogKen]

Awesome!!!


I truly hope his approval numbers rise.


I've also heard our newly elected Attorney General is looking at revoking some reciprocity agreements. In PA, as most other states, the A.G. is enpowered to manage the agreements with the several states.

 

[hso]

That's a good response!

 

[geekWithA.45]

Agree: the AG, a Philadelphia Democrat, is possibly a problem. (It's *very* unusual to see a Democrat in the AG's seat, and it is a troubling development.)

I've heard that nonresident FL permits are no longer recognized.

Background, from what I hear:

The Philadelphia PD, as the issuing authority for the residents of Philadelphia, is as abusive and restrictive as they can manage to get away with concerning the issuance and respect for the PA LTCF. They hate them with a vengeance, and reject them under any pretext, some legitimate, some not.

Note also that PHL is the only place in the state where open carry outside of a car requires an LTCF.

Consequently, some unknown, and presumably small number of the residents of PHL who find themselves in that situation also find themselves qualified for an FL carry permit, which they obtain.

The wailing and gnashing of teeth in the press concerning such scoundrels doing an end run around PHL's lawfully constituted abuse of their authority was epic.

Thus is the roots of this.


What I'm really thinking is that by rights, all of this will eventually be rendered moot when it becomes recognized by the courts that the "Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State." pertains to one's fundamental right to bear arms, especially in light of the 14th amendment.

 

[thorazine]

privatization of our wine and spirit system over the next 4 years

Is this actually happening in PA now?

From my understanding it's been something they've knocked around for multiple decades.

 

[BullfrogKen]

It's something the Governor is pushing for. The Legislature still has to come on board with it, and the public employee unions are spending a lot of money trying to convince everyone it's a bad idea.

We'll see. But I think this House term is the best chance we've had in a long time, or will have to see it happen. Republicans control both houses and the Governor's seat. That's not to say all Republicans are champions of this effort, but Democrats have steadfastly opposed the loss of the state - and union - jobs privatization will bring.