Politics as Usual: Local Republicans mull repeal bill

March 12--Local Republicans mull repeal bill

When House Republicans submitted their bill last week to repeal the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent initially cited several concerns, while U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey didn't comment beyond saying he was reviewing the proposal.

As that legislation began advancing in the House, the public comments from both Republicans remained the same.

Dent, whose 15th district includes Lehigh County and part of Northampton County, said Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he's reviewing how the legislation will affect those in his district, particularly regarding proposed changes for structuring insurance tax credits and overhauling Medicaid.

"I'll tell you my main concern with what is happening right now is will these tax credits be sufficient for people to buy insurance, compared to what they are getting now through the subsidies?" Dent said.

He added that he thinks there has not yet been enough interaction with hospitals and patient advocates on the bill's effects. Dent also said he has questions about what will happen to the 700,000 Pennsylvanians who gained access to health coverage through Medicaid expansion.

"I want to understand how these people are going to be impacted. And at this point, those questions have not been answered satisfactorily for me," he said.

As for Toomey, he said during an interview with Philadelphia talk radio host Chris Stigall that he does not expect the current bill to be "the end point."

"We're still going through this. I've been running around when this came out, we're going through trying to understand exactly what is in this," Toomey said Thursday. "I'm quite sure that we're going to want to make some changes, which, I think, are still entirely possible. This is not the final product."

-- Laura Olson

Another challenger for Bob Casey

Add a name to the list of Republicans seeking to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey next year.

Andrew Shecktor, a 60-year-old borough councilman in Columbia County who served as a delegate at last year's Republican National Convention, has thrown his name in the mix for the upcoming Senate contest. The race would be his first statewide campaign.

Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone of Allegheny County launched a bid late last month. Williamsport resident Paul DeLong also filed to run in the GOP primary.

-- Laura Olson

Governor's revenue chief to retire

This year's tax-filing deadline will be the last for state Revenue Secretary Eileen McNulty.

She plans to retire as of April 21 after 30 years of public service, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday. Wolf named C. Daniel Hassell, acting revenue secretary of tax policy, as McNulty's replacement.

"Eileen has handled her job with distinction and took a tremendous amount of pride in the work," Wolf said in a statement. "She will be missed, but I have great confidence in Dan's ability to lead this important department."

Under McNulty's leadership, the agency created an identity theft unit to help victims of tax fraud, which saved the state more than $6 million last year. The agency also streamlined its business tax services and created an internet system where businesses can access their accounts online.

"Serving in the Wolf administration and working for the people of Pennsylvania is an honor," McNulty said. "Leaving will be difficult, but I am extremely proud of the progress the department has made over the past two years."

Hassell has worked in state government for 30 years. He served as Gov. Ed Rendell's revenue secretary from April 2010 to January 2011.

-- Steve Esack

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