Politics

State lawmakers are fine tuning the definition of child abuse. Montgomery county State Senator Bob Mensch says, as soon as the senate addresses changes to what is considered to be child abuse, it can concentrate on other proposals from a panel that studied Pennsylvania’s child protection laws.

“I think the next issue is mandatory reporting and understand that and who has to be a mandatory reporter. How do we get the training. What are the definitions, again the definitions are so critical.”

A House plan is scheduled for committee action this week. The senate is expected to take up the issue in the fall. Last year,a special task force was created to address the question of what is the definition of child abuse.

A former network television news attorney says the Obama Administration is worse than the Nixon Whitehouse when it comes to freedom of the press. Cory Dunham wrote the book “Government Control of The News” last year, prior to the headlines involving the Justice Department’s investigating the A.P. news sources.

“Years ago something like this is happening today, you would have found the head of C.B.S and A.B.C and N.B.C out there making speeches and coming to the defense of the press. Today, not one word. Not one of those executives in the industry has said a thing.”

Dunham was Chief Legal Council for N.B.C. for 25 years and a guest on Monday’s Edition of the WNPV program Comment Please By Univest

State Rep. Kate Harper will hold a telephone town hall meeting tonight at 7. Harper will be in a studio in Harrisburg, fielding calls that are sent out from the studio to her constituents. Harper has cited two issues that are likely to hot topics tonight, the budget and privatization.

“I think the idea of getting the state out of the state store business is very popular with most consumers who like more convenience and accessibility and frankly, you don’t see any reason for the government to be in that business.”

The 61st district republican expects budget questions. Harper says the state is facing its 5th bad budget year. If you don’t get a call and want to participate,
call 1-877-229-8493……enter the code…13162 between 7pm and 8pm tonight. 

The dust hasn’t settled yet from the primary election in Lansdale last week. Democrat Kathleen Becker won her party primary in the ward two Borough Council race, but her name might not appear on the November ballot because a policy instituted by her employer last month after the deadline to withdraw prohibits the members of her department from running for political office. Lansdale Democratic Committee Chair, Jack Hansen says, the candidate will sort things out.

“If she chooses to stay in she will be the candidate in November. If she chooses to withdraw her name because she can’t seek other employment, at that point and time, the Lansdale Democratic Committee will appoint her replacement.”

Becker was unopposed in the Democratic primary election.