Democrats: May 2009 Archives

Now that Democrats are done celebrating U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter's defection from the GOP, they're faced with the same question Republicans have been asking for years. Will having him on board really make any difference?

That question is particularly germane where organized labor is concerned. I spoke to Clark Ruppert, president of the York-Adams Central Labor Council, after Specter first announced his party switch. Ruppert was pleased to see the Democratic majority stengthened, but at no point did he have to put down to phone to do joyous cartwheels.

Labor's always had a love-hate relationship with Specter. You can see evidence of that with the Employee Free Choice Act, which Specter actually co-sponsored in 2005, and which he's lately been saying he'll oppose.

So now that he's switched parties, will he support it to show unity with his new Democratic colleagues? Or will he oppose it to demonstrate his stated commitment to remain independent? I guess we'll see.

In the meantime, expect to see commercials like this.

Here's a news release from the office of state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester.

HARRISBURG, May 18 - State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, joined Gov. Ed Rendell in Philadelphia today to announce the state's new solar rebate program, the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program.

DePasquale said the program, which was the centerpiece of legislation he authored last year, Special Session H.B. 1, now the Alternative Energy Investment Act of 2008, will provide $100 million in rebates to help fund solar electric (solar photovoltaic, or PV) and solar hot water (solar thermal) projects for homeowners and small businesses in Pennsylvania.

"This program will continue Pennsylvania's commitment toward clean, renewable energy and will not only save money for consumers but also help to grow our economy," DePasquale said.

DePasquale said under the program, homeowners and small-business owners are now eligible for rebates of up to 35 percent on the cost of solar systems installed at their home or business.

Rebates will be awarded on a first-come basis to approved applicants. Households may receive one solar photovoltaic rebate for up to 10 kilowatts of installed PV generating capacity plus one solar thermal rebate not to exceed $2,000. A small business may only submit one PV and one solar thermal application at a time and must complete the project and rebate process prior to submitting another application.

For more information and to apply, residents and small-business owners can visit www.dep.state.pa.us/sunshine.