50-50 drawings for the benefit of charity could become a regular feature at the home games of minor league professional sporting teams in Pennsylvania under legislation recently approved by the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Sponsor of the legislation Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) said he was approached by representatives of his local minor league hockey franchise, the Hershey Bears, who wanted to use 50-50 drawings to help area charities while enhancing the experience of the fans at home games. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Chuck Nichols reports... story and bite available.

Holding the line on state spending was the theme of Governor Corbett’s recent budget address delivered before a joint session of the General Assembly in Harrisburg. The $27.1 billion spending plan is a small reduction in spending from last year and includes efforts to clamp down on budget growth and control spending while ensuring no new tax increases. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) said he was generally pleased with the Governor’s fiscally conservative approach that represents a good start at ensuring state government lives within its means. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

Legislation to create a new “In God We Trust” specialty license plate has recently been approved by the state House. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), sponsor of the bill, said as many as 14 other states offer vehicle license plates with this familiar motto from US currency and motorists in his district have requested this option for their Pennsylvania license plates as well. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.

The FDA has recently granted approval for clinical trials of a new cancer drug developed by a company in central Pennsylvania. Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, headquartered at the Hershey Center for Applied Research, has been awarded a $2.1 million contract by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate its radiation protection medication. Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin), a member of the Pennsylvania House Life Sciences Caucus, said this is a major step forward for the region’s growing Biotechnology Industry. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.

With the privatization of liquor sales under discussion in Harrisburg, new legislation has been proposed to offer existing beer distributors the opportunity to buy a license that would allow them to sell wine and liquor in Pennsylvania. Co-sponsor of the bill and Chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee’s Subcommittee on Licensing, Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) said the plan has the advantage of simplicity and would get the private sale of wine and liquor up and running quickly in Pennsylvania. Mike Davies reports... story and bite available.