by David B. Schaumann, Esquire With great fanfare, Governor Wolf signed the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act. This law had been advocated by groups of parents with sick children who, the parents believe, could benefit through the use of medical marijuana. It was hotly debated in the legislature and subject to dispute within the medical community. …
It Better Be Fixed
by Donald B. Hoyt, Esquire Attorney Donald B. Hoyt and Assistant York City Solicitor Jason Sabol recently obtained a legal victory from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concerning whether freight brokerage services are taxable under the York City’s Business Privilege tax [BP tax], or whether they fall within the “public utility” exception of the Local Tax …
Under (Storm) Water
By John J. Baranski, Jr., Esquire The new regulations (Federal, state and local) designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay are requiring increased efforts to control and retain storm water run-off. Small, on-lot detention facilities, such as seepage pits and rain gardens, are becoming more and more common in new construction, and are in addition to …
Independent Contractor Or Employee?
By David B. Schaumann, Esquire Over the last several years federal and state agencies have targeted employers on the issue of whether independent contractors should be placed on the payroll as regular employees. The federal Department of Labor in recent years has recovered more than 1.3 billion dollars in back wages from employers for invalid …
Pay Up or Else
by Charles A. Rausch, Esquire Since its passage seven years ago, the Right-To-Know (RTK) Law has spawned a ton of lawsuits interpreting its provisions. The latest lawsuit involves a fight involving a request to the Department of Education for records between the former Secretary of Education and Penn State Board members and administrators over the …
Forever and ever…
by Charles A. Rausch, Esquire (with assistance from Jayne Katherman, legal intern) Municipalities have a tough time eliminating nonconforming uses. Although a nonconforming use is not supposed to last forever, it almost seems impossible to get rid of them. The case of Itama Development Associates v. Zoning Hearing Board of Rostraver Township et al., (Pa. …