Field Descriptions for Downloaded Data
Filters are 1 if true 0 if false or does not exist, unless otherwise noted
Senate Hearings
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP Records
Loctn = Location of original record [DELETE]
ID_No = Number of Document [DELETE]
Day = Day of hearing
Month = Month of hearing
Year = Year of hearing
Chmb = Chamber (1=Senate, 2=House)
Cmt = Legislative Committee that held hearing
Sub = Legislative Subcommittee that held hearing
City = City where the hearing was held
Bill = Bill number the hearing was regarding, if any.
Abstract = Summary of the purpose of the hearing
Budget = Was the hearing a part of the annual budget process
Type = [Delete?]
Tie_Break = [DELETE]
Code = Policy subtopic code (see codebook)
Governing Magazine
ID = Unique Identifier for PPDP Records
Year = Year of Article
Month = Month of Article
Title = Title of Article
Abstract = Summary of Article
Ex = Article mentioned an Executive (Governor or President)
Leg = Article mentioned a legislative body
Bur = Article mentioned a bureaucratic agency
Jud = Article mentioned the judiciary
Loc = Article mentioned local government
Fed = Article mentioned the federal government
IG = Article mentioned an interest group
Elec = Article mentioned an election
Tax = Article mentioned taxes
Eld = Article mentioned policy related to the elderly or senior citizens
Bud = Article mentioned a government budget
_Foreign_ = Article mentioned a foreign country
PA = Article mentioned Pennsylvania
Code = Policy topic code (See codebook )
Newspaper Clips
County = [Delete]
Newspaper = Name of Newspaper
Day = Day article was published
Month = Month article was publish
Headline = Headline of article
Year = Year article was published
Abstract = Summary of article
_Exec_ = PA executive was mentioned (Governor or Governor’s staff)
Leg = PA General Assembly was mentioned
Jud = PA judicial branch was mentioned
Sta_Ag = PA state agency was mentioned
Fed = Federal Government was mentioned
Local_Gov = A local PA government was mentioned
Elec = An election was mentioned
Elderly = Policy related to the elderly or senior citizens was mentioned
Tax = Taxes were mentioned
Budget = The annual PA budget process was mentioned
Int_Groups = An interest group was mentioned
Type = Format of the news clip (See dataset description)
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Code = Policy topic code (see codebook)
Bills and Resolutions (including Laws)
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Chamber = Chamber of the Assemble (1=House, 2=Senate)
Session = Legislative Session
Bill = Bill number (HB = House Bill, HR = House Resolution, SB = Senate Bill, SR = Senate Resolution)
Hyperlink = Web address of the bill or resolution record on the PA General Assembly website (Bracketed
by #)
Abstract = Short title of bill or resolution
Tax = Related to tax policy
Eld = Related to elderly or senior citizen policy
Con_Ammend = A proposal to amend the PA Constitution
Act_No = A unique identifier for each enacted bill per session
Year_Enacted = The year a law was passed (if null, unpassed)
Code = Policy subtopic code (see codebook)
Comment = [Delete]
Coder_int = [Delete]
Governance = [Delete]
Commemorative = Bill or resolution was for the purpose of commemorating someone or something
Appropriation = Bill called for appropriated funds
_101P = Primary Committee was: [House] Aging and Older Adult Services (Aging and Youth 1991-2000;
Youth and Aging 1989-1990)
_101O = Non-primary committee: [House] Aging and Older Adult Services (Aging and Youth 1991-2000;
Youth and Aging 1989-1990)
_102P = Primary Committee was: [House] Agriculture and Rural Affairs
_102O = Non-primary committee: [House] Agriculture and Rural Affairs
_103P = Primary Committee was: [House] Appropriations
_103O = Non-primary committee: [House] Appropriations
_104P = Primary Committee was: [House] Children and Youth (2001-Present)
_104O = Non-primary committee: [House] Children and Youth (2001-Present)
_105P = Primary Committee was: [House] Commerce (Commerce and Economic Development 19952002; Business and Economic Development 1993-1994; Business and Commerce 1979-1992)
_105O = Non-primary committee: [House] Commerce (Commerce and Economic Development 19952002; Business and Economic Development 1993-1994; Business and Commerce 1979-1992)
_106P = Primary Committee was: [House] Committee On Committees
_106O = Non-primary committee: [House] Committee On Committees
_107P = Primary Committee was: [House] Consumer Affairs
_107O = Non-primary committee: [House] Consumer Affairs
_108P = Primary Committee was: [House] Education
_108O = Non-primary committee: [House] Education
_109P = Primary Committee was: [House] Environmental Resources and Energy (Environmental Affairs
1995-1996; Conservation 1979-1994) (Mines and Energy Management 1979-1986)
_109O = Non-primary committee: [House] Environmental Resources and Energy (Environmental Affairs
1995-1996; Conservation 1979-1994) (Mines and Energy Management 1979-1986)
_110P = Primary Committee was: [House] Ethics Committee
_110O = Non-primary committee: [House] Ethics Committee
_111P = Primary Committee was: [House] Finance
_111O = Non-primary committee: [House] Finance
_112P = Primary Committee was: [House] Game and Fisheries
_112O = Non-primary committee: [House] Game and Fisheries
_113P = Primary Committee was: [House] Health and Human Services (Health and Welfare 1979-1996)
_113O = Non-primary committee: [House] Health and Human Services (Health and Welfare 1979-1996)
_114P = Primary Committee was: [House] Insurance
_114O = Non-primary committee: [House] Insurance
_115P = Primary Committee was: [House] Intergovernmental Affairs (Federal-State Relations 1995-1996)
_115O = Non-primary committee: [House] Intergovernmental Affairs (Federal-State Relations 19951996)
_116P = Primary Committee was: [House] Judiciary
_116O = Non-primary committee: [House] Judiciary
_117P = Primary Committee was: [House] Labor Relations
_117O = Non-primary committee: [House] Labor Relations
_118P = Primary Committee was: [House] Liquor Control
_118O = Non-primary committee: [House] Liquor Control
_119P = Primary Committee was: [House] Local Government
_119O = Non-primary committee: [House] Local Government
_120P = Primary Committee was: [House] Professional Licensure
_120O = Non-primary committee: [House] Professional Licensure
_121P = Primary Committee was: [House] Rules Committee (Committee on Rules 1979-1980)
_121O = Non-primary committee: [House] Rules Committee (Committee on Rules 1979-1980)
_122P = Primary Committee was: [House] State Government
_122O = Non-primary committee: [House] State Government
_123P = Primary Committee was: [House] Tourism and Recreational Development
_123O = Non-primary committee: [House] Tourism and Recreational Development
_124P = Primary Committee was: [House] Transportation
_124O = Non-primary committee: [House] Transportation
_125P = Primary Committee was: [House] Urban Affairs
_125O = Non-primary committee: [House] Urban Affairs
_126P = Primary Committee was: [House] Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (Military and
Veterans Affairs 1979-1994)
_126O = Non-primary committee: [House] Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (Military and
Veterans Affairs 1979-1994)
_201P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Aging and Youth
_201O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Aging and Youth
_202P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Agriculture and Rural Affairs
_202O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Agriculture and Rural Affairs
_203P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Appropriations
_203O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Appropriations
_205P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Community and Economic Development (Business and
Commerce (1979-1980)
_205O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Community and Economic Development (Business and
Commerce (1979-1980)
_207P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (Consumer
Affairs 1979--1980) (Professional Licensure 1979-1980)
_207O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (Consumer
Affairs 1979--1980) (Professional Licensure 1979-1980)
_208P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Education
_208O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Education
_209P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Environmental Resources and Energy (Environmental
Resources 1979-1980)
_209O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Environmental Resources and Energy (Environmental
Resources 1979-1980)
_210P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Ethics and Official Conduct (1979-1986
_210O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Ethics and Official Conduct (1979-1986
_211P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Finance
_211O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Finance
_212P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Game and Fisheries
_212O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Game and Fisheries
_213P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Public Health and Welfare
_213O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Public Health and Welfare
_214P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Banking and Insurance (Insurance 1979-1980)
_214O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Banking and Insurance (Insurance 1979-1980)
_215P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Intergovernmental Affairs (Constitutional Changes and
Federal Relations 1979-1982)
_215O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Intergovernmental Affairs (Constitutional Changes and
Federal Relations 1979-1982)
_216P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Judiciary
_216O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Judiciary
_217P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Labor and Industry
_217O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Labor and Industry
_219P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Local Government
_219O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Local Government
_221P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Rules and Executive Nominations
_221O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Rules and Executive Nominations
_222P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] State Government
_222O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] State Government
_224P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Transportation
_224O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Transportation
_225P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Urban Affairs and Housing
_225O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Urban Affairs and Housing
_226P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (Military and
Veteran Affairs 1979-1992; 1995-2002)
_226O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (Military and
Veteran Affairs 1979-1992; 1995-2002)
_227P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Communications and Technology (Communications and High
Technology 1993-2002)
_227O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Communications and Technology (Communications and High
Technology 1993-2002)
_228P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Law and Justice
_228O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Law and Justice
_230P = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Committee on Legislation
_230O = Non-primary committee: [Senate] Committee on Legislation
_300 = Primary Committee was: [Senate] Conference Committee
VetoIneligible = A bill or resolution that the governor did not or could not veto. All resolutions,
constitutional amendments, and bills that did not pass both chambers are veto ineligible.
Vetoed = A bill vetoed by the Governor
LineItemVeto = A bill the Governor line item vetoed
VetoOverriden = A bill vetoed by the Governor, but overridden by the Assembly
LawNoGovSig = A bill that became law without the governor’s signature
RecalledByLeg = A bill passed by the Assembly, but recalled by the Assembly before Governor had
chance to sign
House_Last_Action = The last action taken by the House (see the dataset descriptions)
Senate_Last_Action = The last action taken by the Senate (see the dataset descriptions)
Petition = If the bill or resolution requests action by another level of government (local, federal or
foreign)
Day_Referred = Day the bill or resolution was referred to primary committee (introduced)
Month_Referred = Month the bill or resolution was referred to primary committee (introduced)
Year_Referred = Year the bill or resolution was referred to primary committee (introduced)
SignedbyGov = The bill was signed by the governor
Legislative Service Agency Reports
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Title = Title of Report
Organization = Legislative Service Agency that produced the report
Year = Year the report was released
Month = Month the report was released
Day = Day the report was released
Hyperlink = Web address where the report was found
Abstract = Short summary of the report
LegRequest = Indicates whether a report was requested through legislation
Recommendation = Indicates whether a report contains policy recommendations
Tax = Indicates whether a report discusses changes to a tax
Elderly = Indicates whether a report includes policy pertaining to the elderly or senior citizens
Comments = [Delete]
Initials = [Delete]
FinalCode = Policy subtopic code
Governors’ Budget Address
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Month = Month of the address
Day = Dad of the address
Year = Year of the address
Governor = Governor who gave the address
Sentence = The sentence or sentence part in the address (see the project manual)
Code = Policy subtopic code
Executive Orders
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Order_No = Executive Order number, begins with a year and dash
Year = Year the Order was issued
Mnth = Month the Order was issued
Day = Day the Order was issued
Session = Legislative session when Order was issued
Title = Title of the Executive Order
Abstract = Short summary of the Executive Order
Gov_Name = Governor who issued the Order
Gov_Party = Party of the Governor
Begin_of_Term = Indicates if the Order was issued during the first 100 days of the governor’s
administration
Plan_Tran = Indicates if the Order was issued after November 1st of a gubernatorial election year where
the incumbent governor loses or is ineligible to run
Gov_Elect = Indicates if the Order was issued during a gubernatorial election year
Leg_Elect = Indicates if the Order was issued during a legislative election year
Gov = [Delete]
Comm = Indicates if the Order was commemorative in nature
Tax = Indicates if the Order changed tax policy
Elderly = Indicates if the Order affected policy related to the elderly or senior citizens
Code = Policy subtopic code
Supreme Court
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Case_Citation = Case number
Case_Name = Name of the case
Appellant = This is the party appealing the decision of a lower court who lost in the previous case
Appellee = This is the party to whom the appeal is directed having received a favorable judgment in the
lower court
Submitted_Day = [Delete]
Submitted_Month = [Delete]
Submitted_year = [Delete]
Argued_Day = Day the case was argued
Argued_Month = Month the case was argued
Argued_Year = Year the month was argues
Decided_Day = Day the decision was announced
Decided_Month = Month the decision was announced
Decided_Year = Year the decision was announced
Hyperlink = Link to the Westlaw summary of the case, paid access required
Background = A summary of the facts of the case
Holding = A summary of the opinion issued by the Court
Majority_Author = Justice who wrote the majority opinion
_Exec_ = Case mentions the governor or his staff
Leg = Case mentions the General Assembly
Jud = Case is related to the state judicial system
Agency = Case mentions a state agency
Local = Case involves a local government in Pennsylvania
Federal = Case involves the Federal government
Election = Case involves an election in Pennsylvania
Tax = Case involves a state or local tax
Elderly = Case affects policy related to the elderly or senior citizens
Code = Policy subtopic code
Most Important Problems
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Year = Year the poll was taken
Month = Month the poll was taken
Size = Sample Size (if known)
Major_Topic = Name of policy area
Code = Policy topic code
Rank_With_25 = Rank of importance based on the number of respondents who said this policy area was
the most important problem, includes those who said ‘other/don’t know’
Rank_Without_25 = Rank of importance based on the number of respondents who said this policy area
was the most important problem, does not include those who said ‘other/don’t know’
Percentage = Percentage of respondents who said that this was the most important problem for this poll
Breakdown_1 = Other responses that were rolled into this policy area and the percent of each response
(if no percent given = 100%)
Breakdown_2 = Other responses that were rolled into this policy area and the percent of each response
Breakdown_3 = Other responses that were rolled into this policy area and the percent of each response
Total Spending
Code = Policy topic code
Description = Name of policy topic
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
OC = Object Codes track what entity received an expenditure, they are divided into two major
categories: direct expenditure (to current employees, retirees, and private sector entities) and
intergovernmental transfers to other governments
FC = Function Codes refer to the purpose for which a government spends money and, by extension, the
service being provided by the government
PolicyCode = Policy topic code
PercentMatch = A continuous matchability scale of 0 to 100 was created using a five integer scale( 0, 5,
10, 15...). See the dataset descriptions for more details.
RE = Regular Statistics show the financial activity for each government. Exhibit Statistics provide
additional detail not found in the Regular Statistics
TheYear = The fiscal year
TheValue = The total amount of money spent during the fiscal year on this Census category (in
thousands)
General Fund Balance
ID = Unique identifier for PPDP records
Year = Budget year
Beginning_Balance = This represents the amount in the general fund at the beginning of the fiscal year
Revenues = This represents the total amount of revenue the state brought in during the fiscal year
Adjustements = [FIX] Revenue adjustments are generally one-time sources of revenue for a specific
states, includes things such as transfers to the general fund from other funds (see dataset descriptions)
Total_Resources = This is the combination of the Beginning Balance, Revenues and Adjustments,
represents all the resources at the disposal of the state for that fiscal year
Expenditures = This represents the expenditures for the fiscal year
Adjustments =[FIX] Expenditure adjustments are generally one-time expenditures by a specific state,
includes things such as carry-forwards of appropriations.
Ending_Balance = This represents Total Resources minus Expenditures and Expenditure Adjustments
Budget_Stabilization_Fund = This represents the final dollar figure in the Budget Stabilization Fund at
the end of the state’s fiscal year
Comprehensive explanations for all of the Census terminology are available at:
http://www.census.gov/govs/www/06classificationmanual/06_gfe_classmanual_toc.html