Rep. Dick L. Hess (R- Bradford) died today at the age of 74.

Archive video of Rep. Hess taking questions from Capitol press reporters on June 25, 2013.

Dick Hess is questioned on the cancellation of Tuesday's transportation committee vote to consider SB1.

Based on the responses provided, it's clear that negotiations are still underway with Republican committee members as well as the Democratic Transportation Chairman Mike McGeehan.

"I haven't counted all the No's (votes) that are republican, I will be doing that tonight, trying to put together all the votes on the Republican side. Once we come to a formal agreement I will be talking to chairman McGeehan to see how many of his people will be wanting to support what we'll be putting forward."

Republican resistance stems from their membership's opposition to anything that remotely resembles a tax, which includes the proposed surcharge on traffic citations. Given the lack of a republican majority to support moving the bill from committee, it appears that Democratic votes will be needed to advance SB1 to the floor for a vote.

In order to obtain the necessary Democratic votes, House Minority Leader Frank Dermody explained how an attempt to eliminate prevailing wage provisions would hamper movement of the bill. "They either take it out and place it into separate bills they've scheduled to run on Thursday, it's a non-starter for us."

Video 1. "Once we get past the committee vote."

Video 2. I think a better than 50-50 chance.