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State Capitol Facing North Office Building

PA’s Industry Partnerships Program Now Permanent

July 7, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

The Industry Partnerships program attempts to match skilled workforce training to the industries and jobs that exist in the Keystone State. Supporters say it will help to fill the gap that exists between the skills employers need and the skills that are available in the workforce. “There’s nothing worse in the world than to train somebody for a job that doesn’t exist,” says Tony Ross, president of United Way of Pennsylvania. Ross says that Governor Tom Corbett’s signature on SB 552 codifies the program, thus improving its long-term viability.

State Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster)

The program dates back to 2005, and the Department of Labor & Industry reports that some 118,000 people have received training since that time. “More than 6,300 businesses have taken part in more than 80-partnerships throughout the state,” adds State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster). Brubaker was the prime sponsor of SB 552. Pennsylvania’s Industry Partnerships program is also becoming a model for the rest of the nation.

The new state budget includes about $1.6-million dollars for the program’s administration. Tony Ross tells us another of the benefits is that it covers such a broad swath of industry. “Everything from health care, to manufacturing, to Information Technology – you name it – any industry can access this opportunity.”

Both the State House and Senate voted unanimously to make the Industry Partnerships program permanent. Governor Tom Corbett signed it – along with 45 other new laws – on Thursday.

New Law Protects PA Firefighters

July 7, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Governor Tom Corbett’s signature on HB 797 ends firefighters’ 25-year battle. President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Art Martynuska, is ecstatic. “Our men and women across the state – both career and volunteer – risk their lives on a daily basis, protecting the residents of Pennsylvania,” Martynuska tells us.

The new law designates cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters in Pennsylvania. For some types of cancer, Martynuska says, firefighters are at a 100% greater risk than members of the general public.

Previously, the onus was on the firefighter to prove that the cancer was caused by the cumulative effects of the job. Now, the presumption is flipped. But, Martynuska says the municipalities which pay for the workers compensation can still rebut: “Lifestyle things, heredity things, certain things of that nature would give [them options] to say no, it wasn’t a result of your exposure to products of combustion or hazardous materials.”

Firefighters would have to meet certain conditions too. For instance, they must have served at least four years of continuous firefighting duty, and they must have a prior cancer-free physical exam.

A similar bill was vetoed by Governor Ed Rendell in 2010, but Martynuska says they’ve since sat down with the municipal groups who were expressing concerns with the bill. HB 797 passed both chambers of the legislature with near unanimous support, and it takes effect immediately. In all, Governor Tom Corbett signed 46 bills into law on Thursday.

PennDOT Posts the Help Wanted Signs for Winter

July 6, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

We may be in the heat of July, but PennDOT is looking ahead to winter. The help wanted signs are up for the Winter Maintenance Program.

The program, whichs runs from September into early April, hires transportation equipment operators and diesel mechanics to help remove snow and ice and maintain the equipment used for the job.

PennDOT spokesman Dennis Buterbaugh says a lot of people may not realize that when the winter season hits, PennDOT does not have enough of a complement of people to get out and plow the roads. They’re seeking people who have Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) or who are certified diesel mechanics. There are also other seasonal positions available at some in some of PennDOT’s districts.

Buterbaugh says they often see people who are construction and heavy equipment drivers during the summer seek snow removal positions in the winter.

People who are interested in a temporary position can call their local PennDOT office to see which jobs are available in their area. More information on the Winter Maintenance Program is available at Penndot’s web site under Non-student Winter Maintenance Opportunities, including a link to apply.

PLCB Posts Record Sales for Fiscal 2010-11

July 6, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

State Wine and Spirits store sales neared the two billion mark for the fiscal year that ended June 30. Sales topped $1.9 billion for the first time, posting a 4 % increase over the previous year. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Chairman Patrick (P J) Stapleton III says those sales generated almost 500 million dollars in sales tax, liquor tax and profit transfers to the state’s General Fund, also a record number.

Stapleton says that’s remarkable considering we’re coming out of a severe recession. He adds they also chose not to raise prices for much of the year, in the best interest of consumers. He says consumers are still “buying down” a little, but the LCB is starting to see some signs that may be reversing. He says until they’re assured the trend is reversing, they’ll probably continue to keep pricing where it is.

Stapleton says the LCB has engaged in a consumer-focused business program, increasing customer service training for employees and changing the layout of stores. He adds they’ve been able to obtain pricing opportunities from their suppliers and partners.

Stapleton says they’re also seeing less “border bleed” ( people crossing the state line to buy liquor in a neighboring state) along the New Jersey border, because that state has changed the way it taxes wine and spirits. He says the same is happening in Maryland and he thinks there’s less “border bleed” into Delaware.

Stapleton says he’s proud of the fact that their 5,000 employees have done a fabulous job of being able to return a half a billion dollars to the Commonwealth. He says they’re able to do that while being responsible sellers of wine and spirits.

Critics, such as the Commonwealth Foundation, say more than 80% of the transfers to the General Fund are sales and liquor taxes that would go to the state even if the PLCB did not exist, and state coffers will never see the millions of dollars lost in “border bleed”.

Stapleton says the PLCB also transferred more than $20 million to State Police for liquor enforcement, while the Bureau of Alcohol Education awarded grants to combat underage and dangerous drinking.

Civil War Trading Cards a Hit with Young Park Visitors

July 6, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Gettysburg National Military Park and a host of other national parks, with Civil War ties, are engaging kids with trading cards that depict the pictures and stories of the Civil War. “It was an idea that came from our northeast regional office to try to engage younger visitors in the national parks, and find a way to reward them for going out on programs with rangers,” says Gettysburg National Military Park spokesperson Katie Lawhon.

Gettysburg National Military Park has eight trading cards that are specific to it. “We have the George Meade and Robert E. Lee cards, as you might expect, the two commanders of the Union and Confederate armies here. But, we have a couple of places out on the battlefield that have cards as well,” Lawhon tells us. Other Gettysburg cards include the 9^th Massachusetts Battery and the Gettysburg Address. “Just like the old baseball cards, where you can learn a little bit about the player, these cards tell you a little bit about the story.”

Lowell National Historical Park Civil War Trading Cards

Pictured are the Five Civil War Trading Cards Being Offered at Lowell National Historical Park, in Lowell, MA

At least 23 National Park Service sites are participating with at least 189 cards. Lawhon even tells us that if you show one park’s cards at another participating park, you can receive a commemorative backpack. It’s all a part of the National Park Service’s Civil War 150 commemoration (Pennsylvania is also marking the sesquicentennial). Lawhon says it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to engage new, younger audiences.

The first shots of the Civil War were fired at Ft. Sumter, April 12^th, 1861. The 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg will be in 2013.

Colon Cancer Rates in United States Fall as Screenings Rise

July 5, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Prevention efforts are having an impact on the second most deadly cancer in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says colon cancer deaths are down and more progress is possible.

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden says colon cancer rates have decreased by more than 10% over the past five years. The Vital Signs report, which looked specifically at the rate of deaths between 2003 and 2007, shows a more than 2% drop nationally.

Between 2002 and 2010, the rate of screenings increased by 13%. But the report says 1 in 3 people between the ages of 50 and 75 are still not up to date with the recommended screening. Dr. Frieden says as more doctors are clearer with their patients about the importance of screening , that will make a big impact on patients. He says the strongest risk factor for not being screened, is not being told to be screened by your doctor.

Dr. Frieden says you should be screened if you are between the ages of 50 or 75, or if you have a strong family history of the disease. Screenings include annual fecal occult blood tests done at home, a flexible sigmoidoscopy done every five years, or a colonoscopy done every 10 years.

Dr. Frieden says he has a strong family history of colorectal cancer and was first screened with a colonoscopy at age 40. He says his first screening was normal, but during the next screening at age 50, four polyps were found. All were removed before they became cancerous.

Dr. Frieden says colon cancer screening can save your life, and more and more Americans are taking advantage of the screening.

The full report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/

State Budget’s Education Cuts Scrutinized

July 5, 2011/1 Comment/in News /by PAMatters

It’s a budget that represents shared sacrifices, and president of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children Joan Benso says kids are sharing a big chunk of the sacrifice. Benso’s budget reaction is somewhat mixed. For instance she says the $100-million dollar restoration for Accountability Block Grants will be helpful. “But for example… in Harrisburg, their school board voted to go back to part-day K, the restoration simply isn’t enough,” Benso says. The Accountability Block Grants are used in large part to fund full-day kindergarten programs across the state. Governor Tom Corbett’s original budget proposal would have eliminated them. Lawmakers worked to restore $100-million of last year’s $259-million dollar line item.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) – the state’s largest teachers union – is lamenting what they calculate to be $860-million dollars in cuts to public education. “We’re very concerned about the consequences this is going to have on student performance,” says PSEA spokesman David Broderic. “Pennsylvania students in public schools have made dramatic gains in student performance in the past six years, and part of that has to do with resources being directed at programs that work.”

State Education Secretary Ron Tomalis

The “Basic Education Funding” line item will receive $5.35– billion dollars this year. Last year’s appropriation included $4.73-billion state dollars, in addition to roughly a billion federal stimulus dollars, which are no longer available. “States were warned not to use that money in a way that would create long-term obligations, and unfortunately that’s exactly what Pennsylvania did,” says state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis. As the new budget forces the state to live within its means, Tomalis says the education system will have to do the same. Overall, public education and K – 12 educational programs will receive $10.1-billion dollars in FY2012.

State Senator Jake Corman (R-Centre)

Higher education was projected to receive a 50% state funding cut, according to Governor Tom Corbett’s March 8^th budget proposal. Those figures have since been mitigated to 18% cuts to the 14-universities in the State System of Higher Education, 19% cuts to the state related universities (PSU, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln). The State System’s board has already approved a 7.5% tuition hike for the new school year. Even more recently, Temple became the first state related university to approve a new budget. It calls for a 10% tuition increase. Penn State’s trustees will set new tuition rates next Friday (July 15^th). The higher education funding issue isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. “I think that we should take the summer and the fall to get a better understanding of some of these issues, and then be prepared for next year when the budget comes around again,” says State Senator Jake Corman, who chairs the Appropriations Committee. The Centre County Republican also represents State College, which is – of course – home to Penn State University.

Arts Funding Dodges Significant Budget Cuts

July 5, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Funded at $8.1-million dollars in the new state budget, the “Grants to the Arts” line item represents a tiny fraction of the $27.15-billion dollar spending plan. But, supporters say that small investment brings back a huge return. “If you include all arts related spending, about 62,000 full-time equivalent jobs are created annually,” says Jenny Hershour, managing director of Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania. “It also generates economic activity around $2-billion dollars a year… so it’s an economic generator,” Hershour tells us.

While funding is still down slightly from last year’s $8.4-million dollar appropriation, it’s a vast improvement from the more than 70% cuts that House Republicans called for in their first budget counterproposal. Hershour credits grassroots advocacy with preserving the funding: “I think the General Assembly understands the importance of these very small grants that go to arts organizations, and the very large impact that it has on their constituents.”

First Lady Susan Corbett with Governor Tom Corbett

Pennsylvania’s First Lady Susan Corbett chairs the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She has served on the council since 1999. When asked about arts funding on Radio PA’s monthly “Ask the Governor” program (prior to the final budget) Governor Tom Corbett quickly sided with his wife over the House Republican budget plan. “There is a significant return on investment… in tourism dollars, in growing art in Pennsylvania; whether it be in the community, in the schools or wherever,” Corbett said.

The arts grants are used for a variety of programs in all 67-counties.

Officials Highlight Pool Safety with Swimming Season in Full Swing

July 4, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Pennsylvania ranks 5th in the country for drownings and near drownings and officials are emphasizing pool safety this summer. In late June, two toddlers died after drowning incidents in the state.

Connie Harvey, American Red Cross Aquatics Manager, says preventing drownings in home pools involves layers of protection from fencing around the pool to door and gate alarms. She says people should add as many steps as possible.

Harvey says it begins with constant, active supervision whenever children are in, or around the water. She says adults should never leave them unattended, even for a minute.

Harvey believes children should be taught the rules of the pool as young as possible. She says make certain they understand they should never ever go around the water unless they’ve been given permission by a parent or adult and they are being supervised.

Harvey says the rules are the same for portable quick set pools as other swimming pools. Unless they’re emptied after each use, they should be enclosed in a fence and ladders should be removed when not in use.

You also need to make sure you’re not leaving items around the pool that could attract children when you’re done swimming for the day. Harvey says remove all of the pool toys from the gated, fenced area so they do not draw a child in. She says make sure there’s nothing near the pool or the fence that children could easily climb to gain access to the pool.

Harvey says families with small children may want to add alarms to their pool security system. She says door alarms, gate alarms and water surface alarms can alert people if a child is leaving the house and heading for the pool.

Harvey says children of all ages should be kept away from pool drains, pipes, fittings and other openings to prevent entrapment that could occur.

Harvey says everyone should be taught water safety and should know how to swim. She says that means having good skills to handle themselves in the situation they’re in, whether they’re swimming in a pool, river, lake or the ocean.

To learn more about swimming pool safety, go to www.poolsafely.gov.

Philadelphia Native Commands Final Space Shuttle Flight

July 1, 2011/in News /by PAMatters

Christopher J. Ferguson, Commander, STS-135

The last mission for the U S Space Shuttle program is scheduled for lift off the morning of July 8. A Pennsylvania native will be the commander of the flight.

Christopher Ferguson, a retired Navy Captain, was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School and Drexel University. He joined NASA in 1998. The Atlantis flight will be his third space shuttle mission. He also served as commander of STS-126, the November, 2008 flight of Endeavour and pilot of STS-115, the September 2006 flight of Atlantis. Commander Ferguson served as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for STS-118, 120, 128 and 129.

Ferguson says the four member crew for this flight of Atlantis has a very busy, event-filled, packed 12 day mission that they will have to pull off before they can finish up on the runway and celebrate the 30 year history of the space shuttle program.

Ferguson believes the legacy of the shuttle program is the inspiration it provides. He remembers watching the very first shuttle launch on a television in a college cafeteria. He remembers thinking it would just be fantastic to be part of a program like that.

Ferguson says Atlantis has the right crew for the right time. He says they had only nine months to train, and four crew members to do it with, and they’ve managed to get an awful lot of work done. He adds it’s an experienced crew.

Commander Ferguson still has family living in the Philadelphia area. Prior to entering the space program, he was a Navy pilot. He received his commission from the Navy ROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania.

**Photos Courtesy of NASA.

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