News
New Website Simplifies Process for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
A new website is on line to provide statewide resources for reporting and preventing child abuse. It’s a joint effort of Penn State’s College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and School of Law. “Look Out for Child Abuse” is designed to be a one stop resource for completing a CY-47 form, Pennsylvania’s official […]
One Week Remains Before State Budget Deadline
State budget negotiations continue in Harrisburg as the Corbett Administration attempts to iron out differences with fellow Republicans in the legislative leadership. Their goal is to have a spending plan signed and in place one week from tonight, making this the first budget deadline met in 8 years. Governor Tom Corbett said last night that […]
AFSCME Council 13 Reports Tentative Deal with Corbett Administration
One of the biggest state employee unions is reporting on its website that it has reached a tentative agreement with the Corbett Administration. AFSCME Council 13 says the deal was struck around 11pm Wednesday night, but so far neither side is releasing any details. The tentative contract must still be ratified by the union membership, […]
Marcellus Shale Job Creation Numbers Questioned
A new report questions the number of jobs created by the Marcellus Shale boom between 2007 and 2010. The “not so mighty Marcellus” might describe the results of their analysis according to Dr. Stephen Hertzenberg, Executive Director of the Keystone Research Center. He says their review shows less than 10,000 jobs created rather than the […]
Food and Drug Administration Unveils New Cigarette Warning Labels
The Food and Drug Administration has unveiled nine new cigarette warning labels. The warnings will take up the top 50% of a pack of cigarettes and 20% of an advertisement for cigarettes. They include graphic images of diseases related to smoking, such as lung disease and oral cancer. Tobacco companies have until September 2012 to comply. […]
House Members Introduce Their Own School Choice Measures
With no action expected on Senate Bill 1 this summer, some state House members are introducing their own school voucher legislation. Representative Curt Schroder (R-Chester) has introduced two measures as alternatives to the Senate bill. HB 1679, the “Opportunity Scholarship and Educational Improvement Tax Credit Act”, will offer $5,000 opportunity scholarships to all students. Representative […]
10 Days Left in State Budget Deadline Countdown
House Republican leaders say in 10 days or less, Pennsylvania will have its first on-time spending plan in nearly a decade. With June 30th looming, the process is kicking into high gear as lawmakers say work continues “non-stop” to meet the often-missed deadline. House and Senate budget negotiators are currently ironing out the […]
Governor Corbett Signs Unemployment Bill
Governor Tom Corbett has signed a bill to ensure the continuation of a federally funded, 13 week period of unemployment compensation benefits. Senate Bill 1030 also makes reforms that will save Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation fund an estimated $133 million annually. The Governor called it good legislation and an important step toward reforming Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation […]
Pennsylvania’s May Unemployment Report Raises Some Concern
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate dipped one-tenth of a point to 7.4% in May. Some economists are concerned about the numbers, because the seasonally adjusted number of non-farm jobs dropped by 14,200. Mark Price, labor economist for the Keystone Research Center in Harrisburg says the May jobs report raises concerns that a renewed weakness in the national […]
Lawmakers Cast Unanimous Votes for UC Reforms
State lawmakers passed the bill just in time to ensure that the federal extended benefits program continues. “We are getting it done literally under the wire, but it’s an important fix to do for the 45,000 folks who would otherwise lose 13-weeks of unemployment compensation,” says State Senator John Gordner (R-Columbia). Gordner chairs the Labor […]