News
PSU President Gets Pay Raise
After one year on the job, Penn State President Rodney Erickson is getting a 16% pay increase, which brings his annual salary to $600,000 dollars. The pay raise is performance-based, and outgoing Trustees chair Karen Peetz says he’s done a tremendous job leading Penn State through a difficult year. “It is imperative that we have […]
Lottery Lawsuit Filed in Commonwealth Court
Union officials are mounting a legal challenge to the potential deal to privatize the management of the Pennsylvania Lottery. “We feel that based on the Lottery Act passed in 1971… the privatization of the Lottery is not something the governor has exclusive jurisdiction to do. We feel that legislative action has to be taken also,” […]
Electoral College Vote Makes Presidential Election Official
It was a scene being played out across the country as Pennsylvania’s presidential electors cast their ballots Monday for President and Vice President in Harrisburg. The 57th Electoral College of Pennsylvania met at noon in the chambers of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The outcome was expected; the 20 electors cast their ballots for President […]
Report: Insurance Costs Outpace Income Growth
The story is the same in all 50-states; the rising cost of employer-sponsored health insurance has dwarfed income growth over the past eight years. A new study from the Commonwealth Fund crunches the numbers from 2003 – 2011. In Pennsylvania, the report pegs the combined cost for a family plan at $15,000, which is right […]
Radio PA Roundtable 12.14.12
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul break down Governor Tom Corbett’s big decision on a health care exchange and look ahead to possible Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Also, Matt speaks with US Seantor Bob Casey about the gift card regulations he’s pushing this holiday season. Radio PA Roundtable […]
Holiday Season is also Start of Fire Season
Most house fires in the United States occur between December and February according to the National Fire Protection Association and the holiday season bring additional risks. It’s not just that broken string of lights, unattended candle or dried out Christmas tree that can increase the risk of house fires. Routine activities coupled with the busy […]
Will PA Take Medicaid Expansion Option?
Governor Tom Corbett has already decided against a state-based insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act, but he’s still mulling whether to take an option to expand Medicaid. The federal health care law expanded Medicaid to cover people up to 138% of the federal poverty line, but the courts have since made in optional for […]
Flu Season Arrives in Pennsylvania
Flu season has made an earlier than usual arrival in Pennsylvania. The State Health Department says the number of cases has doubled in the last week. The state is reporting widespread flu activity. The state is also seeing more Type A influenza H3N2 cases, which are often linked to more severe flu seasons. It is […]
Corbett Passes on State-Run Health Insurance Exchange
With too many unanswered questions about the cost and regulation, Governor Corbett has decided not to pursue a state-based health insurance exchange. Insurance Commissioner Michael Consedine calls it the best decision under the circumstances. “What we’ve been finding out, as we’ve been going through this process and learning more information, is that the level of […]
Report Examines the State of Child Welfare
Fewer Pennsylvania children are entering the foster care system, and the total number of foster youth in PA is on the decline, according to the 2012 State of Child Welfare report. “This a very important statistic,” says Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children President & CEO Joan Benso. “Children who live in foster care don’t experience the […]