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 a strong, effective leader to ensure our future excellence,” Peetz said in a written statement. “Rod Erickson is that leader. His salary is in line with competitors and we are pleased to support his presidency.”
Erickson plans to retire in June 2014, and a nationwide search for his replacement is about to get underway. Peetz will be stepping down from her leadership post, to focus on her new position, but will remain a member of the board.
Even with Erickson’s raise, he’s earning far less than his predecessor, and he will not be receiving any of the deferred compensation.
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,” explains AFSCME Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman, who points out that the General Assembly is currently between sessions.
Several Lottery workers and Democratic state lawmakers have joined AFSCME in the effort to permanently block Governor Tom Corbett from entering into a deal that turns Lottery management over to a private entity. Fillman says the Lottery is working well for government, and does not need to be privatized.
A 20-year, $34-billion dollar bid from Camelot Global Services is currently under review, with a December 31st deadline fast approaching.
“This is a frivolous lawsuit that’s looking out for the special interests of a union, rather than what the governor is trying to do, which is look out for the best interest of Pennsylvania’s senior citizens,” Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley tells Radio PA.
Harley says the only reason privatization of Lottery management is being explored is to ensure revenue growth for the programs that benefit older Pennsylvanians. He says no decision has been made.
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 Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Clifford Levine, who served as president of the electoral session, explained why it was important. He told the electors and tellers that they were honoring the votes of a broad and diverse electorate, the aspirations of our founding fathers and the sacrifice of those who marched in our streets and fought in our wars to secure the right to vote.
Governor Corbett added that the gathering bears witness to the genius of our founders and enduring qualities of our national union. He says the president exemplifies our national values and becomes in many ways a personification of America among other countries.
President Obama and his running mate defeated Republican Challenger Mitt Romney by about 310 thousand votes in the November 6th election in Pennsylvania.
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 at the national average. “It’s an increase of 65% in just eight years,” explains Senior Vice President Cathy Schoen, who says Pennsylvanians’ median income increased only 13% over that same period.
If trends continue at this rate the report indicates that Pennsylvania is on its way to a nearly $25,000 a year family premium by the year 2020.
Schoen, however, believes the Affordable Care Act will slow the growth of health insurance and health care costs. “Taking even 1% off the trend makes a real difference,” Schoen says, “By 2020 it would mean – in Pennsylvania — $2,000 more on the table for families in terms of wages or employers investing in jobs.”
The Commonwealth Fund report is being released as governors across the nation are deciding whether to create state-based health insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses to purchase insurance. Pennsylvania, like 27 other states, will rely on the federal government to run its marketplace.
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 is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week.
Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:
[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable12-14-12.mp3]
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 distractions of the holiday season can also pose a risk. Lorraine Carli, Vice President for Communications at the National Fire Protection Association, says cooking is the leading cause of home fires. She says most happen when cooking is left unattended. She says people can become more distracted around the holidays with more visitors or phone calls.
Carli adds that other heat sources including wood burning stoves, fire places and space heaters can also raise your risk of fire unless they’re in good working order and used properly.
Property losses from Christmas tree fires have been on the increase and candle-related fires have caused dozens of deaths and millions in damage since 2008. Carli says live trees must be watered frequently and holiday lights should be checked for damage. About one third of tree fires are caused by electrical problems.