House, Senate Republican Leaders Oppose Job-Killing Energy Compact
Sent letter to Independent Regulatory Review Commission prior to regulatory consideration of RGGI compact

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representative Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre/Mifflin/Huntingdon/Juniata), and Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) sent a letter to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) before it gives consideration to Environmental Quality Board (EQB) regulations that would enter Pennsylvania into this job-killing Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

In writing to IRRC, the leaders note that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the EQB lack authority to enter Pennsylvania into RGGI and that doing so would lead to job loss and harm Pennsylvania’s energy industry and the consumers who rely on it.

“Not only will joining RGGI greatly harm the residents of our Commonwealth and Pennsylvania’s energy industry, but the EQB and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) lack the constitutional and statutory authority to promulgate this regulation to link Pennsylvania with the initiative,” the letter states in part.

“In addition to our significant concerns regarding DEP’s lack of authority for the regulation, the simple fact is that RGGI is not the right move for Pennsylvania. Unlike the potential benefits of RGGI, the risks are not speculative. They are real, immediate and certain,” the letter also states. “DEP’s own modeling demonstrates that coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania will be eliminated if the RGGI regulation is enacted. Natural gas plants will also be severely impacted as many will close or reduce generation.”

PennDOT Stresses Safe Driving Ahead of Super Bowl   

Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds motorists to practice safe driving behaviors on Super Bowl Sunday as snow, low temperatures and impaired drivers may be a factor.

As Sunday forecasts predict low temperatures and possible snow in the southwest region of the state, drivers are advised to stay in during inclement weather unless it’s necessary to be out. However, anyone planning to travel for the Super Bowl is reminded to slow down your speed and increase the following distance from the vehicle in front of you.

To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking roadway conditions by visiting www.511PA.com. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.

Another factor for motorists to consider on Sunday is impaired driving. When drinking becomes part of the plan for celebrating the big game, fans are reminded to stay from behind the wheel. Local law enforcement will increase efforts to get impaired drivers off the road and keep innocent lives safe.

Many people will decide not to gather this year to celebrate the Super Bowl. In order to limit the amount of travel on the roads in an effort to remain safe PennDOT advises the following tips:

• Prepare your snacks ahead of time so there is no need to leave.
• Have plenty of water available, especially if alcohol is present.
• Consider making mocktails as an alternative to alcoholic beverages.
• Never mix your medications with alcohol.

According to preliminary PennDOT data, last year there were 336 crashes statewide from 6:00 PM on Super Bowl Sunday to 6:00 AM the following day.

The final component to being safer in the vehicle year-round is to always buckle up. Everyone in the vehicle should wear a seat belt, as they are proven to save lives and are the first defense of safety in the event of a crash.

For more PennDOT information, visit www.PennDot.gov/winter.

For regional twitter updates, visit www.511PAPittsburgh.

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Senator Elder Vogel has raised serious concerns about the Governor’s proposal to raise  income taxes, increase state spending and slash Pennsylvania’s support for agricultural programs.

The Governor On Wednesday unveiled his proposed $40.2 billion General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which includes a $3.1 billion (8.2 percent) increase in state spending, a substantial Personal Income Tax rate hike, imposition of Marcellus Shale extraction tax, and elimination of funding for vital agricultural programs and services.

As Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees the budget review process in the Senate, and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, Senator Vogel said he has several serious concerns about the Governor’s proposal.

Vogel state that the Governor wants to increase the state personal income tax  rate from 3.07 percent to 4.49 percent which is a 46.3 percent hike as of July 1 to raise $3 billion annually. About one-third of all Pennsylvanians, would see their state tax burden increase under the Governor’s proposed PIT rate hike and he feels this is not the time for that especially with the pandemic. 

The Senator said in Upwards of one million PA small businesses will have their tax rates increased by 46.3 percent under the Governor’s proposal, since these pass-through businesses (i.e. S corporations, partnerships, etc.) pay business taxes at the PIT rate. 

Vogel stated:  “First, an 8.2 percent increase in state spending is completely out of line with the current economic climate in Pennsylvania. We are coming off a year when 1.5 million Pennsylvanians were unemployed and we are nowhere near the end of the pandemic,” said Senator Vogel. “Then, his plan to increase the PIT to cover the costs places an onerous burden on workers and especially small businesses, many of which are already in dire financial straits.” 

The Governor is again making his annual push for a Marcellus Shale extraction tax. This proposal would severely impact the gas industry. Pennsylvania saw a $50 million reduction in its impact fee revenue, according to the latest Independent Fiscal Office report.  According to the Senator  “He keeps bringing the extraction tax to the table and the Legislature shoots it down each year,” Senator Vogel said. “We recognize the long-term benefits of the natural gas industry and look forward to the economic boost that the cracker plant will bring locally and across the state when it goes online. Further taxing gas extraction would not produce the revenue he projects and would more likely devastate the industry and cost jobs.”

While the Governor is calling for a major spending increase in several budgetary line items, he is also planning to eliminate $5 million in state funding for broadband expansion, even though the funding is mandated by Act 132 of 2020 (Senate Bill 835), as well as millions of dollars for agricultural programs and health care services.

“Agriculture is again taking another major hit in this budget,” said Senator Vogel. “This is nothing new. Governors have used this tactic on several occasions. They reallocate the money knowing full well that the General Assembly will restore these line items. We recognize the value of these important programs, even if the Administration doesn’t.” 

The Governor’s proposed cuts to Agriculture funding include:

• Agriculture Research (-$2.2 million)
• Ag. Promotion, Education Exports (-$553,000) 
• Hardwoods Research and Promotion (-$474,000)
• Livestock Show (-$215,000)
• Open Dairy Show (-$215,000)
• Food Marketing and Research (-$494,000)
• Livestock and Consumer Health Protection (-$1 million)
• Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission (-$2 million)

HARRISBURG – Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s annual budget address:

“Today we learned exactly what priorities Gov. Wolf has for the people of Pennsylvania.

“While I respectfully disagree with many of these proposals, including raising income taxes and full legalization of marijuana, my deepest concerns are related to the actual administration of our government.

“I cannot – nor will our citizens – tolerate the quiet dismissal of the open mismanagement that has occurred in our executive agencies.

“Almost a year ago, the Department of Community and Economic Development instituted a business waiver program for employers shut down by the governor’s executive order. The program, by all accounts and measures, was a failure.

“The Department of Health took the lead on COVID-19 testing. Headlines from statewide media said gaps in the system led to a ‘systemic failure to collect critical data.’

“The shutdown forced millions of Pennsylvanians out of work, but when they sought out unemployment compensation, money they had paid into the system themselves, the Department of Labor’s system failed.

“Just this week, we learned that the Department of the State failed in its most basic duty – to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment intended to help victims of childhood sexual abuse, delaying this important reform that was years in the making.

“The Department of Education, in support of public health goals, closed all Pennsylvania schools and issued guidance encouraging some schools to remain closed for the foreseeable future. As a result, academic progress has slowed or stopped across the state, hitting children in need the hardest. Another failure of the executive branch.

“Finally, Pennsylvania ranks 44^th in the nation in vaccine distribution. More than 40% of the vaccines our Commonwealth has received have failed to make it into people’s arms.

“There can be no greater goal of state government at this moment than to ensure our people have access to the vaccine. If it is not our top priority, then the pandemic and all that is associated with it will continue. Ensuring vaccines are available and reaching Pennsylvanians is the most important role leaders of today have ever faced.”

“The executive branch’s failures must end. People were promised and rightfully expect a government that works.

“To that end, I again reiterate that the House of Representatives – which has heard directly from the people impacted by all of these issues – stands ready to help our citizens.”

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa City Council met via ZOOM and approved the hiring of 2 part time firefighters, Joshua Trone and Brian Haney. The hirings were   recommended by  Fire Chief Dave Foringer..

Story by Beaver County radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Brighton Twp., Pa.) D.J. Frye, owner of Frye Transportation Group, inc. confirmed  that an unfortunate accident occurred  involving  a female driver  on Monday  at the Western Avenue garage in Brighton Township.Frye said he can’t comment  further at this time.

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed increasing Basic Education Funding by more than 21% in the coming fiscal year.

The governor’s proposal would raise Basic Ed funding by more than $1.3 billion and distribute it through the state’s fair funding formula, to help school districts with the greatest needs.

Chris Lilienthal, assistant director of communications for the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), said the proposal also includes a $200 million increase in Special Ed funding.

“We really commend the governor for his ongoing commitment to public education,” Lilienthal stated. “PSEA strongly believes that there’s nothing more important than investing in our schools and our students, and Governor Wolf has been a leader on that issue.”

Wolf is also proposing $23 million for Pre-K Counts and $5 million for the Head Start Supplemental Program, which would allow more than 3,000 additional children to enroll in high-quality early education programs.

Lilienthal concurred those programs pay off down the line.

“Children who have access to these opportunities are going to have greater success in kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade,” Lilienthal outlined. “These students are more likely to graduate high school. And they’re even more likely to earn higher salaries as an adult.”

He called funding for early education an investment in the future of the Commonwealth.

The governor’s proposal includes raising the minimum teacher salary for the first time in 30 years, from $18,500 to $45,000.

Lilienthal pointed out some districts already pay their teachers that much, but many others pay far less.

“The result of that is that we have thousands of hard-working educators who are taking on second jobs, third jobs, and they still are struggling to raise a small family and make ends meet,” Lilienthal contended.

He added the increase would help address a growing teacher shortage, encourage more college students to go into education and help retain those that go into teaching.

Pennsylvania: No plan for centralized COVID vaccine signup
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press
The Wolf administration is throwing cold water on the idea of a one-stop-shop system that would help people schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Some health executives are advocating a centralized system as a way to manage the mad scramble for shots that has eligible residents signing up with multiple providers. Alison Beam, the state’s acting health secretary, says a centralized registration portal would present significant technical hurdles, and would not solve the primary challenge faced by Pennsylvania and every other state — the lack of supply.