Monday December 20th at the
By ALAN FRAM Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A sharply divided House has approved the Democrats’ sweeping social and environment bill, a big victory for President Joe Biden. Republicans solidly opposed the measure, but Democrats prevailed after the party’s progressives and moderates ended months of disputes over its size and scope. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where moderates like West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin are poised to curtail the bill further. The measure would bolster child care assistance, create free preschool, curb seniors’ prescription drug costs and combat climate change. Passage came after new cost estimates from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the legislation would cause federal deficits to grow by $160 billion over the coming decade.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was joined by fellow Committee members, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and John Katko (NY-24), to introduce the bipartisan Promoting Advancement Through Transit Help (PATH) to College Act. Senator Bob Casey (PA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The PATH to College Act establishes a new pilot grant program for public transit providers, in collaboration with eligible institutions of higher education, to increase access to public transportation for college students.
The PATH to College Act authorizes funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor to award funds, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education and transit agencies for the purpose of improving transit accessibility for students attending community colleges, Minority Serving Institutions, or those with a large number of Pell-eligible students. A report from the Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation indicated that just 57% of community colleges are currently accessible by transit.
“Too many students who want to pursue education or training beyond high school face challenges with the ability to simply get to school. This bill will improve accessibility to public transportation to ensure more students can access education and training opportunities in their community,” said Lamb.
“A lack of reliable transportation should never stop a student from achieving their dreams,” said Casey. “This legislation will improve public transportation so students can pursue education and training beyond high school, allowing them to focus on their education instead of how they’re getting to school every day. I’m proud to partner with Representative Lamb on this bill and I’ll keep fighting to get it over the finish line.”
“The cost and lack of access to public transportation are often barriers for students pursuing higher education,” said Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan legislation will increase public transit stops near college campuses, ensuring that students have a reliable and affordable way to get to class, so they are able to focus on their studies.”
“The lack of access to reliable transportation is one of the greatest barriers between students and their educational pursuits. Far too often, young people are challenged with the simple task of getting to campus. This legislation will improve access to public transportation to ensure that students can get to class easily and on time,” said Wilson.
Multiple higher education and workforce development advocacy organizations have endorsed the legislation, including Partner4Work, Association of Community College Trustees, College Promise, Student Veterans of America and more. Click here to read the endorsing letters.
Visit Lamb’s website to learn more about the PATH to College Act.
Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate Down to 6.0 Percent in October
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for October 2021.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was down two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 6.0 percent in October. The U.S. rate also fell two-tenths of a percentage point from its September level, down to 4.6 percent. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate was 1.0 percentage points below its October 2020 level and the national rate was down 2.3 points over the year.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – decreased 6,000 over the month. The unemployment count fell for the eighth consecutive month, with 12,000 fewer unemployed individuals in October.
Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs increased by 19,100 over the month to 5,760,800 in October, the sixth consecutive gain. The number of jobs increased from September in seven of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest movement was an increase of 8,600 leisure & hospitality jobs. Over the year, total nonfarm jobs were up 134,700 with gains in nine of the 11 supersectors. Leisure & hospitality had the largest 12-month gain, adding back 47,300 jobs. All supersectors remained below their February 2020 job levels as of October 2021.
Additional information is available on the L&I website at www.dli.pa.gov or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Steelers’ Rudolph preps as starter, Roethlisberger waits
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph is preparing as if he will start against the Los Angeles Chargers. Starter Ben Roethlisberger remains on the COVID-19 list after testing positive last week, but could play if he is cleared in time for kickoff. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada says he is in contact with Roethlisberger regularly and that Roethlisberger has been in attendance for virtual meetings with the offensive staff. Rudolph says he is hopeful he gets another opportunity, but will work hard to make sure Roethlisberger has what he needs if he returns to action.
No. 20 Pitt can wrap up Coastal with win over Virginia
By The Associated Press undefined
No. 20 Pittsburgh can clinch its second ACC Coastal Division title in four years with a victory over Virginia. The game will be the last appearance at Heinz Field for Pitt star QB Kenny Pickett. Pickett needs 163 yards passing to break Rod Rutherford’s school record for yards passing in a single season. The Cavaliers are hopeful quarterback Brennan Armstrong can play. Armstrong did not play during last week’s loss to Notre Dame due to an injury. Pitt has won four of the last five meetings with the Cavaliers, but Virginia’s lone win during that stretch came during a visit to Pittsburgh in 2019.
Blueger has 2 goals to back Jarry, Penguins blank Canadiens
MONTREAL (AP) — Teddy Blueger scored two goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a three-game skid, pounding the Montreal Canadiens 6-0. Tristan Jarry stopped all 24 shots for the Penguins. Pittsburgh exploded in the first period with goals from Sidney Crosby, Danton Heinen and Jake Guentzel. Blueger and Brock Gill scored in the second, and Blueger added a late third-period goal. Cayden Primeau allowed five goals on 31 shots in two periods for the Canadiens. Samuel Montembeault replaced Primeau at the start of the third, allowed one goal and made 11 saves.
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved plans submitted by several utilities to distribute accumulated tax savings associated with the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which had not been previously addressed.
The Commission voted 3-0 to approve petitions filed by Peoples Gas Company, Pennsylvania Power Company (Penn Power), Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed), Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and West Penn Power Company to distribute tax savings that accumulated during the period of January 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018, along with and interest.
Under the plans approved today, the utilities will be returning the following accumulated tax savings and interest to their customers during the coming year:
The Commission noted that in each of these situations the additional tax savings being returned to customers during 2022 will temporarily increase the utilities’ current TCJA surcharge/credit, which are also being used to return ongoing tax savings to customer.
The tax savings addressed in these utility plans accumulated before the PUC instituted a statewide process in 2018 to return utility tax savings to customers. Per the Commission’s order, any utility that had not filed a base rate case on or before May 17, 2021, was required to submit a plan to address and return any tax savings that had accumulated between January 1, 2018, and June 30, 2018.
(File Photo taken in 2019 by Frank Sparks )
(Pittsburgh, Pa.) The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing a virtual plans presentation for the preservation project of the Route 18 Rochester-Monaca Bridge over the Ohio River in Monaca and Rochester boroughs.
The proposed project involves a bridge deck overlay, expansion joint replacement, spot/zone painting, steel & concrete repairs, drainage improvements, signage, and other miscellaneous construction. The project will be constructed under a full detour for vehicles via the East Rochester-Monaca Bridge and will remain open for pedestrians. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2023.
As part of PENNDOT’s public involvement process, they have provided a PowerPoint presentation to learn more about the project. Interested individuals can access the presentation beginning Friday, November 19 at: