(Image/Commonwealth Media Services)
Philadelphia, PA – On September 5, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2023-18 to increase opportunities for small and small diverse businesses to compete for state contracts, make the Commonwealth procurement process more accessible, and take actionable steps to help small businesses and small diverse businesses grow, succeed, and create good-paying jobs.

During their campaign, Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis spoke often
about empowering small businesses and small diverse businesses to expand economic opportunity and help build generational wealth, and the Executive Order signed by the Governor today is the latest step to make good on that promise.

“We need to do more to help our small and small diverse businesses compete for state
dollars,” said Governor Shapiro. “That will require policies like those I’m announcing
today, but most importantly, it will require a Governor who gives a damn and makes
sure these businesses are part of our collective progress. It’s not just the right thing to
do – it’s the smart thing to do. By supporting our small diverse businesses, we’ll not only grow our economy and strengthen our communities – we’ll also create more competition for Commonwealth business and secure higher quality products and better results for all Pennsylvanians.”

“I’ve seen firsthand that small businesses owned by women and Black and brown
Pennsylvanians are vital to our communities. They are gathering places – centers for
connection and conversation, and they are job creators and innovators,”
said Lieutenant Governor Davis. “We must support small-business owners by cutting
red tape and putting resources into economic development and innovation. That’s why today’s Executive Order is so important. We’re going to go out and actively encourage small businesses and small diverse business owners to compete for government contracts and become Commonwealth vendors. Small and small diverse businesses deserve a better shot at competing for state contracts – and the Shapiro-Davis Administration is going to make sure they get it.”

Since Executive Order 2015-11 was signed under the Wolf Administration in 2015, the
Commonwealth has made progress to increase total Commonwealth spend on
contracts with small diverse businesses – increasing the total amount spent by small
diverse businesses from 4.9 percent in 2015 to 11.3 percent in 2022. Governor Shapiro
is doubling down on that progress and instructing Commonwealth agencies to make this a priority. Under the Shapiro Administration, the Department of General Services (DGS) has already made significant strides to support small diverse businesses by reducing the time it takes BDISBO to certify a small business by 33 percent and implementing a prompt pay policy so payments are received faster on state contracts.

This Executive Order directs DGS, under the leadership of Secretary Reggie McNeil,
to lead and coordinate efforts with agencies to increase their total operational spend
and participation in the Commonwealth’s Small Business Reserve (SBR) program,
foster more competitive procurement, and increase the amount of money that goes into the hands of small and small diverse businesses. As part of the Shapiro
Administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, DGS will post
semiannual data for each agency’s total operational spend for SBR procurements.

Effective upon the Governor’s signing, DGS will develop a new methodology for
determining the revenue limit for small businesses that will result in an increase in the
number of businesses that qualify as small businesses. As a first step, Secretary McNeil will update the Commonwealth’s definition of a small business by raising the revenue limit from $38.5 million to $47 million, ensuring more small businesses can qualify.

Furthermore, the Executive Order also establishes the Pennsylvania Advisory Council
for Inclusive Procurement (PACIP) to advise Commonwealth agencies on ways to make state contracting opportunities more inclusive. The PACIP will be chaired by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, with DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil and the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll serving as co-vice chairs.

“Since day one of this Administration, Governor Shapiro has prioritized the need to
improve the experience for Pennsylvania’s small business community and widen the
gate of opportunity to state contracts,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “With that
mandate, DGS has held 18 stakeholder events to engage close to 800 small
businesses Commonwealth-wide, and I have personally met with countless potential
vendors and partners. Based on the feedback that we have received from these
interactions, I am certain that this new Executive Order is going to fill many gaps for our small business community. Actions like this will continue changing the narrative around doing business with the Commonwealth and build up Pennsylvania’s small business community – and we are moving at the speed of business.”

DGS and PennDOT will also work in partnership to further improve the
Commonwealth’s open, inclusive, and accessible contracting environment to increase
its small business and small diverse business spending as a percentage of all dollars
paid for goods and services by the agencies for their respective programs. Under the
Executive Order, both agencies will also conduct significant outreach to the small
diverse business community and provide key technical support to qualifying small
businesses interested in competing for state contracts. DGS and PennDOT will also
designate employees to serve on an interagency working group that will assist the
PACIP as set forth in the Executive Order.

“The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to growing Pennsylvania’s economy
and creating opportunity for everyone in the Commonwealth – and I’m honored to serve on the PACIP with the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary McNeil, Secretary Siger, Acting Secretary Spicher, and Secretary Walker,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “I look forward to working with Secretary McNeil to engage small businesses and ensure partnerships are in place to provide technical assistance so they can compete for state contracts, including financial assistance programs, and make it easier for them to do business with the Commonwealth and its contracting partners.”
DGS and PennDOT’s work to create an inclusive and accessible contracting
environment to increase small and small diverse business spending by Commonwealth agencies will include partnering with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to connect businesses with resources and promote financing and capital access options, regularly reporting on agencies’ procurement spending levels, more efficient matching of prime contractors with available small and small diverse subcontractors, increased participation in mentor-protegee programs across the Commonwealth, and partnering with the Commonwealth Office of Digital Experience (CODE PA) to improve small businesses’ online interactions with the Commonwealth.

“Opening the doors wider to lift up small and diverse businesses requires institutional
buy-in at all levels,” said Della Clark, President and CEO of The Enterprise Center.
“We view this Executive Order as the first step to combining contracts, capital, and
expertise to intentionally grow small and diverse led businesses across the
Commonwealth. Thank you to the Shapiro-Davis Administration for their leadership in
driving change.”

Pennsylvania small businesses and small diverse businesses can find details on
BDISBO, contracting opportunities, and other resources at pa.gov/smalldiversebusiness.

Read Executive Order 2023-18, Improving State Government Contracting Opportunities for Pennsylvania’s Small Business and Small Diverse Businesses, here.

Gas prices are a penny cheaper in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.852 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                          $3.852
Average price during the week of August 28, 2023                                              $3.861
Average price during the week of September 6, 2022                                       $4.010

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$3.892      Altoona
$3.731      Beaver
$3.759      Bradford
$3.791      Brookville
$3.921      Butler
$3.905      Clarion
$3.910      DuBois
$3.959      Erie
$3.849      Greensburg
$3.891      Indiana
$3.870      Jeannette
$3.869      Kittanning
$3.895      Latrobe
$3.698      Meadville
$4.000      Mercer
$3.663      New Castle
$3.884      New Kensington
$3.996      Oil City
$3.843      Pittsburgh
$3.661      Sharon
$3.790      Uniontown
$3.999      Warren
$3.826      Washington

Trend Analysis:

While damage assessments are still being made in the wake of Hurricane Idalia, pump prices remained in neutral, with the national average for a gallon of gas falling by a penny since last week to $3.81. Oil and gas experts have noted that overall gasoline demand during the summer vacation season failed to match previous years despite retail gasoline prices below last year’s. Today’s national average is two cents less than a month ago but three cents more than a year ago.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand increased slightly from 8.91 to 9.07 million barrels per day last week. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks took a slight step back to 217.4 million barrels. Although demand has increased, fluctuating oil prices have limited pump price increases.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, West Texas Intermediate increased by 47 cents to settle at $81.63. Oil prices rose amid ongoing concern Hurricane Idalia would interrupt fuel supply in the Southeast. However, some fuel terminals have resumed operations, and more are expected in the coming days as storms subside and damage assessments can be undertaken. Additionally, the EIA reported that total domestic commercial crude inventories decreased significantly from 433.5 to 422.9 million barrels.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at gasprices.aaa.com.

Beaver Falls, PA – As the Geneva community celebrates its 175th anniversary, we are excited  to launch the Geneva Tuition Promise. 

The Geneva Tuition Promise ensures that all eligible Pennsylvania students from  families with income less than $70,000 annually will pay no undergraduate tuition at Geneva College starting with the incoming class in the fall of 2024. 

To be eligible for the Geneva Tuition Promise a student must have a complete application for admissions by March 1st, 2024, have official residency in Pennsylvania, and be eligible to  receive any amount of Pell Grant. 

“We know that college affordability is a primary concern for families today. We also know that  Geneva has long been one of the most affordable options for Christian higher education. By launching the Geneva Tuition Promise we are doubling down on that legacy and are continuing to work towards making a rigorous Christian education accessible for all.” – Willem  de Ruijter MAHE ‘14, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing 

Geneva Tuition Promise ensures that quality independent Christian higher education is within reach for every Pennsylvania family. The outcomes of a Geneva College education are clear – our graduates serve as faithful and fruitful leaders across the globe as judges, teachers,  engineers, community leaders, analysts, and more. Within 6 months of graduating, over 93% of our graduates are employed or in graduate school. 

While the outcomes and value of a Geneva education are evident – there is a national  recognition that college is a significant investment. Finances are an ever-increasing barrier to  many students accessing the type of Christian education that Geneva offers. As part of Geneva’s ministry of education, we are taking steps that allow all Pennsylvania families to benefit from the expectational outcomes of a Geneva education. In addition to launching the  Geneva Tuition Promise for new Pennsylvania students starting in the fall of 2024, Geneva is also advancing the affordability of Geneva College for all students. Beginning in the fall of 2024 the highest achieving academic students can receive up to $20,000 annually totaling $80,000 over four years, an aid increase of over 14% towards the completion of their Geneva degree.

FILE – United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain holds up a sign at a union rally held near a Stellantis factory Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Detroit. The demands that a more combative United Auto Workers union has made of General Motors, Stellantis and Ford — demands that even the UAW’s president has called “audacious” — are edging it closer to a strike when its current contract ends Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Mike Householder, File)

DETROIT (AP) — A 46% pay raise. A 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay. A restoration of traditional pensions. The demands that a more combative United Auto Workers union has pressed on General Motors, Stellantis and Ford are edging it closer to a strike when its contract ends Sept. 14. The automakers, which are making billions in profits, have dismissed the UAW’s wish list. They argue that its demands are unrealistic at a time of fierce competition as the world shifts from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. The wide gulf between the sides could mean a strike against one or more of the automakers, which could send already-inflated vehicle prices even higher.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing slide remediation work on Gringo Road (Route 152) in Hopewell Township, Beaver County, will begin today, Tuesday, September 5 weather permitting.

Single-lane alternating traffic controlled by flaggers will occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays  through mid-September on Gringo Road between Kane Road and Mosholder Lane. Crews from A. Folino Construction will conduct slide repair work.

Please use caution when traveling in this area.

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing lane restrictions on Route 2006 (Lovi Road) in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County will start today, Tuesday, September 5 weather permitting.

Lane restrictions controlled by flaggers will occur on Lovi Road between Summerfield Drive and Commerce Street as crews conduct water line installation work. Restrictions will occur weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through late September.

In this image from video made available by NASA, a SpaceX capsule, slowed by parachutes, splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, as it returns to Earth with NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, United Arab Emirates astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi, NASA astronaut Warren (Woody) Hoburg and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrei Fedyaev after a six-month stay at the International Space Station. (NASA via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts are back on Earth after a six-month stay at the International Space Station. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Atlantic early Monday off the Florida coast. Returning were two NASA astronauts, one from Russia and another from the United Arab Emirates. Before departing the space station, they said they were craving hot showers and steaming coffee. SpaceX launched their replacements over a week ago. Another crew swap will occur later this month with the long-awaited homecoming of three astronauts who have been up there a year. Their stay was doubled after their Soyuz capsule leaked and a new craft had to be launched.

In this satellite photo provided by Maxar Technologies, an overview of Burning Man festival in Black Rock, Nev on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (©2023 Maxar Technologies via AP)

BLACK ROCK DESERT, Nev. (AP) — Partygoers stranded for days at a counterculture festival by a late summer storm were allowed to start leaving Monday afternoon after muddy roads dried up enough for them to begin their exodus from the northern Nevada desert. An unusual late-summer storm turned the week-long Burning Man fest into a sloppy mess, with tens of thousands stuck in foot-deep mud and with no working toilets. The gathering in the Black Rock Desert north of Reno attracts nearly 80,000 artists, musicians and activists for a mix of wilderness camping and avant-garde performances. More a half-inch of rain fell at the festival site on Friday, the National Weather Service in Reno said. At least one death has been reported. But festival organizers say it wasn’t weather-related.

FILE – In this Sept. 29, 2008 file photo, Singer Steve Harwell, of Smash Mouth, performs with the band in Anaheim, Calif. Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth, has died. He was 56. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, says Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” on Monday morning, Sept. 4, 2023 surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Steve Harwell, the longtime frontman of the Grammy-nominated pop rock band Smash Mouth, has died. He was 56. The band’s manager, Robert Hayes, says Harwell “passed peacefully and comfortably” on Monday morning, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Boise, Idaho. Hayes says Harwell died of acute liver failure. Smash Mouth released two platinum albums, the 1997 ska-fueled debut “Fush Yu Mang” and 1999’s “Astro Lounge,” featuring some of the band’s biggest hits, including the platinum single “All Star.” That appeared in the movie “Shrek,” alongside the band’s cover of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” The band’s other hits include “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “Then the Morning Comes.”