Fed keeps rate near zero but sees brighter economy in 2021
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve will keep buying government bonds until the economy makes “substantial” progress, a step intended to reassure financial markets and keep long-term borrowing rates low. The Fed also said after its latest policy meeting that it will keep its short-term benchmark interest rate pegged near zero. The Fed has kept its key rate there since March, when it took a range of extraordinary steps to fight the pandemic recession. In a series of economic projections, Fed officials painted a brighter picture of the economy next year, compared with its last projections in September. The improvement likely reflects the expected impact of the new coronavirus vaccines.

Negotiators near agreement on long-delayed COVID-19 aid bill
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Top congressional leaders appear to be on the brink of a long-delayed COVID-19 aid package. A deal could come as early as Wednesday on legislation that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions. Negotiators are working on a $900 billion package that would revive subsidies for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, help distribute new vaccines, fund schools and renew soon-to-expire jobless benefits. They’re also looking to include new direct payments of about $600 to most Americans. There’s intense pressure for a deal. Unemployment benefits run out Dec. 26 for more than 10 million people. Many businesses are barely hanging on after nine months of the pandemic.

PennDOT Reduces Speed Limits on Several Area Roadways

 

Pittsburgh, PA – Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

1. Interstates 79 (in Allegheny County), 376 (Parkways East and West in Allegheny County and the Beaver Valley Expressway in Beaver and Lawrence counties), 279, and 579; and
2. State Routes 28 (in Allegheny County) and 422 (in Lawrence County).

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.Ready.PA.gov or by downloading the free ReadyPA app for Apple or Android devices. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh

(Harrisburg, Pa.) Pennsylvania’s State Veterinarian  Dr. Kevin Brightball announced Tuesday Morning that Santa Claus’ Reindeer have been cleared to make their annual Christmas Eve journey. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and the leader of the team Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer have been given a clean bill of health and are good to go for Christmas Eve.

 

HARRISBURG – Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has shut down a California-based company that was allegedly operating an illegal student loan forgiveness scheme that took advantage of Pennsylvanians, many of which were already struggling to keep up with their student loan payments.

 

“The settlement my office negotiated today ensures this company won’t be able to scam hardworking Pennsylvanians struggling to pay off their student loans. Under this agreement, the company must cease operations in Pennsylvania and return $74,000 to PA consumers,” said AG Shapiro. “Consumers should remember: Only scammers promise fast loan forgiveness. Consumers should never pay upfront fees for help. If you think you’re being scammed, I want to hear from you.”

 

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General entered into a settlement in the form of an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) with United Holdings Group, LLC, which does business as “Student Education Center” (“SEC”). The AVC requires the company to cease operations in Pennsylvania, refund $74,000 in fees Pennsylvania consumers paid the company, and pay $50,000 in costs and penalties.

 

According to the Commonwealth’s investigation, SEC made telephone solicitation calls to Pennsylvania consumers and offered their services to reduce or eliminate consumers’ student loan debt; used false advertising tactics on its website; and posted fraudulent reviews – purporting to be from customers all over the country – on the Better Business Bureau’s website.

 

SEC’s website stated that once a consumer was approved, they were “all set up with the new servicer,” when, in fact, SEC was not a servicer and typically did not change the borrower’s servicer. The AVC also alleges that SEC tricked more than 200 consumers into paying hundreds to thousands of dollars in fees for enrolling them into Income Driven Plans (“IDR”), which are free to enroll in.

 

“SEC took $4000 from me. I am a single mother, and every little bit of money matters for us,” said Carrie Airhart, a Pennsylvania consumer affected by SEC’s fraud. “I was contacted by an investigator, and they pinpointed that there was a concern about the account because my demographic information changed. The change caused me to not receive any of the calls or emails. Once I worked with the investigator, I discovered the company was fraudulent, and called the PA Office of Attorney General.  They helped me recoup the entire investment. They made the process really seamless for me.”

 

Pennsylvanians who need help with IDR or other loan repayment programs can obtain free help from Summer, a social enterprise that Pennsylvania has previously partnered with to provide free student loan assistance for all Pennsylvania residents during the COVID-19 emergency. No consumer should ever pay a company that promises to lower their student loan payments.

 

Any student who has paid this company for student loan services can file a complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

 

The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance was filed in the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Merna T. Hoffman. The case arose from a referral from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Gov. Wolf Signs Winter Weather Emergency Proclamation, Advises State is Prepared for the Storm and Vaccine Distribution

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today signed a proclamation of disaster emergency in anticipation of a major winter storm expected to bring as much as two feet of snow to parts of the commonwealth. Power outages are also a possibility, given the wet, heavy nature of the snow and strong winds that could bring down trees and power lines.

“Currently, models predict that the first significant winter storm in nearly a year will hit Pennsylvania tomorrow,” Gov. Wolf said during a virtual press conference today. “The commonwealth’s emergency preparedness teams have spent a great deal of time and energy over the last several months supporting efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and help the commonwealth weather this public health emergency and ensure vaccines are delivered as planned. This proclamation makes it easier for all of those involved in vaccine delivery and keeping people safe to do their jobs.”

The proclamation covers the following counties: Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York.

It is important to note that the proclamation itself does not restrict vehicular travel on commonwealth roads, but PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be announcing speed and travel restrictions.

Restrictions will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website at www.511pa.com and smartphone apps. Motorists can also sign up for alerts on www.511pa.com by clicking on “Personal Alerts” in the left-hand menu.

PennDOT is urging motorists to use caution during the event and generally reduce speeds and be aware of changing weather conditions. Heavy winds and blowing/drifting snow are expected with this storm, and motorists always should be alert for sudden squalls which can strike with little or no warning and quickly cause roads to become snow covered. Heavy squalls also can cause whiteout conditions, virtually eliminating a driver’s visibility.

Motorists are reminded that roadways will not be free of snow while precipitation is falling. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form without warning.

To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the “Check My Route” tool.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Drivers should prepare or restock their emergency kits with items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. Motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families have such as baby supplies, extra medication and pet supplies.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) works with county emergency management personnel to monitor unmet local needs during inclement weather affecting travel, utilities and shelter. PEMA encourages Pennsylvanians to access www.Ready.pa.gov for free downloadable emergency kit checklists for the home and car. PEMA is also coordinating any unmet needs to ensure the COVID-19 vaccine deliveries planned for this week go as expected.

The Pennsylvania State Police says the number one thing people can do to keep themselves and first responders safe is to stay home and not travel during and immediately after the storm. State police and local law enforcement will respond to traffic collisions and work to clear them as quickly as possible, but emergency crews will be dealing with the same weather as everyone else, so response times will be affected. Before the snow starts falling, make sure your home is stocked with the essentials so that you don’t have to go out during the storm.

If you must travel, slow down and increase your following distance. Most collisions in snowy and icy conditions are the result of driving too fast for the conditions or following too closely. Four-wheel drive may help with driving in the snow, but it does nothing to help with stopping, so leave plenty of room. And remember, speed limits are designed for ideal conditions. Drivers can be cited for driving too fast for the conditions, even below the speed limit.

The emergency proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of this emergency situation. In addition, emergency procurement procedures are authorized for purchasing supplies or services to aid emergency response.

In addition, the proclamation authorizes the Department of Transportation to waive regulations related to drivers of commercial vehicles in order to ensure the timely movement of commodities, particularly food.

It also provides consumer protections against price gouging by prohibiting companies from charging a price for consumer goods or services that exceeds 20 percent of the average price that the consumer goods or services were sold for in the seven days preceding the effective date of the governor’s proclamation.

A Proclamation of Disaster Emergency is effective for a 90-day period unless sooner rescinded or extended by official action of the Governor.

“Commonwealth agencies have been watching this storm for several days, and we are ready to provide whatever support is needed to keep our citizens safe during this potentially dangerous storm,” Gov. Wolf said. “We encourage you to prepare now to keep your loved ones safe, and also avoid any unnecessary travel.”

For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at www.PennDOT.gov/safety.

Follow the conversation by using #PAWinter on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews and visit the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation.

By JILL COLVIN and JONATHAN COOPER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — For weeks, President Donald Trump has been on a mission to convince his loyal base his victory was stolen and the contest was rigged. Polls show he’s had considerable success. But now the Electoral College has formalized Joe Biden’s win and Republican officials including Senate Leader Mitch McConnell are finally acknowledging Biden as president-elect, many Trump voters nationwide seem to be doing the same. Interviews with voters and fresh surveys of Republicans suggest their unfounded doubts about the integrity of the vote remain. But there’s far less consensus on what should be done about it and whether to carry that resentment forward. Republican officials nationwide say there’s no evidence mass voter fraud affected the outcome.