Category: News

Senator Vogel Raises Concerns About Governor’s Budget and Raising of Taxes

(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)

Pa House Speaker Calls on Governor to Make State Government Work

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 44th 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.”

Aliquippa Council hires 2 part time firefighters

(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..

Mayor Dwan B. Walker announced    that the next food drive will be at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church on Brodhead Road, Friday, February 19 from noon to 2 p.m.
Council voted  to donate $10,000 to B.F. Jones Memorial Library.
Noble Environmental  was approved  to  conduct the electronic recycling  program on  Saturday, April 24, 2021.

Accident at Brighton Twp. Bus Garage Claims Bus Driver’s Life

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.

Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer identified the driver as  Rebecca (Becky)( Malcomb) Huff, 57 of Brighton Township.
The coroner said  the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, and  it was accidental..

Pa House Republicans Prioritizing COVID-19 Relief, Vaccines

House Republicans Prioritizing COVID-19 Relief, Vaccines
Respond to Gov. Wolf’s attack on working Pennsylvanians and small businesses

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus discussed its prioritization of COVID-19 relief and ensuring robust vaccine deployment while Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a budget proposal that increases the state’s Personal Income Tax by 46%—or $7 billion annually—on working Pennsylvanians and small businesses.

“No matter how you slice it, today Gov. Wolf proposed a massive tax increase on working Pennsylvanians and small businesses—the very same Pennsylvanians who have been unfairly targeted by overbroad and inconsistent economic shutdowns over the past year. Tax increases are not the answer to our current problems,” said House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin).

“Thankfully for Pennsylvanians, the House Republican Caucus will continue to lead by prioritizing economic recovery, protecting Pennsylvania families and ensuring we have a government in which Pennsylvanians can be proud. This week, we will be passing nearly $1 billion in short-term COVID-19 economic relief while working to get vaccines off the shelves and into people’s arms,” continued Benninghoff.

This week the House is expected to pass Senate Bill 109, legislation appropriating nearly $1 billion to small businesses, the hospitality industry, and those needing rent and utility assistance, among other. The plan also includes a grant program for the hospitality industry funded by $145 million from the Workers Compensation Security Fund.

House Appropriations Majority Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) noted the importance of helping these businesses, which will be largely targeted by Gov. Wolf’s proposed increase to the Personal Income Tax.

“What the governor proposed today was just more of the same, but it shockingly and unfairly targeted middle-class, working Pennsylvanians and small businesses job creators to pay the brunt of this massive proposed increase in spending,” Saylor said.

“House Republicans are going to be leading in a different path for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians,” Saylor continued. “This week, we will provide short-term relief to small businesses most impacted by this governor’s ridiculous and confusing economic shutdowns, those needing rent or utility assistance, and the hospitality industry as we plan for long-term solutions to return Pennsylvania back to normal.”

The House is also expected to take up and pass House Bill 326, sponsored by Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), which would utilize the Pennsylvania National Guard in developing vaccine distribution infrastructure to help lift Pennsylvania from its near-bottom ranking in terms of vaccine distribution efficiency.

As of Wednesday morning, Becker’s Hospital Review ranks Pennsylvania as 44th in the nation in terms of distribution efficiency.

Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Wyoming), noted the bill will be considered in that committee Wednesday.

“Our National Guard is a tremendous resource during emergencies and this legislation simply codifies into law key provisions that will enable our national guard, and the agencies they support to be prepared with plans and operations tools that will greatly assist with our state vaccination and pandemic response efforts,” Boback said. “I look forward to moving this bill out of committee today and working across the aisle with my colleagues on a finished product that the Senate can take up in the near future.”

O’Neal commented on the impetus for his bill, which is to improve Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 vaccine deployment.

“With Pennsylvania being at the bottom of states when it comes to vaccine administration, it is simply unacceptable,” O’Neal said. “I’m hopeful my legislation to involve the National Guard in distributing and possibly administering the vaccine will speed efforts to get shots in arms. The National Guard has expertise in logistics. We need to use their talents to take this important step in stopping the spread of COVID-19.”

PA Governor Proposes Major Ed-Budget Boost

Keystone State News Connection

February 4, 2021

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.

Archer agrees to rejoin Rays on $6.5 million, 1-year deal

Archer agrees to rejoin Rays on $6.5 million, 1-year deal
By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Two-time All-Star pitcher Chris Archer has agreed to rejoin the Tampa Bay Rays on a $6.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. The 32-year-old right-hander, an All-Star with the Rays in 2015 and 2017, is expected to get an opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation for the defending AL champions. Archer went 54-68 with a 3.69 ERA in seven seasons with the Rays, who traded him to Pittsburgh in July 2018. He missed the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery.

Pennsylvania: No plan for centralized COVID vaccine signup

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.

Wolf launches a budget fraught with deficits, uncertainty

Wolf launches a budget fraught with deficits, uncertainty
By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is asking lawmakers to raise income taxes on higher earners and give public schools a massive boost in aid. He delivered his annual budget address in a pre-recorded video Wednesday as he faces a gaping deficit and uncertainty over how much more pandemic relief the federal government will send. The Democratic governor is asking the Republican-controlled Legislature to increase the personal income tax to raise $4 billion over a full-year, or about 25% more. The cash would go to public schools and help fill a multibillion-dollar deficit inflicted by the pandemic. It is likely dead on arrival in the Legislature.