The House Health & Human Services Committee held a public hearing today to listen to a briefing from Secretary Everette James and other Department of Health officials on a possible H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) outbreak in the fall. Secretary James provided an overview of the outbreak of H1N1 in the spring and also explained what plans the state has drawn up to deal with another potential outbreak when flu season begins in the fall. Topics discussed included the development of a vaccine for H1N1, distribution of that vaccine, as well as how schools, businesses, and regular citizens should be prepared to deal with another future outbreak. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information.
|
|
|||
|
Posted by intern | Tags: disease prevention, fire fighters, h1n1, R&D, swine flu, vaccinations | Category: House Gaming Oversight, House Health, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Ed Rendell today met with the media to discuss the ongoing budget negotiations and once again called on the legislature to send him a budget and he will sign it provided that it (1) does not make any additional cuts to education and health care, and (2) it balances the budget for the next two years and “makes in roads†on the budget in year three. The governor did indicate that the mood has shifted and perhaps a final agreement is finally within sights. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox shortly. The House Health & Human Services Committee met today to vote on two bills and two resolutions. House Bill 816 was unanimously reported as amended by amendment A03334 and House Bill 1358 was also unanimously reported as amended by amendment A03590. House Resolution 380 and House Resolution 404 were both unanimously reported by the committee. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: dental care, Funerals, heart disease | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Gaming Oversight, House Health | Comments are closed | Share:
The Pennsylvania School Funding Campaign called on the Legislature and the Governor and the Legislature to pass the “right budget” at a press conference today, one which continues year two of the funding formula. School districts missed their second monthly state subsidy payment and local school leaders discussed the challenges they are facing. Dr. Richard Fry, Superintendent of the Big Spring School District stated that his district “anticipates having to borrow funds to meet payroll” due to the delay in state funding. Laura Cowburn, Assistant to the Superintendent for Business Services in the Columbia Borough School District, called on the state to “be a partner.” “We want a partner that puts its money where the mandates are for accountability and success of our students,” she said, “We want a partner that understand adequately funding our schools is not just a local responsibility.”
BUDGET IMPASSE FORCING SCHOOLS TO BORROW MONEY According to Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Unless a state budget passes in a hurry, school districts across the state tomorrow will miss out on their second state subsidy payment, estimated at $876 million. That will bring the total subsidy amount delayed by the budget impasse to nearly $1.3 billion. School officials are left digging into reserves, borrowing money and holding off spending as they closely watch their cash flow to make sure they can meet payroll and other expenses. Some of the blow is cushioned because the bulk of the year’s property taxes typically are received this time of year. The impact of the delay varies widely by district. Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article. SENATE REPUBLICANS UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT SALES TAX EXPANSION According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Senate Republicans aren’t likely to support taxing items now exempt from state sales tax, Joe Scarnati, the chamber’s top elected Republican, said Tuesday. “I personally have a real problem with it, because you have whole industries that could be negatively affected,” said Scarnati, the president pro tempore and lieutenant governor. “I Continue reading Eye Opener – August 26, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Health & Human Services Subcommittee on Mental Health met today for a public hearing to address concerns with the reporting process and operating procedures for Mental Retardation Group Homes. Testifying in front of the committee were panels representing advocacy groups, providers, and consumers of mental health services. The issue of Adult Protective Services (APS) was extensively discussed during the hearing as a better safety tool for citizens with mental disabilities than the current incident reporting system. Testifiers produced a clear consensus that the current system for reporting incidents leaves too many gaps in delegated responsibilities and duties and is in serious need of reform. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: adult protective services, Child Abuse, Climategate, community mental health/mental retardation | Category: House Gaming Oversight, House Health, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
GOVERNOR RENDELL DISCUSSES BUDGET AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN STATE Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) Secretary Sandi Vito to announce positive economic development news yesterday during the Governor’s press conference. Governor Rendell explained that an internal L&I memo showed that from July 25th to August 7th there were only five business closings as compared to 13 business expansions or openings, which will result in 1,852 jobs created. Governor Rendell also answered questions about the state budget, to which he said there has been slight progress on agreements to a state spending number but that agreements on new reoccurring revenue sources are still elusive. Check the PLS Capitol Tool Box to read the full story. BUDGET OPTIMISM? DS SIGNAL YES, BUT RS COUNTER THEY’RE STRETCHING TRUTH Governor Ed Rendell and House Democrats were newly optimistic Monday about approving the budget after they said informal negotiations with Senate Republicans last week helped the two sides nearly agree on how much the state should spend, a key step toward striking a deal. Their optimism, however, surprised Republicans. A GOP leader told PLS that negotiators haven’t agreed on anything yet Continue reading Eye Opener – August 25, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee met to consider two bills. HB 1661 was reported as committed with Senate Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) and Senator John Eichelberger (R-Blair) voting in the negative. HB 1828 was unanimously reported as amended. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Matt | Category: Senate Finance | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Ed Rendell was joined by Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) Secretary Sandi Vito to announce positive economic development news today during the Governor’s press conference. Governor Rendell explained that an internal L&I memo showed that from July 25th to August 7th there were only five business closings as compared to 13 business expansions or openings, which will result in 1,852 jobs created. Governor Rendell also answered questions about the state budget, to which he said there has been slight progress on agreements to a state spending number but that agreements on new reoccurring revenue sources are still elusive. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: Budget, dental care, Economic Development, revenue | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
BUDGET IMPASSE STRAINING MANY PROGRAMS According to an article in the Patriot News, To most Pennsylvanians, this may have felt like a crisis-less budget impasse so far but for many people, this is beginning to change. Some pre-kindergarten programs may shut down. Day care centers serving parents transitioning from welfare to work are laying off staff. Drug and alcohol counseling programs are running out of the money they need to offer certain services to the uninsured. In some places, the cutbacks seem almost trivial. Like Carlisle’s Project SHARE food bank dropping orange juice from its monthly food box. Click here to read the Patriot News article. WAGNER UNCOVERS MISMANAGEMENT OF DPW’S SPECIAL ALLOWANCE PROGRAM Auditor General Jack Wagner held a press conference Thursday to announce the findings of an audit to the Department of Public Welfare’s Special Allowance Program. Auditor General Wagner said the program is “very important in helping people move from the welfare rolls to self sustaining employment†but the audit found that the Department “failed to monitor†and “the program was simply not properly managed.†Auditors found “insufficient documentation to justify 45 percent of 3,201 special Continue reading Eye Opener – August 24, 2009 Posted by Matt | Category: Eye Opener | Comments are closed | Share:
|
 |
|
|
Copyright © 2012 FYI by PLS - All Rights Reserved |
|||