Rep. Marc Gergely (D-Allegheny) this morning urged support for his legislation, HB 2400, that would allow Pennsylvania to drawn down $273 million in federal funding in unemployment compensation and update the state’s eligibility rules to allow an additional 30,000 unemployed to receive benefits. The bill, which has the “unequivocal” support of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, according to its president Rick Bloomingdale, would make changes to the state’s unemployment compensation law to open up eligibility for the additional federal stimulus funding. According to Rep. Gergely, two of the three proposed revisions would turn existing case law into statutes and be “no-cost” changes. The third aspect would update the way unemployment eligibility is calculated by considering a worker’s most recent wages, instead of the current way whereby eligibility is based on earnings in the first four of the last five calendar quarters. Check the Press Conferences section of the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story.
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Posted by Mike | Tags: AFL-CIO, Federal stimulus, unemployment | Category: Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Today, Governor Rendell made himself available to mainly discuss May job numbers and the effects of the federal stimulus funds on Pennsylvania. First, he briefly discussed the tax amnesty program. He said we’ve so far reached $180 million and is “confident we’ll make the $190 million budget assumption” by the deadline. He congratulated the Revenue Department and the advertising campaign for a successful job done, which cannot keep up with the large amount of online payments. He announced Monday morning he’ll hold another press conference to release the final totals. For the full story and related news releases, check the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: Federal stimulus, jobs, labor, manufacturing, revenue | Category: Administration, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission held a hearing on cost savings today with members of the Executive Branch. Secretaries Naomi Wyatt, Mary Soderberg, and James Creedon testified on the ways the Rendell Administration has focused on cost-savings. Of particular note was a discussion about reducing the commonwealth’s fleet of automobiles. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full write-up. Posted by Jason | Tags: Budget, Federal stimulus, state vehicle fleet | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Uncategorized | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee members had an array of questions on a variety of topics for DGS Secretary James Creedon including the federal stimulus, the state’s vehicle fleet, procurement, prison construction, state contracts, the sale of the state office buildings in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, energy savings in state buildings and the problems at the Capitol Cafeteria. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: capitol cafeteria, Federal stimulus, state procurement, state vehicle fleet | Category: Budget Hearing, House Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Secretary James Creedon responded to questions from the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding a variety of subjects including the disbursement of federal stimulus money, the prison construction projects, contracts for minority/women owned businesses, energy conservation/recycling programs, use of renewable energy, and the scoring process for awarding state contracts. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: Department of General Services, Federal stimulus, Minority-owned businesses, renewable energy, state contracts | Category: Budget Hearing, Senate Appropriations | Comments are closed | Share:
Governor Ed Rendell was alongside Secretary John Hanger of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to announce the awarding of $93.6 million in federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which will be used to repair, construct, and update clean water projects throughout Pennsylvania. William Early from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was on hand at the press conference in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol Building to present the check to Governor Rendell and Secretary Hanger. Governor Rendell said the funds will be used to reinvest in aging water treatment systems which will create jobs, spun the economy, and raise the quality of life for countless citizens across the Commonwealth. Check the Capitol Tool Box later for more information. Posted by intern | Tags: criminal justice, drinking water, EITC, Federal stimulus, stapleton, wastewater | Category: Administration, Face to Face, Press Conference | Comments are closed | Share:
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Sandi Vito spoke in front of the committee today to explain and answer questions about the stimulus funds received through the AARA. Secretary Vito started her presentation by explaining that under the AARA, unemployment claimants will receive an additional $25 a week. The AARA also extends the number of weeks that the federal government will pay unemployment benefits. The Secretary focused on the stimulus’ programs to help the unemployed find work, and on job training programs to help state employees when the economy picks up. The Secretary then answered a few questions from the members of the committee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by intern | Tags: EITC, Federal stimulus, sexual orientation, unemployment | Category: House Judiciary, House Labor & Industry | Comments are closed | Share:
Unable to get a quorum at this morning’s Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee meeting, Chairwoman Earll and members nevertheless put acting DCED Secretary George Cornelius through his paces, with questions ranging from the department’s dealing with stimulus money, to budget cuts and how to cope with distressed cities and municipalities. The committee will meet later in the day to vote on the acting Secretary’s confirmation, but check the Capitol Toolbox for the full Q&A from this morning. Posted by Mike | Tags: conservatorship, DCED, EITC, Federal stimulus | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Community, Economic & Rec. Development | Comments are closed | Share:
PA has a special website for information on the Federal Stimulus Funds. Check it out – www.recovery.pa.gov. Posted by Rebecca | Tags: EITC, Federal stimulus | Category: Senate Education, Update | Comments are closed | Share:
The committee received an update from PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler, Deputy Secreetary Scott Christie, and Director of the Bureau of Design Brian Thompson on the department’s utilization of Federal stimulus moneys and its project delivery improvements. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: EITC, Federal stimulus, PA Automated License System, project delivery, securities, Transportation | Category: Public/Informational Committee Hearing, Senate Community, Economic & Rec. Development, Senate Transportation | Comments are closed | Share:
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