Government Affairs & General Updates August 16, 2023 1. Pa.’s new labor contracts to cost taxpayers $3.2 billion over four years, fiscal monitor says – The price tag for that new labor contract between Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration and the biggest of the unions representing state employees projects to $3.2 billion in new costs over…
Read More Government Affairs & General Updates August 17, 2023 1. A plan to stop diverting road dollars to Pa. State Police could be a final piece of this year’s budget – For at least 50 years, Pennsylvania has used taxes drivers pay at the pump to fund its State Police force. But lawmakers are hopeful that…
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Defining Corporations Corporations get a bad rap. People seem to think they only destroy Main Streets. But nothing is ever as clear as day or night. Defining corporations and how they benefit communities requires a more in-depth look. What’s A Corporation? The label of corporation refers mostly to taxes. On a basic level, a corporation…
Read More Government Affairs & General UpdatesAugust 14, 2023 Note: Thoughts & Prayers for the Plum Families, Residents and More Regarding this Weekend’s Unfortunate/ Tragic Accident! 1. Lawmaker proposes legislation to allow school boards to replace property tax with other taxes. A state lawmaker is proposing legislation that would allow school districts to decide whether to…
Read More Government Affairs & General UpdatesAugust 11, 2023 1. Pa. plan to distribute $1.16B in federal broadband funds approved by state officials – A plan to distribute more than a billion dollars in federal funds to build and expand broadband infrastructure across Pennsylvania has been approved by the state agency overseeing the effort, according to…
Read More Government Affairs & General Updates August 10, 2023 1. Avian flu relief dollars tied up by impasse over budget-related bills. A $31 million appropriation to help Pennsylvania’s poultry industry recover from a costly avian flu epidemic can’t be spent until enabling legislation is enacted as part of the unfinished business with the Fiscal Year 2023-24…
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“Shop small.” “Small Business Saturday.” We hear all kinds of chatter about the benefits of running and supporting small businesses. Plus we hear people say small businesses drive our economy. But what does that term really mean and how do these organizations fit into their surrounding communities? A Numbers Game The United States Census Bureau…
Read More Government Affairs & General UpdatesAugust 9, 2023 1. Senate hearing explores child advocacy center needs. Senate committee heard testimony Tuesday about the work and needs of Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) operating under a state law enacted a decade ago. The hearing before the Aging and Youth Committee could lead to possible legislation to benefit…
Read More Government Affairs & General UpdatesAugust 8, 2023 1. Even with budget bill in place clock is still ticking on unresolved issues. A Sept. 30 deadline looms in resolving remaining issues to finish work on the $44.5 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24. This is the date at the end of the third fiscal…
Read More Government Affairs & General Updates August 7, 2023 1. Pace of committee meetings picks up. After a lull during July, the pace of legislative hearings on various topics picks up this week. The House Professional Licensure Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing at 1 p.m. Monday in Pittsburgh on House Bill 1100. Sponsored by…
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