Government Affairs & General Updates August 18, 2023 1. Sen. Casey pushes Tech Hub designations for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) sent a letter of support to designate Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Lehigh Valley as Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, or “Tech Hubs.” Created by the CHIPS and Science Act,…
Read More 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…
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…
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…
Read More Government Affairs & General UpdatesAugust 3, 2023 1 .Senate returning to Capitol today to sign budget as negotiations on code bills continue. Senate President Pro Tem Kim Ward announced Wednesday evening that the Ssnate will hold a session day Thursday so the budget can be signed after weeks of delay that prevented the state from paying…
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