State of the Union

Highlights from last night's State of the Union address and the President's "An America Built To Last" plan:


*Reform job training and Unemployment Insurance to help put more Americans back to work:
The President believes we need to reform outdated and inefficient unemployment insurance and job training systems and restore the basic bargain that if you are willing to do the work, you deserve the chance to gain the skills you need to find a job or land a better one. The President called on Congress to move forward on reforms to the Unemployment Insurance program by requiring workers to undergo eligibility assessments in order to receive emergency federal benefits, while at the same time offering new tools to help workers find new jobs. He also proposed streamlining training and employment services for dislocated workers so that those workers are able to access a single program, visit a single location, and go to a single website to find the help they need about job services and training opportunities in their communities.

*Forge new partnerships between community colleges and businesses to train and place 2 million skilled workers: Many industries have difficulty filling jobs requiring specific technical skills, even with many Americans still looking for work. In coming years, America will need to fill millions of mid- and high-level skilled positions in industries from healthcare to advanced manufacturing, clean energy to information technology. The President proposed a new initiative to train and place two million Americans in good jobs through partnerships between businesses and community colleges that give workers the skills employers explicitly need. To address future workforce needs, the President will support partnerships between high schools and industry to create more career academies, which combine instruction in academic subjects and industry skills.

The work plan also includes initiatives toward hiring unemployed Veterans, continued work for Equal Pay, strengthening the manufacturing sector, and multiple tax reform proposals.

Sen. Scarnati elected for 6th time as President Pro Tempore of the PA Senate

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) was sworn in as President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate for 2012, the sixth time Senate colleagues have elected him to the third-highest constitutional office in the commonwealth.

In brief remarks to the chamber, the senator said the legislature must continue to focus on creating jobs and making state government live within its means. He also highlighted several cost-saving initiatives that were implemented in the Senate in 2011.

Senator Scarnati is serving his third term in the Senate. He was born and raised in Brockway, Jefferson County, and represents the 25th Senatorial District, which currently includes Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and portions of Clearfield and Warren counties.

Casey Unveils Bill to Match Unemployed With Skills Training for New, In-Demand Jobs

PITTSBURGH, PA – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today toured Manchester Bidwell Training Center and unveiled an innovative jobs bill that would help adults gain the skills employers are seeking to boost employment throughout the state. The bill is modeled after the work being done by Manchester Bidwell.

“My bill would create targeted, effective programs like those offered by Manchester Bidwell here in Pittsburgh to prepare workers for good paying jobs,” said Senator Casey. “The key to strengthening our economy and revitalizing our communities is jobs, and this bill would help prepare workers to fill jobs across Pennsylvania.”

Senator Casey’s National Program for Arts and Technology Act would provide education and training to unemployed adults and at-risk children so they are able to attain in-demand job skills.

The bill would authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to community-based organizations with a plan for developing a center that:

• Provides education and training to underemployed and unemployed individuals
• Meets quarterly performance goals, which may include:
  • students’ school attendance and behavior
  • recruitment and enrollment metrics
  • student outcomes and performance in training
  • job placement
• Obtains non-federal matching dollars of at least 1:1

NW PA Election updates

[taken from materials from PoliticsPA--both articles by Keegan Gibson]

Battle looms for Earll's seat: "When Jane Earll retires at the end of her term, the popular 14-year incumbent Republican will leave behind one of the most competitive state Senate districts in Pennsylvania. Both parties have made recruiting a top-tier candidate a priority. Several sources confirm that Republicans will tap Janet Anderson, a former staffer in Earll’s office and the Ridge administration who is currently the Executive Director of the Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission." See a list of other candidates who may run for Earll's position (such as Sean Wiley of the Foundation for St. Vincent Health Systems) here.


Mike Kelly draws a challenger: "Democrat Missa Eaton has jumped into the race against freshman Rep. Mike Kelly. The assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Shenango has been considering a bid for a few weeks, and made it official Thursday morning."

PA SSHE Universities see legislation to offer advanced degrees

[from Senator Robbin's Jan. 17 newsletter] The Senate unanimously approved legislation on Tuesday that would provide new opportunities for Pennsylvania's 14-member universities of the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) to offer advanced degrees.

Senate Bill 1133 would allow the member universities to offer applied doctorate degrees, a level of education currently only available at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. SSHE officials stress the expansion will not impact IUP, but rather augment and modernize the entire system to make it more competitive and attract more students.

SB 1133 would set defined standards for establishing applied doctorate programs – a degree for working professionals who must be licensed to practice in their field of expertise – under the direct control and oversight of SSHE.  IUP will remain the only SSHE-member university to offer PhD programs, which are for those pursing research and engaging in scholarship.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.          

PA UC legislation update

Two {A Senate committees approved legislation that will enable about 17,000 Pennsylvanians to continue receiving unemployment compensation benefits. The Labor and Industry Committee and the Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 1375, setting the stage for final Senate consideration of the measure next week.

Congress approved a 60-day extension of federal funding for the benefits in late December, but Pennsylvania must "tweak" the state's Unemployment Compensation Law in order to take advantage of the extension. The bill before lawmakers would offer about $30 million in benefits through the end of April, and must be passed by Feb. 4.

See additional details here.

Governor Corbett Announces Recent Appointments

Jan. 11, 2012 - Gov. Corbett announced the following recent appointments:

Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board

Ron Alvarado, Moon Township – reappointment

Ronald J. Blisard, Nesquehoning

Melanie R. Brown, Pittsburgh – reappointment

Boise Butler III, Philadelphia

Peter R. Butler, Tunkhannock – reappointment

Ted Christian, Holland

Tracy Derstine, Coopersburg

John Dougherty, Philadelphia

Davie Jane Gilmour, Montoursville     

Dean B. Girton, Millville -- reappointment

Ike Gittlen, Pittsburgh – reappointment

Brian Grove, Tunkhannock

Janet L. Hogan, Enola

Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger, Lancaster

William C. Kirk, Jr., Wexford – reappointment

Francis B. Kuhns, Brockway

James Kunz, Pittsburgh

Georgia Lewis, Erie – reappointment

David T. Malone, Gibsonia – reappointment

John J. McNally III, Harrisburg

Donald H. Mowery, PE, Carlisle 

Lorenzo North, Philadelphia      

David W. Patti, Wernersville – reappointment

Guido M. Pichini, Wyomissing Hills     

Daniel J. Quinn, McMurray

Mark H. Raimy, Erie

Carolyn F. Scanlan, Hummelstown – reappointment

Martin “Marty” Schoffstall, Harrisburg

Matthew Schure, Ambler – reappointment

Mark Sincavage, Blakeslee

John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D, Harrisburg      

Michael Tierney, Philadelphia

Kenneth Tuckey, Carlisle – reappointment

Craig D. Weidemann, State College – reappointment

Andrew C. Wheeler, Philadelphia       

George R. Whitmer, Pittsburgh

President to hold Jobs and Competitiveness meeting

The President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness will meet on January 17, 2012, at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

The meeting will be open to the public via live webcast at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss initiatives and policies to strengthen the economy, promote and accelerate job growth and bolster America's competitiveness around the world. The President will continue the discussion focused on identifying practical ways the government and business can work together to foster growth and create jobs.

$157 million in state spending freezes

[from Third & State] by Christopher Lilienthal on January 4

"Governor Tom Corbett announced nearly $157 million in state spending freezes today. They vary by department and program, but most agencies are facing a reduction of about 3%.

As we have written here, the combination of state budget cuts and the end of Recovery Act funding have translated into a wave of layoffs and property tax increases throughout Pennsylvania. This surely won't help.

In a statement, the Governor said that if the state's revenue picture improves in the months ahead, these funds could be unfrozen. Midway through the 2011-12 fiscal year, the state has a revenue gap of $487 million.

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has a quick rundown of the budgetary freezes by department and agency, with a link to a full listing of all freezes. We'll have more analysis of this and the state's revenue picture later in the week."

Among notable cuts: While Labor & Industry overall loses only 1.5% (-$1,088,000), Industry Partnerships and New Choices each are cut at 10%. Public Welfare is reduced by $53,959,000 (-0.50%); and Community and Economic Development see a 3.3% reduction (-$6,919,000), with PREP, Developed & Discovered in PA (D2PA), and PA First Fund all receiving 10% cuts.