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.

PA: MID-YEAR CUTS AND A BUDGET SHORTFALL ON TAP FOR 2012

[from Third and State] by Sharon Wardon December 20, 2011 
Governor Tom Corbett will announce a new budgetary freeze before the end of the year to help resolve what the administration expects to be a $500 million revenue shortfall, according to Budget Secretary Charles Zogby, who gave the annual mid-year budget briefing on Tuesday. 

Secretary Zogby painted a grim picture, as expected. The current revenue shortfall of $345 million could grow even beyond the $500 million current estimate, according to Zogby, and growth in mandatory spending for pensions, debt service and the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) will contribute to a budget for 2012-13 that is short about $750 million.

The Commonwealth plans to resolve the revenue gap with additional cuts. The secretary did not anticipate having "any revenue options" on the table and said he would look for further cuts in "waste, fraud and abuse" in DPW, controlling growth in corrections spending, and scaling back capital spending to make up the difference.

Read more here.

PA Senate releases new re-districting draft map