Marcellus Shale Update!

By -
Pennsylvania Capitol RotundaThe legislature returned last week to begin the final stages of budget negotiations. The Senate has yet to officially consider HB1485, the House’s budget proposal, but informal discussions and negotiations have proceeded. In addition, according to an article in the Scranton Times, a top Senate Republican leader said he’s moving forward with the goal of having a Senate floor vote this month on his legislation to establish Marcellus Shale impact fees to help local towns affected by gas drilling operations. Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-Jefferson, said Wednesday he will consider proposals from other senators that address what zoning powers would be allowed to municipalities receiving impact fees. The legislature has a short window to consider this measure due to the session likely ending June 30th.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mini-Budget Update-Supporting the American Community Survey

By MB -
Image
(via The Census Project ) Next Tuesday, June 19 is an important date to mark on your calendar. The Congressional Joint Economic Committee is holding a public hearing on the economic impact of eliminating the American Community Survey (ACS) at 2:30 p.m., in Room 210 of the Canon House Office Building. Witnesses that will be speaking in opposition to the move to eliminate the ACS are Vincent Barabba, former director of the Census Bureau in two GOP administrations and Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Association of General Contractors and also representing the National Association of Business Economists. It is very important that we pack the congressional hearing room! If you cannot come, please urge your colleages to come. If you represent a non-DC organization contact your friends in Washington and urge them to attend. Also on Tuesday of next week some of our congressional supporters will be holding a noon press conference in the so-called House Triangle right outside the Cap...
Read more

Pennsylvania Raises Income Limits for SNAP (Food Stamps)

By MB -
Image
Effective immediately, the Department of Public Welfare has increased the Gross Income Limit for families eligible for food stamps from 130% of the Federal Poverty Level ($28,665 for a family of four) to 160% of the FPL ($35,280 for the same family). Additionally, all one or two person households under the Gross Income Limit (160% FPL for most families, but 200% FPL for senior and disabled households) are eligible for at least $16/month in food stamps, even if they are above the Net Income Limit. Thanks to the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger for this information. You can learn more and find updated materials at their website .
Read more

PathWays PA will Release Overlooked and Undercounted on May 12! (#pressrelease)

By MB -
Image
In Pennsylvania, a large and diverse group of families are experiencing economic distress and are routinely overlooked and undercounted. That’s the finding from PathWays PA’s latest publication, Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Pennsylvania, which uses The Self-Sufficiency Standard of Pennsylvania to determine how many households live below self-sufficiency. PathWays PA, a service and advocacy organization for women, children and families, is releasing this report to examine the impact of education, gender, and race on the overlooked and undercounted in Pennsylvania as they relate to the Self-Sufficiency Standard. The report also shows how many households in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties live below the Self-Sufficiency Standard, along with other important information. The release of Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Pennsylvania marks the first time that demographic data relating to the Self-Sufficiency Standard has been...
Read more