PathWays PA Policy Blog

Today at 2:00 the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. This test is key to ensuring the nation is prepared in the event of a natural or other disaster. It is a way the public can receive critical and vital information if it is ever needed. The test may last up to three and a half minutes and will be transmitted on radio and television stations through out the country. For more information about the nationwide Emergency Alert System test, please visit www.FEMA.gov and www.FCC.gov .

Use these tips from FEMA and Ready.gov to prepare.

The House Republican Caucus May 10th officially announced its budget proposal for fiscal year 2011-12. According to Republican Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), the plan represents the Caucus’s stance as “fiscal stewards of the hard-earned money of the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.” Rep. Turzai called Gov. Corbett’s original budget proposal an “important blueprint” and said the House Republican goal is “to have an on-time, no tax increase budget, without reckless borrowing, and that prioritizes spending and does so within the four corners of the governor’s blueprint.” Specifically the Republican proposal restores considerable portions of funding to K-12 and higher education cut from the Corbett budget, with state system universities seeing an 85 percent restoration and state-related institutions receiving anywhere from a 51-75 percent restoration. $210 million is allocated back to public schools. After the release of the House budget proposal, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Alleghe...