Senate Majority Policy Committee

Stimulus Oversight Commission Holds Third Meeting

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:55:14 -0400

Stimulus Oversight Commission Holds Third Meeting On May 7, 2009, the Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Commission held its third meeting. Members of the commission received a synopsis of AARA 2009 Formula Funding by Agency and a report on AARA competitive grants. Special topics addressed during the meeting included a presentation on Pennsylvania’s Weatherization State Plan; presentations on the energy components of the Commonwealth’s efforts known as PA Conservation Works and PA Green Energy Works; and an update on transportation funding.

Up-to-Date Swine Flu Information Available on Department of Health Website

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:28:40 -0400

Beginning in late March and early April, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection were identified in the United States and internationally. On Monday, April 27, 2009, the US Department of Health and Human Services issued a national public health emergency declaration. In response, the state Department of Health has implemented its Pandemic Preparedness Plan. Information on Department of Health activities, recommendations for health care professionals and the general public, and updates on the swine flu are available on the Department of Health’s website. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The most important tip is to wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Commission Holds Second Meeting

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:39:17 -0400

On April 23, 2009, the Pennsylvania Stimulus Oversight Commission held its second meeting. At this meeting, Secretary of General Services Creedon gave members of the commission an up-to-date implementation report on stimulus projects and funding in the Commonwealth, while a representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Education gave a presentation on education stimulus funding.

Report Provides Information on Pennsylvanians Earning the Minimum Wage

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:44:43 -0400

The Analysis of the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage in 2008 report recently released by the Minimum Wage Advisory Board provides statistical information on Pennsylvanians who earn at or below the minimum wage; analyzes the demographic characteristics of these hourly workers; and, details the industry characteristics of those making at or near the minimum wage. Act 112 of 2006, which provided two incremental increases in the state’s minimum wage in 2007, also mandated that the Department of Labor and Industry prepare this report by March 1st of each year to provide date on the previous calendar year’s demographics and any other relevant factors of those workers who are paid the minimum wage or below.

New Publication Compiles Helpful Information for Debate on Transportation Infrastructure

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:46:24 -0400

The Road to Prosperity: 21st Century Transportation Infrastructure a publication recently released by the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association focuses on the connection between transportation infrastructure and future prosperity in Pennsylvania. The organization has compiled data and information from a wide array of sources to create a foundation from which transportation professionals, policy makers and business leaders can address this serious problem in search of a long term, comprehensive solution.

Two New Transportation Financing Reports Released

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:05:20 -0400

On February 26, 2009, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission released its final report, Paying Our Way: A New Framework for Transportation Finance. The National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission was established by Congress to analyze future highway and transit needs, the finances of the Highway Trust Fund and to make recommendations regarding alternative approaches to financing transportation infrastructure. Also, in February 2009, the Council of State Governments released its study on the issue entitled Transportation & Infrastructure Finance.

School Choice Yearbook: 2008-09 Released

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:08:22 -0400

The School Choice Yearbook: 2008-09 prepared by the Alliance for School Choice provides up-to-date information on school voucher and scholarship tax credit programs across the country. According to the publication, there are 18 school choice programs (including Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program) operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia, serving 171,000 children.

What's New from the Pennsylvania State Data Center

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:30:01 -0400

New Statistical Overview of the State – The PaSDC is currently working on a new publication, the State of the Commonwealth: 2009, using newly-released 2007 American Community Survey data to profile the state’s unique demographics. Find out more about the speakers and sessions being planned in the January Update available online at http://pasdc.hbg.psu.edu/pasdc/whats_new/Update/09January_Update.pdf

NSCL's Economic Stimulus 2009 Page

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:19:41 -0400

The National Conference of State Legislatures’ Economic Stimulus 2009 page provides information on various aspects of the stimulus package of interest to the states.

Latest PHC4 Report Indicates Senate Republican Initiative Showing Results

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 10:06:37 -0400

On January 22, 2009, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council released its third hospital-specific report on hospital-acquired infections. The report shows that infections contracted by patients in Pennsylvania hospitals dropped nearly 8 percent from 2006 to 2007. These results demonstrate that Act 52 of 2007, which was spearheaded by the Senate Republican Caucus, is saving thousands of lives and significantly restraining the increase in health care costs. The legislation adopted a comprehensive approach to the problem of hospital-acquired infections and outlined a multi-pronged initiative to prevent, track and reduce their occurrence.

The Governor's Report on State Performance

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:22:45 -0400

Intended to increase state government’s accountability to those who live and work in the Commonwealth, the Governor’s Report on State Performance provides the citizens of Pennsylvania information on the objectives, strategies and accomplishments of 34 state agencies from July 2007 through June 2008.

The National Report Card on Higher Education

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 10:04:34 -0400

Measuring Up 2008: The National Report Card on Higher Education is the fifth in a series of biennial report cards prepared by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education that provide the general public and policymakers with information they can use to assess and improve postsecondary education in each state. The findings this year reveal that the nation and most of the 50 states are making some advances in preparing students for college and providing them with access to higher education. However, other nations are advancing more quickly than the United States. The report can be accessed on line at http://measuringup2008.highereducation.org/index.php, or access Pennsylvania’s State Report Card directly here http://measuringup2008.highereducation.org/print/state_report s/long/PA.pdf.