Entries by PAMatters

Survey Projects State Budget’s Impact on Schools

More than 70% of PA school districts are planning to cut educational programs, according to a new survey conducted by the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) and Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA).  Music, the arts, physical education, social studies, health and more would no longer be available or be greatly reduced, according […]

Heavy Rains Have Led to Landslides in Western Pennsylvania

The rain is causing some costly problems for roads in Western Pennsylvania.  There have been more rainy days than sunny days in the last month and a half, some with torrential downpours, leading to several dozen landslides. Jim Struzzi, spokesman for PennDOT’s District 11 , says in some cases rocks and mud have fallen onto […]

New Report says Senior Citizens Have Seen Their Buying Power Decline.

Senior citizens are having to stretch their dollars more after two years without a Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment according to an advocacy group.   The Seniors Citizens League says older Americans have lost 32% of their buying power since 2000. The group’s 2011 survey of senior costs report shows housing, utilities, transportation, health care […]

Do State Budget Plans Do Enough for Victims?

Domestic violence and rape crisis services were largely held harmless in Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, but would receive 10% cuts in the House GOP budget bill that prioritizes education over welfare spending.  It was shocking news to Terri Hamrick, President & CEO of Survivors Inc. in Adams County.  “Our services are essential; they’re not […]

Pennsylvania continues to add jobs

Pennsylvania continues to add jobs,  and the latest unemployment numbers continue to show improvement.  Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 7.5%,  down from 7.8% in March and 1.3 percentage points lower than April of 2010.  The year-to-year decline was the largest since June 1987. Mark Price, Labor Economist with the Keystone Research Center, […]

Online Transactions Make Tax Collections Difficult

With online sales exploding, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Pennsylvania to collect its sales and use taxes.  In fact, the state Department of Revenue estimates $350-million dollars worth is going uncollected each year.  The problem is that online retailers are under no obligation to collect the sales taxes of states in which they have no […]

Governor Tom Corbett is out of the hospital

Governor Tom Corbett is out of the hospital, two days after surgery for a nagging back problem. The Governor was released this morning from Allegheny General Hospital. Orthopedic specialists Dr. Mark Fye and Dr. Patrick DeMeo treated him Monday for spinal stenosis. The condition results in compressed nerves and leads to persistent pain. The Governor […]

Pennsylvania “Fish-For-Free” Day lines Up with National Promotion

Walleye, bass and trout in eight Pennsylvania waterways have been tagged in conjunction with Cabela’s “Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?” promotion.  Registered fishermen, who catch a tagged fish, win a prize.  The promotion is already underway, but PA Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Eric Levis says it coincides perfectly with their annual “Fish-for-Free” day on […]

One-Stop Shopping for Beer, Wine and Spirits?

You would be able to buy a bottle of wine or liquor from your local beer distributor, under a plan that’s pending in Harrisburg.  State Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) says adding 1,200 stores would be customer-friendly.  “We could instantly use the existing distribution system.  It’s not like you have to reinvent the wheel.”  Payne tells […]