Working & The Economy
In final year, Wolf touts multi-billion surplus; but projections depict gloomy fiscal future
This sign of economic strength, Wolf said, was a direct result of his “progressive” policy agenda, which has resulted in $2.8 billion more in education spending, lower prison populations, and more government funding for economic development and health care.
Pa. to get $1.6B in new bridge funding from feds, though toll plans still on amid funding shortfalls
Pennsylvania will get $1.6 billion in extra federal funding over the next five years to fix more than 3,000 bridges across the commonwealth. The funding comes from $26.5 billion in funds for distressed bridges authorized under the recent infrastructure law. The law will also waive the requirement that states and local governments provide matching funds, […]
MLK Day 2022: Volunteering in the U.S., by the numbers | The Numbers Racket
Before the pandemic, approximately 63 million Americans - 25 percent of the adult population - volunteered, according to data from the Nonprofit Source, a marketing agency helping nonprofits expand their online presence.
Here’s why spending $2T won’t make inflation worse than it already is | Opinion
I'm an economist. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin's opposition to President Joe Biden's domestic agenda is misguided.
New federal law will help protect Pa. residents against surprise medical bills, Wolf admin says
The newly enacted federal law took effect on Jan. 1. It prevents patients from receiving surprise medical bills by “requiring that emergency services are billed as in-network, without needing prior approval” and by banning specific “out-of-network charges and balance billing without advance notice,” according to the department
U.S. Senate hopefuls Fetterman, Lamb join call for congressional stock-trading ban
The comments appear to conflict with the position of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Are Venmo and PayPal the future of Pa. Turnpike tolling? A Pa. lawmaker wants to make the switch
With fewer and fewer people carrying cash, one Democratic state senator says he wants to help the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission keep up with the times. State Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Lackawanna, began circulating a co-sponsorship memo last week with a proposal to direct the commission to accept app payments such as Venmo and Cash App. The legislation […]
Activists welcome law to increase say on Philadelphia zoning
Mayor Jim Kenny opposes the legislation. Advocates acknowledge the devil is in the details.
It’s Farm Show Week. Here’s a look, by the numbers | The Numbers Racket
With the theme “Harvesting More,” this year’s Farm Show aims to celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture and food industry.
Pa. says it’s investigating ‘aggressive and sophisticated’ unemployment fraud efforts
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry says it’s investigating “increasingly aggressive and sophisticated” efforts to steal unemployment compensation benefits. And the agency is urging employers and workers to report any suspicious activity. Fraudsters, both foreign and domestic, have been “exploiting unprecedented demand on the nation’s unemployment compensation systems,” since the start of the COVID-19 […]
Pennsylvania Farm Show butter sculpture seeks to bridge rural-urban divide
By Ryan Deto A beloved tradition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show has returned with the unveiling of the show’s annual butter sculpture. The 2022 sculpture, unveiled Thursday, highlights the theme of “Harvesting More” and is meant to symbolize different factions of the dairy world coming together in celebration. The sculpture features an urban farmer and […]
In their first debate, Pa. GOP gov. candidates promise lower taxes, school choice
The GOP candidates are vying to replace Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who will leave office in January 2023 after serving the constitutional maximum of two, four-year terms.