What’s Happening in Pennsylvania?
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State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie offers bill aimed at getting schools, employers together on job-readiness
From the Reading Eagle State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Lehigh County Republican who represents part of Berks County, said in a news release last week that he reintroduced legislation he wrote several years ago to help increase awareness among middle and high school students about potential career opportunities in high-demand fields. Mackenzie said his proposal,…
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Minimum Wage, Possible Economic Downturn Loom Over State Budget
From wesa.fm / Associated Press Every year after Pennsylvania’s governor makes his budget pitch to the House and Senate, lawmakers hold weeks of budget hearings with state departments and agencies to get a sense of the way money is being spent, and what should change. They kicked off this week with the Independent Fiscal Office,…
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STEM, computer science enhancement in Pa. schools gets nearly $10M in grants
From pennlive.com Continuing the rollout of his groundbreaking PAsmart initiative, Gov. Tom Wolf announced $9.6 million in PAsmart advancing grants to enhance science and technology education in schools statewide. Combined with PAsmart targeted grants announced last month, the Wolf administration has awarded nearly $20 million this year to bolster STEM and computer science (CS) in…
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PA minimum wage hike proposal loudly challenged during first day of budget hearings
From pennlive.com Hearings on Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34.1 billion budget plan kicked off Monday with a volley of Republican attacks on the prospect of raising the minimum wage, signaling a tough road ahead for a new proposal the Democrat is backing. The first House Appropriations Committee budget hearing featured members of the Republican majority repeatedly…
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Lawmakers reach deal on budget to avoid another government shutdown
From pennlive.com Congressional negotiators reached agreement to prevent a government shutdown and finance construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, overcoming a late-stage hang-up over immigration enforcement issues that had threatened to scuttle the talks. Republicans were desperate to avoid another bruising shutdown. They tentatively agreed Monday night to far less money for President…
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Pa. lawmakers react to Trump’s State of the Union address
From pennlive.com Pennsylvania’s senators and members of the House delegation offered their reactions to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night. Following are excerpts from statements issued by the lawmakers. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey “The President should have pledged tonight ‘no more shutdowns’ and committed to taking additional steps to help the…
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Republican reactions to Wolf’s budget proposal run the gamut
From triblive.com Republican lawmakers’ reactions on Tuesday to Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34.1 billion 2019-20 budget proposal varied from cautious optimism to accusations of fiscal recklessness. “I thought the governor’s budget address had a positive message and I thought his emphasis on workforce development was significant and a goal that we all have in common,” said…
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Gov. Wolf’s 2019-20 budget plan: Winners and losers
From pennlive.com Gov. Tom Wolf introduced his 2019-20 state budget in a joint address before the General Assembly today. Here are the winners and losers in the $34 billion plan. Follow the links for more details in specific areas, such as schools, business and state police. Schools: Public schools see a big boost in aid…