Bucks County to Present Annual “Certification Made Easy” Workshop for Women, Minority, and Veteran-Owned Businesses

Bucks County to Present Annual “Certification Made Easy” Workshop for Women, Minority, and Veteran-Owned Businesses. Thursday, October 13, 2011, 3 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Bucks County Bar Association, Doylestown, PA

Your business may be eligible for certification from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services if it is at least 51% owned by women, minorities, and/or veterans. The certification application is FREE, and the business retains the certification status for two years. There are many benefits to applying for certification, including using the designation as a marketing tool, accessing government contract incentives, and participating in corporate supplier diversity programs.

On Thursday, October 13, 2011, the County of Bucks Business Development Department, in conjunction with the Bucks County Commissioners, will present the annual workshop “Women, Minority, & Veteran Business Certification Made Easy” to be held at the Bucks County Bar Association (135 East State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901). The program begins promptly at 3:00 p.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m., followed by a networking reception. The popular program will guide participants step-by-step through the application, and answer questions on the process. Professionals who provide financial, legal, and consulting services to businesses are also encouraged to attend.

The workshop and networking reception is proudly sponsored by Fulton Bank. Pre-registration is requested due to limited seating; however, the program is FREE. To register, contact the County of Bucks Business Development Administrator, Sonia Smith, at 215-345-3839 or at srsmith [AT] co.bucks.pa.us. At pre-registration, participants will be provided with the application, and encouraged to review the criteria and the documents.

The County of Bucks Business Development Department provides business start-up assistance, and helps companies sustain, expand, or enter the Bucks County market. Their free services include resource provision, workshop education, and networking opportunities. For more information about the county’s Business Development programs and offerings, please visit the official County of Bucks website.

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Commissioners Approve Purchase of 10,000 Flu Vaccine Doses In Advance of 5th Annual County Pandemic Flu Drill

From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, the parking lot of the Sesame Place Amusement Park in Middletown Township will be transformed into a hubbub of public health preparedness. In advance of the county’s 5th Annual Pandemic Flu Drill – a drive-thru event for all residents ages 5 and up seeking an inoculation – Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia unanimously approved the $109,249 purchase of 10,000 season flu doses from Sanofi Pasteur during today’s bi-monthly business meeting.

According to county Health Director Dr. David Damsker, the event will involve eight (8) large tents with two lanes each, for a total of 16 lanes. Health Department officials hope to inoculate 32 cars at a time in this “mega pod.” County officials have been working closely with both internal and external partners to firm up the drill’s logistics. These partners include the county Major Incident Response Team (MIRT), Sesame Place and Middletown Township. For a traffic diagram of the route to the flu drill site, please visit BucksCounty.org and click on the “5th Annual Pandemic Flu Drill” link in the middle of the home page.

The meeting opened with a round of congratulations for Commissioner Cawley, who was elected lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on November 2. “It is the state’s gain, and our loss,” Chairman Martin told attendees in the Courthouse Community Room.

During the business portion of the meeting, the commissioners’ board approved 53 contract resolutions involving 15 county departments. The county Agricultural Preservation program continued its steady beat of acquisitions through the approval of conservation easements for the 66-acre Harrington Farm and the 99.88-acre Huntzinger Farm. Both properties are located in Springfield Township, lifting the number of farms preserved in that scenic upper Bucks County township to 18. With the two most-recent preservations, the Agricultural Preservation program has now protected 144 farms totaling 12,269 acres, according to Agricultural Preservation Director Rich Harvey.

The board approved a sub-grant agreement through the EPA for the Borough of Bristol to clean up a former steel-treating facility, and also approved a recommendation by the Industrial Development Authority to apply for a loan for Gelest, Inc. of Morrisville under the Recovery Zone Bonds initiative.

For Community and Business Development, the board approved submission of a $1,000,000 grant on behalf of the Penrose Corporation for a 60-unit housing project for low- and moderate-income senior citizens in Bensalem Township. The project has been approved by the township, and will more create jobs while providing quality of life for residents. The construction project will commence during the first quarter of 2011, according to Pennrose Corporation officials.

While all 53 contract resolutions passed, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia voted against three individual items – a $343,133 contract to provide foster care services through The Impact Project, Inc of Emmaus, PA; a $92,230 contract to provide electric and common area maintenance at the District Court on Bristol Rd. in Bensalem; and a lease addendum for a county property currently under rental in Jamison. County General Services Director Jerry Anderson told the commissioners he will look for more favorable rental conditions for the District Court in Bensalem.

The meeting featured a pair of proclamations. Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month recognizes the estimated 43,140 individuals who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in United States this year, including 36,800 who will die from the disease (approximately 2,000 of whom are Pennsylvanians). Commissioner Cawley read the proclamation, which went to Anthony Conte of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia added her personal touch in proclaiming November “Family Caregiver Month,” noting that her father currently cares for her mother in such a capacity. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the National Family Caregiver Support Program. As Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia noted, “The need for family caregivers is growing during a time when medicine and technology have helped us live longer, and people over age 85 are the fastest growing segment of the older adult population.”

During his chief operating officer’s report, county COO Brian Hessenthaler thanked the county Board of Elections for its “Herculean effort” under stressful conditions while counting absentee and provisional ballots over the last week. He also expressed his appreciation to the county Solicitor, Glenn Hains, and the county Security department. He also reported on the unveiling of the county’s 2011 preliminary budget (scheduled for Nov. 24), and energy savings that will result from recent Purchasing and Finance department efforts. The county has taken steps that will save approximately $550,000 over the first half of 2011.

The next meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, in the Bucks County Courthouse Community Room. For an audio account of the meeting, please visit the official county website, BucksCounty.org, and click on the commissioners’ meetings link.

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In a Former One-Room Schoolhouse, Commissioners Honor Students, Educators for Conservation Efforts

A brief history lesson was offered as the June 2 meeting of the Bucks County commissioners began. Plumstead Township Supervisor Vice Chairman Stacey Mulholland welcomed the audience to the meeting at the Plumstead Township building by pointing out that the area where participants sat was once a one-room schoolhouse, built in 1858. She presented each commissioner with a book on the history of the township, which was officially formed in 1725. The school was an appropriate setting for the Conservation District awards, presented to one educator, several students and other citizens for their environmental stewardship efforts. Executive Director Gretchen Schatschneider presented the high school student of the year award to James Douglas of Palisades High School, the outstanding individual conservation award to Alan Carey of Newtown, conservation organization of the year to No Child Left Inside’s Stacey Mulholland and outstanding conservation educator to Cheri Tenaglia of William Tennent High School.

During the business portion of the meeting, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, Cawley, and Diane Ellis-Marseglia considered and adopted a slate of items from 15 departments. Among them was the first farm to be preserved in East Rockhill Township under the Agricultural Preservation program. With the 70-acre easement, program administrator Rich Harvey now counts 138 farms on 11,722 acres preserved in perpetuity. Open Space program coordinator Kris Kern also offered two properties for preservation, a 73-acre parcel in Bedminster Township and a 70-acre parcel in Nockamixon Township that she noted is within the Gallows Run watershed.
Several Health Department items were approved as part of phase 2 of the federal H1N1grant. Dr. David Damsker, director, noted that the equipment approved by the commissioners will allow the department to establish large-capacity points of dispensing in the event of a large health emergency.

One Corrections item was tabled from the agenda – a contract for fingerprint and imaging systems interface and administration.

Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler reported that PECO has planned a power outage for Thursday, June 3 at 11 p.m. through Friday, June 4 at 4 a.m. Those affected should have received notification from PECO. Additionally, he shared information on the Area Agency on Aging and the PA Department of Agriculture’s farmer’s market nutrition program. Those interested should call the AAA at 215-348-0510 to determine eligibility. Hessenthaler also congratulated Neshaminy Manor for earning the Excellence in Action award for a fourth consecutive year. In order to qualify for the Excellence in Action Award, a facility must score in the top 10 percent of overall customer satisfaction. During the most recent MyInnerView surveys, Neshaminy Manor received a customer satisfaction rating of 99.3 percent from long-term residents and their families.

Chief Clerk Lynn Bush provided meeting goers with an update on four municipalities who are recipients of the PECO Green Region grant program. They are New Britain township and borough, Doylestown Township and Morrisville Borough. She also lauded the dedication and meaningful work of Fred Groshens who recently tendered his resignation from the Open Space Advisory Board. Bush credited him with his policy development and vision from the program’s inception in 1997.

The next meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16 at the David Library, 1201 River Road, Washington Crossing.

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Bucks County Unveils Site Plans and Renderings For New Justice Center

Before a packed community room in the Bucks County Courthouse yesterday, county Director of Operations Jerry Anderson provided a first glimpse of the Justice Center that soon will rise in Doylestown Borough. Joining staff and members of the public for the presentation of multiple architectural renderings and a three-dimensional model of the project were Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Acting Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler, Acting Chief Clerk Lynn T. Bush, President Judge Susan Devlin Scott, District Attorney David Heckler and other row officers who will have offices in the new, eight-level facility.

“This will be the largest public works project in county history,” Commissioner Cawley noted, adding that the projected $100 million cost is not an expenditure he wants to make, but rather one that is a “project we have to do” to create court and public safety space and to provide a high quality of service to Bucks County residents. Judge Scott underscored Cawley’s point by commending the commissioners’ board for its ongoing dedication to advancing the Justice Center planning.

The meeting also was conducted under a veil of sadness, as Chairman Martin opened by sharing the news that former county Solicitor Guy T. Matthews had passed away the previous evening. The chairman lauded Mr. Matthews, who was named the first full-time solicitor in county annals during January, 2006, as a “valued member of the Bucks County family.” Mr. Matthews resigned as full-time solicitor during March, 2008, and continued to serve the county as an assistant solicitor.

Mr. Anderson’s presentation was part of a commissioners meeting agenda that also included the approval of 41 contracts involving 18 county departments. Among them was a $773,882 contract with Langhorne’s Armour & Sons Electric, Inc. to provide vehicular improvements that will help facilitate the construction process for the Justice Center. This will include new traffic signals and lane patterns along Broad St. between Rte. 611 and the current county courthouse.

Chairman Martin traced the history of the Justice Center project back to a “space study” of 2001, when Barry McAndrews was the president judge and Martin was joined on the commissioners’ board by Michael G. Fitzpatrick and Sandra A. Miller. “I am the only one left standing,” Chairman Martin commented.

Highlights of the Justice Center review included visual aids that illustrated the:

• Site plan: The new building will be connected to Main St. by a pedestrian plaza, with a covered walkway leading from the new parking garage to the Justice Center
• Stacking diagram: The Justice Center will be “built from the inside out” to house four floors of offices and support spaces below three floors of courtrooms (13 overall) and the judges’ chambers on the top level. In addition, one floor of the building will be “shell space” for future expansion of the courts
• Ground floor plan: The building will have one point of entry for staff and visitors with ample room for security screening to occur in front of the public corridor and elevators
• Courts floor plan: The upper floors will contain three courtrooms in each wing of the building and separate circulation for the public, prisoners and judges/jurors/court staff. Each group will also have its owns elevators (nine elevators total) to enhance the security and functionality of the courts system in Bucks County. Mr. Anderson pointed to this separate circulation as an enormous improvement from the current Courthouse, where populations are commingled
• View from plaza: The building will feature a two-story lobby at the entry plaza facing Main St. It will have two angled wings with large bay windows that contain seating areas along the public hallways
• View from parking: Like many traditional building, it will have a base, middle and top. Pending further discussion with Doylestown Borough officials, it will have stone at the base, brick on the lower floors and Terra Cotta panels above, with a roof overhanging the sixth floor
• View from Shewell Avenue: The lower floors of the building are designed to form a brick podium that will extend to Shewell Ave. to tie in with the existing Armory building façade
• Expansion potential: The “shell” floor allows for the expansion of six additional courtrooms. This floor is located one floor below the judges’ chambers and courtrooms can be added as growth requires

According to Mr. Anderson, the new 1,200-space parking garage is “on schedule and on budget” for a June, 2010 ribbon cutting. At that time, the current parking garage will be demolished over a three-month span. Completion of the Justice Center will involve a “two-and-a-half to three-year build-out.” The commissioners have scheduled a public forum for input and comment about the Justice Center project for Thursday, Feb. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Bucks West High School Auditorium (375 W. Court St., Doylestown, PA 18901). See www.BucksCounty.org for the series of renderings presented at yesterday’s meeting.

During the meeting, the commissioners issued a set of commendations to the county Health Department, the county Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), the county Major Incident Response Team (M.I.R.T.) and the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for their role in the recent H1N1 response throughout the county. Since November, those agencies have collaborated to issue more than 67,000 vaccines.

“It’s all about teamwork,” stated the county Health Director, Dr. David Damsker. “You can’t do anything, without everyone working together. We had the training, technology and capability to handle this.” Added Bristol Twp. Police John Godzieba, coordinator of the 125-officer M.I.R.T. team: “The level of domestic preparedness in Bucks County is outstanding. County residents should be proud of that.”

The approved business agenda items included a 65.33-acre agricultural conservation easement on the Kramer farm, which is located in Haycock and Springfield townships. The 136th farm the county has preserved since 1989 (for a total of 11,572 acres), it consists of 30 acres of cropland and a timber farm. According to county Agricultural Preservation Director Rich Harvey, it is the first farm preserved by the county that involves timber and forest management. Mr. Harvey noted that his “very popular” program currently has a waiting list of 63 farms.

For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org. The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3 in the Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown.

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Bucks County Divorce Records – Bucks County Marriage Records

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Preliminary 2010 County Budget Leaves Officials with Several Options for Covering Shortfall

The County of Bucks’ 2010 preliminary budget presented this afternoon by Acting Chief Operating Officer/Director of Finance and Administration Brian Hessenthaler and Deputy Finance Director David Boscola reflects the county’s ongoing focus on responsible fiscal stewardship and taxpayer value. Despite a turbulent economic climate, the proposed operating budget of $446.9 million represents a budget-to-budget reduction of $20.7 million – the vast majority of which is attributed to Mental Health/Mental Retardation funding that will be paid directly by the state to various providers. According to Hessenthaler, the current operating budget draft represents a work-in-progress, including input from the administration, courts and row offices.

“All in all, our division leaders, department heads and court and row officials have done a real nice job getting us to this point,” Hessenthaler notes. “We will continue to explore ways to reduce expenditures between now and December 16 (when Commissioners Charles H. Martin, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW will vote on the document).”

Underscoring the county’s prudent finance strategy, Bucks will carry over a projected general fund balance of $69.7 million entering 2010. Both Hessenthaler and Boscola praised the Board of Commissioners for its support of strengthening the general (or “rainy day”) fund. This fund has enabled the county to maintain a high level of services, fulfill contractual obligations, prevent layoffs, and continue to sustain its highest-ever ratings with credit agencies. As a result, these measures have led to reduced borrowing rates, yielding taxpayer savings.

Weighed against revenue projections, the proposed 2010 budget creates a $7.1 million gap. Detailing the reasons for the shortfall, Hessenthaler pointed to reductions in state funding, decrease in interest rates which negatively impacts interest earnings, and increased pension and healthcare costs. The amount budgeted for the 2010 pension contribution alone increased by almost $7.5 million compared to 2009.

As has been the case with previous budgets, the county’s Health and Human Services Division accounts for the largest portion of the entire operating budget, or 46 percent ($205.9 million). Departments under the realm of public safety comprise 31 percent ($137.6 million) of the total.

Another highlight is that the county thus far has been able to avoid layoffs. The preliminary budget shows a net reduction of two positions, which includes two vacant Planning Commission positions, one Board of Assessment slot that will not be filled due to attrition, and the addition of a full-time Spanish language interpreter for the Court of Common Pleas.

Hessenthaler explains that the commissioners have several alternatives to cover the $7.1 million shortfall as they consider adoption of a final budget, which traditionally has occurred during the final Commissioners’ Meeting of the calendar year: enact further cuts to expenditures, investigate additional sources of revenue, draw down the county’s general fund balance, raise taxes, or some combination thereof.

Chairman Martin strongly opposes a tax increase in the current economic climate, pointing out that the county’s existing string of three straight years with no property tax increase marks the first such streak since 1994-96. Since 2007, the county’s millage rate has been held steady at 21.942.

“Although we have reached the point where I am comfortable presenting this preliminary budget to the commissioners, we will continue exploring avenues to reduce the shortfall,” Hessenthaler reiterated. “This budget, with all of its challenges, remains a work in progress.”

During the upcoming weeks, the proposed 2010 budget will undergo close scrutiny by the Board of Commissioners. That process will include a public budget meeting, during which any interested member of the public will be encouraged to ask questions and offer input. The budget includes provisions for departments serving Bucks County residents such as the Emergency Management Agency, Fire Marshal, Consumer Protection, Military Affairs, Board of Elections, Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Health and Emergency Health, Area Agency on Aging, Children and Youth, and Parks and Recreation, among others. The budget also provides for courts and elected row offices, including the District Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, Prothonotary, Controller, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Coroner and Treasurer.

To view the 2010 preliminary budget, please visit www.BucksCounty.org and click on the 2010 Preliminary Budget link on the home page. Stay tuned to the official county Web site for continuously updated information about the budget process.

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Santarsiero to host free Green Energy Workshop Saturday

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero (D-Bucks) is inviting area residents to attend a free Green Energy Workshop he is hosting with U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Murphy from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Lower Makefield Township Building, 1100 Edgewood Rd., Yardley.

The workshop will include information on:

- Saving money on energy in the home or business
- State and federal incentives
- Programs and services to cut energy use
- Reducing pollution and creating jobs

Biden announces $68M in Pa. funding for health and human services programs

Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Obama Administration will make $68,305,855 available to Pennsylvania for crucial health and human services programs that help provide care for children and prevent disease. Pennsylvania will receive $60,416,767 in Recovery Act funding to support child care for working families. The Obama Administration also plans to make $7,192,425 in vaccines and grants available to Pennsylvania to ensure more underserved Americans receive the vaccines they need. A separate vaccine program supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Philadelphia will also receive an additional $966,663.

Nationwide, $2 billion in Recovery Act funds for the Child Care and Development Fund will allow states across the country to support child care services for more families whose children require care while they are working, seeking employment or receiving job training or education. The funds will be used by states to provide vouchers to families for child care or to provide access to care through contracts with child care centers or invest in quality improvements. Recovery Act dollars will support a wide range of child care providers, including child care centers and home-based programs.

“Parents are worried about finding a job or keeping the job they have and they shouldn’t have to worry about affording quality child care,” said Vice President Biden. “Safe, affordable, high-quality child care gives working parents the peace of mind they need to be stable, dependable employees.”

In addition to funding for child care programs, an additional $300 million in Recovery Act funding and grants will help ensure more underserved Americans receive the vaccines they need. The Vice President’s announcement came as Americans mark National Public Health Week.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the majority of these new resources will be used to purchase vaccines, which will be distributed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Section 317 immunization program to all 50 states, several large cities, and U.S. territories. Funding will also be used to support national public information campaigns regarding vaccines and support grants to states that demonstrate innovative new ways to ensure more Americans receive the vaccines they need.

“Vaccines help keep children healthy, prevent costly stays in hospitals, and fight diseases that can lead to serious illness or death” added Biden. “The Recovery Act will help vaccinate more Americans, cut health care costs, improve public health and save lives.”

More information regarding the child care and vaccine programs is included below. To see a list of state by state funding for child care programs, visit:
http://transparency.cit.nih.gov/RecoveryGrants/grant.cfm?grant=childcare. To see a list of state by state funding for vaccine programs, visit: http://transparency.cit.nih.gov/RecoveryGrants/grant.cfm?grant=vaccines

Child Care and Development Fund

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is the primary Federal program specifically devoted to child care services and quality. It enables low-income parents and parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to work or to participate in the educational or training programs they need in order to work. Funds may also be used to serve children in protective services. In addition, a portion of CCDF funds must be used to enhance child care quality and availability.

The $2 billion in Recovery Act funds for the Child Care and Development Fund will allow states across the country to support child care services for more families whose children require care while they are working, seeking employment or receiving job training or education. The funds will be used by states to provide vouchers to families for child care or to provide access to care through contracts with child care centers. Recovery Act dollars will support a wide range of child care providers, including child care centers and home-based programs.

A portion of the funds will be used to improve overall quality and enhance infant and toddler care. For example, states may train child care providers, assist providers in meeting health and safety requirements, hire specialists specifically trained to work with infant and toddler providers, provide grants to providers to achieve higher quality and invest in other initiatives.

The new funds supplement the existing $5 billion child care subsidy program, the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The Recovery Act funds will be awarded on a formula basis to states, the District of Columbia, five territories and 260 tribal grantees representing approximately 500 Indian tribes.

For more information on the Child Care and Development Fund, visit
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/ccdf/factsheet.htm

Immunization Grant Program

The Section 317 program provides funding for immunization operations and infrastructure necessary to implement a comprehensive immunization program at the federal, state and local levels.

Of the $300 million in Recovery Act funds allocated to the Section 317 program, $250 million will help existing Section 317 grantees acquire and make recommended vaccines available by using $200 million of these funds for CDC-purchased vaccines that will be made available to states and territories. The remaining $50 million will be used to provide program operation grants and scientific and technical support to states and territories to deliver the vaccines and strengthen vaccination programs. Vaccines and Recovery Act resources will also be made available to the urban Section 317 programs in Chicago, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C.

An additional approximately $18 million in grants to provide support to Section 317 grantees that demonstrate innovative approaches to increase the number of Americans who receive the childhood vaccine series, zoster vaccine, and influenza vaccine, and for improving reimbursement practices. A portion of vaccine purchase may be used to support innovative initiatives for expanding access to vaccines in schools and communities. Applications to apply for these grants will be made available on grants.gov.

Nearly $32 million in Recovery Act funds will be used to increase information, communication and education and strengthen the evidence base for immunization. This will include activities to increase national public awareness and knowledge about the benefits and risks of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. Funds will also help provide tools and education for health care providers and to monitor and assess the impact and safety of licensed vaccines routinely recommended for use in the United States to ensure that national vaccine policy is appropriate and effective.

For more information on Section 317 as well as information on vaccine-preventable diseases, go to
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Rep. Petri plans town hall meetings

HARRISBURG – Rep. Scott Petri (R-178) is planning a series of town hall meetings over the next few weeks to update citizens on the status of the state budget negotiations and to hear what is on the minds of the people in the 178th district.

Petri, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is actively involved in discussions over the state budget and is seeking to ensure that federal stimulus funding is going where it is needed most.

“I welcome the opportunity to speak with residents of the 178 th legislative district and provide them with up-to-date information about key legislation and budget issues,” said Petri. “The current state of the economy has people worried; I want to hear about these concerns and explain what I am doing to help address them.”

Petri’s Town Hall meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursdays on the following dates:

- April 16 at Southampton Free Library, 947 Street Rd., Southampton.

- April 23 at Northampton Free Library, 25 Upper Holland Rd., Richboro.

- May 7 at Village Library of Wrightstown, 727 Penns Park Rd., Wrightstown.

Casey proposal would reimburse community colleges offering free tuition for unemployed

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) has introduced legislation to reimburse community colleges that offer free tuition to workers who have lost their jobs. Sen. Casey discussed the bill while visiting Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in Johnstown.

“In response to the economic crisis, many of Pennsylvania ’s 14 community colleges graciously volunteered to offer at least one semester of free tuition to workers who have lost their jobs,” said Sen. Casey. “My bill will encourage other community colleges to do the same thing by authorizing the Department of Labor to reimburse schools for incurring this cost. Pennsylvania ’s community colleges have shown great leadership and sacrifice to help displaced workers. They have set a great example for the federal government to follow and they should not have to foot the bill alone.”

“The Senator’s legislation is welcome news to those of us who have promoted tuition assistance for our displaced workers,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, president of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “We are ready and willing to go it alone to make sure the residents of our region are provided the educational services they deserve, but it is great to know we may not have to cinch our belts quite so tight—not have to make sacrifices in other essential student services—thanks to the efforts of Senator Casey.”

The legislation would establish the Unemployment Tuition Assistance Program in the Department of Labor. Under this voluntary program, colleges may register to participate with the Department. Any individual applying for unemployment insurance will be notified that they may be eligible for benefits under the program. The Department is authorized to reimburse the community colleges up to $1,000 per student enrolled in the tuition assistance program. These funds would be allocated from existing funds for the Community Based Job Training grant program in the Department of Labor.

Schools are not required to provide this type of tuition assistance. According to the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, for the Spring 2009 semester, Pennsylvania community colleges enrolled 1,062 unemployed workers in its free tuition program, awarding 8,481 credits at a cost of $741,788. The 10 participating schools, therefore, spent an average of less than $700 in opportunity cost for each student that was offered tuition assistance.

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