Pennsylvania Looking To Up Completion Rate Among College Students

HARRISBURG— Citing the need to increase the number of Pennsylvania students who finish college, Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the state has teamed with 16 other states in an effort to significantly increase college completion rates by 2020.

“Pennsylvania boasts some of the finest colleges and universities in the nation, and we have made progress in making these institutions accessible and affordable to millions of students, but the number of students attaining college degrees falls woefully short of our nation’s needs and our collective potential,” Governor Rendell said.

A 2009 national study on education and the workforce found more than 60 percent of jobs will require a college degree in the coming decade, yet only 43 percent of Pennsylvanians age 25 to 34 have earned degrees. In addition, only about one-third of students enrolled in Pennsylvania’s four-year public colleges and less than two-thirds of those enrolled in four-year, private colleges graduate on time.

“Pennsylvania’s long-term economic outlook depends on a well-educated, highly skilled workforce,” the Governor added. “That workforce increasingly requires a postsecondary degree, but too many of our students are falling short. This must change.”

Pennsylvania and the 16 other states will work cooperatively with Complete College America, a national nonprofit organization, to identify ways to dramatically increase the number of young adults with a college degree. The Complete College Alliance also will focus on closing degree “attainment gaps” for traditionally underserved populations.

In addition to Pennsylvania, the alliance currently includes Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

“Fewer than 40 percent of young adults hold an Associate Degree or higher,” said Stan Jones, President of Complete College America. “The numbers for most states are even worse. For states and America to be competitive, six of ten adults between the ages of 25 and 35 will need to hold a postsecondary degree or credential of value in the labor market by 2020. That’s why the commitment to students and the higher education institutions that serve them made by Governor Rendell is so important to Pennsylvania’s long-term economic and social well-being.”

Pennsylvania has taken dramatic steps in recent years to make a college degree more attainable, including working with public colleges to control tuition increases and simplifying the process for transferring college credits so students can avoid the costly, time-consuming process of retaking courses if they change schools.

Complete College America will provide Pennsylvania with tangible and practical support to help implement a range of strategies that will bring needed changes in the culture and practices of its public postsecondary institutions. To join the Alliance, a state – in partnership with its colleges and universities – must pledge to make college completion a top priority and commit to:

• Setting state and campus-specific degree and credential completion goals;

• Developing and implementing aggressive state and campus-level action plans for meeting the state’s completion goals; and

• Collecting and reporting common measures of progress toward the state’s completion goals.

Alliance states will receive in-depth technical support from America’s leading experts on improving college success, including assistance in building consensus for reform, developing policy action plans, guidance on applying for and effectively using federal funding to produce more degrees, and annual networking opportunities.

Five national foundations are providing multi-year support to Complete College America, including the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Lumina Foundation for Education.

“The long-term economic growth of any state is tied to the educational attainment of its citizens,” said Jones. “Reform-minded states like Pennsylvania are taking the lead in addressing this serious national issue head on. The implications of ‘business as usual’ are too great not to act.”

For more information on Complete College America, visit www.completecollege.org.

Consulting Firm Will Move Headquarters To Suburban Philadelphia

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that LECG, a global expert services and consulting firm, will relocate its world headquarters to Pennsylvania, creating and retaining nearly 400 jobs in Chester County.

LECG, which recently merged with SMART Business Advisory and Consulting, will locate its new corporate headquarters in a 52,400-square-foot facility in Devon that formerly served as SMART’s headquarters. The $2.1 million consolidation project will create 57 jobs within three years and retain 329 existing positions statewide.

“This is an exciting project for Pennsylvania. Our competitive business environment and strategic investments have attracted the corporate headquarters of a respected, publicly traded firm and a commitment by the company to provide hundreds of high-wage jobs for years to come,” said Governor Rendell. “Projects like this one, which create jobs and leverage private-sector investment, are a concrete sign that our economic development efforts produce real results.”

The Governor said his proposed budget invests in job creation and economic development strategies that have helped keep Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate lower than the national average. The proposed budget boosts funding for job-creating programs such as opportunity grants, customized job training, infrastructure development, and infrastructure facilities and improvement grants.

“Despite this tough economy and a tight budget situation, we must do whatever is within our means to lay the foundation for strong economic growth and job creation as the economy recovers,” Governor Rendell added.

LECG employs more than 1,400 professionals in 39 global locations. It provides independent expert testimony, financial advisory services, original authoritative studies, strategic advisory, and tax, assurance, and business consulting services to clients, including Fortune Global 500 corporations, major law firms, and local, state and federal governments and agencies in the U.S.

“After careful consideration, we made a strategic decision to relocate the headquarters of the new LECG to suburban Philadelphia,” said LECG CEO Steve Samek. “Our analysis showed that 63 percent of the revenues of the combined firm are either in the region or in Europe. This new location also gives us access to many of the AM LAW 100 firms that provide references for many engagements and access to a remarkable talent pool of seasoned professionals and graduates from the many universities and colleges in the area.”

This project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals that works directly with businesses that consider locating or expanding in the state.

Select Greater Philadelphia worked with the company and GAT to secure a $371,000 funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project. The offer includes a $200,000 opportunity grant and $171,000 in job creation tax credits.

“Select provided the company’s representatives with information and data to help them make an informed decision about the benefits of locating their headquarters in Greater Philadelphia and quickly connected them to the Governor’s Action Team, which made a compelling case for the Pennsylvania location with an attractive incentive package,” said Tom Morr, president and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia. “This project required quick action and everyone reacted promptly to successfully meet LECG’s timeframe.”

Since Governor Rendell took office in 2003, the Governor’s Action Team has successfully completed 1,220 projects, resulting in commitments to create 129,854 new jobs and retain 305,207 existing positions. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.3 billion in assistance for these projects, which will leverage more than $16.8 billion in additional investment.

For more information on LECG, visit www.lecg.com.

For more information on Select Greater Philadelphia, visit www.selectgreaterphiladelphia.com.

For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and other Department of Community and Economic Development programs, visit www.NewPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

State Capitol Roundup

A weekly summary of important events on Capitol Hill

Provided by Rep. Mike Peifer (R-139)

Appropriations Committee Continues Budget Hearings

Now that Gov. Ed Rendell has submitted his $29 billion budget proposal to the General Assembly, members of the House Appropriations Committee are conducting a thorough examination of the plan through the committee’s budget hearings. Rendell Administration officials from several state agencies are testifying before the committee. Many are continuing to call for additional funding despite the state’s existing revenue shortfall. After Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary George E. Cornelius testified that his department had lost much of its effectiveness in recent years due to funding cuts and reduced authority over the state’s economic development efforts, Rep. Dave Reed (R-Indiana) questioned whether there is a real need for DCED or if it continues to exist merely to “make people feel better.” Reed also noted that in today’s tough economic and budgetary times, the future of the department should be closely examined. The committee is continuing its hearings, and the secretaries of the Departments of Environmental Protection, Conservation and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Education will be among those scheduled to testify. For complete budget information, including live Web streams of all budget hearings, visit PABudget.com.

2009 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Opens

Applications for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 are now available. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants. For complete eligibility requirements and additional information, visit Peifer’s Web site at RepPeifer.com.

Rendell: Federal Stimulus Helping Pa.

HARRISBURG – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has significantly benefitted Pennsylvania and its residents by putting people to work and stimulating economic growth, says Governor Edward G. Rendell.

“It’s bad enough that 4,300 Pennsylvanians lost their jobs last fall, but there is absolutely no dispute that without Recovery funds, three times the number of families would have suffered a loss of income,” Governor Rendell said during a town hall meeting at Shippensburg University that was linked by live videoconference to hundreds of students, faculty and community leaders at the University of Pittsburgh and state universities at East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, West Chester, and Edinboro.

He noted that Pennsylvania lost 77,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2009, before Recovery Act funding was available.

“The stimulus bill included a critical infusion of federal funds that helped nearly every state avoid massive layoffs,” the Governor said. “Without those funds, we would have faced some very tough choices: close prisons and let thousands of offenders go free; or cut funding to public schools by 50 percent and, as a result, lay off more than 100,000 school employees; or if we didn’t have the $2 billion state fiscal relief that stimulus provided, we would have had to lay off 37,000 state employees – half our workforce – to balance the budget.

“Because our economy is not yet out of the woods, I think the best and proven strategy to get more people to work and American employers humming again is to increase America’s investment in infrastructure,” the Governor said.

Earlier in the day, Governor Rendell visited a completed infrastructure project in Cumberland County. He held an opening ceremony at the new Route 34 bridge in North Middleton Township, where he and Vice President Joseph Biden visited twice in 2009 to showcase the need and impact of Recovery Act funding.

Until Recovery Act funds became available, PennDOT did not have the resources needed to immediately replace the nearly 80-year-old structurally deficient bridge used by nearly 5,000 vehicles a day and linking Carlisle with Perry County.

“Pennsylvania has received more than a billion dollars in federal funds for infrastructure through the Recovery Act, and these dollars are putting Pennsylvanians back to work,” Governor Rendell said. “Last fall before the road construction season slowed due to weather, stimulus-funded road and bridge projects were directly employing more than 11,000 Pennsylvanians.

“Stimulus allowed the contractors and subcontractors that worked on this project to recall 38 employees from layoff, add five new employees and one new part-time employee. That put bread on the table of these workers and their families.”

The bridge project also created indirect jobs supplying material that included: 105 tons of asphalt, 67 tons of aggregate, more than 85,000 pounds of rebar steel, 800 cubic yards of concrete, 20, 94-foot-long concrete beams and 85 tons of backfill. The project was finished in November, nearly five months ahead of schedule.

Across Pennsylvania, 476 bridges will be repaired or replaced and 872 miles of roadway – longer than the distance between Philadelphia and Chicago – will be repaved through the Recovery Act. More than 90 projects are already completed and all but one are under contract.

“On top of road and bridge work, Recovery Act funds for water and sewer projects will put more than 5,000 people to work this year and improve water systems serving more than 100,000 homes.

Since the Recovery Act was passed, Pennsylvania companies and communities have received more than $800 million for green energy projects. These funds are on top of the more than $900 million in state funds spent to help grow this sector in the past seven years,” the Governor said. “As a result, according to the Pew Center, Pennsylvania ranks third for growth of green jobs just behind the powerhouse energy states of Texas and California.

“All of these projects are employing people who otherwise might have been laid off, giving them the resources to spread through our stalled economy,” Governor Rendell said. “These projects are purchasing materials that mean the stimulus effect spreads even further. And when completed, these projects leave long-lasting assets and better transportation links for communities. These are the building blocks for economic recovery and the result of President Obama’s Recovery Act.

“That’s what the stimulus is really about: re-employing hardworking citizens, getting our economy back on sound footing, and expanding the critical sectors of our economy that we know will bring short- and long-term growth and recovery.”

To learn more about the Recovery Act impact in Pennsylvania and read the new Annual Report, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

More Heating Help For PA’s Poor

HARRISBURG  - Governor Edward G. Rendell this week announced significant changes to Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – better known as LIHEAP — that will help keep low-income families warm this winter.

The federally-funded LIHEAP helps income-eligible households pay for heat during the winter months and is administered by the Department of Public Welfare.

“As a result of smart policy decisions and efficient management of LIHEAP resources, we are able to increase cash grant amounts by $100 and extend the program through April 2,” said Governor Rendell. “These steps will help to ensure Pennsylvania families can stay safe and warm during the cold winter months.

“These changes will bring needed relief for the many families who continue to struggle to make ends meet,” added Governor Rendell.  “Should the federal government release additional contingency funds as it has done in previous years, Pennsylvania would be positioned to increase grant amounts to vulnerable households – those over 60, with a disability or with children aged five and under.

“We estimate that by extending the LIHEAP closing date from March 15 to April 2, an additional 80,000 households will receive help paying for their heat,” the Governor added.

This year, all LIHEAP applications are run through a new computer system which includes more eligibility checks. As a result, the opportunity for fraud or abuse of the system has been significantly reduced.

DPW expects to assist approximately 600,000 families with cash grants during the 2009-2010 program year. As a result of the Governor’s announcement, cash grants for the current season are expected to average $326.

DPW expects to provide LIHEAP crisis grants to 126,000 households this season. Crisis grants are offered to resolve heating emergencies, such as furnace failures or unexpected fuel shortages. In addition to proof of income and household size, applicants must provide a recent bill or a statement from their fuel dealer verifying their customer status and the type of fuel that they use.

Applications are available at county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP cash grants are available online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

Local Highway Named For Slain Trooper

Trooper Joshua D. Miller

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed Senate Bill 1070, designating a portion of Route 611 in Monroe County as the Trooper Joshua D. Miller Memorial Highway.

“This is a significant and richly deserved honor for a trooper who laid down his life rather than swerve from the path of duty,” Governor Rendell said.  “We must never forget his courage or his sacrifice.”

Miller, 34, of Pittston, Luzerne County, was fatally wounded June 7 following a 40-mile, high-speed chase of an armed suspect who was fleeing with his kidnapped son. The suspect was pulled over on Route 611 in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, and gunfire erupted, killing Miller and seriously injuring Trooper Robert J. Lombardo, 35.  The suspect also was killed, but his 9-year-old son was rescued unharmed.

“Josh Miller was an exemplary trooper,” said State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski. “His death was a tremendous loss for the department. His dedication will forever serve as a beacon to all those who protect the public.”

Miller graduated from the State Police Academy in April 2003 and initially was assigned to Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County.  He later transferred to Troop N, Swiftwater.  He is survived by his wife, Angela M. Miller, who works for state police as a police communications operator at Troop P, Wyoming, Luzerne County, and three daughters.

The designated area of Route 611 stretches from Tobyhanna to Interstate 380 in Coolbaugh Township.

Climate Change Action Plan Presented to Rendell

Recommendations Could Reduce Greenhouse Emissions by Nearly a Third

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania could slash greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020 by following the recommendations contained in the Climate Change Action Plan presented to Governor Edward G. Rendell.

In combination with other state and federal environmental initiatives, the 52 recommendations could reduce emissions by more than 40 percent.

“The recommendations in the plan not only can help stave off environmental devastation due to climate change but will have enormous beneficial impact on our economy,” said Governor Rendell. “The Climate Change Advisory Committee estimates the plan could result in the net creation of 65,000 new full-time jobs and add more than $6 billion to the state’s economy.”

The recommendations include: a “Re-Light Pennsylvania” program that encourages residential and commercial use of more efficient lighting systems; an Eco-Driving program that offers fuel-saving tips and incentives to drive less; and an urban forestry program that increases carbon storage in trees while reducing a buildings’ heating and cooling demands.

The most important impacts from policies already being implemented include:

• The renewable energy requirements in our Alternative Energy Portfolio Act and Act 129, mandating electric utility energy efficiency programs, will reduce emissions by 15 million metric tons.

• Pennsylvania’s adoption of the 2008 Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act, the Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act, and the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program will reduce emissions by an additional 16 million metric tons.

• Recently enacted federal appliance efficiency standards as well as improved efficiency for new light-duty vehicles will further reduce emissions by 5 million metric tons.

The plan is based upon the most current scientific data available, the Governor said. The Advisory Committee and the Department of Environmental Protection led a stakeholder-driven process which evaluated and recommended 52 work plans to mitigate greenhouse gases. All of the work plans were developed, discussed and analyzed with full participation of the committee, representing a diversity of viewpoints.

The plan was opened for public comment in October, and DEP accepted a record number of comments, approximately 23,000. About 99 percent of those who commented were strongly in favor of a public policy to address climate change.

For more information and a copy of the final report, visit www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword “Climate Change,” or call (717) 783-2300

Pa. Welfare Official To Become HUD Chief

Newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Estelle B. Richman

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced the resignation of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman, effective Dec. 31. Richman has served as secretary since the beginning of Governor Rendell’s administration in 2003.

Richman will become Chief Operating Officer at U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. She visited the Stroudsburg area several times during her tenure for events such as an annual mental health walk.

“Secretary Richman served during one of the most challenging periods in modern Pennsylvania history for human services, and she met that challenge in a way few others could have done,” Governor Rendell said. “The recession increased demands on social services just as public money became scarce, yet she improved the quality of DPW programs while still managing the department with heightened efficiency.

“Since 2003, Secretary Richman has been a champion for vulnerable children and their families in every corner of Pennsylvania,” the Governor added. “Low-income families are stronger, healthier and on the road to self-sufficiency because of her passion for their well-being. We are delighted that Estelle will now focus that same energy on national housing issues in her role as Chief Operating Officer at HUD.”

The Governor has nominated Harriet Dichter of Philadelphia to succeed Richman as secretary. Her nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

At DPW, Richman oversaw an agency with more than 19,000 employees, providing services and support to low-income, elderly and disabled Pennsylvanians, including children.

Through Richman’s leadership, Pennsylvania now provides health care through Medical Assistance for more than two million Pennsylvanians while improving health outcomes with pay-for-performance initiatives. Through better disease management and coordination of care initiatives, Richman reduced the severity of illness for more than half of those enrolled in the Medical Assistance program.

With family roots in education, Richman recognized early learning and development of young children as foundational to their school achievement and lifetime economic contribution. Partnering with the Department of Education, Richman built a nationally recognized early care and education program that unifies Pennsylvania’s early childhood programs and improves service quality.

Pennsylvania’s commitment to a continuum of early childhood programs has provided more than 170,000 children with quality childcare programs through Keystone STARS, with nearly 80 percent of centers participating. More importantly, approximately 70 percent of children receiving child care assistance are now using regulated care, through Child Care Works, a 38 percent increase from 2006-07.

Richman was committed to remaining a good steward of taxpayer dollars. She achieved savings — without cuts — by revamping the department’s pharmacy operations and holding Medical Assistance Managed Care costs down, all while reducing the overall agency staff by nearly 3,000 employees since 2003 – a 13 percent reduction in the department’s workforce.

Richman has spearheaded initiatives to move people to home and community based living to reduce dependence on institutional care, mainly through the successful closures of Harrisburg and Mayview State Hospitals and the Altoona Center. She focused on implementing major initiatives to reduce the waiting list for mental retardation services, with more than 2,000 people with disabilities removed from the list over the past two years.

At DPW, Richman supported a culture of employment and productivity for the most vulnerable citizens, recognizing that jobs for the lowest-income families are critical to the economic vitality of the state. Specifically, under Richman’s guidance, Pennsylvania reduced the TANF caseload by over 25 percent and successfully turned the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program into a national model.

Governor’s Residence Open For Holidays

HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell and First Lady Judge Marjorie O. Rendell today invited visitors to experience the magic of the holiday season at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. This year’s theme, “Believe,” is reflected in the decorations, entertainment and refreshments provided by community groups and local businesses.

“We are delighted to have so many local organizations join us in the spirit of giving as we decorate the Residence and open it to the community during the holidays,” said First Lady Judge Rendell. “We always look forward to this special time of year when we open our home and our hearts, and believe in the magic of the season.”

The residence, located at 2035 North Front St., will hold a candlelight open house on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Entertainment on Dec. 6 will include performances by the Susquehanna Flute Quartet, Trinity High School Bell Choir and pianist Zachary Hanson of Perry County.

On Dec. 13, Santa will make a special appearance from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Camp Hill United Methodist Bell Choir, Shipman Violin Studio of Hummelstown, Shadow Trax Media of Philadelphia, Pianist Karl Hausman of Reading, Susquenita High School West Side Singers, Fifth Avenue Strings of Pittsburgh, Trust Company A Cappella Singers of Harrisburg, Capitol City Cello Choir and the Lyrico Quartet of Lancaster Co.

Seven trees donated by the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association will adorn the Residence along with joyful decorations in 10 rooms and hallways.  Decorations are provided by businesses including the Strawberry Shop in York, the Garden Path in Harrisburg and Innove Events in Philadelphia.

The home’s main entrance will feature an 18-foot tree bejeweled with more than 400 ornaments hand-crafted by the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen. The students and faculty of the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts in Lancaster have created a spun sugar and chocolate sculpture along with thousands of homemade cookies and a gingerbread house.

An annual feature is the 14-foot Children’s Tree, which this year features handmade ornaments from students of Hoover Elementary School in Camp Hill. The tree is encircled by a miniature Polar Express train, courtesy of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg.

The Dec. 13 open house is part of the Historic Harrisburg Association Annual Holiday House Tour. Admission to the residence is free. Tickets to visit other homes on the tour can be purchased by calling the association at (717) 233-4646.

The residence will also be open for holiday tours on Dec. 14, 15 and 16, from noon to 2 p.m.

Home to Pennsylvania’s governors since 1968, the Georgian-style structure is less than 2 miles from the state Capitol Building. The Residence is open for public tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of April, May, June, September and October.

For more information, visit www.residence.pa.gov or call (717) 772-9130.

Rendell Wants Budget Sunday

HARRISBURG – It’s been more than a week since state lawmakers shook hands and said they have a budget deal, but the devil is still apparently in the details.

Gov. Ed Rendell said Monday he wants the final spending bill on his desk this Sunday, October 4. As of press time, state House and Senate leaders have agreed to work towards that goal.

There’s still controversy over several aspects of the budget including the approval of table games at slots casinos and a new tax on theater events and museum admissions.

State officials say once a budget is signed it will take four to ten days for state agencies to receive their checks.