FAFSA Applications Now Available
Students may file electronically for student loans
The 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now
available and students and their families can submit an application
electronically, according to Pennsylvania Senator John Pippy.
The FAFSA is used to determine students' eligibility for almost all types
of student aid, including state grants, Federal Pell Grants, Keystone
Stafford Loans, regular Federal Stafford Loans and other federal and
institutional programs.
"The costs of going to college continue to grow and it is tougher and
tougher for families to make ends meet. That's why I strongly urge the
families of high school seniors to file the FAFSA," Senator Pippy said.
"There are many grant and loan programs available for students and this
application is the first step in securing that money."
Families are encouraged to visit
www.pheaa.org/fafsa
to access the 2010-11 online FAFSA and a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to help
walk them through the application process step by step. Students may also
file online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov .
Students planning to enroll in baccalaureate degree programs – including
those enrolled in college transfer programs at community or junior colleges
-- must file the FAFSA by May 1, 2010. Students planning to attend
business, trade and technical schools; hospital schools of nursing, or
two-year non-transferable programs at community, junior or four-year
colleges must file the FAFSA by Aug. 1, 2010.
Senate News in Review
SENATE RETURNS TO VOTING SESSION FOLLOWING BUDGET
HEARINGS
The Senate returns to voting session today following three weeks of
public hearings on the proposed 2010-11 state budget.
Among the bills that could be considered are
Senate Bill 260, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (Luzerne), expanding the
jurisdiction of the state Attorney General to prosecute the sexual abuse of
children, and
Senate Bill 432, sponsored by Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (Montgomery),
permitting the issuance of a "sexual violence victim protection order."
The Senate could also consider
Senate Bill 766, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (Mercer), establishing
the Science in Motion program in statute, and
House Bill 1533, extending the expiration date of the Military Family
Relief Fund and broadening the scope of "eligible service members."
SENATE GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND COST STUDY COMMISSION
MEETS MONDAY
The new Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission, chaired
by Sen. David Argall (Schuylkill), will hold its second public hearing this
week to discuss cost-cutting measures in state government.
Among those expected to testify are Secretary Mary Soderberg, Office of
the Budget, Secretary Naomi Wyatt, Office of Administration and Secretary
Jim Creedon, Department of General Services.
Senator Argall noted that the Commission has received more than 100
emails from individuals from across the Commonwealth who responded to a call
for suggestions to reduce the cost of state government.
Pennsylvanians can still submit suggestions to reduce costs in state
government by emailing
cuttingcosts@pasen.gov through June 30.
For more on the Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission,
please see
In the Spotlight, below.
JOINT HEARING ON NEWLY AUTHORIZED INDEPENDENT FISCAL
OFFICE
The Senate Finance Committee and the House Finance Committee will hold
the third in a series of joint hearings on a key budget reform measure
enacted at the end of 2009.
The purpose of the hearings is to receive testimony regarding the
creation of an Independent Fiscal Office and to make recommendations to the
General Assembly regarding any suggested changes to the Independent Fiscal
Office language contained in Act 50 of 2009. Creation of the Independent
Fiscal Office was spearheaded by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat
Browne (Lehigh).
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROBLEM GAMBLING INITIATIVES
The Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee, chaired
by Sen. Jane Earll (Erie), will meet Tuesday on the issue of problem
gambling and will consider
Senate Resolution 255.
Sponsored by Senator Earll, the resolution would designate the month of
March as "Problem Gambling Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and observe the
week of March 7 through 13 as "National Problem Gambling Awareness Week."
Representatives from the state Department of Health and the state Gaming
Control Board discuss the implementation of programs that deal with problem
gambling, awareness and responsibility, particularly given recent changes
implemented by Act 1 of 2010.
Also on Tuesday, the Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen.
John Eichelberger (Blair), will hold a joint public hearing with the House
Local Government Committee to hear testimony from the Department of
Community and Economic Development on development of a state plan for use of
Community Services Block Grant funds.
INCREASED PENALTIES FOR HIT-AND-RUN DRIVERS FOCUS OF
HEARING
The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty
(Montgomery), will hold a public hearing Thursday in Philadelphia to hear
testimony on legislation before the Senate that would increase fines and
prison sentences for those convicted of fleeing from accidents involving
injury or death.
The panel will seek input on three bills that would strengthen penalties
in hit-and run-cases. Among those scheduled to testify are representatives
of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the State Police and the Philadelphia
Police Department. Three family members of hit-and-run victims will also
talk about the need for tougher laws.
REVIEW
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
CONCLUDES BUDGET HEARINGS
The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman
(Centre), wrapped up three weeks of public hearings on the governor's
proposed 2010-11 state budget.
The Senate remains committed to enacting a fiscally responsible spending
plan in a timely manner while protecting the interests of Pennsylvania's
taxpayers.
They continue to hold to the same basic principles which were maintained
during last year's deliberations -- the budget must be balanced without a
broad-based tax increase and should be delivered on time.
The current $29 billion budget proposal includes a $1.2 billion (4.1
percent) increase in spending and projected 3.2 percent increase in revenues
in the upcoming fiscal year.
A
complete recap of the hearings, with video, audio and summaries, is
available on the web at
pasenategop.com.
For more on the budget, please see
Fast Facts, below.
SENATOR JEFFREY PICCOLA INTRODUCES RESOLUTION TO STUDY
SCHOOL COSTS
Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (Dauphin) has
introduced a measure aimed at further studying the Commonwealth's schools
with the highest performance and lowest costs, and their best practices in
meeting state academic standards.
Senate Resolution 243 will direct the Joint State Government Commission
to study the 82 school districts found to be successful schools in the 2006
"costing out" study and issue a report of their best practices. It also
directs the State Board of Education to cooperate fully with the commission
in providing documentation from the original costing-out study.
According to data released by the Senate Appropriations Committee, the
state basic education subsidy has increased by 35.2 percent between fiscal
year 2003-2004 and fiscal year 2009-2010, jumping from $4 billion in
2002-2003 to $5.5 billion in 2009-2010. The new report would be submitted to
the Senate Education Committee by November1, to serve as the basis for
future deliberations for basic education funding levels.
In the Spotlight
Established by unanimous passage of
Senate Resolution 161, sponsored by Senator Argall, the bipartisan
Senate Government Management and Cost Study Commission is made up of 10
appointees from the private and public sectors to target and eliminate
unnecessary government spending. The commission will utilize existing Senate
staff with no additional cost to the taxpayers.
The 10-member commission includes individuals experienced in the
operation of state and local government, along with members who have vast
experience in private business. The goal of the commission is to study state
government operations and the experience of other states in an effort to
propose changes which will reduce costs for Pennsylvania taxpayers.
At its February 19 meeting, the commission heard testimony from Walter
Baran, who served as Secretary of the Department of General Services under
Governor Dick Thornburgh. He detailed the statewide cost reduction program
that was undertaken three decades ago in Pennsylvania.
The commission's report to the full Senate is due on June 30.
Fast Facts
Spending and Tax Increases in
Governor's Proposed Budget
- The governor's budget would increase
government spending by $1.2 billion, representing $9 billion
in new spending since 2002.
- Spending under the administration
increased 45 percent in eight years, far outpacing the rate
of inflation.
- Gov. Rendell proposes to impose new taxes
on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction and on "other
tobacco products" – cigars and smokeless tobacco. He also
proposes the elimination of the 1 percent fee granted to
vendors for collection of Pennsylvania's sales tax.
- The governor wants to add 74 new
sales taxes that will cost taxpayers an additional $530
million in 2010 and $900 million in 2011. He also wants to
tax Pennsylvania businesses an additional $66 million.
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PENNDOT ALERT
Northbound Route 19 Lane Closures Tuesday in Bethel Park
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11, in cooperation
with Allegheny Power, is advising motorists the right lane and sidewalk
on northbound Route 19 (Washington Road) in Bethel Park Borough,
Allegheny County, will be closed on Tuesday, March 9, weather
permitting.
Crews from Allegheny Power will be working in the
area. The northbound restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Tuesday from Fort Couch Road (Route 3036) to North Highland Road.
PennDOT is providing this information as a public
service only. For more information on the work, contact Allegheny Power.
Motorists should use caution, slow down, and expect delays when
traveling through the area.
Outbound Parkway East Improvements Continue Nightly this Week
Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 is announcing
single lane closures on the outbound (eastbound) Parkway East (I-376) in
Allegheny County will continue nightly this week, March 8-13.
Crews will be conducting concrete and guide rail
connection work on bridge approaches on the outbound Parkway East
between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Commercial Street overpass west
of the Edgewood Swissvale interchange (Exit 77, Old Exit 7). Outbound
single lane closures will occur in this area from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Monday through Friday nights. Shoulder closures will also occur on
various ramps at the Edgewood Swissvale interchange nightly from 9 p.m.
to 5 a.m. for sign work.
Motorists are advised to use caution, allow extra
time, and be prepared for changing traffic patterns. Please slow down
and be safe in the work zone.
The $24.7 million project is the fourth phase of
District 11's efforts to improve the Parkway East. The current project
includes work in the inbound (westbound) direction including milling and
resurfacing all lanes and ramps, bridge repairs and painting, and other
improvements. The prime contractors for the project are the Trumbull
Corporation of Pittsburgh in a joint venture with Lindy Paving Inc. of
New Castle. The project will conclude in late fall 2010. Visit
penndot11.com
for more info on the project.
Phase V will occur in 2010 on the outbound lanes.
PennDOT advises motorists to use caution, slow
down, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the
area. Motorists are also reminded they can log on to
511pa.com or call
511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before
heading out.
Click here for Google Map of General Area
PennDOT Opens West End “Hole in the Wall” to Northbound Traffic Tuesday
in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is advising
motorists traffic on northbound Route 19/51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard)
will be able to continue straight through the “hole in the wall” under
the Norfolk Southern Railroad overpass and onto the West End Bridge in
the West End area of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, beginning
on Tuesday, March 9.
The new northbound roadway is expected to open to
traffic around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Crews will be working at the
intersection with the West End Bridge throughout the day. Southbound
traffic on Saw Mill Run Boulevard through the underpass was opened last
year.
Opening the northbound lanes represents a
significant traffic pattern change for motorists in the West End.
Motorists are advised to use extreme caution and expect new traffic
patterns when traveling through the area, especially for motorists
making the right turn from West Carson Street onto the West End Bridge
who may not be prepared for traffic coming through the “hole in the
wall.” Motorists currently do not have to stop when making this right
turn and may not be prepared for traffic coming from the southbound
direction.
The new northbound lanes traveling through the
“hole in the wall” will only be open for motorists wishing to continue
straight onto the West End Bridge toward Route 65. Motorists wishing to
access the West End or Route 837 (West Carson Street) will need to use
the exit ramps.
The work is part of the $52.6 million West End
Improvement Project. Construction will conclude in summer 2010. The
prime contractor for the project is the Trumbull Corporation, of
Pittsburgh, PA.
PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to
511pa.com or call
511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before
traveling.
Click here for Google Map of
General Area
