Pennsylvania unclaimed property checks: Will you get one?
More than 8,000 Pennsylvanians will get letters this week, letting them know a check from the state is on the way. "For the first time ever, we're returning unclaimed property to hardworking Pennsylvanians without requiring them to file a claim or submit any paperwork at all. We truly cut red tape out of state government – and how often does that happen? If you receive a Money Match letter, read it and keep it! About 45 days later, your unclaimed property will arrive in the form of a check from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department," Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity said in a statement. The Pennsylvania Money Match Program was unanimously approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro last year.
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12 hours ago
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Nesi's Notes: June 14
Happy Saturday! Here's another edition of my weekend column for — as always, send your takes, tips and trial balloons to tnesi@ and follow me on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 1. For nearly a year, Speaker Shekarchi has told anyone who would listen that a much tighter budget year was ahead. Yet you might not guess that from looking at the budget bill he unveiled Tuesday. House leaders propose spending $14.3 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year that starts July 1, an increase of almost $400 million from the current year and up 52% since before the pandemic. Nor was it easy to find the extra money — lawmakers plan to raise the gas tax, add a monthly fee on health insurance, create a statewide property tax on million-dollar second homes, and more. Nevertheless, Shekarchi disputes the idea that Smith Hill is nickel-and-diming the public. 'We were very strategic,' the speaker told reporters at a briefing. 'We did not want to hurt working families.' Under the hood, there is evidence of some spending restraint, at least on a comparative basis. The share of the budget paid for from the General Fund is going up by less than 4% this year, compared with an average growth rate of over 7% in the prior six years — a clear slowdown. Still, the relentless demand for new streams of revenue is likely to continue, due to the basic fact that most of the budget is spent on services, like health care and education, which grow more in cost every year than tax receipts can keep up. And while voters may complain broadly about out-of-control spending and an unwillingness to make hard choices, there's a reason lawmakers don't feel pressure to change their approach: voters reelected every single incumbent to the General Assembly last November. 2. Health care appears to be a big winner in the budget bill, and one of the reasons legislative leaders backed so many new revenue sources in the final plan was because of the need to find more money for primary care and hospitals in particular. You can read my full breakdown of the $14 billion plan here, and check out five takeaways here from my colleague Alexandra Leslie. The full House will debate and vote on the budget Tuesday. 3. The release of the budget bill is always a sure sign we are near the end of the annual General Assembly session. And with House and Senate leaders both aiming to wrap up their business for the year next Friday, the big question is what Senate President Val Lawson will do about the Assault Weapons Ban Act. Lawson remains under enormous pressure to work around the Judiciary Committee in order to get a floor vote on the bill, which has support from a majority of senators. But Lawson won the presidency with the support of the ban's opponents, most notably her new majority leader, Frank Ciccone. So Lawson is caught between a majority of the Democratic caucus (and the Senate) which supports the bill versus a minority that opposes it but was key to her winning coalition. The tension was on display Thursday, when Sen. Pam Lauria made a procedural move to put the ban before a different committee; Lauria's effort failed 20-17, but Lawson only carried the day with the help of Republicans. Our Kayla Fish caught up with Lawson shortly after that, and asked whether she is considering alternatives to the Judiciary Committee to get a floor vote. After a pause, Lawson said, 'There have been rare instances that that has occurred. Right now, we're working through the process, as it exists, through the Judiciary Committee.' Never underestimate the ability of a General Assembly leader to pull a rabbit out of a hat. But if the bill dies in the Senate, the issue could figure in next year's Democratic primary races. 4. More Val Lawson news: the R.I. Ethics Commission this week gave her the green light to keep serving as president of the Senate and a major teachers union simultaneously. 5. On Nov. 8, 2022, Ashley Kalus lost the election for Rhode Island governor to Dan McKee. A day later, she filed suit in Illinois against contractor Michael Gruener over his release of vulgar and bullying text messages he said she'd sent during a business dispute. More than two years later, the pair have settled, and Gruener has apologized to Kalus. So what really transpired? It's a complicated story that took some time to unravel — you can read my full report here. 6. Another salvo in the Washington Bridge legal battle: two of the defendants say the state never acted on a 1992 inspection report warning about its condition. 7. With summer upon us and next year's primary election now 15 months away, candidates are going to start moving from the whisper phase to active campaigning. The first to take the plunge is former state Sen. Cindy Coyne, who announced she will mount a Democratic primary challenge against incumbent Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos. Coyne represented Barrington in the Senate and was one of the first women to serve on the state police, and she is playing up her law-and-order background. 'I believe that we need to have confidence in our government, and transparency and accountability and integrity, and that's what I bring to the table,' Coyne said on this week's Newsmakers. With Matos weakened by the 2023 signature scandal, the LG primary is expected to draw a crowded field — which could actually be a help to Matos, as Tim White pointed out on Newsmakers. 8. Eye on Congress … Senator Reed condemned Israel's attack on Iran as 'reckless escalation' … Senator Whitehouse backed President Trump's pick to lead the Federal Highway Administration in a committee vote … Congressman Amo, who serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee, is headed to Taiwan this weekend to reaffirm U.S. support during meetings with the country's leaders … The Wall Street Journal quoted Congressman Magaziner on lawmakers' stock-trading around Liberation Day … Mattapoisett Select Board member Tyler Macallister met with White House officials as he plots a 2026 campaign against Congressman Keating … Congressman Auchincloss published a Washington Post op-ed reflecting as a Marine on the president's deployment in Los Angeles … Governor McKee and Governor Healey signed a statement challenging Trump on the same issue. 9. Taunton continues to be one of the most politically competitive cities in the region. Democrat Lisa Field prevailed in this week's special election to replace the late state Rep. Carol Doherty, but by just 21 votes in the initial count. Her opponent, Republican City Councilor Larry Quintal, is expected to seek a recount. This is the same seat that Doherty had flipped in 2020, after Republican Shaunna O'Connell stepped down to become mayor. Democrats have had big success all over the country in special elections since President Trump took office, a phenomenon often credited to the shifting nature of the two parties' voter coalitions. No sign of that in Taunton, though. In fact, elections analyst G. Elliott Morris found that of the 11 special elections for state legislative seats since April, Field is the only Democratic candidate in the country who underperformed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. Can you imagine the national coverage if Republicans had been able to flip a seat in deep-blue Massachusetts on Tuesday night? 10. Providence City Hall is about to get a $40 million glow-up. 11. People in the news … Nancy Pelosi headlined a fundraiser in Washington for likely gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes on Wednesday that drew about 90 people … Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso says he plans to operate al fresco with 50 employees thanks to a bill advancing quickly through the Assembly … retired Massachusetts District Court Judge Roanne Sragow Licht has joined the board of CBS owner Paramount Global; she is also the wife of R.I. Superior Court Judge Richard Licht … Bank of America Rhode Island President Kevin Tracy announced a $3 million donation to Trinity Rep during the annual Pell Awards Gala … Gina Raimondo will be among the attendees at the annual Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, sometimes dubbed 'Billionaire Summer Camp' … Ken Naylor continues his expansion of the Rhode Island Young Republicans, announcing Jessica Gomes as chair of a newly founded Cranston chapter … congratulations to my colleagues Tim White and Johnny Villella on their latest Emmy Award … congrats as well to twin brothers Josh and John Maynard, who graduated Wednesday as valedictorian and salutatorian of Toll Gate High … a new law has renamed the Sakonnet River Bridge in honor of Staff Sgt. Christopher Potts, who died while serving in Iraq in 2004. 12. Exciting news: my colleague Eli Sherman is launching a new show called 'Behind the Story' alongside rotating co-hosts Kim Kalunian and Dan McGowan. Each week they'll be joined by a journalist from a local news outlet in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts who'll discuss a major story they've reported on recently — a terrific way to spotlight the great work being done by so many reporters across broadcasting, print and digital media. You can catch 'Behind the Story' on Thursdays on our new 12+ smart TV app at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (and on demand, too); on Sundays on TV at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence; or anytime online at Check out the first episode today! 13. Weekend reads … Chris Shea on eight 'No Kings' protests planned across Rhode Island today (with more in Bristol County) … Kathy Gregg on the Senate seemingly flouting a state law on pension benefits … Anthony Flint on Mayor Smiley's vision for Providence … John Howell on Butler Hospital's president amid the strike … Grace Ferguson on how New Bedford accidentally eliminated single-family zoning … Steph Machado on the end of Cape Cod bracelet exclusivity … Kashmir Hill on the (very) dark side of ChatGPT. 14. Fire up 12+ on your smart TV or set your DVRs: This week on Newsmakers — LG candidate Cindy Coyne. Watch Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and 10 a.m. on Fox Providence, or listen on the radio Sunday at 6 p.m. on WPRO. You can also subscribe to Newsmakers as a podcast via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you back here next Saturday. Ted Nesi (tnesi@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi's Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook. Prefer your Newsmakers on the go?Subscribe to our podcast!Apple | Spotify Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
PA invests nearly $10M to ensure 35 farms in 18 counties stay farms forever
Jun. 13—Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration announced this week that Pennsylvania is investing nearly $10 million to purchase development rights for 2,672 acres on 35 farms in 18 counties — protecting them from future residential or commercial development. These joint investments by state and local government ensure that Pennsylvania farmers will have the prime-quality land they need to continue feeding families and supporting jobs and communities in the future, the governor's adminstration said. Since the Shapiro administration began, Pennsylvania has invested $125.2 million to preserve 415 new farms and 35,177 prime acres of farmland across the state. "Preserving Pennsylvania farmland is an investment in the future of our economy and farm families," said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. "When that land is lost to development, we lose one of our most valuable economic assets." More than 48,800 farms across Pennsylvania contribute $132.5 billion to our economy and support almost 600,000 jobs, making agriculture a key driver of Pennsylvania's economy. To continue Pennsylvania's national legacy as an agriculture leader, Shapiro's 2025-26 budget proposes: —An additional $13 million investment in the historic Ag Innovation Grant to help build the future of American agriculture right here in Pennsylvania. —Investing $2 million to keep Pennsylvania's new animal diagnostic laboratory in the western part of the state operational, providing critical testing services for farmers to ensure their livestock remain healthy and viable for continued farming operations. —A $4 million funding increase to connect Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger with healthy, local food through the Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System. —An additional $4 million funding increase to the State Food Purchase Program to provide emergency food assistance for low-income Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in preserved farmland. Since 1988, Pennsylvania has protected 6,564 farms and 654,551 acres in 58 counties from future development, investing nearly $1.76 billion in state, county, and local funds. Farms preserved at the State Agricultural Land Preservation Board meeting include: —Luzerne County — total investment, $555,160, state only. —Raymond H. and Corrine A. Barchik, 115-acre crop and livestock farm, Fairmount Township. —Joseph A. Disabella Sr. and Deborah A. Disabella, 54-acre crop farm, Sugarloaf Township. Bill to move DOE office to Pittsburgh introduced U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, this week introduced S. 2044 — which would move the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh. "For far too long, federal agencies in Washington have been physically removed from the workers and industries they regulate," McCormick said. "I'm proud to partner with Sen. Fetterman on this legislation to bring a critical Energy Department office to Pittsburgh near the heart of the Marcellus." "With its rich history of energy production, top-tier universities, and state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure, Pittsburgh is uniquely qualified to be the home of the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management," Fetterman said. "I'm proud to join Sen. McCormick to introduce legislation calling for this move while protecting the union way of life. FECM is an important agency that supports lower-carbon fuels like natural gas while addressing and lowering carbon emissions. Housing federal agencies in the communities they impact is a no brainer." Last year, McCormick proposed moving DOE operations to Pittsburgh to place agency officials closer to the industry they regulate and work with every day. Pennsylvania is the second largest producer of natural gas in America, with most of that production happening in western Pennsylvania. The Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) is made up of about 750 federal employees — scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. The Office is responsible for research, development, and demonstration on advanced power generation; power plant efficiency; carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies; emission control technologies; and so much more. It is responsible for the technological solutions for the development of our unconventional oil and gas domestic resources and also manages the Nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. The OFECM also manages the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). This is the lead field center for research and program development. Through this laboratory there are nearly 700 federal sponsored projects that are conducted through private sector research partners. The bill would require the Department of Energy to move the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) within the DOE to Pittsburgh one year after passage. It would also require the Secretary of Energy to provide a report to Congress on employment changes and any impacts to collective bargaining rights. The OFECM houses the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which is already based in Pittsburgh and does a significant amount of OFECM's functional work. The impact on staffing would be minimal and provide more jobs to Pennsylvania while having a federal office housed in the Commonwealth. Recommendations to help gun violence victims The importance of supporting the basic needs of gun violence victims — including housing, transportation, food — and providing tailored supports for youth were some of the key findings released this week by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), following a statewide needs assessment conducted at the request of PCCD Chair Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. "The people closest to the pain should be closest to the power — and that's exactly what this initiative is all about," Davis said. "By gathering insights directly from survivors, families, and providers, these reports highlight critical gaps that too often stand in the way of individuals' healing process after experiencing gun violence. We're not just working to reduce gun violence; we're ensuring that victims and the professionals who serve them receive the support they need and deserve." From Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, PCCD contracted with ICF to conduct a needs assessment to better understand resources available to support individuals exposed to or who have experienced gun violence. Statewide needs assessment takeaways Key findings: —Meeting basic needs is critical: Housing, transportation, and food insecurity remain major barriers. Survivors often can't access support services when their basic survival is at stake. —Local trust matters: Individuals affected by gun violence prefer hyper-local, culturally relevant providers who understand their communities. Many learn about services through friends, family or trusted community leaders — not official channels. —Youth need tailored supports: Youth exposed to violence feel isolated and misunderstood. They emphasized the need for connection through food, creative outlets, and social media, as well as education on gun safety and conflict resolution. —Long-term care is lacking: Many survivors feel overwhelmed by offers of services immediately after a violent event but struggle to find help when they're ready. Services must be available beyond the crisis period. Recommendations: —Develop hyper-local communications to build awareness and trust in services. —Provide trauma-informed training to service providers and journalists. —Expand gun safety education and access to secure firearms storage devices. —Make services available long term, beyond the initial crisis period. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Could Pennsylvania soon have its first Michelin star restaurant?
(WHTM) — Michelin stars are awarded only to restaurants that display the epitome of culinary excellence through their cooking. Cities like Philadelphia are known for their vibrant food scenes, but no Pennsylvania restaurants have a Michelin star. The Michelin Guide lists restaurants awarded a Michelin star, one of the highest culinary achievements a restaurant can earn. While the guide has sent its inspectors to hundreds of cities and counties across the globe, no Pennsylvania restaurants are listed. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now However, this could soon change. In May, the MICHELIN Guide announced it would be coming to Philadelphia and Boston for its newly minted MICHELIN Guide Northeast Cities edition. 'We are thrilled for Boston and Philadelphia to join the MICHELIN Guide Northeast Cities as both are premier destinations for gourmets to experience a rich diversity of cuisine and culinary history,' said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. 'The local passion, talent and camaraderie in both Boston and Philadelphia is evident in their restaurant communities and the anonymous Inspectors look forward to spotlighting their unique experiences in both cities.' The announcement said that Michelin Inspectors are already in the field, making reservations and hunting down hidden gems and local favorites. Michelin added that it won't be long before Pennsylvanians start seeing familiar restaurants in the famed guide. Pennsylvania fried chicken eatery announces expansion According to Michelin, the selection process is determined by anonymous inspectors, who are full-time employees who are former restaurant and hospitality professionals. Several inspectors must eat at each restaurant before coming to a final decision. A Michelin star is awarded to the restaurant's food on the plate and nothing else, according to Michelin. Only 260 of the nation's top eateries have been awarded a Michelin star, and fewer than 50 have earned multiple. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
