Latest news with #PennsylvaniaGeneralAssembly
Technical.ly
4 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
‘In no world' can state funding replace Trump science research cuts, Philly reps say
As federal research dollars remain in limbo, Pennsylvania lawmakers say it will take more than state government to keep Philly's innovation economy alive. In Pennsylvania, federal funding for scientific programs fuels innovation and economic growth. As the Trump administration continues to revoke funding for research, STEM education and other innovation grants, Pennsylvania state Reps. Mary Isaacson, Christopher Rabb and Tarik Khan gathered at a Science Town Hall hosted last week by Philadelphia Science Action to explain their plans to keep the ecosystem funded in Philadelphia. Their answers call on stakeholders well beyond the 253 members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including the universities and established startups. The level of collaboration between government, academia and business that made Philly the city of ' eds and meds ' is also what's needed for the industry to get through the current turmoil, the representatives said at the event hosted by Philadelphia Science Action at the Science History Institute. 'If you're part of this legal system, this industry, eds and meds and doing all these things, and you feel insulated because you were able to raise a ton of money through venture capital,' Rabb warned, 'those days are over.' Less money to support research and education means fewer budding scientists coming to Philly to skill up and, eventually, join the talent market. It's also causing more established local workers to change careers, according to Khan, who said there's only so much the General Assembly can do about it. 'There are things we can do on a state level, but let's be honest,' Khan said, 'the money that is being taken away, in no world can our state dollars make up for that.' Why research funding doesn't float to the top Many of the challenges the Trump administration has posed around federal grants can only be settled in the courts. Both Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania universities have sued over the funding issues, and representatives at the town hall said constituents should pay attention to local judicial races to have their voices heard on the topics. 'It doesn't mean that we're not trying to do things to assist where we can,' Rep. Isaacson said, pointing out that state-level electeds can't, for example, intervene in immigration law largely controlled by the federal government. With very narrow Democratic control of the Pennsylvania House, the representatives also say they have to pick their battles — and science funding usually does not make it to the top of the list. 'Our first and firstmost has to be taking care of those who have nothing,' Isaacson said, referencing people who 'depend on food stamps, SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare.' On top of calling on the private sector to look beyond their own institutions to support the ecosystem at large, Rabb also said several academic institutions in Pennsylvania have their own access to cash that could make up for some cuts — which would help avoid dipping into state funds. Pennsylvania universities raked in hundreds of millions in investment returns on their endowment funds in 2024. The University of Pennsylvania, for example, is sitting on one of the largest endowments in the US at $22.3 billion. Yet it has instructed faculty to halt work on projects funded by $175 million in federal research grants. Rabb described his view of the situation in characteristically blunt fashion. 'What's the point of having 'fuck-you money' if you don't say fuck you?' Rabb said. 'These universities have endowments. Use them with moral courage when you need the most.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'What we had expected': Cambria, Somerset voter turnout less than 25% for primary election
This year's primaries on Tuesday brought the relative quiet of municipal elections compared to the hoopla of the 2024 presidential election cycle. In November's general election, more than 110,000 people combined voted in Cambria and Somerset counties with races for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania General Assembly and state row offices taking place. This spring, with state judge, local government and area school board contests occurring, approximately 19,000 people voted in Cambria and 10,000 in Somerset. 'Honestly, it was pretty much what we had expected,' Somerset County Director of Voter Registration and Elections Tina Pritts said. Pritts said that despite the lower volume 'as far as the procedures that we do and the tasks that we have to complete, they're all the same.' 'As far as the turnout, last year with the presidential obviously, there was a lot more information from the candidates being sent to the voters via television, via social media, via mail, compared to this year where you won't see that during a municipal election,' Pritts said. Approximately 24% of registered voters participated in Somerset. Cambria's turnout was just under 23%. Nicole Burkhardt, Cambria County Election Office's new director, said that was 'about what I expected.' Cambria ballot errors Cambria needed to address an issue in which Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania candidates Josh Prince and Matthew Wolford were listed in an incorrect order on some Republican Party ballots. More than 1,500 GOP primary ballots were returned, with the 'bulk of them' being the ballots with errors, according to Burkhardt. County officials knew which ballots were proper and which ones had the mistake. The incorrect ballots were taken aside. Two-person bipartisan teams then remade new ballots – transferring information from incorrect ballots to ones that had Prince and Wolford listed in the proper spots – so they could be scanned. 'The goal is zero errors,' Burkhardt said. 'We did put in precautions and the precautions caught the errors. By catching them, even though there was a mistake, we were able to fix it and know exactly what we were doing ahead of time to fix it, which made things run so much smoother.'
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elk Lick Townships residents will get to decide on a tax hike. What to know
Elk Lick Township Supervisors are asking residents to allow a real estate tax rate increase. The Somerset County Election Board recently agreed to include a referendum submitted by Elk Lick for a tax rate increase on the May 20 primary ballot. Elk Lick voters will see the referendum on their ballots as follows. Referendum: "Do you favor increasing the local real estate tax for Elk Lick Township by 1.00 mill in excess of otherwise permitted increases to provide funds to support local ambulance, rescue and other emergency services serving the township?" Plain English Statement: "Shall the local real estate tax rate for Elk Lick Township be increased by an additional one-half (1/2) mill in excess of otherwise permitted increases to provide funds to support local ambulance, rescue and other emergency services serving the township?" A referendum is a direct vote in which all registered voters who reside in Elk Lick Township have an opportunity to vote yes or no to this single question that will be on the ballot. The process is required by state law where an annual tax can not exceed one-half mill to support ambulance, rescue and other emergency services serving the township. Elk Lick supervisors state they need an additional one-half mill to cover the costs for needed rescue and emergency services because they are unable to fund those services directly from the operating budget. Merged: Will Somerset County's Callimont Borough and Larimier Township merge? Voters will decide The current 2025 millage rate in the township is 15.11 mills for county taxes, plus an additional 3.50 mills for the schools. This means residents pay a total of 18.61 mills for real estate tax. The supervisors adopted the budget Dec. 30, 2024 A mill is a property tax rate per thousand dollars of assessed value. Otherwise, one mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. For example, if the assessed value of a residence is $100,000 and the tax rate is 15 mills, the tax due will be $1,500 ($100,000 multiplied by 15, then divided by 1000). A ceiling on townships' ability to raise property taxes was instituted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which determined the maximum percentage the townships may raise taxes without receiving voter approval by referendum. Thus, according to state law, if an annual tax is proposed to be set higher for any services to its residents, then the question has to be submitted to the voters of that township to decide. The words in the referendum must be tied directly to the project. This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Elk Lick Twp. voters have rescue services tax increase ballot question
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers of hybrids, electric vehicles will see new charges in Pennsylvania
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — In 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an act that would charge Pennsylvanians who drive electric or hybrid vehicles, and as of April 1, they began charging. Act 85 was passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law, and it is working to make sure that all drivers are supporting road and bridge maintenance across the state. Those who drive hybrid and electric vehicles will now see a Road User Charge (RUC). Those who drive a gas-powered vehicle already help to maintain roadways through gas taxes. Bill aims to bring Hollywood to Pennsylvania with bigger tax credit: 'Economic benefits' 'The new law creates a fair way for all drivers to help maintain Pennsylvania's transportation network, ensuring that EV and PHEV owners who pay no or very little gas tax are also contributing to Pennsylvania's Motor License Fund for highway and bridge maintenance,' according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Own an electric or hybrid vehicle? Here is what you need to know If the registration for your vehicle expires after May 2025, you'll need to pay the new fee. PennDOT is responsible for sending you a form with the payment details. EV and hybrid owners will receive a notice by mail and must submit a check or money order to pay the fee within 30 days of the notice. EV or PHEV vehicle owners must pay the RUC fee in order to renew their vehicle registration for the following cycle. How much will drivers be paying? 2025 One year: $250Two year: $500 One year: $63Two year: $126 Tied to consumer price index (CPI) 25% of EV fee, rounded to the next dollar Previously, drivers for these cars had to pay an Alternative Fuels Tax, but with the establishment of the system, this has replaced the fuel tax. The only exempt vehicles for this charge will be golf carts, electronic motorcycles, vehicles from 1990 and older, and certain government vehicles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pa. bill looks to prevent billionaires from paying voters: ‘Anti-constitutional'
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — In response to billionaires handing out money for individuals who vote or register to vote, two Pennsylvania Representatives have announced legislation that would prevent any type of related activity in the Commonwealth. The bill, authored by Reps. Nathan Davidson and Tarik Khan, would amend the Pennsylvania Elections Code, which was recently already amended by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The assembly acted to prohibit unaccountable third-party election grants to county election offices from billionaires or their PACs, however, the Representatives believe the code needs to be amended again. 'Paying people money to participate in elections erodes public trust and undermines our collective faith in an election system free from undue influence,' The legislation reads. 'While these schemes are outrageous, dangerous, and anti-constitutional, they are not currently illegal under Pennsylvania law.' The bill would make it illegal to pay another person to vote or register to vote as well as address misleading the public into believing prizes are available to participants at random, when in reality, the winners were predetermined. Recently, Elon Musk paid three voters in Wisconsin $1 million each for signing a petition related to the state's Supreme Court election. The Wisconsin Attorney General sued to bar Musk from delivering the payments, however, the state Supreme Court declined to rule on the case based on a technicality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
