The grants come from the CFA’s Alternative and Clean Energy Program, which [...]]]> LEHIGHTON. May 14, 2013 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) met on May 7 to approve two grants for the Lehighton Area School District. The grants will be used to help convert two elementary schools in order to reduce the school district’s energy costs.

The grants come from the CFA’s Alternative and Clean Energy Program, which provides financial assistance to develop and construct alternative and clean energy projects across the state. Lehighton Area’s grant, $750,000 for each project, will be put towards the renovation of the East Penn and Mahoning Elementary Schools into energy efficient buildings.

School District Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver noted the significance of the grant.

“The district and the entire Lehighton community are excited about receiving this grant,” Cleaver said.
“This grant is the first of its kind for the Lehighton Area School District. We would like to thank Senator Argall, Senator Yudichak, and Representative Heffley for their continued efforts and support not only for Lehighton School District but the entire Pennsylvania Education System.”

The local delegation applauded the move, stating that it will result in cost-savings over the long run.

“These upgrades will go a long way in helping the district save valuable tax dollars over the coming years,” Senator David G. Argall (R-29) said. “This team effort to secure these funds would not be possible without the hard work of school officials to realize significant cost-savings over the long term by converting older buildings into energy efficient structures.”

“Lehighton Area School District has always set the standard for Pennsylvania districts in innovation, cost saving and energy efficiency – and these two projects are another glowing example,” Senator John Yudichak (D-14) said. “These multi-million dollar renovations will certainly enhance the learning environment for our students; and they will also help the district save money by significantly reducing energy consumption and annual water usage.”

“Through grant programs like this, we are helping to solve the nation’s energy challenges and to ensure its future economic prosperity without asking our hard-working taxpayers to doll out more cash,” said Representative Doyle Heffley (R-122). “Geothermal energy is clean, renewable energy that offsets carbon dioxide emissions of electricity generated from fossil fuels such as diesel fuel and natural gas.”

“Senator Yudichak, Senator Argall and Representative Heffley have stepped up to the plate for us,” Rocky Ahner, President of the Lehighton Area Board of Education said. “With our district entering into renovation projects of our East Penn and Mahoning elementary schools, this will be greatly appreciated by not only the board but also the taxpayers.”

The East Penn Elementary School project will include a new ground-source geothermal HVAC system, installation of energy efficient lighting and building thermal envelope upgrades. The project is anticipated to reduce energy consumption by 1,131,270 kBTU annually. In addition, new low-flow water fixtures will save the district 30 percent of the building’s annual water usage. Once completed, the building will achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Gold certification.

Similarly, the Mahoning Elementary School’s project will also include a new geothermal HVAC system, new lighting and thermal envelope upgrades. These upgrades will lower the school’s energy consumption by 837,474 kBTU each year. The school also plans to install new water fixtures to save on the school district’s annual water usage by 30 percent each year. This project will also achieve the same LEED Gold certification once completed.

###

Yudichak was one of the many speakers to take part in the Energy Day in NEPA event at the Hilton Hotel and Conference [...]]]> SCRANTON, May 2, 2013 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) today spoke about the opportunities for Northeastern Pennsylvania businesses to expand and create jobs by partnering with Pennsylvania’s Marcellus shale industry.

Yudichak was one of the many speakers to take part in the Energy Day in NEPA event at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Downtown Scranton. The event gave local businesses an opportunity to interact with industry experts and find out more information on doing business with shale companies and understanding the supply chain process.

“There are few better opportunities to spur economic development and put NEPA families back to work than the ones available in the Marcellus Shale industry,” Yudichak said. “It is estimated that it takes more than 400 individuals within nearly 150 different occupations to complete and produce gas from a Marcellus well – proof that there are many different ways for NEPA businesses to grow along with the industry.”

Yesterday, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved two bills – Senate Bills 738 and 739 – which aim to extend and expand natural gas distribution systems to unserved and under-served residential, commercial and industrial sites. Yudichak, the Democratic chairman of the committee, voted for the bills but plans to offer an amendment so that the bill reflects more of a public/private partnership to share the cost of natural gas expansion.

“There are great economic and environmental benefits that can result from the increased use of Pennsylvania-produced natural gas but we cannot – as the bill currently reads – make consumers foot the majority of the costs associated with expansion,” Yudichak said. “My amendment would offer financial incentives to natural gas utility companies to encourage the expansion of natural gas lines to under-served areas and to keep the consumer costs down.”

Energy Day in NEPA was co-hosted by the regional chambers of commerce; America’s Natural Gas Alliance; the American Petroleum Institute; the Marcellus Shale Coalition; and the PA Independent Oil & Gas Association.

# # #

“The SHINE program has a national reputation for innovation and excellence – and the bright, young students [...]]]> HARRISBURG, April 29, 2013 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) today welcomed members of the Lehigh Carbon Community College SHINE program to the state Capitol to perform their “The Inventive Inn” play at the Capitol Media Center.

“The SHINE program has a national reputation for innovation and excellence – and the bright, young students here today are proof that after school programs are incredibly beneficial to the children of the Commonwealth,” Yudichak said. “The opportunities presented through programs like SHINE are the reason that these kids are the future shining stars of NEPA – and their performance today was second-to-none.”

Yudichak said the SHINE program, run through Lehigh Carbon Community College, touches the lives of over 600 children in Carbon and Schuykill Counties.

The cast of students included Lilly Newton, Kathleen Graham, Zeb Kleintop, Sebastian Reynolds, Jonathan Reynolds, Carmine Reynolds, Breanna Hoffner, Zachary Tongue, Trevor Keefer, Ethan Kattner, Logan Wallace, Isaiah Morton and Gabby.

SHINE’s mission is linking schools and homes in education to build a strong social and academic foundation.

# # #

House [...]]]> JIM THORPE, April 24, 2013 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) and Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania president Mark Tanczos today joined numerous Carbon County beer distributor owners at Highland Beverage in Jim Thorpe to oppose legislation that would crush most family-run beer distributors and privatize the state-run wine and spirit stores.

House Bill 790, currently before the Senate Law and Justice Committee, would sell off the state’s more than 600 liquor stores and allow liquor and beer sales in supermarkets, convenience stores and big box retailers.

“All across Pennsylvania, communities are struggling with record-high unemployment – and this proposal would severely jeopardize the future of our family-run beer distributors, potentially costing upwards of 10,000 jobs,” Yudichak said. “Instead of privatizing our state stores, we should look at proposals that modernize our operations – such as allowing our family-run distributors to sell six and twelve-packs – which would generate millions of dollars in additional annual revenue.”

Yudichak added that proposals circulating in Harrisburg to modernize the operations of the PLCB, including wine and beer sales, would allow the existing agency to operate at peak performance, and produce up to $100 million in additional revenue.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

“Our in-depth analysis of HB 790 reveals that this legislation is not a good deal for beer distributors and will likely result in the closure of hundreds of businesses across the state and the layoffs of thousands of employees,” Tanczos, also a Bethlehem small business owner, added. “It is, in essence, a redistribution of an already privatized beer industry to big business that will ultimately hurt consumers through higher prices and less selection.”

Tom Highland, owner of Highland Beverage, said that this legislation would destroy his family-run business which has been a staple in the Jim Thorpe community since 1994.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold public hearings at the state Capitol in Harrisburg on the proposed privatization bill. The first will be held on Tuesday, April 30 at 9:30 a.m. A second hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14.

# # #

“Gang violence is [...]]]> PITTSBURGH, April 18, 2013 – - State Sens. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) and John Rafferty (R-Berks/Chester/Montgomery) today addressed dozens of criminal justice professionals from across the state about the dangers of gangs and new state laws designed to help communities put a stop to gang violence at the Pennsylvania Gang Conference in Pittsburgh.

“Gang violence is not unique to big cities; the influence and reach of dangerous gangs is spreading to small communities across the Commonwealth and the discussions at today’s conference shed some light on what we are doing right, and what we can be doing better, in our fight to keep gangs out of our neighborhoods,” Yudichak said. “Late last year, a new law was enacted that gave local law enforcement more tools and significantly increased the penalties for gang-related crimes – but our work, even legislatively, is far from done.”

The new law, which was co-authored by Yudichak and Rafferty, increased sentences for crimes committed in support or promotion of gang activity and made gang recruitment a crime. It also broadened enforcement tools by treating gang recruitment by jailed gang members with the full force of the law.

“It was an honor to speak before some of the men and women of our law enforcement community serving on the front lines in our continuing battle against the proliferation of gangs in our Commonwealth,” Rafferty added. “I am pleased to have worked on two significant law enforcement pieces of legislation that have recently been signed into law, this anti-gang legislation and the much needed updates to the Pennsylvania Wire Tap Act. I am committed to working with my colleagues like John Yudichak to ensure that we continue to give our law enforcement officials the tools they need to effectively protect our public.”

The conference was hosted jointly by MAGLOCLEN, the East Coast Gang Investigators Association (Pennsylvania Chapter), the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and Sens. Yudichak and Rafferty. It was held at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh North Hotel & Conference Center.

The state’s first gang-specific law, House Bill 1121 of last session, added Pennsylvania to the ranks of 20 other states that make recruiting gang members a crime. The legislators added that state Sens. Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester/Delaware) and Ted Erickson (R-Chester/Delaware) were also instrumental in crafting the anti-gang law.

# # #

“School safety is not a partisan issue, and today’s unanimous passage of this important safe schools [...]]]> HARRISBURG, April 17, 2013 – - A bill that would authorize the Office of Safe Schools to award targeted grants to address school violence and enhance school safety unanimously passed the Senate today, state Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) announced.

“School safety is not a partisan issue, and today’s unanimous passage of this important safe schools grant legislation reflects that,” Yudichak said. “As a parent to young children, every instance of school violence – which is happening far too regularly – is heartbreaking; and it is my hope that these grants will allow our Pennsylvania schools to fund initiatives that keep violence out of our schools and keep our children safe.”

Yudichak, a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 10, said that the grants would be available to fund programs that address school violence and comprehensive district-wide school safety by either establishing or enhancing school security, or updating emergency preparedness plans.

Yudichak also applauded the work of Luzerne County Intermediate Unit 18 and the Luzerne County Safe Schools Committee for their work to educate and prepare local school districts on school safety and emergency preparedness. Joseph DeLucca, the Director of Federal, State and Nonpublic Programs for the Luzerne County Intermediate Unit 18, recently testified before a joint Senate hearing about the importance of safe school initiatives.

The governor’s 2013-14 budget proposal recommended level funding of $2.02 million for the Safe Schools Initiative. The bill will now move to the House for consideration.

# # #

“As we inch closer to what will certainly be another difficult state budget negotiation, it is imperative that the legislature continues to focus on creating and [...]]]> HARRISBURG, April 17, 2013 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement regarding his 2013-14 state budget priorities.

“As we inch closer to what will certainly be another difficult state budget negotiation, it is imperative that the legislature continues to focus on creating and maintaining good jobs for hard-working Pennsylvania families. In Luzerne County, our unemployment rate has frustratingly hovered around double digits for far too long – and if we want to put families back to work, it has to start with the state budget and the policies coming out of Harrisburg.”

“Another area of great concern, especially in my district, is public safety. We have seen a troubling spike in violent, gang-related crimes throughout NEPA in recent years – and if we do not remain aggressive in our efforts to curb violence and remove gang influence from our communities, our friends, our families and especially our children will be at risk for years to come. While I understand that our state resources are already stretched thin, we must find a way to increase the level of funding for the Office of Attorney General – particularly to implement the highly successful Drug Strike Force and Drug Task Force in our region to assist our local law enforcement and police departments. It is time for Pennsylvania to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to public safety.”

“It is my hope that, throughout the next few months of state budget negotiations, we can all leave partisan politics at the door and craft a state budget that reflects the best interests and provides the best opportunities for all Pennsylvania residents.”

Earlier today at a Capitol news conference, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus unveiled the caucus budget priorities – which are heavily weighted toward job creation, education investments, strengthening the social-services safety net, modernizing liquor sales and refocusing Pennsylvania’s business tax menu to help small businesses.

# # #

“The brave men and women of our world-class armed forces put their [...]]]> HARRISBURG, April 10, 2013 — A bill authored by state Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) that would extend tax filing deadlines for members of the military, their spouses and civilians supporting military operations in a combat zone unanimously cleared the Senate Finance Committee earlier today.

“The brave men and women of our world-class armed forces put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedoms – and the last thing they should have to worry about in a combat zone is being penalized for missing a tax deadline,” Yudichak said. “This bill has broad bipartisan support and I am hopeful that it will move swiftly through the legislative process.”

Yudichak’s bill, Senate Bill 160, would extend the deadline for the filing of any tax return or the payment of any tax without penalty for residents of Pennsylvania that are serving in the armed forces in a combat zone or who have been ordered to active duty prior to the legal deadline for filing a tax return or paying a tax.

Under the bill, the deadline would be extended for 180 days following the date of the resident’s return to the United States.

A further provision of the legislation would waive the local tax liabilities for the estate of any member of the armed forces killed in a combat zone for the year and preceding year of their death.

# # #

The grant funding will be used to make pedestrian improvements at the intersection of State Route 3030 [...]]]> HAZLETON, April 5, 2013 – - State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) and state Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today announced that the city of Hazleton will receive a $65,000 state grant through the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) program.

The grant funding will be used to make pedestrian improvements at the intersection of State Route 3030 (Diamond Avenue) and Seybert/Cedar Streets in Hazleton.

“Improving public safety and updating dangerous and problematic intersections is vital to our communities,” Yudichak said. “This was a very competitive grant program and I applaud the PennDOT officials for dedicating scarce state funding to this worthy Luzerne County project.”

The Hazleton project is one of 43 municipalities across the state that will receive approximately $4.7 million ARLE funding.

“This PennDOT grant is welcome news for downtown Hazleton and the revitalization efforts that are currently under way there,” Toohil added. “The improvements that are planned will make this busy intersection much safer for pedestrians and help to increase the amount of foot traffic on downtown streets, which should benefit local businesses. I am pleased PennDOT officials agreed that our project was worthy of funding.”

The grants are funded through fines from infractions at 21 intersections in Philadelphia. Projects that improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion are eligible for grant funding.

Municipalities submitted more than 268 applications to the ARLE program and the approved projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as project benefits and effectiveness, cost, local and regional impact, and cost sharing.

# # #

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre to talk about the growing problem of violent crime in Pennsylvania, with a special focus on how the problem impacts the small urban [...]]]> WILKES-BARRE, April 2, 2013 – Violence, crime and gang warfare continue to plague smaller urban areas across Pennsylvania.

The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a roundtable discussion at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre to talk about the growing problem of violent crime in Pennsylvania, with a special focus on how the problem impacts the small urban centers of Northeast Pennsylvania.

Citing the ease at which criminals from large cities like New York City and Camden, NJ can set up their operations here in Pennsylvania’s small urban communities, the panel focused on how to address the challenges that violent crime and gang violence present to local government, police, citizens and other community members.

“The vast participation at today’s forum shows that the crime problems facing NEPA are not dissimilar to the problems facing many other cities across the commonwealth,” Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon/Monroe) said. “Working together with a strong, unified partnership with all stakeholders – from local crime watch groups to state officials – we can, and will be successful in the fight against crime and violence in our communities.”

Yudichak has spearheaded legislative efforts to curb gang violence in northeastern Pennsylvania and throughout Pennsylvania.  He has sponsored a host of bills that would toughen criminal penalties and curb the spread of gang violence.

Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton/Lehigh/Monroe), who chairs the committee, said, “The frightening truth is that big city crime and gang violence are rapidly making their way into smaller communities throughout our state.  Making matters worse, many of these smaller urban centers, which are barely managing to fund basic services for their citizens, do not have the kinds of tools and resources to fully monitor, investigate and eradicate gang violence in their community.”

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane said she will work with law enforcement agencies across the state to help curb gang violence. According to the State Police’s crime report, someone becomes the victim of a violent crime every 11 minutes.

“I commend the Senate for planning a roundtable discussion that will promote conversations about violent crime in our commonwealth’s small urban communities,” Kane said. “The increasing presence of gangs in Pennsylvania is associated with greater instances of violent crimes involving illegal drugs and guns. Such activity poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of this commonwealth. I look forward to discussing these urgent issues with the members of the committee as well as those individuals who work in law enforcement and other related areas.”

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner, Colonel Frank Noonan added that one of the main difficulties law enforcement faces in addressing violence and violent crime is the diminished number of police in these small urban communities.

“We are working together to address these issues of violence and violent crime.  Cooperation is at an all time high, unfortunately, manpower is at an all time low,” Col. Noonan said.  “The State Police is not set up to patrol these cities. If we continue down this road, the number of State troopers will be severely weakened.”

Col. Noonan was one of several law enforcement officials on the panel that spoke about lack of resources, funding and manpower affecting their abilities to combat violence and violent crime in these small urban communities.

Rev. Shawn Walker, founder of Building Bridge Campaign and pastor of First Baptist Church of Wilkes-Barre added that providing kids with the proper social services and afterschool activities could dramatically decrease the number of kids that get involved in criminal activities and gangs.

“We must invest our dollars where it matters.  We must invest in our most prized possession in the present and for our future – our children,” Rev. Walker said.  “These children have a sense of hopelessness that is alarming because it leads them to violent behavior.  We must make an investment in our children starting at elementary age.

Kane added that when kids are left with no activities after school, they are 70 percent more likely to get involved in crime.

All panelists agreed that there is a strong need for program funding and that there must be a collaborative effort – legislators, law enforcement, social services, community organizers, educators and parents – to make these small urban cities a better place to live.

Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) added that Senate Democrats remain committed to finding effective solutions to the crime plaguing Pennsylvania’s communities.

“There are some very difficult challenges that this rising tide of gang violence is causing, as evidenced by this discussion, Sen. Costa said.  “All of the great ideas and input we gathered today will help drive the discussion as the Senate continues to deliberate ways to curb violent crime and stop this disturbing increase in gang activity.”

The roundtable panel also included:

• State Senator John Blake (D-Lackawanna)
• State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks)
• State Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny)
• State Senator John Wozniak (D-Cambria)
• Stefanie Salavantis – Luzerne County District Attorney
• Gary Dobias – Carbon County District Attorney
• Gerard Dessoye – Chief of Police, City of Wilkes- Barre
• Frank DeAndrea – Chief of Police, City of Hazleton
• William Shultz – Chief of Police, City of Nanticoke
• Det. Charles Balough – Luzerne County Crimewatch Coalition
• Teri Ooms – Coordinator, Operation Gang-Up/Executive Director, Institute for Public Policy
• Robert Curry – President, Hazleton Integration Project
• Paul Lindenmuth – Assoc. Technical Professor, Dept. of Criminal Justice, King’s College

-30-