HARRISBURG, 15 de abril de 2013 - Con la fecha límite para la presentación de declaraciones de impuestos en ciernes, la senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione denunció la estrategia de la administración Corbett de alivio para las grandes corporaciones junto con un mayor escrutinio para los individuos.
"Cuando la Administración habla de reducción de impuestos, se refiere a las grandes empresas", afirma Tartaglione. "En los dos últimos años, los particulares han visto cómo se reducían los impuestos sobre las ventas en las compras por Internet, pero no se ha hecho ningún esfuerzo por investigar las artimañas fiscales de las empresas. Los particulares están pagando más en impuestos escolares y municipales para financiar las exenciones fiscales a las empresas. Ese no es el tipo de reforma fiscal que busca la gente".
Tartaglione dijo que dos acontecimientos que conducen a la fecha límite de impuestos de hoy deben dar a las personas motivo de preocupación. En un informe publicado hoy, un portavoz del Departamento de Hacienda dijo que los funcionarios de impuestos estatales pueden obtener información sobre el "comportamiento de compra" de los individuos para hacer cumplir las obligaciones de impuestos sobre las ventas.
"La idea de que el Departamento recopile información sobre las compras de los consumidores mientras no ha tomado medidas contra ninguna empresa por el uso de filiales de Delaware es inquietante", dijo. "Otros estados han demandado y han ganado. Maryland recaudó casi 300 millones de dólares, pero Pensilvania prefiere examinar el 'comportamiento de compra' de sus ciudadanos".
La semana pasada, el Secretario de Ingresos Dan Meuser testificó ante el Comité de Finanzas de la Cámara sobre los detalles del plan de reforma fiscal del gobernador Corbett, un plan orientado enteramente hacia la reducción de impuestos a las empresas.
"Ya hemos recortado 800.000 millones de dólares del impuesto de sociedades y nuestras cifras de creación de empleo están por los suelos. Este hiperenfoque en engrasar las ruedas de la industria y no obtener puestos de trabajo a cambio es una política pública terrible", dijo Tartaglione. "La reforma fiscal debería incluir el cierre de las lagunas jurídicas y una financiación escolar adecuada para evitar el aumento de los impuestos locales".
HARRISBURG – Abril 12, 2013 — Bad news continues to pile up for Pennsylvania workers, while the state’s economic leaders look to South America for answers, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today.
Figures released by the U.S. Department of Labor this week show Pennsylvania with the sharpest rise in new unemployment claims, while claims for the nation as a whole fell sharply.
“We need serious leadership and commitment right here at home,” Tartaglione said. “We continue to fall behind the rest of the country in job creation while leading in unemployment claims and the answer isn’t going to be found thousands of miles from the cities, towns and schools that need help. We have the ability, right here, to create a 21st century economy.”
New unemployment claims jumped by more than 3,000 in Marzo, according the the Department of Labor. U.S. unemployment claims dropped by more than 300,000.
The news comes on top of reports that Pennsylvania has had a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the country for six consecutive months, after having a better jobless number for nearly four years.
“The last two years have been a disaster in terms of where we stand among states in our ability to create jobs and participate in the national recovery,” Tartaglione said. “Simple solutions, like investment in transportation infrastructure, schools and tax reform are collecting dust while administration officials and hand-picked friends are collecting souvenirs. It’s unthinkable.”
In a conference call with reporters Martes, administration officials announced that a South American company will create 74 jobs in Central Pennsylvania.
“That probably didn’t go over very well with the 3,000 people who just filed for unemployment,” Tartaglione said.
Harrisburg, 19 de marzo de 2013 - Las cifras de empleo publicadas por los funcionarios de trabajo de Pensilvania esta semana muestran que el estado sigue avanzando en la dirección equivocada, mientras que cae muy por detrás de los estados circundantes en la creación de empleo, dos senadores estatales principales dijeron hoy.
"La tasa de desempleo sigue aumentando en Pensilvania mientras el resto del país se recupera de la recesión", dijo la senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione, presidenta demócrata de la Comisión de Trabajo e Industria del Senado. "Es asombroso que el gobernador siga dando prioridad al recorte de empleos que mantienen a las familias con más de medio millón de personas aún sin trabajo".
La tasa de desempleo de enero, del 7,9% en diciembre al 8,2%, es la más alta de Pensilvania en más de dos años, mientras que en el resto del país el paro ha bajado 1,4 puntos.
"Vamos en la dirección equivocada y la administración está aún más decidida a recortar puestos de trabajo y conceder exenciones a las empresas que obtienen beneficios récord", declaró el senador Vincent J. Hughes, presidente demócrata del Comité de Asignaciones del Senado. "La prueba está en las cifras. La economía de EE.UU. está avanzando y los trabajadores de Pensilvania se están quedando atrás. Necesitamos un cambio de enfoque o vamos a ser el ejemplo nacional de cómo ignorar las oportunidades."
Antes de que se publicaran las cifras más recientes, Pensilvania había caído de los diez primeros puestos a un triste 34º entre los estados en creación de empleo, dijo Tartaglione. Las decepcionantes revisiones de enero sitúan al estado en el puesto 43.
"La preocupación del gobernador con la perforación de gas para cubrir la falta de inversión imaginativa en la creación de empleo y la formación ha fallado a los trabajadores de Pensilvania, las pequeñas empresas y las comunidades en dificultades", dijo. "Después de dos años de deslizamiento, los habitantes de Pensilvania están enfadados e impacientes por las prioridades equivocadas del gobernador".
El año pasado, el empleo en Nueva Jersey creció en 66.000 puestos de trabajo, mientras que Nueva York creó 110.000 nuevos empleos, según Hughes. En Pensilvania sólo se crearon 35.000 nuevos puestos de trabajo el año pasado, ya que las nuevas incorporaciones al mercado laboral superaron a las oportunidades.
"Los jóvenes que salgan de la universidad con enormes deudas no tendrán más remedio que renunciar a esta administración y buscar trabajo en los estados que puedan ofrecer puestos de trabajo", dijo Hughes. "Hemos oído una y otra vez que estamos recortando los impuestos a las empresas para competir por los puestos de trabajo y, dos años después, estamos en una caída libre competitiva. Tenemos que cambiar de rumbo si queremos que las familias de Pensilvania vean el final de la recesión."
Tartaglione y Hughes han patrocinado sendas partes de un plan que, según ellos, crearía 80.000 nuevos puestos de trabajo.
El plan, denominado "PA Works", haría uso de recursos estatales, potenciaría los recursos privados y realizaría inversiones de capital críticas a largo plazo que crearían nuevas oportunidades de crecimiento y desarrollo futuros.
"Podríamos crear miles de nuevos puestos de trabajo simplemente adoptando las recomendaciones de la comisión asesora sobre financiación del transporte", dijo Hughes. "El mes que viene se cumplirán dos años desde que se nombró la comisión y no tenemos más que un informe polvoriento.
"También existe la oportunidad de disponer de 43.000 millones de dólares en fondos federales para ampliar Medicaid, proporcionar seguro médico a los trabajadores con rentas bajas y crear 41.000 puestos de trabajo. Ha sido una oportunidad perdida tras otra".
Tartaglione dijo que la preocupación de la administración por los torpes intentos de vender la exitosa Lotería de Pensilvania a Camelot Global Services, con sede en Gran Bretaña, al tiempo que obliga a una expansión masiva de licencias de licor, acabará con el empleo en un momento en que la política debería favorecer la preservación y creación de puestos de trabajo.
"El gobernador se ha distraído vendiendo la lotería a una empresa extranjera y destripando miles de buenos puestos de trabajo de un sistema de licores rentable", dijo Tartaglione. "Echando la vista atrás a los despidos de profesores forzados por los recortes educativos, estamos viendo una estrategia deliberada para recortar puestos de trabajo, no para crearlos. Después de dos años así, el resultado está claro".
HARRISBURG, 14 de febrero de 2013 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione ha hecho pública hoy la siguiente declaración en relación con la decisión de la fiscal general Kathleen Kane de rechazar el contrato de lotería con Camelot Global Services:
"La Fiscal General hizo uso de su autoridad para apoyar lo que muchos de nosotros hemos estado diciendo todo el tiempo: que la venta de lotería de la administración fue una extralimitación preocupante de su autoridad y, simplemente, un pésimo acuerdo para los trabajadores, las personas mayores y los partidarios de un gobierno abierto.
Es tranquilizador saber que en Pensilvania existe un sistema de controles y equilibrios de la autoridad ejecutiva.
El Fiscal General utilizó un razonamiento sólido para poner fin a un mal plan que contenía la expansión ilegal del juego, riesgos significativos para los programas de mayores y el control extranjero de una agencia estatal de gran éxito.
Y lo que es más importante, se aseguró de que el pueblo de Pensilvania volviera a tener voz a la hora de decidir cuestiones críticas para su futuro y sus finanzas. Esperemos que esto ponga fin a los acuerdos a puerta cerrada y permita a los funcionarios y empleados de la lotería estatal trazar su propio plan de ingresos bajo la brillante luz del escrutinio público."
HARRISBURG, Febrero 5, 2013 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget:
“In two years, Pennsylvania has fallen from the top ten into the bottom third in job creation. If this budget were passed as proposed, that freefall would continue and thousands more Pennsylvanians will be spending their days on hold with the unemployment office.
The governor’s budget takes a ‘wishing well’ approach to the economy by throwing money at corporations and wishing for jobs. The administration has made no attempt to enforce Pennsylvania’s tax laws and shows no support for closing the Delaware loophole, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars flowing out of our state instead of into our schools.
Tying education funding to an ill-advised plan to eliminate thousands of good-paying jobs and millions in profit through the state liquor stores is a cynical, political gimmick that will only delay a reasonable solution to the challenge of educating children for a competitive 21st century economy.
Under this administration, the economy is leaving Pennsylvania behind. Another budget that proposes job cuts and corporate giveaways will only continue our race to the bottom.
School taxes are going up. Corporate taxes are going down. Gas prices are going up. Buying power is going down.
This is not a plan that works for working families.”
HARRISBURG, Enero 30, 2013 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Gov. Corbett’s plans for Pennsylvania liquor stores:
“It’s obvious that there is little support in the General Assembly for the governor’s strange agenda and holding school funding hostage reveals a sad desperation.
After gutting staffing for unemployment call centers, Gov. Corbett’s plans for selling off liquor stores and handing the lottery to a foreign company would push the number of family sustaining jobs he wants to eliminate or ship overseas to more than 5,000.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want Pennsylvania children to get a first –class education and they’re willing to work to find a stable, sound revenue plan for the future. They’re not going to fall for a liquor-for-schools scheme. Both the lottery and the liquor store systems are returning significant revenue to the state, while providing jobs that keep families out of the social service safety net and provide substantial local tax revenue.
These are the type of jobs that Pennsylvania public policy should be fostering and encouraging, rather than eliminating or shipping overseas.
While Pennsylvania’s job-creation ranking has plummeted and its unemployment rate has remained stubbornly high, the administration has busied itself by tinkering with the parts of state government that are functioning well.
Making it a little easier and a little cheaper to purchase alcohol is an odd priority to hold while our cities struggle to put enough police on the street to make people feel safe, while a million citizens have no access to health care and while urban and rural schools wonder how they’re going to make ends meet.
Gov. Corbett should be making jobs, health care and education easier to get not booze.”
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today joined House and Senate colleagues in questioning Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Labor and Industry about chronic delays and busy signals plaguing the state’s unemployment compensation phone system.
“Some of these callers have worked all their lives, paid plenty in taxes, and the first time they need government service it’s a nightmare,” Tartaglione said. “Being laid off is hard enough on workers. An indifferent bureaucracy is the last thing they need.”
At the Capitol today, the House and Senate Labor Committees held a joint hearing to question Labor Secretary Julie K. Hearthway about the thousands of complaints received by lawmakers from unemployed workers unable to access the unemployment compensation phone lines.
The backups began even before state officials closed the Philadelphia call center and laid off dozens of workers last year, and have continued to frustrate clients.
Hearthway said a $30 million budget cut, along with “significant growing pains” in employing a new phone system and long-delayed computer improvements have contributed to the problems. Despite the chronic delays, the department pushed forward with plans to cut staff while ending night and weekend hours for its call centers.
In a letter sent last Julio, Tartaglione has warned that cuts in staffing would create significant problems in the system.
“Not only will this result in joblessness for a substantial number of employees in an economy which has been slow to recover, but also, it will further diminish the quality of service provided by the department,” Tartaglione wrote.
Tartaglione has introduced Senate Bill 281, which would provide additional funding for the administration of unemployment compensation using a percentage of funds from the employee tax already collected.
HARRISBURG, Jan. 14, 2012 – A day-long hearing today regarding the Corbett administration’s plan to hand the Pennsylvania Lottery over to a foreign operator failed to address serious concerns about the deal and the secretive and unilateral process by which it was reached, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today.
Last week, without consultation with the General Assembly, the administration announced that it had issued a “notice of award” to Camelot Global Services for a 20-year private management contract.
The announcement came in defiance of a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, during which lawmakers sought answers to numerous questions about the proposal.
“The governor apparently believes he can slap the legislature aside and operate Pennsylvania as a partnership between himself and opaque corporate partners,” Tartaglione said. “I will continue to partner with concerned taxpayers, lottery employees and public officials to make sure that this reckless rush is halted and a deliberate, transparent evaluation ensues.”
Tartaglione has joined a lawsuit intended to halt the handover of the lottery while other management offers, including one by the lottery’s now-endangered employees, are considered.
“Camelot claims it can generate $34 billion in profits, but it comes with some vague and disturbing expansions of gambling in Pennsylvania,” Tartaglione said. “It’s something that clearly calls for public input and that’s not what is happening. The risks are very high and the backlash will be enormous.”
In a letter to Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser, Tartaglione questioned Camelot’s creation of a Delaware subsidiary to submit its lottery bid.
“For several months, I have been asking for information regarding the tax compliance and liability of Camelot and their Pennsylvania subsidiary that was created in Delaware for this venture,” she said. “All I have received in response are vague assurances that we can trust the administration and Camelot to do the right thing for Pennsylvania taxpayers and its vulnerable senior population.”
At today’s hearing, Camelot officias said they are now in the process of filing paperwork to incorporate in Pennsylvania and will pay all applicable taxes.
But that doesn’t end the question about tax compliance, Tartaglione said.
“There is nothing in the agreement that prevents them from doing what thousands of other corporations do in Delaware,” Tartaglione said. “It’s just more vague promises and nothing in writing.”
Camelot officials have said that, under the management agreement, 80 percent of the lottery’s employees will be Pennsylvanians.
“That means the state loses the rest of the jobs and we’re supposed to be fostering job growth,” Tartaglione said. “Right now, virtually all of the lottery’s employees live in Pennsylvania. That’s the way it should be.”
Enero 11, 2012 — State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding the administration’s announcement regarding Camelot and the Pennsylvania Lottery:
“After campaigning to a public demand for transparency and open government, the governor’s action today is another brick in the wall of secrecy that has marked his administration from the beginning.
Rejecting even the most elemental level of public scrutiny, the agreement with Camelot serves only to raise public suspicion about the motives and the method of the administration’s rush toward corporate acquiescence.
For several months, I have been asking for information regarding the tax compliance and liability of Camelot and their Pennsylvania subsidiary that was created in Delaware for this venture. All I have received in response are vague assurances that we can trust the administration and Camelot to do the right thing for Pennsylvania taxpayers and its vulnerable senior population.
The governor apparently believes he can slap the legislature aside and operate Pennsylvania as a partnership between himself and opaque corporate partners. I will continue to partner with concerned taxpayers, lottery employees and public officials to make sure that this reckless rush is halted and a deliberate, transparent evaluation ensues.
Every Pennsylvanian, even those inclined toward privatization of public services, has reason to be concerned about this public rebuke of public input.”
HARRISBURG, Jan. 8, 2013 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione, recently re-appointed as Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, said today she will use the position to push for changes in Pennsylvania’s minimum wage law in order to prevent working parents from sinking into poverty.
“This is the committee where I’m comfortable and this is the committee where I have had great experience and success,” she said. “Making sure there are jobs for everyone who wants to work and making sure those jobs pay enough to put food on the table have been my main focus in the Senate and that will remain the same.”
The last time Pennsylvania passed a minimum wage adjustment, in 2006, it came after six years of effort over three sessions and three different bills, Tartaglione said.
“Obviously it takes more than public support, it takes a great deal of communication with colleagues and a concerted effort by all of those who believe in fair wages,” she said. “We’ve done it before and we will do it again.”
In the most recent Senate session, Tartaglione introduced a bill that would have tied the state’s minimum wage to inflation, as ten other states have done. She tried to have language from the bill inserted in another wage bill being considered by the Labor and Industry Committee, but the amendment was tabled, rather than receiving a vote.
“Everyone knows that the public overwhelmingly supports fair wages,” she said. “In the states where minimum wage calculators were put before voters – even red states – they were approved overwhelmingly. It’s just a matter a getting past the special interests.”
Tartaglione was the author of the state’s last minimum wage bill, which raised the state’s lowest wage from $5.15 to $7.15 in several steps. Since then, the federal minimum wage was increased to $7.25.
After the last increase, Tartaglione said, Pennsylvania’s poverty rate took a steep decline, only to gradually increase to a 20-year-high in 2010.
“Paying minimum wages that don’t keep pace with inflation puts more burden on government services, like food stamps and child care,” Tartaglione said. “Putting and inflation index on our minimum wage would decrease that burden and create a predictable base for employers.”
In addition to the Labor and Industry Committee, Tartaglione has been appointed to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee where, as Democratic Caucus Secretary, she helps guide the administration’s nominations through the Senate confirmation process.
She has also been named to the Law and Justice and State Government committees.
HARRISBURG, 21 de diciembre de 2012 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione asistió hoy a las ceremonias de homenaje a una promoción de "Hay algo increíblemente inspirador en estar en presencia de hombres y mujeres jóvenes a punto de embarcarse en una carrera de servicio público que requiere tanta dedicación y sacrificio", dijo. "Es un honor observar".
Mientras que el desgaste había creado cientos de vacantes de la Policía Estatal, los magros años presupuestarios de recesión proporcionaron poca o ninguna financiación para nuevas clases de cadetes, dijo Tartaglione. Sin embargo, después de más de tres años de esfuerzo, el proyecto de ley de Tartaglione para aumentar los ingresos de las clases de formación, mientras que la creación de un sistema más justo de distribución de multas aprobado por la legislatura y se convirtió en ley el verano pasado.
El proyecto de ley 237 del Senado recaudará hasta 4 millones de dólares para la formación de cadetes, mientras que los municipios que ofrezcan menos de 40 horas de cobertura policial local perderán la parte que les corresponde de las multas recaudadas en las identificaciones de tráfico de la Policía Estatal.
"Los recientes acontecimientos de Connecticut han dejado claro que invertir en el futuro de nuestra Policía Estatal es fundamental para la seguridad pública y la calidad de vida en Pensilvania", declaró Tartaglione. "No estábamos formando suficientes nuevos policías para cubrir las necesidades y, al mismo tiempo, algunos grandes municipios se estaban aprovechando de la Policía Estatal. Eso nos perjudicaba a todos".
Esta promoción de cadetes es la 134ª que se gradúa en la Academia de Policía Estatal de Hershey desde su inauguración en 1960.
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12, 2012 – Philadelphians who have had their electric service terminated should check into their eligibility for a state program that provides utility grants in crisis situations, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione said today.
As part of Pennsylvania’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Department of Public Welfare has implemented the LIHEAP Crisis Exception Program. This program will provide grants for customers that have been terminated and have not been restored.
“For thousands of families, the effects of the recession linger and losing electric service in the winter can be life-threatening,” Tartaglione said. “Residents who have had their service terminated should consider applying for the crisis grants to help them get through tough times.”
According to the Department of Welfare, PECO will conditionally accept crisis exception grants for customers that are terminated and have arrearages under $4,000. Grant acceptance on customers with balances over $4,000 will be addressed on a case by case basis.
To apply for the LIHEAP Crisis Exception Grant, the customer must appear in person at the Philadelphia Assistance Office, 1348 W. Sedgley Avenue. The customer will be required to provide either a PECO Service Denial Letter, or a notice stating service has been terminated (less than 30 days old).
If, the customer’s service was terminated less than 30 days ago, and they are requesting a notice to apply for the grant; the County Assistance Office will accept the Post Termination Notice left at the property as proof of termination. Customers will be asked to provide the following:
Proof of income for the past 30 days for all members of the household
A bill for their primary heating source
Identification/Social Security information for all members of the household
If, the customer’s service was terminated more than 30 days ago, PECO will provide the customer with a Service Denial Letter or tell them to bring their post termination notice to the Assistance Office.
For more information on the Crisis Exception Grant Program, call 215-560-1583
HARRISBURG, Dec. 5, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione is asking Corbett administration officials why an international gambling company created a Delaware corporation to submit its bid to take over the Pennsylvania Lottery.
According to Delaware’s Department of State, Camelot Global Services PA LLC was created Nov. 13 with its headquarters located at 1209 North Orange St. in Wilmington, the same address as thousands of other large companies.
In a letter to Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser, Tartaglione expressed concern that, like many others, the Delaware entity created by Camelot could be a “shell” company used as part of a tax strategy.
“More than a year ago, in response to questions about the notorious Delaware Loophole, you assured my colleagues and I that the Department of Revenue was doing everything it could to ensure that companies doing business in Pennsylvania are paying their fair share of taxes,” Tartaglione wrote. “The building at 1209 N. Orange Street in Wilmington is home to more than 6,500 companies, yet has only has 35 parking spaces.”
Tartaglione has been the legislature’s chief proponent of closing the “Delaware Loophole,” a tax avoidance strategy uncovered by several state lawsuits against large corporations. The loophole has proven so expansive that the governments of Switzerland and Luxembourg – both targets of U.S. tax scrutiny – have complained.
Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 679, which would require “combined reporting” for businesses in Pennsylvania, closing the loophole.
In her letter to Meuser, Tartaglione said she was seeking the answers to three questions as the administration goes over Camelot’s proposal:
Why did Camelot Global Services create a new Delaware subsidiary to submit its bid for Pennsylvania’s lottery system?
What is the department’s estimate of the corporate taxes that will be paid by Camelot Global Services PA LLC?
How many people are currently employed by Camelot Global Services PA LLC and how many of them work in the corporate headquarters at 1209 N. Orange St., Wilmington, Delaware?
HARRISBURG, 29 de noviembre de 2012 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione elogió hoy el compromiso expresado recientemente por el gobernador Corbett de reducir la larga lista de espera de adultos con discapacidad intelectual que necesitan servicios basados en la comunidad.
Tartaglione reaccionaba así a los comentarios realizados durante la visita del gobernador a Vision for Equality, en Filadelfia, según informó el Philadelphia Inquirer.
"Me anima que podamos estar viendo un cambio de dirección de la administración que anteriormente había apuntado a programas para Pennsylvanians vulnerables durante el recorte presupuestario", dijo Tartaglione. "Daríamos la bienvenida al gobernador a unirse a nosotros en el esfuerzo de crear oportunidades para cada Pennsylvanian que está dispuesto a trabajar a pesar de los desafíos que enfrentan."
Miles de adultos con discapacidad intelectual se han quedado parados en la lista de espera de Pensilvania para recibir servicios de formación laboral, atención personal y terapia una vez superados los 21 años.
Durante su visita de ayer, Corbett expresó el objetivo de encontrar el dinero para "erradicar la lista de espera", según el Inquirer.
"Durante los dos últimos años, los residentes vulnerables de Pensilvania han soportado la carga de los graves recortes presupuestarios y la reducción de los servicios", dijo Tartaglione. "Mis colegas y yo hemos ofrecido algunas buenas sugerencias sobre cómo podemos reajustar las prioridades para financiar estos servicios, pero no hemos obtenido ningún apoyo de la administración. Parece que eso podría cambiar".
HARRISBURG, Nov. 28, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today called on the Corbett administration to quickly begin implementation of the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection.
“Some of the recommendations can be done without legislation and those should be done as soon as possible,” Tartaglione said. “This can’t be one of those reports accepted with praise only to sit on a shelf for a year.”
Staffing for ChildLine, a 24-hour hotline for abuse reports, should be increased right away, Tartaglione said. The task force report said that 8 percent of calls are dropped.
“It doesn’t do any good to expand the number of people who are required to report child abuse if there’s no one on the other end of the line,” she said.
Tartaglione praised the task force for addressing the definition of “child abuse” to move away from degree of pain as a threshold.
“The current standard is unreliable, especially when dealing with young children, whose ability communicate their feelings to a responsible adult or court is often limited,” she said.
The Task Force on Child Protection was formed after the arrest of former football coach Jerry Sandusky, whose years of child molestation continued even after allegations came forward.
“Clearly the penalties for failing to report and follow-up on a child abuse allegation are not sufficient to overcome other motives,” Tartaglione said. “That has to change and we have to make sure that we expand the reporting requirement to anyone who is responsible for the welfare of children.”
Some of the recommendations for staffing and reporting will require increased state funding, a challenge that has stifled previous “blue-ribbon” reports.
“It will be a test of priorities,” Tartaglione said. “There was a lot of tough talk after the scandal broke, but there is some question as to whether that talk will translate to action when the action requires money to be spent.”
HARRISBURG, Nov. 21, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione announced today that she is again hosting a “Toys for Tots” collection box in each of her two district offices.
“Through these years of difficult financial times, the people of Philadelphia have always found a way to help those less fortunate,” Tartaglione said. “Toys for Tots has become one of the great and traditional ways of doing that.”
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.
Since the program started in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 452 million toys to more than 209 million needy children
“Many of the people who stop by to drop off toys say they were once recipients of Toys for Tots,” Tartaglione said. “It shows the importance of this tradition to the community.”
Tartaglione is asking the community to bring new, unwrapped toys to the collection boxes at her district offices at 1061 Bridge Street and 127 W. Susquehanna Ave.. The offices are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Coordinators pick up the toys and store them in central warehouses where the toys are sorted by age and gender.
At Christmas, coordinators, with the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, distribute the toys to the needy children of the community. The toys will be collected until Diciembre 17.
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione is urging US Air to settle long-stalled contract talks with its current workers before closing a merger with American Airlines.
In a letter to Douglas Parker, CEO of US Airlines Group, Tartaglione said pursuing a merger before settling with its own workers would make it more difficult to reach long-term stability.
“If a merger between U.S. Airways and American Airlines comes to fruition, we worry that your current labor problems will be compounded, making the ratification of new U.S. Airways’ labor contracts even more unlikely,” Tartaglione wrote. “This will put further distance between your employees and the new contracts they both desire and deserve.”
Three principle unions at US Air have been working without a new contract since the airline’s 2005 merger with America West, a period that has brought the airline record profits. US Air stock doubled in price this year.
In pursuit of a merger with American Airlines, which would create the world’s largest air carrier, US Air reached preemptory labor agreements with three of American’s unions in Abril, while its current labor force continues to seek an agreement.
“It concerns us that you were able to swiftly negotiate with another airline’s unions, while at the same time neglecting the mounting labor issues within your own organization,” Tartaglione wrote. “This leads us to believe that you place more of a priority on a merger than on the wellbeing of your own employees.”
Tartaglione, the Democratic Chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, was joined on the letter by state Rep. William Keller, the Democratic Chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee.
News outlets have reported that parties involved in a possible merger – the airlines, American’s creditors, and the unsecured creditor committee have met recently to negotiate the details.
US Air is a major employer in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to retain those jobs, including $264 million in lease concessions at Pittsburgh International Airport to help US Air emerge from bankruptcy in 2003.
HARRISBURG, NOVEMBER 14, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione, the first woman to ever be elected to a Senate Democratic caucus leadership post, was reelected today by her colleagues.
Tartaglione, now in her fifth term, is the Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary, a position that oversees the Senate handling of executive nominations that require Senate confirmation.
The news comes little over a week after Democrats picked up three seats in the Nov. 6 election to dramatically shift the balance in
“Once again I’m grateful to my colleagues for their confidence and support,” she said. “We have three very qualified new members and we are looking forward to using that mandate to stem the erosion of support for education, working families and job training. “
During the Senate session that officially ends Nov. 30, Republicans held a 30-20 seat majority which worked with the Corbett administration to eliminate health-care and job-training programs, slash the education budget and apply a “hands-off” administration to gas drilling.
HARRISBURG, Oct. 31, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today reminded voters that Pennsylvania officials have extended the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot.
“Hurricane Sandy forced a halt to most government services, putting pressure on last-minute absentee ballot applicants,” Tartaglione said. “The new deadline gives those affected by the storm and local election officials a chance to catch up.
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot for the upcoming General Election had been yesterday at 5 p.m. That deadline has been extended until 5 p.m.Jueves in Philadelphia and other counties affected by the storm.
Even with the extended deadline, time is short for those who can’t vote in person on Nov. 6, Tartaglione said.
“The deadline for turning in the ballot is still 5 p.m. Viernes, which is unchanged,” Tartaglione said. “Voters who apply for an absentee ballot should be prepared to fill it out and vote on the spot, rather than wait for the ballot to come in the mail.”
Absentee ballots can be obtained at City Hall, Room 142. Anyone with questions can call the city elections office at 215-686-3469.
Harrisburg — Octubre 30, 2012 – (9:20 a.m.) Gov. Tom Corbett provided additional details on how Pennsylvania is dealing with Hurricane Sandy earlier today at a briefing held at Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) headquarters. the briefing was carried live on local television.
Later today, the governor said he will be speaking with President Barack Obama and will be in contact with Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie of New York and New Jersey respectively, to determine if resources are able to be shared.
The center of former Hurricane Sandy is now over Chambersburg and the strength of the storm has diminished. There has been local flooding and reports of wind damage. Two deaths have been reported.
The governor said that 1.3 million Pennsylvanians are without power this morning. There are 603 people in shelters and that 48 shelters are operational. Thirty-eight counties have issued disaster declarations. PEMA is on level one status and 1,700 National Guard troops have been deployed.
SEPTA and Amtrak remain closed although speed restrictions on interstates have been lifted, except for I-90 and I-79 in northwestern Pennsylvania.
The storm dumped between 6-9 inches of snow in the Laurel Highlands and that western Pennsylvania will see additional impacts in Pennsylvania as the storm moves west then north.
Last night, the governor indicated that there would be an extension for submitting absentee ballot applications in those counties where the courthouses have been closed as a result of the storm. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the deadline for voters to request absentee ballots – originally 5 p.m. Martes – has been extended by up to two days, depending on how many days county offices were forced to close because of the storm.
Resources:
An excellent list of telephone numbers for utilities and other contact information was released yesterday and posted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Find out up-to-date information about Hurricane Sandy from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency on its website www.readypa.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA
Information about major state road closures is available by calling 511 or by www.511pa.com
Octubre 29, 2012 — (6 p.m.) Gov. Tom Corbett held briefing to update the status of Hurricane Sandy and its impact on Pennsylvania. The governor said that the storm had 90 mile per hour winds and was making landfall in New Jersey and expected to move west. The storm was moving at 28 miles per hour but would slow down over land.
The eye of the storm is expected to pass south of Harrisburg by 2 a.m turn north and pass State College by 2 p.m. tomorrow. It is expected to take a path over Philadelphia and will hug the southern border of Pennsylvania. The outer winds of the storm will reach Johnstown. The governor expected flooding to be significant in some portions of the state.
There are 58 evacuation centers that are able to handle 31,000 people. As of 6 p.m., 100,000 Pennsylvanians were without power. The governor said he was going to close the interstates near Philadelphia beginning at 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. There are currently 308 Pennsylvania residents in shelters as a result of the storm.
In response to a question from the media, the governor indicated that there would be an extension for submitting absentee ballot applications in those counties where the courthouses have been closed as a result of the storm. The extent of the extension would depend on the number of days that the courthouse was closed.
Resources:
An excellent list of telephone numbers for utilities and other contact information was released today and posted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Find out up-to-date information about Hurricane Sandy from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency on its website www.readypa.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA
Information about major state road closures is available by calling 511 or by www.511pa.com
Harrisburg - 19 de octubre de 2012 - Los líderes demócratas del Senado calificaron hoy el último informe de empleo de Pensilvania como "desafortunado, pero no sorprendente", dada la falta de interés en el aumento del desempleo por parte de la administración Corbett.
"Es una tendencia que debe invertirse inmediatamente", dijo el líder demócrata del Senado, Jay Costa. "La economía nacional y el panorama económico están mejorando, mientras que Pensilvania va en la otra dirección".
Por primera vez en seis años, la tasa de desempleo de Pensilvania es superior a la nacional, y el estado ha caído del séptimo al 38º puesto en creación de empleo. La tasa de desempleo del estado en septiembre fue del 8,2%, muy por encima de la media nacional del 7,8%.
"El resto de la nación está mostrando ganancias de empleo y recuperación económica y Pensilvania está económicamente a la inversa", dijo Hughes. "La respuesta de la administración es dar exenciones fiscales a las corporaciones ricas mientras recorta los programas que capacitan a la fuerza laboral de Pensilvania y mantienen a nuestros ciudadanos empleados".
La senadora Christine M. Tartaglione, Presidenta demócrata de la Comisión de Trabajo e Industria del Senado, afirmó que la tendencia del empleo es preocupante.
"El hecho de que nuestra tasa de desempleo sea superior a la media nacional es revelador", dijo. "La falta de planes integrales de empleo y desarrollo del gobernador no puede ser ignorada por más tiempo - necesitamos inversión en educación, transporte y programas de formación de mano de obra que pongan a los residentes de Pensilvania de vuelta al trabajo inmediatamente."
Los líderes demócratas pidieron a la administración Corbett para poner fin a más de un año de dilación en el transporte y los planes de creación de empleo y detalle a la legislatura lo que quiere en el camino de la legislación.
"Hay muchas buenas ideas para crear empleo", dijo Costa. "Cuando volvamos a la sesión deberíamos tener delante un plan detallado de transporte y empleo de la administración que cuente con el apoyo de empresas, sindicatos y funcionarios públicos de todo el estado. Ahora mismo, sólo estamos recibiendo silencio de la administración Corbett".
Entre los planes plasmados en la legislación figura uno de los demócratas del Senado, denominado "PA Works", cuyo objetivo es crear más de 80.000 nuevos puestos de trabajo.
PA Works utilizaría recursos estatales, movilizaría recursos privados y realizaría inversiones de capital críticas a largo plazo que crearían nuevas oportunidades de crecimiento y desarrollo futuros.
15 de octubre de 2012: El senador Tartaglione fue el anfitrión del Día de la Discapacidad del Senado 2012. Este evento proporcionó a todos los miembros y al personal la oportunidad de experimentar, de primera mano, lo que es tener diversas discapacidades. Sillas de ruedas, andadores, gafas que distorsionan la visión, lupas, dispositivos de sujeción para los brazos y auriculares antirruido estuvieron disponibles para ser probados, durante unos minutos o durante unas horas.
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HARRISBURG, Oct. 2, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today said a Commonwealth Court decision restores voting rights for thousands of Pennsylvanians, but can’t entirely fix a “costly mistake.”
“I’ve been confident all along that the courts would see the serious flaws and dubious reasoning behind voter ID,” Tartaglione said. Unfortunately, the ruling comes after the millions of dollars were wasted trying to get this done in time to affect the presidential election. The effort was a costly mistake and it comes at a time when we’re cutting back on help for families with disabled children and other important social services.
Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson ordered state election officials to continue the “soft roll-out” of voter ID, similar to what took place in the spring primary. Voters will be asked for ID, but will not be required to present it to vote.
Tartaglione said a great deal of damage has already been done by the push to convince voters they need a certain type of photo ID to vote and efforts in the next few weeks should focus on clarifying the situation for voters.
“I hope the administration has a plan for trying to set the record straight for thousands of voters that were misinformed over the past few months,” she said. “It’s a mess that has to be cleaned up.”
Tartaglione said the issue has been a chief source of anxiety in her district which has a disproportionate number of affected voters.
“For months I’ve been hearing from frustrated seniors, students and others who didn’t know what the requirements were and the requirements kept changing,” she said.
HARRISBURG, Junio 30, 2012 – Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement on today’s Commonwealth Court ruling:
“I’ve been confident all along that the courts would see the serious flaws and dubious reasoning behind voter ID.
With just over a month to go before the election, we have to switch our focus to making sure that people know they can vote just as they did in the primary and that their votes will be counted.
Unfortunately, the ruling comes after the millions of dollars were wasted trying to get this done in time to affect the presidential election. The effort was a costly mistake and it comes at a time when we’re cutting back on help for families with disabled children and other important social services.
For months I’ve been hearing from frustrated seniors, students and others who didn’t know what the requirements were and the requirements kept changing.
Now, I can tell them that they can express their frustration the way the Founders intended them to: by voting.”
