by Christin Brown | Noviembre 4, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg - 4 de noviembre de 2016 - El gobernador Tom Wolf firmó una ley que ayudará a 44.000 trabajadores estacionales y cíclicos a obtener la elegibilidad para el seguro de compensación por desempleo, dijo la senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia).
Tartaglione, presidente demócrata de la Comisión de Trabajo e Industria del Senado, ayudó a desarrollar y guiar la medida a lo largo del proceso legislativo. La ley(House Bill 319) se promulgó el 3 de noviembre.
La legislación reduce el porcentaje de ingresos obtenidos fuera del trimestre alto de un trabajador para poder optar a las prestaciones de desempleo.
La fórmula fue modificada hace cuatro años por la Ley 60. Según esa ley, un trabajador que ganara menos del 49,5 por ciento de los ingresos en los tres trimestres fuera del trimestre alto no podía optar a las prestaciones de la UC. La legislación reduce el porcentaje al 37 por ciento y lo restablece a la tasa anterior.
Se calcula que el cambio beneficiará a 44.000 trabajadores.
Tartaglione dijo que estaba muy contenta de que el gobernador Tom Wolf firmara la medida para convertirla en ley. Ella publicó la siguiente declaración en apoyo de la acción del gobernador:
"Me complace que el gobernador haya convertido en ley la medida de compensación por desempleo. Los trabajadores estacionales y cíclicos no deben carecer de derecho a prestaciones porque ganen una gran parte de su salario en un solo trimestre. Esta medida trata de la justicia para nuestros trabajadores de la construcción, y otros trabajadores estacionales, que experimentan períodos de intenso trabajo seguidos de períodos de calma en el empleo."
La reducción del porcentaje de ingresos elimina un obstáculo que resultaba demasiado elevado para demasiados trabajadores y sus familias, según Tartaglione.
La legislación también incluye otras medidas para garantizar que el Fondo Fiduciario de la C.U. siga siendo fiscalmente sólido.
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by Christin Brown | Octubre 26, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg – Octubre 26, 2016 – Legislation designed to fix a problem created four years ago by a change in the unemployment compensation law that has impacted seasonal/cyclical workers cleared the Senate and will now go back to the state House of Representatives for concurrence, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said.
House Bill 319 changes how unemployment benefits are calculated as it relates to seasonal and cyclical workers. Under current law, a worker earning less than 49.5 percent of income in the three quarters outside the high quarter was ineligible for UC benefits. The legislation reduces the percentage to 37 percent and restores it to the previous rate. The change is expected to make an estimated 44,000 seasonal workers eligible for benefits.
Tartaglione serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee. She was involved in helping craft the change and issued the following comments about the legislation:
“For several years, seasonal and cyclical workers and their families have had to deal the inadvertent consequences of the previous change in the unemployment compensation law. If approved by the House, this legislation makes those workers who were affected eligible for benefits.
“We cannot wait another year to repair this flaw in the statute. I am hopeful that the House will adopt this measure and the governor will sign it into law.”
House Bill 319 passed the Senate on a 39-8 vote.
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by Christin Brown | Octubre 25, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg – Octubre 25, 2016 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said that an amendment was approved by the Senate today that would aid seasonal/cyclical workers who were negatively impacted by a change in the unemployment compensation (UC) law adopted four years ago.
The amended legislation (House Bill 319) is expected to be considered for final passage in the Senate tomorrow.
“It is imperative that we restore unemployment compensation eligibility for seasonal and cyclical workers who were disadvantaged by the law,” Tartaglione said. “Far too many workers were negatively impacted and this needs to be rectified as soon as possible.”
Tartaglione said the legislation was amended to reduce the percentage of income earned outside an employee’s high quarter in order to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits.
La fórmula fue modificada hace cuatro años por la Ley 60. Según esa ley, un trabajador que ganara menos del 49,5 por ciento de los ingresos en los tres trimestres fuera del trimestre alto no podía optar a las prestaciones de la UC. La legislación reduce el porcentaje al 37 por ciento y lo restablece a la tasa anterior.
Tartaglione said the change is estimated to benefit 44,000 workers. She said many of the workers are in the building trades who became victims of the unintended consequences of the change.
“Families were needlessly impacted and lives disturbed,” Tartaglione said. “Seasonal and cyclical workers were being penalized through no fault of their own.”
Tartaglione, who serves as Democratic chair of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, was involved in negotiating the legislative language to help the workers, in addition to other provisions in the legislation.
She said that she was pleased with the bipartisan work that went into developing the amendment and thanked the chair of the committee, Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) for her assistance.
The amendment includes a number of other UC provisions including an increase in the reserve, a modification of the benefit rate, amnesty and anti-fraud provisions and solvency trigger changes that are intended to preserve the integrity of the UC Trust Fund.
The amendment was approved on a 39-9 vote.
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by Christin Brown | Octubre 14, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg – Octubre 14, 2016 – A $2 million state grant was approved for Nueva Esperanza, Inc. to renovate and build on its campus in North Philadelphia, state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said today.
“This grant is excellent news,” Tartaglione said. “The funding will allow renovations to occur and new construction to take place at the campus.”
Tartaglione said that the state grant will address various needs on Esperanza’s 7-acre campus. The project includes the addition of a middle school gym, theatre and removal of a blighted building.
“The grant will address immediate needs and bolster the quality of the physical plant at Esperanza,” Tartaglione said. “The facility’s footprint will change as a result of the removal of the blighted building which will open up more parking and landscaping at the site.”
Tartaglione said the grant was approved through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP grants can be used for acquisition and construction of economic development projects in a number of categories including cultural, civic, recreation and historical.
“I am very pleased that the governor has released funding for this important project” Tartaglione said. “The ability to access state funds for critical local projects is essential to transforming communities and expanding services.”
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by Christin Brown | Octubre 12, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg - 12 de octubre de 2016 - La senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Filadelfia) ha recordado hoy a las personas mayores que va a organizar dos Expos Senior en Filadelfia en octubre.
"Las Senior Expos ofrecen información muy valiosa", afirma Tartaglione. "Habrá exámenes de salud gratuitos y representantes de varias agencias estarán a mano para responder preguntas y ayudar a las personas mayores a navegar por los programas gubernamentales".
La primera expo se celebra el jueves 13 de octubre en el Mayfair Recreation Center, 2900 St. Vincent Street de Filadelfia. La Senior Expo comienza a las 10 de la mañana y concluye a la 1 de la tarde.
La segunda Senior Expo de Tartaglione en octubre está programada para el 27 de octubre en la Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School, 1100 East Erie Avenue, a partir de las 10 de la mañana.
"Es importante que las personas mayores y sus cuidadores tengan acceso a programas y servicios cruciales que les ayuden", dijo Tartaglione. "Las exposiciones para mayores son una forma excelente de abrir líneas de comunicación y obtener información sobre cómo pueden ser útiles diversos programas".
Tartaglione dijo que todos los mayores y cuidadores principales están invitados a asistir.
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by Christin Brown | Septiembre 28, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg − Sept. 28, 2016 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) today presented a copy of a Senate resolution declaring Sept. 10, 2016 as “World Suicide Prevention Day” to a group of advocates and families in the Capitol Rotunda.
Sen. Tartaglione at the “World Suicide Prevention Day” event in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.
“The goal in declaring ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ and presenting a copy of the resolution to advocates and families is to raise awareness about how suicides are a major health concern,” Tartaglione said. “The hope is that we can save lives by calling attention to this very difficult issue.”
Tartaglione said that each year on Sept. 10 the International Association for Suicide Prevention and World Health Organization (WHO) observe “World Suicide Prevention Day.”
Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. There are about 800,000 people who die from suicide every year, according to WHO. Suicide survivors are 25 times more likely to commit suicide in the future.
“Heightened awareness about suicides may result in a friend in distress going to see a mental health professional for treatment,” Tartaglione said.
On behalf of Gov. Tom Wolf, Tartaglione also presented a gubernatorial proclamation to the advocates and families.
Tartaglione’s legislation, Senate Resolution 425, was approved by the full Senate on Sept. 26.
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by Christin Brown | Septiembre 26, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg − Sept. 26, 2016 − Legislation designed to preserve a fund that aids in the processing, administration and adjudication of unemployment claims has cleared the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, according to the bill’s sponsor state Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia).
“The Service and Infrastructure Fund was created to help process unemployment compensation claims, remove backlogs and make the system more efficient,” Tartaglione said. “Unemployed workers should be assured that their claims are handled quickly and that the benefits they are due will be promptly disbursed.”
Tartaglione said that her legislation (Senate Bill 1335) would extend the fund until 2020. The fund was created in 2013 to address system backlogs and make improvements in claim processing. Funds can be also be used for staff and employee training, information technology and other improvements.
“The fund was created to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the unemployment claims processing system,” Tartaglione said. “My legislation would ensure that resources will continue to be available.”
The legislation requires Labor and Industry to report yearly to the General Assembly on the status of the fund. The amount in the fund may not exceed $200 million.
Unemployment Compensation provides 26 weeks of benefits for those who lose a job through no fault of their own.
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by Christin Brown | Septiembre 14, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg, Sept. 14, 2016 − State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) announced today that her office will be hosting a Mobile District Office each Jueves from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CORA, 8540 Verree Road in Philadelphia.
“My staff will be available every Jueves at CORA to process PennDOT forms, free senior SEPTA passes, Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications and help resolve problems and issues involving state government,” Tartaglione said.
The senator said that the staff can also address PECO and PGW questions, unemployment compensation problems and public assistance inquiries among other concerns.
“Finding ways to bring the services of my office into various communities throughout the district improves an individual’s access to important state and local programs and services,” Tartaglione said.
If local residents have questions about the Mobile District Office at CORA they can call Gizela Burnside at (215) 533-0400 or email at gburnside@pasenate.com.
Tartaglione said that if residents are unable to visit during mobile district office hours, they can call her permanent district offices in Philadelphia. She has a district office at 1061 Bridge Street that is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that can be reached by phone at (215) 533-0440. Another office is located 2301 Front Street, which is also open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The telephone number for the Front Street office is (215) 291-4653.
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by Christin Brown | Junio 17, 2016 | News Releases
Casey, Brady, Evans, Carrelli attend demonstration, discussion
Philadelphia – Junio 17, 2016 – State Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) employed a demonstration of ReWalk — a motorized exoskeleton suit that allows patients with lower limb paralysis to stand and walk – to detail her vision for a clinic to address specific rehabilitation needs of veterans.
“There are so many veterans who might be helped by this technology and other robotic rehabilitative technologies offered by MossRehab and other facilities,” Tartaglione said. “By working together, we can put a new clinic together that will prove beneficial for veterans and change lives.”
Tartaglione demonstrated the suit for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-Phila.), state Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Phila.) and Acting Adjutant Gen. Anthony Carrelli at MossRehab in Elkins Park. Following the demonstration, Tartaglione detailed her plan for the clinic.
“Our men and women in uniform have made tremendous sacrifices for their country, giving what President Lincoln called the ‘last full measure of devotion,'” Casey said. “This state-of-the-art technology will change lives, and help in the rehabilitation needs of our nation’s veterans. I am grateful for Senator Tartaglione’s hard work and determination in improving the lives of our veterans and all persons with disabilities.”
“I thank both Senator Tartaglione for her continuing advocacy and Moss Rehabilitation for its commitment to utilizing the newest technology on behalf of our wounded hero men and women veterans,” Brady said.
“Given the extraordinary sacrifice by those in the military and the need for exceptional rehabilitation facilities for veterans, I felt it was important to detail how a clinic featuring technologies like those at MossRehab can assist veterans,” Tartaglione said.
Tartaglione is seeking federal and state assistance in constructing the clinic. Tartaglione’s idea was supported by officials at MossRehab.
“MossRehab commends Senator Tartaglione’s vision and commitment to the rehabilitation needs of our veterans,” said Thomas Smith, Assistant Vice President of Rehabilitation. “The application of state-of-the-art technology by our clinical experts with a caring personal touch allows MossRehab to further our mission of enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities.”
The senator said she knows from first-hand experience that rehabilitation is incredibly difficult and frustrating, but through the efforts of specialists employing new technologies veterans can receive life-changing services.
“We at MossRehab are thrilled with Senator Tartaglione’s progress and the increasing walking ability, endurance and gains in joint motion she has made by using ReWalk,” said Dr. Alberto Esquenazi, John Otto Haas Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at MossRehab. “Her efforts and determination, combined with staff expertise and advanced technology at MossRehab make this improvement possible.”
Tartaglione said that while it may be challenging to try and address the funding needs associated with the establishment of a clinic to aid veterans, it is worth the effort because of the benefits for veterans.
“Veterans made the sacrifice for us and we need to come through for them when they return with medical issues that requires intensive rehabilitation,” Tartaglione said.
The lawmaker said that it will take a significant effort to educate her colleagues at the state level about the necessity of the clinic and was hoping that the demonstration and discussion with Sen. Casey, Reps. Brady and Evans and Gen. Carrelli will spur federal action.
“I can’t thank Senator Casey, Representative Brady, state Representative Evans and General Carrelli enough for their interest in learning more about the technology and my vision for a clinic to aid veterans,” Tartaglione said.
Tartaglione said she will seek state funding for the clinic in the state budget.
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by Christin Brown | Junio 14, 2016 | News Releases
Harrisburg – Junio 14, 2016 – A grant of $80,877 has been awarded to the Norris Square Senior Community Center, state Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia) said today.
“Grants for senior centers help bolster activities and provide critical assistance to seniors in Philadelphia and the surrounding region,” Tartaglione said. “The funding approved today for the Norris Square Senior Community Center will help the center continue providing invaluable service to the area.”
According to the Department of Aging, 43 senior centers from around the state will share in $2 million in grant funding in this round.
The funding helps advance programming for seniors. It also enables senior centers to complete critical projects, improve technology, recruit new members and meet the needs of area seniors. Grants enhance social and recreational activities while providing a safe community meeting place, Tartaglione said.
“The grants are resources that can be used to help seniors stay involved in the community,” Tartaglione said.
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by Christin Brown | Junio 2, 2016 | News Releases
FILADELFIA, 2 de junio de 2016 - Las senadoras estatales. Christine M. Tartaglione y Shirley M. Kitchen se unieron hoy al gobernador Tom Wolf para visitar uno de los principales centros de investigación del país que investiga las causas de la adicción a las drogas.
El Centro de Investigación sobre el Abuso de Sustancias (CSAR), de la Facultad de Medicina Lewis J. Katz de la Universidad de Temple, reúne a docenas de expertos de todos los campus de Temple para llevar a cabo una investigación interdisciplinar que permita comprender las bases biológicas de la drogadicción y otros efectos de las drogas adictivas que dan lugar a estados alterados de la función biológica.
"A medida que nos enfrentamos a una epidemia de sobredosis de opioides en Pensilvania, tenemos la suerte de contar con los importantes recursos de la Universidad de Temple para abordar el problema en el nivel más fundamental", dijo Tartaglione. "Es inspirador estar en medio de personas increíblemente talentosas haciendo un trabajo increíblemente importante".
CSAR ha recibido recientemente una subvención de un millón de dólares del Instituto Nacional sobre el Abuso de Drogas para desarrollar y aplicar un programa educativo denominado SEADAP (Science Education Against Drug Abuse Partnership) con el fin de enseñar a los alumnos de 6º a 12º curso cómo actúan en el cerebro las drogas de consumo habitual para producir adicción.
"Aunque nos enfrentamos a este gravísimo reto en nuestra comunidad, es alentador ver que tenemos aquí las herramientas que pueden llevarnos al éxito", dijo Kitchen, quien, durante años, ha trabajado estrechamente con la comunidad de recuperación. "Tenemos el talento aquí mismo, en el norte de Filadelfia, que puede ayudar a transformar vidas en toda Pensilvania".
Los senadores se unieron al gobernador en una visita a las instalaciones de investigación de Temple y participaron en una mesa redonda sobre la intersección de la investigación académica y la política pública.
Tras la visita, Wolf, que ha hecho de la mitigación de la crisis de los opiáceos una prioridad de su administración, dijo que el centro está "aportando el poder de la ciencia a la lucha contra el abuso de drogas y la drogadicción".
"El reto es cómo aprovechar la buena investigación que se está llevando a cabo aquí y convertirla en una buena política pública", dijo.
Kitchen y Tartaglione anunciaron recientemente su apoyo a un paquete legislativo destinado a abordar la crisis de adicción a los opiáceos desde la prevención hasta la recuperación. Para conocer los detalles de esta iniciativa, haga clic aquí.
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por Christin Brown | 28 de octubre de 2015 | Comunicados de prensa
Harrisburg - 28 de octubre de 2015 - A petición del senador estatal Vince Hughes (D-Phila.), El Comité de Política Demócrata del Senado celebró hoy una audiencia sobre el impacto devastador que el impasse presupuestario de 120 días del estado está teniendo en las escuelas de todo el estado.
"Aunque muchos de los puntos de controversia presupuestaria siguen sin resolverse, lo que está claro es que las consecuencias de este estancamiento son de gran alcance", dijo la senadora Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), que preside el comité. "Esta audiencia da a los legisladores una idea de cómo las escuelas están manejando el déficit de financiación, y qué problemas se enfrentarán si este estancamiento se prolonga."
Hughes añadió: "Un número cada vez mayor de escuelas se han visto obligadas a pedir dinero prestado y a solicitar líneas de crédito sólo para mantener sus puertas abiertas. Esperemos que el enfoque de esta audiencia sobre el empeoramiento de la crisis financiera en todo el estado fomente una mayor urgencia, cooperación y compromiso en las negociaciones presupuestarias en curso."
Durante la audiencia, el Auditor General del Estado, Eugene DePasquale, declaró que al menos 27 distritos escolares han solicitado préstamos por un total de más de 431 millones de dólares. Proyectó que los pagos de intereses ascenderán a $ 30 millones si el estancamiento llega a mediados de noviembre.
Los que testificaron denunciaron cómo el punto muerto ha perjudicado a los estudiantes, ha agotado las reservas y cómo los contribuyentes tendrán que cargar innecesariamente con el pago de los intereses del creciente número de préstamos y líneas de crédito que las escuelas están obteniendo para mantener sus puertas abiertas.
El Superintendente de las Escuelas Públicas de Erie, Jay Badams, lamentó que su distrito necesitará pedir prestados 30 millones de dólares sólo para llegar a enero.
"Son 114.000 dólares en intereses malgastados que podrían haberse utilizado para muchos gastos educativos muy necesarios", dijo Badams.
El Dr. Joseph Roy, que trabaja como superintendente del Distrito Escolar del Área de Bethlehem, en el condado de Northampton, añadió que "las decisiones a nivel estatal siguen machacando a los distritos escolares". Dijo que el desvío de fondos a las escuelas chárter y cibernéticas y un enfoque "punitivo" de la educación pública han disparado los gastos escolares.
La Dra. Rula Skezas, que se desempeña como superintendente del Distrito Escolar del Área de McKeesport en el condado de Allegheny, señaló que incluso si el distrito recibe su financiación propuesta, todavía estaría por debajo de lo que recibió durante el año escolar 2011. Ella dijo que McKeesport ha tomado una línea de crédito de $ 5 millones para llegar a diciembre. Dijo que el distrito ya ha eliminado 110 puestos de personal para tratar de llegar a fin de mes.
Hughes, presidente demócrata del Comité de Apropiaciones, dijo que las escuelas públicas, concertadas y privadas ya se están tambaleando tras años de falta de financiación. Señaló que el Distrito Escolar de Filadelfia ya ha pedido prestados 275 millones de dólares durante el impasse. Fran Burns, que se desempeña como director de operaciones del Distrito Escolar de Filadelfia, testificó que el distrito ha luchado para hacer frente a un "déficit estructural".
Lamentando el impacto en las familias trabajadoras locales que financian las escuelas a través de impuestos a la propiedad, Boscola señaló una encuesta educativa realizada a principios de este año que muestra que casi el 75 por ciento de los distritos estaban planeando imponer aumentos de impuestos a la propiedad, el 30 por ciento estaban planeando hacer recortes adicionales en los programas, y el 41 por ciento estaban haciendo más recortes de personal. Dijo que el estado ha retenido aproximadamente $ 3 mil millones en fondos escolares desde que comenzó el estancamiento presupuestario en julio.
Junto a Boscola y Hughes en la audiencia del comité del Capitolio estaban los senadores John Blake (D-Lackawanna), Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny), Andrew Dinniman (D-Montgomery), Christine Tartaglione (D-Phila.) Y Sean Wiley (D-Erie),
Entre los testigos se encontraban:
- Honorable Eugene DePasquale
Auditor General de Pensilvania
- Fran Burns
Directora de Operaciones, Distrito Escolar de Filadelfia
- Joseph Gorham
Superintendente de Escuelas, Distrito Escolar del Área de Carbondale
- Dr. Joseph Roy
Superintendente de Escuelas, Distrito Escolar del Área de Bethlehem
- Dr. Jay D. Badams
Superintendente, Escuelas Públicas de Erie
- Dra. Rula S. Skezas
Superintendente, Distrito Escolar del Área de McKeesport
- Marjorie Neff
Presidenta de la Comisión de Reforma Escolar
- Anthony Pirrello
Director General de Montessori Regional Charter School of Erie y Vicepresidente de Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools
- Matt Przywara
Miembro, PASBO
Director Financiero y de Operaciones, Distrito Escolar de Lancaster
- Bill LaCoff
Presidente de la Asociación de Consejos Escolares de Pensilvania
- Susan Gobreski
Votantes por la Educación de Pensilvania
- Dra. Pearl English
Enfermera escolar, Distrito Escolar de Filadelfia
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by Christin Brown | Enero 30, 2014 | News Releases
Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 2014 – Senate Democrats gathered in seven communities across Pennsylvania today to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett to produce a spending plan that is aligned with the needs of Pennsylvanians.
Sen. Christine Tartaglione joined Philadelphia senators here to highlight the negative impact of previous Corbett budgets and describe why the upcoming budget is so important.
[hdvideo id=14 ]
“Pennsylvania’s state budget is an identification of priorities and a strategy for investment,” Sen. Tartaglione said. “We can do better than what Gov. Corbett and his administration have provided.
Tartaglione and Senate Democrats said their budget priorities reflect needs shared by all Pennsylvanians, including job creation, expansion of health care through Medicaid, increasing the minimum wage, repairing the social safety net and restoring education funds.
“Under Gov. Corbett’s leadership, Pennsylvania has fallen to the bottom in job creation and government efficiency, and we must do a better job of identifying policy priorities,” she said. “Senate Democrats have concrete plans to move the state forward and our payment method does not involve a broad-based tax increase.”
Senate Democrats said they will push for the following in this budget:
- Creating jobs by funding targeted water and sewer rehabilitation projects, strengthening school-to-work programs and expanding community economic zones throughout the state;
- Investing in education with a $300 million boost, bolstering funds for early education and committing to a long-term financing plan that restores funding;
- Increasing the state’s minimum wage to at least $9 per hour, indexing the wage to inflation and raising the tipped minimum wage;
- Expanding Medicaid and extending health care to 500,000 Pennsylvania families while generating budget savings of $400 million; and
- Repairing holes in the social safety net by using $85 million in Medicaid budget savings for human services programming such as drug, alcohol and mental health.
Sen. Tartaglione said her priorities for the new budget are for the state to restore education funding and for the governor to finally take the lead on raising the minimum wage.
“Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is currently $7.25/hour,” she said. “That isn’t enough for a person living in this state to pay rent, buy a car or purchase groceries for themselves, much less a family. My legislation will raise the minimum wage incrementally to $9.00/hour by 2015, after which it would automatically increase every year with inflation.”
Without an adequate base wage that is competitive with neighboring states, Tartaglione said educational initiatives, if the governor proposes any, would be moot.
“All the education and career preparation in the world won’t help present and future generations if we don’t ensure access to quality jobs and quality income when they graduate,” the senator said. “Right now, we have too many minimum wage jobs and too many educated, over-qualified, minimum wage workers.
“We need to ensure individuals working full-time jobs are able to support themselves and their family members,” she said.
Senate Democrats said they will provide immediate reaction to the governor’s budget address following his scheduled speech to the General Assembly Feb. 4.
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by Christin Brown | Diciembre 10, 2013 | News Releases
Harrisburg – Diciembre 10, 2013 – In advance of the governor’s planned mid-year budget briefing, state Senate Democrats today announced details of a plan to generate more than $1 billion in budget savings and revenues they say can be used to make key investments, avoid deep cuts or tax increases in dealing with a projected $839 million budget deficit.
“Senate Democrats have identified ample revenues to not only deal with the significant budget deficit that has developed under Gov. Tom Corbett’s watch, but we’ve also found resources to fund key job creation initiatives, education investments and safety net repairs that are needed as a result of short-sighted administration policies,” Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic leader said.
In a Noviembre budget status report, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) reported that Pennsylvania was facing a structural deficit of $839 million.
At today’s news conference in the state Capitol, Costa detailed the Senate Democratic $1.091 billion savings and revenue plan. The plan includes the following features and fiscal benefits:
- Expanded Medicaid — $400 million;
- Escheat Reform — $150 million;
- Wine and Spirits Modernization — $125 million;
- Charter School Reform — $85.5 million;
- Capital Stock and Franchise tax phase-out freeze — $75 million;
- Multi-state claims processing for SSP/SSI – $75 million;
- Enhanced tax collection — $55 million;
- Medicaid Managed Care — $50 million;
- Tobacco products tax — $36 million;
- Vendor discount elimination — $40 million.
Senate Democratic Whip Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D-Philadelphia) said Pennsylvanians should not accept the recurring rhetoric from the Corbett administration that they have to cut and slash each and every year due to a revenue shortfall.
“Every year we have heard the same tune from the governor that his hands are tied because revenues are soft and the job market is flat,” Williams said. “For the last three years, Senate Democrats have put forth plans outlining how we can generate budget savings and additional revenues to make key investments without severe cuts.
“The song the governor keeps singing about his budget woes is stale and taxpayers are tired of it. The fact is we need a new more aggressive approach,” he said.
Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said the reason Pennsylvania keeps having budget deficits and scrambling for money each year is the Corbett administration does not have a comprehensive and coherent job creation strategy.
“Under the governor’s leadership, we’ve gone from eighth in job creation to near last among all states, dead last among all our neighboring states and last among all big states,” Hughes said. “We have a Corbett jobs deficit of 166,000 on top of a Corbett budget deficit of $839 million.
“The reason we can’t move forward is that the Corbett corporate tax cuts of over $1 billion, combined with a lack of attention to the needs of everyday Pennsylvanians in job creation, education and safety net protections, weigh us down.”
Senate Democrats also continued to lament the $1 billion in cuts in education funding authored by the Corbett administrations several years ago. The Democrats said this policy has been counterproductive and costly to the average taxpayers because the state simply shifted the burden.
“We can devise a better approach to budgeting and revenue generation that will not result in our local taxpayers paying more in property taxes and children losing opportunities in school,” Costa said. “The Senate Democratic plan provides a path that is responsible and deals with the Corbett budget deficit.”
In addition to the budget and savings plan, Senate Democrats said they would soon announce their budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
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por Christin Brown | 13 de septiembre de 2013 | Comunicados de prensa
QUIÉN:
Senadora estatal Christine Tartaglione, Presidenta demócrata de la Comisión de Trabajo e Industria del Senado
Senador Estatal Vincent Hughes, Presidente Demócrata del Comité de Apropiaciones del Senado
Elizabeth McLroy, Secretaria-Tesorera de la AFL-CIO de Filadelfia
Mark Price, economista laboral del Keystone Research Center
Kathy Black, Presidenta de la Coalición de Mujeres Sindicalistas
John Dodds, Director Ejecutivo del Proyecto de Desempleo de Filadelfia
QUÉ: El senador Tartaglione anunciará la introducción de una nueva legislación para aumentar el salario mínimo de Pennsylvania de $ 7.25 a $ 9.00. Se unirá al senador Hughes y los defensores de apoyar el proyecto de ley. Ella estará acompañada por el senador Hughes y defensores que apoyan el proyecto de ley.
El salario mínimo de Pensilvania está fijado actualmente en 7,25 dólares para la mayoría de los empleados por hora, lo que exige la ley federal. Dieciocho estados han aprobado salarios mínimos por encima del nivel federal. Los legisladores de Pensilvania no han aumentado el salario mínimo estatal desde 2006.
CUÁNDO: Martes17 de septiembre a las 14.00 horas
DÓNDE: Ayuntamiento de Filadelfia, Sala de Recepciones del Alcalde (Sala 202)
CONTACTO: Para más información, póngase en contacto con Ben Waxman por correo electrónico: bwaxman@pasenate.com o 717-787-7112
by Christin Brown | Abril 30, 2013 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, 30 de abril de 2013 - La afirmación del gobernador Corbett de que el consumo de drogas es responsable de la alta tasa de desempleo de Pensilvania es preocupante, pero no la parte más preocupante de su entrevista en PAMatters.com, dijo hoy la senadora estatal Christine M. Tartaglione.
"El desdén del gobernador por los parados y las miles de familias afectadas es antiguo y ya conocido", dijo Tartaglione. "Pero el resto de la entrevista mostró a un ejecutivo estatal con un escaso conocimiento de la economía de Pensilvania y propenso a hacer declaraciones gratuitas no cargadas de hechos".
Entre los flagrantes errores de hecho que Corbett cometió en la entrevista está la afirmación de que "ahora tenemos más gente trabajando que nunca".
"De hecho, hoy hay más parados en Pensilvania que el día de la toma de posesión del gobernador", dijo Tartaglione. Y la población activa sigue siendo inferior en más de 100.000 personas al máximo alcanzado durante el gobierno de Rendell". Son cifras que cualquiera con un ordenador puede obtener fácilmente. Es asombroso".
En uno de los momentos más reveladores de la entrevista, Corbett cuestionó la exactitud de los cálculos de empleo del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU., diciendo que recientemente había aprendido cómo se calcula la tasa de desempleo.
En respuesta a las críticas de que Pensilvania ha caído de los diez primeros a los cinco últimos estados en creación de empleo, Corbett no cuestionó las cifras.
"Lo que discuto es el uso de estadísticas", dijo. Corbett atribuyó erróneamente la cita sobre "mentiras, malditas mentiras y estadísticas" a Mark Twain, quien en realidad la había atribuido erróneamente él mismo en un artículo de una revista de 1906.
Corbett también afirmó que la tasa de desempleo de Pensilvania, obstinadamente alta, se debe a que cada vez más personas se reincorporan a la población activa después de haberla abandonado.
Las cifras publicadas esta semana por el Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. indican lo contrario, con dos descensos mensuales consecutivos del tamaño de la población activa.
Antes de afirmar que el hecho de que los posibles empleados no pasaran los controles de drogas era una de las principales razones del elevado desempleo, Corbett también culpó a los trabajadores de Pensilvania mal formados, incapaces de aprovechar las oportunidades de la industria de perforación de pozos de gas.
El gobernador sugirió que los trabajadores necesitan más formación a través de escuelas de formación profesional y colegios comunitarios.
"Año tras año, el gobernador ha propuesto recortes en la financiación de los tipos de formación que está sugiriendo, incluidos los colegios comunitarios, que no han recibido un aumento de la financiación estatal desde antes de que comenzara el boom del gas", dijo Tartaglione. "No puede limitarse a hablar, tiene que hacer lo que dice".
Tartaglione dijo que los 512.000 desempleados de Pensilvania deben preocuparse de que la administración de Corbett no sólo ha impulsado recortes en las prestaciones y creado el caos en los centros de llamadas de desempleo, pero está aparentemente fuera de contacto con la economía de Pensilvania.
"El gobernador tiene que mirar las estadísticas y admitir que son reales. Cuando nuestro jefe del Ejecutivo compara la tasa de desempleo con una 'maldita mentira', entonces no hay esperanza de cambio político desde arriba."
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by Christin Brown | Febrero 14, 2013 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Febrero 14, 2013 — State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the lottery contract with Camelot Global Services:
“The Attorney General used her authority to support what many of us have been saying all along—that the administration’s lottery fire sale was a disturbing overreach of his authority and, quite simply, a lousy deal for workers, seniors and supporters of open government.
It is reassuring to know that there does exist in Pennsylvania a system of checks and balances on executive authority.
The Attorney General used sound reasoning to put a stop to a bad plan that contained illegal expansion of gambling, significant risks to senior programs and foreign control of a highly successful state agency.
More importantly, she made sure the people of Pennsylvania again have a voice in deciding issues critical to their future and their finances. Hopefully, this will end the back-room deal-making and allow state lottery officials and employees chart their own revenue plan under the bright light of public scrutiny.”
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by Christin Brown | Febrero 5, 2013 | News Releases
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.”
by Christin Brown | Octubre 2, 2012 | News Releases
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.”
by Christin Brown | Junio 29, 2012 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Junio 29, 2012 – Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement on the final 2012-13 budget:
“I commend the thousands of Pennsylvanians who took the time to come to Harrisburg over the past five months for their persistence and determination in moving this budget from where it started in Febrero to what was passed today.
I also want to thank some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for recognizing the governor’s proposal for what it was and understanding its potential impact on our most vulnerable citizens.
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Despite the efforts of citizens and the understanding of my colleagues, this budget fails the test put forth a half century ago by the writer Pearl S. Buck who said we ‘must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them, for the test of a civilization is the way that it cares for its helpless members.
This budget, along with changes in the welfare code, allows our seniors to fear being deserted by the government they supported throughout their lives.
This budget takes its pain and payment from working families, minimum-wage workers, the nameless, the frail and the seniors who are struggling to live at home.
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This budget makes its promises and payments to the powerful, the privileged and the faceless corporations that live in mailboxes in Wilmington, Delaware.
Even as we claim to have no more money to spend, we are paying for those mailboxes in Delaware.
Our students are paying. Our homeowners are paying. Our college graduates are paying.
This budget lets the previous generation, and the next generation, pay the price for the politics of this generation.”
by Christin Brown | Abril 3, 2012 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Abril 3, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione joined Senate Democratic colleagues at a Capitol news conference today calling on the Corbett administration to focus budget priorities on jobs and working families.
“Last year’s budget and this year’s proposal put a heavy burden on Pennsylvania’s vulnerable families while large corporations reap the rewards of their political support,” Tartaglione said. “The governor’s priorities have resulted in stagnant employment, spiking property taxes and insolvent school districts. There is still time to shift direction.”
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Tartaglione is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 679, which would require “combined reporting” for businesses in Pennsylvania and close the “Delaware Loophole.”
“Working families and small businesses are paying the price for the administration’s hands-off approach to corporate taxes,” Tartaglione said.
In addition to combined reporting, Senate Democrats have identified numerous ways the state could raise additional revenue to invest in infrastructure, schools and job creation.
Tartaglione said Senate Democrats would like to add at least $250 million into Accountability Block Grants and higher education along with another $225 million in job creation strategies that include research and development. Senate Democrats are renewing their call to refocus unused cash in the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for job creation.
by Christin Brown | Marzo 15, 2012 | News Releases
The barricades and the extra police at the end of a Capitol hallway tell you everything you need to know about the administration of Gov. Tom Corbett.
From Day One, the governor, who campaigned bravely about ordinary citizens reclaiming their government, has shown curious fear of those same citizens.
Feeling safer with a small audience of unquestioning supporters, the once-courageous reformer has recently taken to using his massive security apparatus to turn away the unwashed masses.
When a group of citizens in wheelchairs visited the Capitol in Febrero, the former criminal prosecutor who spent a dozen years as a National Guard infantryman, took no chances.
Capitol Police were deployed and barricades were erected to keep the dangerous wheelchair people at bay. This wasnt too difficult. The security detail explained that they were told to not to let people in wheelchairs on the elevators. Blocking the elevators was all it took to keep them on the ground floor, a safe distance from the governors lair.
Meanwhile, lobbyists, pages, pizza drivers and politicians continued to enjoy access as usual.
It was a breathtaking metaphor for the Corbett administration, a policy-as-performance-art moment that wrapped the Corbett fear and loathing in a tidy package.
It might be illegal.
Does that matter?
It should at least matter to the tough, law-and-order prosecutor who boldly took on the entrenched Harrisburg powerbrokers before running off to his Capitol office and blocking the elevators.
And it should matter to the millions of Pennsylvanians that dont have lobbyist credentials and Capitol security badges.
As the new security policy was explained by underlings in the administration, you can not only be banned from the building for causing a ruckus, but you can be banned if the administration thinks you might cause a ruckus. Or if somebody who looks like you has caused a ruckus.
Its scary where this leads. Any justification that can be mustered for a people-in-wheelchairs policy can be rolled out again for race, religion, shoe-size, hair-do or lack of proper manicure.
But there is no justification for the administrations unilateral security actions. No legal justification anyway.
If the governor thinks that the wheelchair people will quietly roll away in deference to his show of force, he doesnt know what the view of the world looks like from this seat.
On the occasions that I have been asked about how my accident changed my life, I often say: It took my legs, but it opened my eyes.
There are more than a million Pennsylvanians who use wheelchairs for one reason or another and Ive met a lot of them. The weakest and most vulnerable among them have shown me more courage than this governor.
Sure, theres a tendency when youre faced with adversity to lock yourself in a dark room, surround yourself with friends and block out the world.
But one day you realize that whatever the adversity, it must be faced directly. Boldly. Courageously.
When the governor sent his security team to stop the wheelchairs, it wasnt just a cowardly overreach of executive authority.
It was also a missed a chance to overcome his own disability: a blindness to the plight of ordinary people.
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by Christin Brown | Marzo 7, 2012 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Marzo 7, 2012 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today said Senate approval of a bill requiring photo identification from voters, which comes one week after the Corbett administration barred disabled visitors from public areas of the Capitol, represents a “disturbing trend” for people already struggling under state budget cuts.
“Creating barriers to prevent the disabled from voicing their grievances with their government, either inside the Capitol or inside the polling place, has become a priority with the legislature’s Republican majority and the current administration,” Tartaglione said.
The Senate today passed House Bill 934 along largely party lines, after rejecting a Tartaglione amendment to exempt those with disabilities.
“More than 20 years after implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Pennsylvania is still struggling to make all polling places accessible,” Tartaglione said. “Creating bureaucratic barriers on top of that sends a clear message to more than a million Pennsylvanians that this administration has no interest in hearing from them.”
Last week, Tartaglione wrote a letter to Corbett protesting the closure of Capitol hallways and elevators on Febrero 29, when advocates for the disabled planned a rally.
Signed by the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, the letter cited the action’s “disturbing overtones of discrimination.”
“Such a policy represents an unconstitutional overreach of executive power, and it fosters distrust and alienation between the government and the people it is elected to represent,” the letter said.
The bill, which now heads to Corbett’s desk, is expected to cost as much as $11 million in the first year. Tartaglione said that money would be better used to improve a program that provides loans to disabled Pennsylvanians for purchase of technology that would allow them to return to the workforce.
“Nearly 200,000 Americans were disabled fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Tartaglione said. “Creating barriers to their participation in the government for which they sacrificed is repugnant and shameful.”
Listen to the Senator’s remarks following the floor vote on the Voter ID legislation:[audio:https://senatortartaglione.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/voter-id-reaction-sen.tartaglione-03-07-10.mp3|titles=voter-id-reaction-sen.tartaglione-03-07-10]
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by Christin Brown | Marzo 6, 2012 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Marzo 5, 2011 – State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione today released the following statement regarding Appropriations Committee action on House Bill 934:
“Tonight’s action in the Appropriations Committee revealed a stark lack of consideration for the thousands of Pennsylvanians who will be disenfranchised by photo identification requirements for voters.
Rejecting attempts to soften the impact through voter education and ensure participation through protections for voting rights, the Republican majority ignored the concerns of seniors, minorities, the disabled, the poor and the poorly educated.
The bill that came out of the committee tonight is another attempt to marginalize Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens and silence their voice.
It’s appalling that the same lawmakers who can’t find a penny to spare for insolvent school districts, or road repairs are willing to waste millions on this appalling attempt to keep people from the polls.”
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by Christin Brown | Febrero 29, 2012 | News Releases
HARRISBURG, Feb. 29, 2012 – Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione released the following statement today regarding yesterday’s budget hearing for the Department of Public Welfare:
"El tajo ciego y miope realizado por este presupuesto crea muchos pequeños ciclos que, cuando se completen, crearán retos presupuestarios para futuras administraciones y futuras generaciones.
Few are more illogical than reductions in funding for efforts that help people with disabilities gain more independence and find suitable employment. Pennsylvania’s previous efforts in assistive technology have not just made thousands of people more independent and secure, but they’ve also made workers out of people who were not able to find employment because of some physical barrier.
In short, cutting assistive technology efforts reduces the workforce and promotes lives of dependency and welfare.
Today, we heard about the administration’s plans to cut welfare and it makes me wonder where these people have been to form the mindset that produced these decisions.
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