Inside Harrisburg
by state Rep. Dan Frankel
Your voices helped keep libraries open
Due primarily to the incredible activism on the part of city residents, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh voted in December to postpone decisions around closure of four area libraries until January of 2011, in order to work to find other funding solutions. I would like to thank all the residents who advocated on behalf of the four libraries slated for closure, and on behalf of the Hazelwood library in particular, as well as Pittsburgh City Council and my colleagues in the Allegheny County delegation, all who have worked to find funds for the libraries.
At rallies, public meetings and in hundreds of letters, I heard heartfelt testimony in support of area libraries. Even though the national economy made this a difficult budget year for Pennsylvania, I advocated for saving as much state funding for public libraries as possible. Senate Republicans tried to cut it in half, by $37.5 million, but House Democrats were able to restore $23 million of that in the final budget. I’m especially heartened that the Hazelwood library, a critical resource in the community, will remain open. I look forward to working with Carnegie Library officials and community members to develop a plan to make certain the Hazelwood library remains open and available, since the library is an essential resource in the community.
New law will help survivors of fallen police officers
In 2009, Allegheny County has seen four of our brave police officers killed in the line of duty – three in Pittsburgh in April and one in Penn Hills in December. A new law will do more to help the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice as they protect us.
Act 51 of 2009, enacted in October, increases the survivor benefits in Pennsylvania for the families of police and emergency service personnel who die in the line of duty. The surviving spouse of paid police officers, firefighters, hazardous materials response team members, and ambulance service or rescue squad members who die in the line of duty will receive a monthly benefit. The benefit will be equal to the first responder's monthly salary at the time of death, and will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index. If there is no surviving spouse, the benefits will go to any surviving children.
2010 U.S. Census will create thousands of jobs
As Pennsylvanians continue to struggle with high unemployment rates, I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Census Bureau is hiring thousands of temporary workers to help complete the upcoming 2010 Census.
These positions offer temporary, part-time work and will provide a weekly paycheck, mileage reimbursement and paid training.
Most of the positions offer flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. Positions include census taker, census crew leader, census crew leader assistant, recruiting assistant and census clerk.
For more information, or to apply, visit the Census Bureau's Web site at http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs or call the Census Bureau at 1-866-861-2010.
Census results are the basis for representation in Congress and the state legislature, as well as the distribution of federal, state and local funds totaling more than $400 billion annually.
Applications now available for House scholarships
Applications for the 2010-11 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship are now available from my office or online at www.pahousescholarship.com.
This scholarship program is open to Pennsylvania high school seniors who plan to attend an in-state college, university or professional training school full-time.
Applicants are judged on academic record, extra-curricular activities, leadership and commitment to community. They must also have a 3.0 grade-point average and are required to submit an essay on William Penn's role in shaping state government.
The deadline to apply is March 1, 2010.
If you know a high school senior who plans to seek further schooling and could use a little help with tuition costs, please share this information with him or her. Two scholarships are available worth approximately $2,500 each. The program is privately funded; no taxes or other public funds are used.
As always, please contact my office at 412-422-1774, or visit my Web site at www.pahouse.com/Frankel, for assistance or information on these or any state-related matters.
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