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HARRISBURG, March 8 – In an effort to help more residents reduce their prescription drug costs, state Reps. Emily Kinkead and Eddie Day Pashinski have introduced legislation that would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to study the potential savings of importing less expensive medicines from Canada. Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said H.B. 833 would also design a potential prescription drug importation program in Pennsylvania when the study demonstrates significant cost savings for consumers. “Pharmaceutical companies claim the costs are driven by market forces and due to the high cost of research and development of new medicines, but those and other arguments they pose lack validity,” said Kinkead. “Drug companies want to enjoy a monopoly to discourage competition, to the detriment of our consumers here in Pennsylvania, including many who rely on life-saving medications and are forced to ration or forego medications they simply cannot afford. That’s reprehensible, and we already know of other states already implementing such programs. It’s time we do the same.” "The increasing cost of prescription drugs is driving up health care expenses, which is driving up every Pennsylvanian's cost of living," Pashinski said. "This legislation makes sure Pennsylvania is developing a long-term solution to this problem. We can potentially save the state and consumers millions of dollars by Read more
State grant programs open for applications. Read more
State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update Read more
New grant opportunities available. Read more
I recieved the following information from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) regarding fraudulent attempts to obtain personal information: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has become aware of multiple attempts by fraudsters to obtain individuals’ personal and confidential information through fake Facebook pages and is reminding Pennsylvanians to never provide their information to anyone over social media. “Unfortunately, the availability of new federal unemployment money is causing a surge in fraud attempts,” said L&I Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “L&I does not communicate directly with individuals over social media, including Facebook.” L&I operates a Facebook page under the name “PA Department of Labor & Industry” and handle “@PALaborIndustry.” Several similarly named pages have appeared over the past few days, and some scammers have posted on L&I’s legitimate page pretending to be L&I employees. Important tips L&I’s Facebook page has a blue check box next to the name that identifies it as a verified page. Comments by the legitimate L&I page also have a blue check box next to them indicating it as a verified page. If a comment or page does not have this check box, it is a fraudster posing as L&I. L&I does not post responses directly to claimants, send private Read more
The following state grants are open for applications. Updated on Feb. 1. Read more
How to reopen/reactivate a PUA claim : Log in to your dashboard Select “File for Weekly Benefits” Then select “File Your Weekly Certification to Continue Your Claim” You will see the message “You currently have a claim established however it is inactive.” Click on “here.” It will seem as if you are opening a new claim. The system knows you are only attempting to reopen the claim you already have established. Click Next. You will see the Welcome to Pennsylvania’s Pandemic Unemployment Portal Page. Click next. The next eight pages are pre-populated based on your initial claim information. You will click next after verifying the information is correct on each page. If it is not correct, you should make updates at this time. Note: This includes things such as your email, address, date of birth, education information and employment status. You will also be asked the COVID questions. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THE MAJOR DISASTER INFORMATION QUESTION YOU SHOULD SELECT COVID -19 NOT COVID 19 -2 If you reported that you are self-employed, the system will ask for you 2020 wages. This is an error. You should enter all 0s for those wages. You will also need to answer if you have worked since you last filed for weeks. If you have worked, you must click the “I have worked since my last Read more
STATE GRANT PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: Preserving Diverse Cultures – Community Based Engagement Projects (Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit organizations whose mission and artistic work are rooted in and reflective of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) art, culture, history and heritage. Additionally, the applicant's programs and staff are representative of those communities. Uses : To bring communities together through artist-led community-based arts and culture projects. Community projects may include but are not limited to: exhibitions, performances, artist-in-community residencies, and murals. Funds : Up to $3,500 total for planning and programming. Applicants may receive project support for up to four years. Application Deadline : Letter of interest due February 1 More Information : Click 2021-2022_PCA_PDC_Guidelines.pdf (pa.gov) . Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning: Child Care COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Award (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care providers. The owner/operator/director will apply on behalf of their child care employees and child care support employees. Uses : One-time award of $600 paid to eligible child care employees and child care support staff, who are currently working directly with Read more
Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier today announced that thousands of Pennsylvanians will begin receiving an extra $300 per week in unemployment payments starting this week. The extension of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program is part of the federal stimulus that Congress passed last month. “This boost in unemployment benefits is vital to hardworking Pennsylvania families who have lost their income as a result of the global pandemic,” said Berrier. “I am pleased that L&I was able to work with the federal Department of Labor (DOL) to get the information needed to quickly restart this program and get payments into the pockets of Pennsylvanians in need.” The $300 is automatically added to each claimants’ payment; they do not need to apply. Approximately 127,000 claimants in the Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits programs will receive the $300 FPUC boost as soon as Tuesday. The program runs the claim weeks ending January 2, 2021 to March 13, 2021. There is no additional cost to the state’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. L&I is still awaiting additional information from the federal DOL on the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) programs. Because of program changes made in the federal CARES Act extension, this information is necessary to ensure Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, today was sworn in to represent the 121 st Legislative District for his eighth term in the state House. “It’s a tremendous honor and a privilege to be able to continue to represent the 121st legislative district as our community, commonwealth and country fight to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild our economy,” Pashinski said. “I will continue working as hard as I can to defeat this virus and to move towards a more enjoyable normal, with hope and a positive future for all. Our federal and state governments must do everything we can to provide financial assistance to all who qualify due to hardships caused by the virus until enough vaccines are produced and administered to allow a safe return to business and life as usual. I pushed for this help in 2020 and I resolve to continue fighting for a better and safer future for ALL in 2021 and beyond.” Pashinski has served as the Democratic chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee since 2017. Pashinski also previously served on the Insurance, State Government, Human Services, Aging, Gaming and Commerce committees. “I look forward to keeping up the fight for the things our neighbors need, like property tax relief, jobs that pay a living wage, appropriate funding for public education, access to affordable quality healthcare and more,” Pashinski said. The Pennsylvania House Read more
HANOVER TWP., Dec. 30 – State Reps. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, and Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, have been instrumental in bringing home a $433,000 environmental grant that will be used for a Hanover Township wastewater project. The grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The project is expected to reduce sediment pollutants in Warrior Creek Stream, which is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County. “Protecting our watershed and addressing wastewater and nutrient and sediment reduction is vitally important in Luzerne County,” Mullery said. “We must continue to improve and protect our watersheds from pollution associated with abandoned mine drainage, stormwater runoff and other legacy mine impacts. This grant provides much needed funds to assist in protecting our environment.” Pashinski said every Pennsylvanian has the right to clean air, to pure water and to preserve our natural land. “Congratulations and thank you to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority for successfully working to obtain this Growing Greener funding to improve the health and quality of Warrior Creek in Hanover Township,” Pashinski said. “Together with Governor Wolf, DEP, Representative Jerry Mullery, and other state officials, we’ll continue working to ensure our local communities can safely enjoy the water and land around Read more
WILKES-BARRE, Dec. 23 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, announced today the approval of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant totaling $2.5 million to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund HUD Inc. for the Gateway Center II project in the city of Wilkes-Barre. “The approval of this funding is an important step toward the completion of the Gateway Center project helping the city of Wilkes-Barre overcome the loss of the Sterling Hotel in 2013,” Pashinski said. “This will be a huge advancement for the city of Wilkes-Barre, significantly improving our downtown’s quality of life by making our city more walkable, more shoppable, more beautiful and, indeed, more livable.” The project’s goals include: the creation of an active, lively pedestrian experience at street level; the reinforcement of key pedestrian connections along Market Street toward the Public Square office core, along River and Franklin Streets to the two college campuses and across River Street to the River Common; the incorporation of a mix of uses in order to help create an “18-hour downtown;” and an emphasis on design quality reflecting the project’s key role in the downtown cityscape. “I would like to thank Governor Tom Wolf for understanding how important this project is and approving this grant funding,” Pashinski said. “It’s also important to note that completion of this project will Read more
Americans have a long and proud history of pulling together in times of crisis, making sacrifices to make sure we all benefit. Read more
Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect?you and those around you?from serious illnesses. There is not yet an authorized or approved vaccine to prevent COVID-19, however, the COVID-19 vaccine is currently being developed and when available, will be distributed to Pennsylvanians in a phased approach. Read more
WILKES-BARRE, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, applauded today’s announcement from the Department of Community and Economic Development that downtown Wilkes-Barre has officially been designated as a Keystone Communities Main Street, allowing for funding that supports targeted investment and development to address community needs. The Diamond City Partnership will be the administering agency responsible for implementing the revitalization effort in downtown Wilkes-Barre. “The Keystone Communities Main Street designation is another big step in the revitalization and growth of downtown Wilkes-Barre,” Pashinski said. “Thank you to DCED Secretary Dennis Davin and his department for prioritizing the need for more funding and targeted investments in downtown Wilkes-Barre. I look forward to continuing to advocate for funding and programming that builds on the incredible progress we’re making here in Wilkes-Barre to make our downtown an attractive place to live, work, and enjoy life.” As a DCED-designated Keystone Communities Main Street, downtown Wilkes-Barre will be eligible for complimentary technical assistance and programmatic support from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center over the next five years and will receive priority status for various funding applications submitted to DCED. It will also be eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone tax credits for private sector development Read more
As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more
Information about how to vote on election day, November 3, what to do if you still have a mail-in ballots to hand-in, why we need to be patient waiting for results, and more! Read more
This Election Night won’t be like any we’ve experienced before in Luzerne County and Pennsylvania, but there’s no need to panic. The delay in receiving full results is due to an incredible amount of interest in voting by mail. Because of this, we should all be prepared to patiently wait for ALL votes to be accurately counted here in Luzerne County, across Pennsylvania and in the United States of America. Currently, it is expected that it will take at least until Thursday to have a solid number for Luzerne County given the logistics of counting all of the mail-in ballots, which is a time-consuming and partially manual process, requiring sorting, the opening of two envelopes, preparing the ballots for the tabulating machine, and securing all ballots after they have been tabulated. While I understand it’s nice to know who won and who lost on Election Night, it’s more important that we count every vote to ensure that the voters are heard. This year is unlike any other, but as we can see, Luzerne County has procedures in place to ensure a complete, transparent and accurate count as quickly as conditions allow. To help provide a rough estimate of how long it will take to tabulate votes, a team of interested people and I have put together a basic formula using the number of people processing ballots and the total number of mail-in ballots to be processed. This formula was developed by timing the actual manual opening and preparing of the Read more
The Luzerne County COVID-19 Grant Program for small businesses and non-profits application portal is now open! All applications must be received by 11:59pm on October 14th, 2020. More information about who qualifies as well as the application are available using the link.Please note, grants are NOT first-come-first-served. Please take your time to review ALL of the information below as well as all the information on the Application Portal. Read more
Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak reminded eligible Pennsylvanians to apply as soon as possible for up to six weeks of assistance through the federal Lost Wages Assistance Program (LWA), which provides up to $300 a week extra in additional funds to individuals that are unemployed (or partially unemployed) because of COVID-19. Read more
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