Monday, April 29, 2013

Pitt-Bradford graduates headed to flight school, grad school, work

Bradford, PA – Two of the students graduating Sunday from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will be flying high after commencement.

Tiara O. Brown of Bradford and Shane Mann, an accounting major from Smithburg, Md., will both head to the U.S. Army’s flight school at Fort Rucker, Ala., following their commissioning as second lieutenants Saturday morning and graduation from Pitt-Bradford the following afternoon.

Brown is the first Pitt-Bradford student to be the top cadet in St. Bonaventure University’s ROTC program, which trains students from both schools to become officers in the Army, National Guard or Army Reserve.

Brown said that after 13 months of flight school, she hopes to fly Chinook helicopters. “They are the workhorse of the Army,” she said.

This student with two majors (sport and recreation management and business management) and a minor in athletic coaching says her ultimate goal is to become the Commanding General of Army Training and Doctrine.

 ‘I will be able to use all that I’ve learned here at Pitt-Bradford to advance my military career,” she said, adding that when she retires, she plans to either coach track and field or be involved with leadership training.

Not every student has planned his or her life out all the way through retirement, but some of those attending graduate school plan on having quite a few more years of education.

David Ware, an applied mathematics major from Bradford, will begin work on his Master of Science in applied mathematics at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology.

Bethany Lyons, a sports medicine major from St. Marys, will attend East Stroudsburg University to obtain a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology, which she plans to use to become an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation.

Alyssa Lapp, a psychology and pre-occupational therapy major from Port Allegany, will attend the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Occupational Therapy program beginning in June. She hopes to return home to the area to become an occupational therapist.

Jennifer Anderson, an athletic training major from Port Allegany, will attend Ithaca (N.Y.) College this fall to work on her Master in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in sport psychology. She also qualified for a graduate assistantship program as a certified athletic trainer.

Megan Truman, a December graduate in sports medicine, is working on her Master of Science in health, activity and chronic disease at the University of Pittsburgh.

Wray Woelfel, a biology major from Kersey, was accepted into the optometry program at Salus University in Elkins Park. Jay Carmany, a pre-pharmacy major from Reedsville, will also be attending Salus, where he will study in the pharmacy program.

Kayla Branch, a human relations major from Olean, N.Y., will attend the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs to work on her master’s degree.

While he won’t be graduating from Pitt-Bradford Sunday, Nick Davies, a biology major from Pittsfield, has a good reason. He was accepted into the Lake Erie College of Medicine’s accelerated 3+4 pre-med program and will begin medical school in July after three years as an undergraduate.

Molly Butler, a psychology major from Ashville, N.Y., has been accepted into the master’s program at Alfred (N.Y.) University, where she will pursue a degree in school psychology with the aim of becoming a certified school psychologist.

Kateri Hall, a writing major from Titusville, will enter the University of Southern Maine’s creative writing Master of Fine Arts program.

Elizabeth Tillman, a human relations major from Appleton, N.Y., will begin working on her doctorate in political science at the University of Buffalo, where she’s earned a full scholarship and a graduate assistantship.

Olivia Fernandes, an athletic training major from Erie, will begin working her master’s degree for applied physiology and kinesiology with a concentration in athletic training at the University of Florida. She has also secured a graduate assistant position with the university’s club sports and intramural teams.

Ridge Foster, a computer information systems and technology major from Mars, has been accepted into the Robert H. Smith School of Business Master of Information Systems program at the University of Maryland.

James Chadwick, a history-political science major from Pittsburgh, will begin the history graduate program at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.

After a summer working as an intern for Truck-Lite Co. in Wellsboro, Paige Bitler, an engineering major, will transfer to the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanston School of Engineering, where she will not only study but also work for BMW’s Greenville plant in South Carolina as part of an engineering cooperative program.

Michael Eiswerth, a chemical engineering major from Williamsport, is also headed to the Swanson School next fall. During the summer, he will intern with Lonza Inc. chemical company in Williamsport. Lonza makes products that go into foods, cleaning agents and specialty products, and Eiswerth will have the chance to work on a few specific projects that chemical engineers do.

Some local students will head straight into the world of work. Dan Comes, a computer information systems and technology major from Cyclone, has been offered a position in information technology support at Domtar Corp. in Johnsonburg.

Steve Trumbull, a computer information systems and technology major from Bradford who graduated in December, was hired by NexGen as a Junior Java Developer.

Cynthia Glatt, a radiological sciences major from St. Marys, will be working at Elk Regional Health Center.

Kyle Schulze, a December graduate in radiological sciences from Olean, N.Y., is working as an x-ray technician at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Sarah Schultz, a December graduate in radiological sciences from Mount Morris, works at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport.

Pamela Terrette, an accounting and business management major from Port Allegany, will be an accountant at Pitt-Corning.

Wes Milliron, a computer information systems and technology major from Julian, has accepted a job as a systems administrator for Nexstara in Mars.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Pitt-Bradford receives workforce investment board grant for students to attend STEM camps



Bradford, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will be able to offer a limited number of full scholarships for qualifying North Central Pennsylvania children to attend either X-treme Science Camp or its Crime Solving 101 Summer Enrichment Class.

The scholarships are made possible by a $3,171 grant from the North Central Workforce Investment Board Youth Council to promote learning about science, technology, engineering and math by students between the ages of 5 and 18.

Children who are eligible live in low-income households, including those households with an income below 235 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Level, which comes to an annual income of $55,343 for a family of four.

Other considerations are whether a student has dropped out or is at risk of dropping out of school, is in foster care, is homeless, is the child of incarcerated parents or has a disability.

Crime Solving 101 is for youths 13-18 and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 17-20. Students will use hands-on methods and strategies to conduct a criminal investigation. Concepts introduced will include understanding the criminal justice system, probable cause and case law; obtaining and writing search and arrest warrants; learning interviewing skills; taking forensic photographs and more. Classes will take advantage of Pitt-Bradford’s Crime Scene Investigation House and will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain insight into what it’s like to be a real detective under the guidance of an expert in the field of policing and criminal investigations.

X-treme Science Camp is for children who have finished first through sixth grade and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon June 24-27 on Pitt-Bradford’s campus. Children will participate in hands-on labs and activities dealing with different areas of science. Campers will learn about plants, birds, stream life, water quality, chemistry, physical science and more.

Scholarship applications and registration forms are available from the Pitt-Bradford Division of Continuing Education and Regional Development on the second floor of the Seneca Building. For more information, call (814)362-5078 or email contined@pitt.edu.

House Approves Bills to Change Terms of Game, Fish-Boat Commissioners, Causer Says

HARRISBURG – Working to enhance accountability to the Commonwealth’s hunting, fishing and boating enthusiasts, the state House today approved legislation to shorten the terms of service for board members of the state’s two wildlife commissions, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

Watch Rep. Causer’s comments on the legislation:

House Bill 828, sponsored by Causer, and House Bill 798, sponsored by Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), would reduce the length of the terms of service for board members of the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission from eight years to four years. The bills also would allow commissioners to serve multiple terms with appointment by the governor and consent by a majority of the Senate.

“There is growing concern among lawmakers and the public about the actions of these commissions and their impact on the long-standing traditions of this Commonwealth,” Causer said. “The changes put forth in these bills will help improve accountability and provide flexibility to the governor and lawmakers by allowing commissioners to be appointed to multiple, consecutive terms of office.”

Under current law, the term of office for commissioners of both agencies is eight years. A commissioner may serve up to an additional six months when a replacement has not been appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. A member who fills a vacancy of less than four years is eligible for reappointment to a full term. A member who serves a full eight-year term, or fills a vacancy for more than four years, is not eligible for reappointment for a period of eight years. House Bills 798 and 828 remove these specific limitations on service, allowing for multiple four-year terms of continuous service. Vacancies may still be filled for partial terms.

The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.

Eliminating the Delaware Loophole, Righting a Wrong for County Government Efficiencies on House Agenda Next Week

Improving the Commonwealth Jobs Climate

The fact is, the House Republican Caucus has been continuously focused on private sector job creation; they know it’s the best social program out there.

While Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in March, it is currently above the U.S. rate of 7.6 percent, obviously too high. The top priority of the House Republican Caucus is to make improvements to the Commonwealth’s jobs climate and lower the cost of doing business in the state. While progress has been made, the state continues to have one of the highest costs of doing business in the country when combining state and local taxes, fees, regulatory requirements and health care.

Encouraging private sector job creation will lead to higher employment and economic growth, making Pennsylvania a place where employers will bring family-sustaining jobs, and where people can build careers.

The House will consider legislation to reform the state’s antiquated business tax structure to bring more equity and fairness to all job creators in Pennsylvania. House Bill 440 (Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana) would eliminate the so-called Delaware Loophole and implement other necessary reforms to the state’s business tax structure.

By working together, the House Republicans, Senate and Gov. Tom Corbett are moving to change the state’s reputation and throw open Pennsylvania’s doors to job creation and retention. 

Righting a wrong, allowing counties to decide

The House will take up legislation (House Bill 108, Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster County) once again giving county commissioners, by majority vote, the option of abolishing the position of jury commissioner. The option was authorized in Act 108 of 2011, and since then, 42 counties have passed resolutions to abolish the office effective at the end of the current jury commissioners’ terms of office on Dec. 31, 2013. However, last month the Pennsylvania Supreme Court determined this section of Act 108, a bill dealing with county reforms and duties of county commissioners, violated the single subject rule of Article III, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Members of the House, as well as the state County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, obviously believed Act 108 was enacted within the bounds of the Constitution, precedent and subsequent rulings.

The jury commissioner position was originally created more than a century ago to help prepare lists of prospective jurors for criminal and civil trials. Many counties have two jury commissioners, a Republican and a Democrat. Computers now compile these lists much more quickly using the state's driver license database, which has prompted court officials and county commissioners across Pennsylvania to call for the elimination of the post.

The Weekly Schedule

Identified by bill number, the sponsors and summaries for bills scheduled to be considered in committee or on the House floor are posted below.  More information regarding these bills can be found at PAHouseGOP.com by clicking on the “Research Bills” tab.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings
URBAN AFFAIRS, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • HB 388 (Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia): Provides the City of Philadelphia with additional authority to collect delinquent property taxes.
  • HB 390 (Rep. Michael O’Brien, D-Philadelphia): Affords the City of Philadelphia the authority to use age and financial need when considering property tax relief for long-term owner-occupants.
  • HB 391 (Rep. Michael McGeehan, D-Philadelphia): Gives the City of Philadelphia the ability to provide eligible homeowners with the option to make property tax payments in periodic installments.
FINANCE, 11 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • HB 440 (Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana): Closes the so-called “Delaware Loophole; provides a schedule to remove the cap on net operating loss deductions; and provides a schedule for decreasing the corporate net income tax rate from 9.99 percent to 6.99 percent over a period of six years beginning in the taxable year 2014.
HEALTH, 11 a.m., Room 140 Main Capitol
  • HB 1190 (Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster): Grants “deemed status” licensure to hospitals accredited by an approved national accredited organization
  • SB 5 (Sen. Edwin Erickson, R-Chester/Delaware): Establishes a program in the Department of Health to provide grants to community-based health care clinics which provide “medical homes” for the uninsured.
TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, Call of Chair, Room B-31, Main Capitol
  • HB 544 (Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams/Franklin): Amends the state’s recreational use of land liability law in order to expand its protections for landowners and ensure that legal fees are covered for property owners who are found not liable for injuries to recreational users.

Session
On Monday, the House will convene at 1 p.m. for legislative business. The members will vote the uncontested calendar and Rule 35 resolutions.

Votes on Second Consideration
  • House Bill 303 (Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks County): Creates a revolving loan program available to large mass transit agencies to support the transition to natural gas buses.
  • HB 307 (Rep. Eli Evankovich, R-Westmoreland County): Repeals the California Air Resources Board (CARB) section 2030 to eliminate costly duplication of EPA and CARB certifications for natural gas vehicles.
  • HB 468 (Rep. Jim Cox, R-Berks): Amends the eligibility requirements associated with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to allow a family member to apply for a rebate on behalf of an individual who passes away prior to the end of a given tax year.
  • HB 798 (Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon): Reduces the length of terms of service for members of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Board of Commissioners from eight years to four years while allowing for multiple terms of continued service.
  • HB 807 (Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery): Allows volunteer fire companies which share a relief association to send a delegate from each fire company to a convention or meeting and be reimbursed with relief funds.
  • HB 828 (Rep. Martin Causer, R-Cameron/McKean/Potter): Reduces the length of terms of service for members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners from eight years to four years while allowing for multiple terms of continued service.
  • HB 891 (Rep. Mike Peifer, R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne): Allows properly permitted Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators to check traps remotely by electronic means.
  • HB 1124 (Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe): Makes the Pennsylvania Mortgage Licensing Act consistent with recently adopted federal Housing and Urban Development regulations under the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (S.A.F.E. Act) by clarifying licensing provisions and requirements.

Votes on Third Consideration
  • HB 663 (Rep. Brian Ellis, R-Butler): Includes the trafficking for commercial sex purposes in the offense of human trafficking; establishes the trafficking of a minor as a felony of the first degree; establishes a parent selling or transferring custody of a minor for commercial sex purposes as a second-degree felony; and establishes a civil cause of action for coercion into prostitution.
  • HB 818 (Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-Armstrong/Clarion): Prohibits health insurance carriers that participate in an Affordable Care Act exchange from offering coverage for elective abortions within the exchanges. Exceptions are made for the life of the mother, rape or incest.
  • HB 1000 (Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery): Amends the Crimes Code provision relating to the grading of retail theft to establish that, where the value of the merchandise exceeds $1,000, the violation will be graded as a felony of the third degree.
  • HB 1029 (Rep. Joseph Hackett, R-Delaware): Establishes an updated schedule of rates that river pilots may charge for guiding ships up and down the Delaware River and Bay.
  • SB 302 (Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne/Monroe/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming): Requires county veterans affairs directors to obtain certification/accreditation.


Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings
FINANCE, 8:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • Public hearing on Innovate Pennsylvania, a program to provide funding for investments in Pennsylvania’s high-tech industries through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9:15 a.m., Room 140, Main Capitol
  • Public hearing on HB 1047 and whether Chapter 14 should be reauthorized.
    • HB 1047 (Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery): Makes permanent a change to the state’s public utility laws that has allowed utilities to reduce their collectable accounts and reduce the impact of uncollectable account on timely paying customers.
AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
  • Informational meeting with presentation on the impact of the “Hold Harmless” provision on aging funding.
    • HB 149 (Rep. Scott Petri, R-Bucks): Removes the hold harmless clause on the statutory funding formula for area agencies on aging.
JUDICIARY, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • HB 474 (Rep. Tom Killion, R-Chester/Delaware): Amends the Crimes Code relating to aggravated assault to include protections for private residential rehabilitative institution employees, teachers or staff.
  • HB 1217 (Rep. Jerry Stern, R-Blair): Clarifies the listing of banned substances in the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
  • HR 226 (Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks): Calls upon the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of the mental health system in Pennsylvania, especially in the area of treatment of criminal defendants with mental illness.
Session
On Tuesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Second Consideration
  • HB 304 (Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver): Requires certain large mass transit agencies to purchase buses that meet certain criteria within a specific implementation schedule.
  • HB 987 (Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming): Bridge designation: George E. Logue Sr. Memorial Bridge.
  • HB 992 (Rep. Warren Kampf, R-Chester/Montgomery): Makes updates relating to filings with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations (previously called the Corporation Bureau) by allowing corporate filings to be done online, making available an expedited filing system, establishing the name change for the bureau and clarifying the nature of certain fees.
  • HB 1128 (Rep. Chris Ross, R-Chester): Modernizes the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act and the Goods and Services Installment Sales Act.
  • SB 623 (Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre/Juniata/Mifflin/Perry/Union): Allows for expansion of Mentored Hunting Programs by regulation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to age groups beyond that of the current Mentored Youth Hunting Program.
  • SB 808 (Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-Lancaster/York): Permits county commissioners to abolish the office of jury commissioner.

Votes on Third Consideration
  • HB 303 (Watson)
  • HB 307 (Evankovich)
  • HB 468 (Cox)
  • HB 798 (Heffley)
  • HB 807 (Harper)
  • HB 828 (Causer)
  • HB 891 (Peifer)
  • HB 1124 (Scavello)


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9 a.m., Room 60, East Wing
  • Public hearing on HB 939 (Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery): Amends Chapter 14 of Title 66 to add wastewater utilities to the types of utilities required to comply with the provisions of the chapter for public utilities.
EDUCATION, 9 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building
  • HB 1031 (Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver): Creates the Pennsylvania Community College Affordability Task Force within the Department of Education.
  • HB 1123 (Rep. Gordon Denlinger, R-Lancaster): Amends the Private Academic Schools Act to permit the licensure of online schools.
  • HB 1164 (Rep. Tom Murt, R-Montgomery/Philadelphia): Requires colleges, universities and institutions of higher learning in Pennsylvania to provide current military service personnel and honorably discharged veterans with priority registration.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, 9 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • HB 1171 (Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland): Repeals the Alternative Energy Production Tax Credit.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, 10 a.m., Room 39, East Wing
  • Final Regulation 16A-677
  • Final Regulation 16A-678
  • Final Regulation 16A-5423
  • Proposed Regulation 16A-649
  • Proposed Regulation 16A-6920
STATE GOVERNMENT, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building
  • HB 61 (Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre/Mifflin): Amends the Right to Know Law to apply the access requirements currently imposed on state-owned universities to state-related institutions.
  • HR 250 (Rep. Carl Metzgar, R-Bedford/Somerset): Urges the Secretary of the Navy to commission the USS Somerset in the Port of Philadelphia.
  • Informational meeting on:
    • HB 211 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-York): Within the Regulatory Review Act, requires each agency to review existing regulations every five years (excluding regulations adopted within the past three years) and provide recommended changes to regulations in compliance with new criteria.
    • HB 549 (Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe): Within the Regulatory Review Act, permits requests for review of an existing regulation which has been in effect for two years rather than three years.
    • HB 868 (Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams/Franklin): Within the Regulatory Review Act, prohibits an agency from promulgating a proposed regulation if a standing committee disapproves a regulation.
Session
On Wednesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Third Consideration
  • HB 304 (Marshall)
  • HB 992 (Kampf)
  • HB 1128 (Ross)
  • SB 623 (Corman)
  • SB 808 (Smucker)

Friday, April 19, 2013

Public Hearing on Deer Management Set for Thursday

Members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee will be in Coudersport on Thursday, April 25, for a public hearing about Pennsylvania’s deer management policies.

This is a good opportunity to hear firsthand from the Pennsylvania Game Commission about the details of the program and its impact. Other organizations scheduled to appear before the committee include the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, 171 Route 6 West. It begins at 6 p.m.