Gov. Josh Shapiro this week announced that 77 municipalities across the Commonwealth will receive over $35.5 million to support traffic signal upgrades, increasing safety, and mobility across Pennsylvania’s communities through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT’s) “Green Light-Go” program.
“Thanks to these grants, drivers and pedestrians are now safer, and Pennsylvanians can get where they need to go quicker and more efficiently,” Shapiro said. “I’m proud that the Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Mike Carroll, will continue to help our communities improve mobility for Pennsylvanians as we continue to deliver real results across the Commonwealth.”
Two projects will be funded in Luzerne County:
Laflin Borough — $62,800 for updated signal equipment at Route 315 and Laflin Road (SR 2026).
City Of Pittston — $78,400 for updated signal equipment at five intersections in the city.
State Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township, welcomed the two state grants, totaling $141,200, that were awarded to improve traffic safety in Laflin and Pittston.
“These grants will help people get where they are going safer and more efficiently,” Haddock said. “I would like to thank PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll and Gov. Josh Shapiro for approving this important funding for our area.”
Luzerne County municipalities receiving grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Green Light-Go program are:
The Luzerne County projects are part of 77 grants awarded.
Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Grant funding through the Green Light-Go program may be utilized for a range of operational improvements including, but not limited to, light-emitting diode technology installation, traffic signal retiming, developing special event plans and monitoring traffic signals, as well as upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies.
Meuser co-sponsors legislation to ‘decrease
bureaucracy,’ ease costs in healthcare system
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, recently co-sponsored legislation to decrease bureaucracy in the healthcare system and make it easier for Americans to afford increasing healthcare costs.
The Personalized Care Act would allow for Americans to have more control of their healthcare, reduce medical bureaucracy, and expand access to affordable healthcare options by increasing Americans’ ability to take advantage of Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA’s).
“Americans have some of the highest healthcare costs in the world,” Meuser said. “U.S. healthcare costs have increased from 5% of GDP in 1960 to 18% in 2021, totaling $4.3 trillion a year. Solutions for these increasing costs should focus on empowering Americans to take control of their healthcare while reducing federal bureaucracy in the healthcare space.”
Meuser said the Personalized Care Act does so by increasing Americans ability to take advantage of Healthcare Savings Accounts, which allows Americans to contribute pre-tax dollars to a dedicated savings account to be used for healthcare expenses. The legislation also increases maximum contributions to HSA’s and expands qualified expenses, enabling Americans to have greater access to affordable healthcare.
Meuser said Healthcare Savings Accounts are a tax-advantaged savings accounts that let people with high-deductible health plans set aside pretax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. With HSA’s, Americans contribute pretax dollars to their accounts, which can grow tax-free with continued contributions. Disbursements from HSA’s for use on eligible healthcare expenses, are also tax-free. On top of defraying the cost of healthcare, HSA contributions also offer the benefit of reducing eligible taxable income.
The Personalized Care Act expands access to HSA’s beyond Americans with high-deductible health insurance plans to include Americans on Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, direct medical care, healthcare sharing ministries, short-term limited-duration plans, and medical indemnity plans.
The bill also increases HSA contribution limits from $3,550 to $10,800 for individuals and from $7,100 to $29,500 for families allowing Americans to contribute more tax-free dollars to their healthcare costs.
Lastly, the legislation expands allowable HSA withdrawals to include direct medical care fees, healthcare sharing ministry fees, and insurance premiums.
“Healthcare costs have continued to skyrocket for Americans, and Democrat policies like Obamacare have led to consolidation in the marketplace and even higher costs,” Meuser said. “This legislation will give Americans options to contribute tax-free dollars to their healthcare expenses, saving them money and increasing their access to more affordable healthcare options.”
Listening sessions to gather feedback
on Pa.’s Master Plan for Older Adults
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging this week announced the Commonwealth’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are hosting in-person listening sessions in all 67 counties to gather input on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults.
The Master Plan is a 10-year, state-led and stakeholder-driven strategic plan designed to help transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for older Pennsylvanians. The plan will also reflect the needs and preferences of this population to live where they choose and access the supports they need to thrive and age in place.
During these listening sessions, the AAAs will present an overview of the plan with a concentration on AARP’s 8 Domains of Livability for Age-Friendly Communities. These domains assess the characteristics of a community or state that make it more acceptable for the older adult population, with benefits for all residents. The availability and quality of the domains are known to improve quality of life for older adults in all communities.
“These listening sessions are meeting people where they are in convenient community locations that should be familiar to older adults and the public,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “The sessions will provide an opportunity to dissect AARP’s 8 Domains and what attendees feel should be incorporated into the plan.”
Kavulich said the Master Plan will be crafted by Pennsylvanians, for Pennsylvanians.
“We want to create a plan that the Department, its stakeholders, older adults, all Pennsylvanians can stand by,” Kavulich said. “I encourage anyone if they plan on aging in our Commonwealth to invest in their future by attending at least one of the listening sessions.”
Rebecca May-Cole, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, added, “We are all aging. The 52 Area Agencies on Aging are hosting these listening sessions on Pennsylvania’s Master Plan for Older Adults to ensure all Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to use our collective ingenuity to improve older people’s lives. Providing these forums in communities across Pennsylvania offers a unique chance to create a Commonwealth where older Pennsylvanians can fully participate in and contribute to our communities now and in the future.”
Individuals who would like to submit input on the plan anytime can either email AgingPlan@pa.gov, provide feedback through an online form or send mail to:
Pennsylvania Department of Aging
c/o Master Plan
555 Walnut St., 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Pa. veterans featured to promote
job opportunities for veterans
Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) Secretary Reggie McNeil, a Navy veteran, and two veterans who work at the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), were featured on Military Makeover with Montel Williams, which airs on Lifetime.
The segment, “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Continuing Your Passion for People and Public Service,” showcases opportunities for veterans who want to continue their career in public service by working for the Commonwealth.
Veterans applying for jobs in Pennsylvania not only receive veterans’ preference, in some situations, employees may be able to purchase and apply their military service towards their retirement. The Commonwealth also has a recognition program specifically designed to highlight veterans in our workforce.
“About 14,000 Pennsylvania veterans currently serve as state employees,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “Veterans possess the leadership skills and discipline that the Commonwealth seeks in its workforce. If you are a veteran seeking a new career, the Commonwealth has a job waiting for you. Not only do we offer competitive wages and benefits, but also a great work environment.”
Many times, translating military work experience into civilian terms, licensing requirements, and disabilities incurred while in service play a factor in a veteran finding gainful employment.
The Shapiro Administration recently announced the launch of “Welcome Home PA,” an online resource to help service members separating or retiring from active duty acclimate to a successful civilian life in Pennsylvania.