House Agenda

House Democratic Policy Committee Chair, Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) and Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) join us to talk about a package of crime victims’ rights bills, career and technical education proposals, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, the possibility of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant shutting down, and a newly released grand […]

Nuclear Power and Alternative Energy

The House Consumer Affairs Committee held its second hearing on Monday on a bill that would add nuclear power to the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act. Exelon and First Energy, owners of two of Pennsylvania’s five nuclear reactors, have said the plants at Three Mile Island and Beaver Valley will shut down unless the bill […]

PA Budget

The House is in session this week as PCN has House Majority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) and House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) on the program to discuss the latest on the Pennsylvania budget and legislation being considered by the House.  Topics of discussion included transportation budget, workforce development, higher education funding, victims rights […]

Higher Education

With many workers seeking to learn new skills, community colleges continue to prove themselves a key piece of the higher education and workforce development puzzle. To discuss their role and the affordability of college are: Elizabeth Bolden, President/CEO of the PA Commission for Community Colleges; and Elizabeth McCloud, Vice President of State Grants and Special […]

Higher Education

It’s Higher Education Advocacy Week in the capitol. With the cost of education rising at a greater rate than the rate of inflation, many students struggling to keep up with college loan payments after they graduate. To discuss higher education are House Education Committee chair Rep. Curt Sonney (R-Erie), and Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), House […]

Career and Technical Education

According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 70% of high school graduates go to college, which means many students will be entering the work force after high school. To discuss the importance of career and technical education are Kirk Williard, Director of the Career, Technical and Customized Education program at Chester County Intermediate […]

PA Fishing

Opening day for Trout Season 2019 is Saturday, March 30, for the 18 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania; and April 13 for the other 49 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. To answer questions about fishing in the commonwealth are Tim Schaeffer, Executive Director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission, and Kris Kuhn, Chief, Division of Fisheries […]

PA Budget

Pennsylvania’s budget deadline is June 30, three months away, but all of the information gathered during recent budget hearings is being analyzed before budget bills are drafted and supporting legislation is considered. A number of issues have been discussed that could affect the budget, including the minimum wage, infrastructure and transportation funding, and career training […]

Legislative Agenda

The House and Senate calendars are getting full as committees meet and report bills to the floor. To discuss legislation including a workforce development package, infrastructure funding plan, transportation funding and other legislation being considered by the General Assembly are this week’s guests: Abe Amorós, President, Amorós Communications; and Christopher Nicholas, President, Eagle Consulting Group.

Opioid Addiction and Treatment

Each day in Pennsylvania, 13 people die from drug overdoses. Pennsylvania’s drug overdose rate is twice the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This has been exacerbated by the opioid crisis and proliferation of fentanyl in illegal drugs like heroin. To discuss opioid abuse and treatment are: PA Drug and Alcohol Programs […]