The image to the left shows what Pottstown and surrounding would look like as of June 15, 2010 if it were centered on 19464.

An explosion on the BP operated Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed eleven crew members on April 20, 2010, sparking the greatest environmental disaster in United States history. In combination with the Texas City Refinery Explosion and the Prudohoe Bay Oil Spill, this marks the third serious incident involving BP in the United States in the last five years. Current estimates put the amount of oil being discharged from the broken well at above 1,050,000 US gallons per day! There are over 400 different species of animals living in the area affected by the spill. 330 sea turtles and 39 dolphins have been found dead within the spill area (NOAA). BP is operating oil skimmers and other cleanup tools to try to remove oil from the water and Louisiana is building oil containment berms to halt the spread of oil. Experts are uncertain what effect, if any, these efforts will have.

View what your town would look like here.

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Dozens of school districts across Pennsylvania will get a funding boost for a wide range of new construction projects, with attractive financing that will save hundreds of millions of dollars, Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today.

Governor Rendell said 46 school districts will receive more than $600 million in bonds made possible through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The ARRA program will save the districts – and taxpayers — an estimated $513 million in financing costs.

“These funds will help put people to work on vital construction projects, save energy costs and help improve educational programs – and the attractive financing will save the taxpayers more than half a billion in financing costs,” Governor Rendell said. “With federal help, we lowered costs and are helping our districts make these terrific improvements. It’s what the Recovery Act is all about.”

Governor Rendell said the school districts – a mix of large and small, rural and urban — will use the special financing toward projects that will reduce their energy or water consumption, construction that will enable a district to boost its kindergarten, pre-K or upgrade early childhood education, or give more students access to science, technology or engineering lab settings.

The 46 school districts have plans for 101 projects which meet those priorities; 63 projects will reduce energy or water consumption; 28 will improve early childhood education facilities and; 27 will increase access to applied learning labs.

Pennsylvania’s allocation for the Qualified School Construction Bonds was $602 million – the sixth largest allocation in the nation. Under the program, the federal government pays essentially 100 percent of the interest on the QSCB bonds, which are issued under the recovery act’s Build America Bonds program.

“We went one step further to decrease the costs,” Governor Rendell said. “For the first time in the commonwealth’s history, we’re doing one single bond issue, which means that rather than 46 school districts each paying their own bond counsel and underwriting, the Public School Building Authority will handle the function for all of them at once.  It means that each district will pay just a small portion of the one-time cost for the bond work.”

Governor Rendell was joined today by representatives of four districts receiving the funds: Lancaster, Palmyra, Donegal and York.

Below is a list, by region, of school districts eligible for QSCB funds, and the amount (in thousands):

Altoona/Johnstown Area: $14,214
Clearfield Area – $1,965
Harmony Area – $9,700
Glendale -$2,549

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area: $125,177
Scranton – $59,627
Stroudsburg Area – $17,000
Wilkes-Barre Area – $800
Williamsport Area – $32,750
Wyoming Valley West – $15,000

Greater Philadelphia:  $83,242
Downingtown Area – $28,303
Great Valley – $999
Lower Moreland Twp – $1,000
Norristown Area – $15,600
Radnor Township – $1,500
Southeast Delco – $15,750
Upper Darby – $5,090
William Penn – $15,000

Lehigh Valley: $20,666
Allentown City – $5,666
Conrad Weiser Area – $15,000

Northeast: $28,852
Carbondale Area – $15,000
East Stroudsburg Area – $1,220
Hazleton Area – $10,370
Panther Valley – $2,262

Greater Pittsburgh: $153,444
Big Beaver Falls Area – $1,638
Cornell – $476
Duquesne City – $645
East Allegheny – $15,000
Farrell Area – $810
Jeannette City – $1,715
McKeesport Area – $15,000
New Castle Area – $15,000
Peters Township – $770
Pittsburgh – $50,503
Sharon City – $15,000
South Fayette Twp – $16,887
Washington – $20,000

Northwest: $30,505
Corry Area – $2,901
Erie City – $22,078
Otto-Eldred – $5,526

Susquehanna Valley: $146,310
Donegal – $17,000
Harrisburg City – $9,194
Lancaster – $55,281
Lebanon – $15,000
Mahanoy Area – $2,235
Palmyra Area – $15,000
Purchase Line – $8,000
York City – $24,600

Statewide total: $602.4 million

For more information, visit the Department of Education online at www.pde.state.pa.us. For more information about how the commonwealth is investing federal Recovery Act funds to benefit Pennsylvania residents, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

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Regional Public Meeting

When: Thursday June 10th, 7:00-8:30 PM

Where: Montgomery County Community College, Western Campus Room: South Hall
101 College Drive
Pottstown, PA 19464

RSVP: FirstSuburbsProject@gmail.com or (267)977-9654

* High tax burdens
* Declining infrastructure
* Unbalanced housing policies
* Inadequate municipal and school services

Our older developed communities surrounding Philadelphia are facing these serious challenges.  Solutions that leverage our strengths and recognize our challenges through regional planning and proposals to revitalize our communities are necessary to regain our competitiveness.

The First Suburbs Project Western Montgomery and Northern Chester Counties Public Meeting will engage local leaders, legislators, administrators, and gubernatorial candidates on issues that are challenges for older developed communities.  We will secure support from these key decision-makers to work with us for changes in policies, funding mechanisms, and priorities. Together we can stabilize and revitalize our older developed suburbs that are at the heart of our counties and vital to the prosperity of our whole region.

Spread the word: The public meetings are designed to get our voices heard and demonstrate the power of our communities and coalition.  All organizations and community members who care about the future of our townships and boroughs should be present.

Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project – Member Institutions and Strategic Partners – 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania – Chapel of the Good Shepherd – Chester Upland Citizens for Educational Progress – Citizen Advocates Leading Many  – Drexel Hill United Methodist Church – Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Bucks County – The Garden Church – Good Schools Pennsylvania – Jenkintown Borough – Lansdowne Borough – Millbourne Borough – Nether Providence Township – Norristown Municipality – Pennsylvania Environmental Council – Pottstown Borough – Temple University Center for Sustainable Communities – Upper Darby Township – Wallingford Presbyterian Church – William Penn School District – NAACP, Willow Grove – Yeadon Borough – Yeadon Civic Association

More info: www.SEPAFSP.org

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The U.S. economy is showing signs of a turnaround, however the recession taught many Americans responsible spending habits that will stick with them years to come. Many families are implementing small everyday changes that will curb those small everyday costs that can really add up over time. Some of the best, simplest and most fun ways that your family can start saving money today include:

Kick Paid Directory Assistance to the Curb: Americans make billions of calls to paid directory assistance services every year, and some providers charge as much as $2 per call. Next time you reach for the phone to call 411, try a free alternative service such as 1-800-Justdial (1-800-587-8342). 1-800-Justdial provides live operator service 24 hours a day, delivering local listings via text or e-mail and can even connect your call free of charge. You can also get recommendations for local restaurants, plumbers, tow trucks, dentists, florists, movies, events and hundreds of other categories. Anyone in the family who can use a phone can take advantage of the cost savings.

Hit the Library: We all know you can check out books for free at the library rather than buying them, but did you know that most local libraries carry DVDs and video games as well? Most libraries even carry the latest seasons of popular television series on DVD. Plan a Saturday evening around a home-cooked meal, a free DVD from the library and board games for a low-cost and fun family night.

Go Green Around the House: Save money and do something for the planet by getting the whole family involved in easy, everyday ways to go green around the house. For example: turn off lights not in use; limit showers to 5 minutes; avoid running appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine without a full load; and use washable dishtowels for drying and cleaning rather than paper towels.

Shop Smarter: Families can save big by buying store-brand groceries, buying items online in bulk (many companies offer free shipping on large orders), planning meals around proteins that are on special and always heading to the grocery store with a set shopping list and sticking to it.

Skip the Amusement Park: Family trips to the amusement park can end up costing hundreds of dollars. Read your local newspaper and keep an eye out for fun, low-cost, family-oriented events in your neighborhood like street fairs and festivals, carnivals, free concerts, fun runs and volunteer drives.

“Once you are conscious of it, there are really simple and easy ways to save money that the whole family can support,” says V.S.S. Mani, founder and CEO of 1-800-Justdial. “There’s no need to cut out necessitates or even fun extras. Just be aware of lower cost and free alternatives to some of the everyday things you do and you’ll find that saving a little here and there can really go a long way.”

Source: 1-800-Justdial

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Small town, big city, the suburbs or the country – no matter where you live, you’re part of a local community. Without realizing it, you can have a big impact on your community by the everyday choices that you make. And a thriving local community is good for everyone who lives there.

Why You Should Go Local
Local First, a Grand Rapids, Michigan based organization that encourages sustainable, locally-based economies, states that when you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Local First estimates that for every $100 you spend with local businesses, $73 remains in the community. Only $57 remains in the local economy when you buy from a national chain store.

Most new jobs are provided by local businesses as well, and local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners. This means that your support of local businesses has a farther-reaching effect than you might realize. You’re helping people find and keep jobs, and you’re helping make it possible for charitable organizations to continue doing much-needed work.

How You Can Go Local
Start Subscribing. Get a subscription to your community newspapers and local magazines. Not only will they keep you informed about what’s happening in your community, but you’ll help support local business.

Shop Locally. There are plenty of locally owned businesses and service providers in your neighborhood. One easy way to find them is through MerchantCircle.com, a social network of about 1 million local businesses. By signing up for a free account, you can easily search out and follow nearby businesses and service providers such as jewelers, plumbers, grocers, and accountants,  to get coupons and find out about special events and offers. MerchantCircle’s “Answers” lets you get expert advice from local businesses in your area and across the country on virtually any topic for free. Car mechanics, veterinarians and professionals in every industry will quickly respond, saving you time and often money.

Get Involved. Many communities have volunteer advisory councils for local governments – everything from city planning committees to arts councils. Check out your town’s web site to find out how you can impact the development and character of your community.

Visit Local Attractions. Parks, arboretums, museums, parades, festivals, theatres – there plenty of ways to have a good time without leaving town. A staycation or weekend getaway at home is less expensive for you than heading out of town, and you get to enjoy local treasures.

Volunteer. Local schools, community centers, libraries, museums and charities often need people like you. Check the local paper, community bulletin boards and web sites such as VolunteerMatch.org to find out what you can do to make your community stronger.

Source: MerchantCircle.com

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“Only 25 days remain for businesses and individuals that owe back taxes to Pennsylvania to take advantage of the Tax Amnesty opportunity,” Governor Rendell said, noting that during the last PA Tax Amnesty 14 years ago, 74 percent of applications and payments were submitted in the final two weeks of the program.  “We know there are many, many more people who will take advantage of this opportunity, and we urge them not to wait until the last minute.

“The June 18 deadline was set by law — it will not be extended. Taxpayers should avoid the last-minute rush and apply now, because after June 18, not only does this offer disappear, but an additional 5 percent penalty is tacked on to all outstanding tax delinquencies.”

To date, the PA Tax Amnesty program received 28,394 completed, or in-process, applications disclosing $50.9 million in previously unpaid Pennsylvania back taxes.

The single largest payment to date was $1.2 million for corporate taxes.

As of this morning, traffic to the PA Tax Amnesty website, www.PATaxPayUp.com, totaled nearly 188,000 hits; and more than 50,000 calls to the PA Tax Amnesty hotline, 1-877-34-PAYUP, were answered.

The PA Tax Amnesty application is only available online at www.PATaxPayUp.com.  The website also answers commonly asked Tax Amnesty questions and provides step-by-step application instructions in English and Spanish.

To be considered for PA Tax Amnesty, online applications must be completed and submitted electronically by midnight, Friday, June 18, 2010.

Tax Amnesty payments can be made through a variety of options: by electronic funds transfer, credit or debit card, check, money order or cash. Cash is only accepted at the Harrisburg district office in the lobby of Strawberry Square. Payments for all outstanding tax liabilities must also be made electronically or postmarked by midnight, Friday June 18.

Assistance is available by calling 1-877-34-PAYUP (1-877-347-2987) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., or by visiting any of the Department of Revenue’s 17 district offices across Pennsylvania. District offices are listed in the blue pages of local telephone directories, and in-person assistance is available weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

About Tax Amnesty:
For a limited time, the PA Department of Revenue is waiving 100 percent of penalties and half the interest for anyone who applies for Tax Amnesty online at www.PATaxPayUp.com and pays eligible delinquent taxes by June 18.

The 54-day PA Tax Amnesty program, created by Act 48 of 2009, is generally available to all individuals, businesses and other entities with PA tax delinquencies as of June 30, 2009.

The Tax Amnesty period began on April 26 and is expected to net $190 million for the current fiscal year budget by June 18.

After the program ends on June 18, eligible taxpayers that do not take advantage of the PA Tax Amnesty program to settle back taxes will have a 5-percent non-participation penalty added to delinquencies and may face other enforcement actions.

For more information, visit www.PATaxPayUp.com or call 1-877-34-PAYUP (1-877-347-2987) weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Media contacts:
Stephanie Weyant, Department of Revenue; 717-787-6960
Gary Tuma, Governor’s Press Office; 717-783-1116

Editor’s Note: Following are answers to the three most frequently asked questions from www.PATaxPayUp.com.

1.) Are there restrictions on who can apply for PA Tax Amnesty?

* Unpaid taxes from periods after June 30, 2009, are not eligible for the PA Tax Amnesty program.
* Any taxpayer who is currently under criminal investigation for an alleged violation of any tax law; is named as a defendant in a criminal compliant alleging a violation of any tax law administered by the Department of Revenue prior to April 26, 2010; or will be a defendant in a pending criminal action for an alleged tax law violation is not eligible for the PA Tax Amnesty program.
* A taxpayer in bankruptcy is not eligible for PA Tax Amnesty unless permission is granted by the Bankruptcy Court.
* PA tax liabilities under appeal are not eligible for Tax Amnesty. In order for the liability to be considered for Tax Amnesty, the appeal must be withdrawn. The option to withdraw an appeal will be available within the online Tax Amnesty application.

2.) How can I find out how much I owe in back taxes so I may apply for PA Tax Amnesty?

Taxpayers who received notices from the Department of Revenue should follow the instructions provided in the notices to access tax liabilities online through the PA Tax Amnesty application. Any taxpayer who owes state back taxes but did not receive a PA Tax Amnesty notice in April may call 1-877-34-PAYUP (1-877-347-2987) for more information.

3.) What taxes and tax periods are eligible for the Tax Amnesty program?

All taxes administered by the PA Department of Revenue are eligible for the Tax Amnesty program (see below).

The Tax Amnesty program does not apply to Unemployment Compensation because it is administered by the PA Department of Labor and Industry. Also, the program does not apply to any tax administered by another state, local government or the federal government/Internal Revenue Service.

Any taxes delinquent as of June 30, 2009, and any non-filed returns due as of June 30, 2009, are eligible for Tax Amnesty.  Taxes eligible for the PA Tax Amnesty include:

Agriculture Cooperative Tax
Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Net Income Tax
Electric Cooperative Tax
Employer Withholding Tax
Fuel Use Tax (except taxes, interest and penalties collected under the International Fuel Tax Agreement)
Gross Premiums Tax
Hotel Occupancy Tax, including Local Hotel Occupancy Tax for Philadelphia and Allegheny County
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
Inheritance and Estate Tax
Interstate Bus Compact Tax
Liquid Fuels Tax
Loans Tax
Marine Underwriting Profits Tax
Malt Beverage Tax
Motor Carriers Road Tax
Motor Vehicle Carriers Gross Receipts Tax
Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax
Oil Company Franchise Tax
Parimutuel Wagering and Admissions Tax
Personal Income Tax
Public Utility Realty Tax
Realty Transfer Tax
Sales and Use Tax, including Local Sales and Use Tax for Philadelphia and Allegheny County
Surplus Lines Tax
Unauthorized Insurance Tax
Gross Receipts Tax

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Pennsylvania employers added 34,000 jobs in April, the highest monthly number since 1996, although unemployment remained at its highest rate in more than a quarter century.

Gov. Ed Rendell calls it “really good news for Pennsylvania,” although he acknowledges that the effects of the recession aren’t over. Jobs increased in April nationally and in 37 other states as well.

The state Labor and Industry Department said Friday that many of the jobs added were in professional and business services, tourism, manufacturing and the trade, transportation and utilities category.

Despite the jump in nonfarm jobs to a seasonally adjusted level of 5.6 million, the unemployment rate remained at 9 percent as more people start or resume looking for work.

That’s below the national rate of 9.9 percent.

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The Philly Fed index showed a slight rise, reaching 21.4 in May from 20.2 in April.

Readings above zero indicate more firms were growing than contracting. The index has been above zero for nine consecutive months and has risen for the past four months.

Economists had been expecting the May index to rise to a reading of 21.7.

Details of the report painted a mixed picture.

The new orders index fell by 8 points to 6.1, while the shipments index rose 10 points to 15.8. The employment index faded to 3.3, suggesting some job growth this month.

In response to special questions posed by the Philly Fed, nearly 60% of firms expected to increase production in the next six months. Of those, 30% said they would expand by hiring new workers, 25% said they would increase working hour of current employees and 8% said they would expand through greater productivity.

Read more here…

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Brian A. Hudson, Sr., PHFA’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, today announced the appointment of Scott D. Elliott as the Agency’s Manager of Communications.

Mr. Elliott brings a wealth of communications knowledge to the Agency. He has wide-ranging experience as a newspaper reporter, a television producer, a communications technology researcher, and a government press secretary. He also is a published author.

Prior to joining PHFA, he was the Director of Public Relations and Public Affairs at the Pennsylvania Builders Association, a position he has held since 2004.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Scott’s extensive know-how join our team,” said Mr. Hudson. “I believe he will be a very valuable asset in fulfilling PHFA’s mission.”
An honors graduate of Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Elliott also holds a masters degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. Scott and his wife reside in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is the Commonwealth’s leading provider of capital for affordable homes and apartments. Since its creation in 1972, it has generated more than nine billion dollars of funding for 135,000 single family mortgage loans and 83,000 rental units, while saving the homes of over 45,000 families from foreclosure.

It is governed by a 14 member Board, which includes six members appointed by the Governor, four members appointed by the House and Senate, and Secretaries of the Departments of Banking, Community and Economic Development, and Welfare.

The Secretary of Banking, by law, serves as its Chairperson.

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Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon announced that the City of Reading has recently been awarded the following grant allocations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) for FY 2010:

• Community Development Block Grant $3,360,585.00
• HOME Investment Partnerships $1,068,114.00
• Emergency Shelter Grants $135,899.00

The combined funding of $5,103,000 is up slightly from fiscal year 2009 funding levels.
These funds are in addition to the recently awarded Neighborhood Stabilization Program in
the amount of $5 million designed to target foreclosed houses within the City, and the
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) in the amount of $1.1 million.

“We will leverage these funding streams to implement new initiatives to stabilize housing and neighborhoods in targeted areas of the City,” McMahon said. “I am pleased our City is competing very favorably in securing federal funds to support our local efforts.”

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Please contact the Community Development Department with any inquires into the nature of
these programs or visit http://www.readingpa.gov/