Politics

Ellwood City Borough Council to Meet Monday

Ellwood City Borough Council will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the building. The following is the meeting agenda: 4:30pm – EXECUTIVE SESSION (Police Contract Negotiations) 5:45pm – 2019 Audit presentation (Mark Turnley, CPA) AGENDA/MOTION SHEET I. OPENING EXERCISES: A) Call to Order B) Roll Call C) Invocation – Norina Owens, Women of Faith International D) Pledge of Allegiance E) Visitors F) Communications II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Regular Meeting 6/17/20 A motion would be in order to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held 6/17/20, as submitted. III. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:…


Grant Announced To Turn Stonecrest Golf Course Into Business Park

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced this week the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded a $2 million Business in Our Sites grant and a $3 million Business in Our Sites loan for the development of what will become the former Stonecrest Golf Course into the Stonecrest Business Park located in New Beaver Borough. The Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation (LCEDC), in cooperation with Stonecrest Business Park (SBP), plans to develop the former golf course into the Stonecrest Business Park. The site consisting of 213 acres, 110 acres of which is developable, is accessible to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and…


Applications Now Accepted for Beginning Farmer Tax Credits

Applications are now being accepted for a tax credit program intended to support Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry by helping new farmers get established, according to Senator Elder Vogel, who authored the legislation that created the initiative. The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program created by Senator Vogel’s measure, Senate Bill 478 (Act 65 of 2019), provides an incentive to landowners who lease or sell their land, buildings and equipment to beginning farmers. Landowners will receive a one-time personal income tax credit for the sale or a multi-year lease of property. The legislation requires all leases be enforced through written agreements and that…


Senate Committee Approves Bernstine’s Legislation to Provide More Transparency to Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) commended Senate State Government Committee Chairman John DiSanto (R-Dauphin/Perry) and members of the committee for passing his legislation that would amend the Sunshine Act to require a public agency to post public meeting agendas no later than 24 hours prior to the start of a meeting. “This bill is a commonsense and critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to increasing transparency and ensuring government officials think twice about letting important business fly under the taxpayers’ radar,” said Bernstine. “In today’s fast-paced world, it is important that we give our constituents the tools…


Wolf Administration: CARES Act Funding for Small Businesses Made Available June 30

Governor Tom Wolf announced that beginning tomorrow small businesses across Pennsylvania can apply for grants to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown order. “In unprecedented times, like those we are currently facing, collaboration is imperative to getting help to those who need it most, as quickly and effectively as possible,” said Gov. Wolf. “This joint effort between my administration, the legislature, and The Pennsylvania CDFI Network will provide critical assistance to Pennsylvania’s small businesses, putting them on better financial footing as they begin to reopen.” The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program, announced…


Ready To Vote PA: Toolkit for Businesses Can Increase Election Participation, Keep Pennsylvanias Safe

PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2020) — This year was already destined to bring forth significant changes in how elections in Pennsylvania were conducted. With the introduction of no-excuse vote-by-mail and new, modern voting equipment, voters across the commonwealth faced a learning curve. The coronavirus pandemic has complicated election plans and put a premium on protecting the health of voters and poll workers. While the postponed Pennsylvania primary election was mostly smooth, there are still several reforms that lawmakers should consider that will ensure no Pennsylvania worker has to sacrifice their ability to earn a paycheck or their health to exercise their…


Bernstine Applauds Senate Committee Approval of Markie’s Law Bill

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) applauded Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne/Pike/Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) and members of the committee for unanimously passing his legislation that would preclude the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole from paroling an inmate at the expiration of his or her minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice while incarcerated. Bernstine’s legislation, House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old from Lawrence County, who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence…


BLM Supporter Demands Borough Officials Break the Silence

A Black Lives Matter supporter and Ellwood City resident attended Monday’s Borough Council meeting to demand action in support of the movement. “I need action,” said Mary Maine. “I need this town to step up.” She said she is disappointed that the town’s leadership did not attend the protests and said they have failed to recognize the movement. She said she wants borough officials to break the silence. She also expressed the same disappointment in the local media who she said failed to cover the protests that were held downtown. “To be silent is to be complacent,” she said. Maine…


Gov. Wolf Announces $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

Governor Tom Wolf announced a $225 million statewide grant program to support small businesses that were impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis and subsequent business closure order. “As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and shift our focus toward reopening our commonwealth, we need to help all Pennsylvanians recover. We need to provide assistance for those who were hurt by the pandemic and the resulting economic downturn,” Gov. Wolf said. “This new program will provide direct support to impacted businesses to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and the transition to reopening.” The funding was developed in partnership…


Senate Approves Budget/Comprehensive COVID-19 Funding Package

Facing an uncertain economic future and working to address the devastating impact of COVID-19, the Senate today (May 28) set a course for recovery by approving a $25.8 billion interim budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21 as well as a plan to direct $2.6 billion in federal CARES funding to organizations that were most severely impacted by the virus, including $40 million to help farmers and address food insecurity issues, according to Senator Elder Vogel, (R-47). The measures now go to the Governor for enactment into law. House Bill 2387is an interim spending plan that provides five months of funding for…