Transit Authorities will use funds to purchase buses, renovate facilities, maintain equipment

March 5, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $18.6 million in funds from the Recovery Act to Pennsylvania for transit improvements. 

“I am pleased to see the Recovery Act at work in Pennsylvania,” Senator Specter said. “Investing in the future of Pennsylvania’s transit systems will create jobs now and ensure that we have the infrastructure to meet the growing need for public transit service.”

“This funding will create Pennsylvania jobs and invest in our infrastructure,” said Senator Casey.  “These grants from the Recovery Act will also ease the burden on local governments, improve public transportation and help to protect our environment.”

Grants have been awarded to the following Transit Authorities in Pennsylvania:

•    $12.5 million to Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) for the renovation of Malvern Station, including construction of a new pedestrian underpass, new energy efficient lighting, expansion and improvements to the existing parking lot and other related exterior improvements.
•    $2.4 million to York County Transportation Authority for administrative and maintenance facility property acquisition.
•    $2 million to Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority to purchase four buses and bus shelters.
•    $1.7 million to Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority for preventive maintenance and security equipment.

 “The Recovery Act was put in place quickly to rescue the economy from the worst recession since the Great Depression and rebuild it for a stronger future,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “Rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure is a key part of that prescription for strength.  It creates jobs today and builds a better, more sustainable economy moving forward.”

According to the Department of Transportation, the grants are among 881 totaling $7.5 billion the Federal Transit Administration has awarded since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009.  So far, Recovery Act funds have supported the purchase of nearly 12,000 buses, vans and rail vehicles, the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the performance of more than $620 million in preventive maintenance, which has helped to save transit service and jobs, and enhance service reliability.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $9,113 to Quaill District Fireman’s Association in Pittsburgh.   

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey. “This money will provide valuable assistance to Quaill District Fireman’s Association in Pittsburgh.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $63,841 to two fire companies in central Pennsylvania. 

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey. “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of central Pennsylvania.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

Cumberland Valley Township Volunteer Fire Department in Bedford, Bedford County is receiving $25,888. McConnellsburg Volunteer Fire Company in McConnellsburg, Fulton County is receiving $37,953.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) chaired a hearing of the Joint Economic Committee on the newly released employment figures for February from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Senator Casey’s opening statement is below.

Opening Statement of
U.S. Senator Bob Casey
Joint Economic Committee
March 5, 2010

Even though the national unemployment rate remains too high at 9.7%, as does the Pennsylvania unemployment rate of 8.8%, we are moving in a better direction than we were a year ago.

In February 2009, the United States lost 726,000 jobs.  That number is significantly higher than 36,000 jobs lost last month. Similarly, 779,000 jobs were lost in January 2009 compared with 26,000 jobs lost in January of this year.

One of the reasons for the drastic decrease in the number of jobs lost is because of the Recovery Act that was passed in February of 2009. 

Nationally, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported last week that the Recovery Act added between 1 million and 2.1 million jobs by the fourth quarter of 2009, and raised economic growth by 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent over that period.  CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf said during a prior Joint Economic Committee hearing that: “The policies that were enacted in the bill are increasing GDP and employment relative to what it otherwise would be.” 

However, we are not out of the woods yet.  Congress must continue to pass legislation that will create jobs and ensure our economic revival.

Last week, the Senate passed the HIRE Act (Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment).  This act contained four major policies to spur economic growth: (1) payroll tax holiday for the hiring of new employees; (2) Build American Bonds; (3) Extension of the Highway Trust Fund; and (4) Small Businesses the ability to write-off certain expenditures. 

Currently, the Senate is debating the American Worker, State, and Business Relief Act.  Upon passage, I hope this piece of legislation will provide the following: (1) energy efficient tax credits that spur job creation and promote renewable energy; (2) tax credits for businesses that will free up cash flow and enable them to expand and hire; (3) and the extension of important safety net programs, such as Unemployment Insurance and COBRA Premium Assistance Program.

Over the next several months, I hope the Senate continues to pass policies that will create jobs in Pennsylvania and throughout the country. 

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Press Contact
Larry Smar 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $250,587 to five fire companies in southeastern Pennsylvania.   

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey.  “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

Fire Department, City, Amount
Friendship Hook & Ladder Co. #1, Inc., Boyertown, $11,400
Point Pleasant Fire Co. No. 1, Point Pleasant, $129,675
West Reading Fire Co #1, West Reading, $61,484
Modena Fire Company, Modena, $39,040
Lower Providence Community Center Ambulance, Eagleville, $8,988

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $53,704 to two fire companies in northwestern Pennsylvania.   

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey.  “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of northwestern Pennsylvania.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

The Belle Valley Fire Department, Inc. in Millcreek Township, Erie County is receiving $26,315. The fire department of Eldred Borough in Eldred, McKean County is receiving $27,389.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $355,422 to nine fire companies in northeastern Pennsylvania.   

“Firefighters work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey.  “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

Fire Department, City, Amount
Heights Fire Co. #1, Shenandoah Heights, $24,632
Columbia Hose & Steam Co. #1, Shenandoah, $54,131
Good Will Hose Co. No. 1, Frackville, $38,475
Catawissa Hose Company Number One, Catawissa, $70,452
Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Company, Danville, $25,377
Covington Independent Fire Co. Inc., Daleville, $45,672
Pleasant Mount Emergency Services, Pleasant Mount, $24,938
Picture Rocks Volunteer Fire Company, Picture Rocks, $38,097
Blakely Hose Company #2, Blakely, $33,648

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $105,037 to two fire companies in Dauphin County.   

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to provide them with the necessary tools and resources to perform their job,” said Senator Casey. “This money will provide valuable assistance to the fire departments of Dauphin County.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves. The grants are available through the Operations and Safety program area of the AFG. This is the 5th round of AFG grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

The Lower Swatara Volunteer Fire Department in Middletown is receiving $62,591. The Liberty Hose Company No. 1 in Williamstown is receiving $42,446.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 5, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded $172,822 to two fire companies in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

“Firefighters are our friends and neighbors, and they work tirelessly to ensure our safety. It is critical that we do everything in our power to keep them safe while they perform their public service,” said Senator Casey.  “This money will make southwestern Pennsylvania safer for its citizens and the brave firefighters who protect them.”

Federal funds are awarded through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program (AFG) which aims to strengthen the Nation’s first responders’ ability to protect the health and safety of the public as well the responders’ themselves.

The grants are available through the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) program area of the AFG. The FP&S Grants are intended improve measures to reduce injuries and prevent deaths from fire related hazards. This is the first round of FP&S grants for Fiscal Year 2009.

The Alternative Community Resource Program in Johnstown, Cambria County, is receiving $75,871. Western PA Firefighters Memorial Honor Guard, Inc, in North Braddock, Allegheny County, is receiving $96,951.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367

March 4, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) today applauded the Department of Education’s decision to include Pennsylvania in the second round of consideration for federal funding under the Race to the Top competitive grant program.  Under the program, Pennsylvania would be eligible for up to $400 million. 

“Pennsylvania’s across-the-board gains in student achievement and its nationally recognized data system to track student performance makes Pennsylvania uniquely equipped for this grant opportunity,” said Senator Casey.  “I am pleased the Commonwealth has cleared the first hurdle in securing this important funding.”

“I am pleased that Pennsylvania has been named as a finalist in the Race to the Top,” Specter said. “Education is one of our nation’s greatest capital assets, and Pennsylvania is a competitive candidate to receive these federal resources to help prepare our children for success in college, the workplace and beyond.”

Race to the Top is the Department of Education’s $4.35 billion effort to dramatically re-shape America's educational system to better engage and prepare students for success in a competitive 21st century economy and workplace.

States competing for Race to the Top funds were asked to document past education reform successes, as well as outline plans to: extend reforms using college and career-ready standards and assessments; build a workforce of highly effective educators; create educational data systems to support student achievement and turn around their lowest-performing schools.

Pennsylvania is one of 16 finalists chosen from among the 40 states and the District of Columbia that submitted applications for Phase 1. Winners for Phase 1 will be chosen from among the 16 finalists and announced in April. Applications for Phase 2 will be due on June 1 of this year, with finalists announced in August and winners in September. The only states prohibited from applying in Phase 2 are those that receive awards in Phase 1.

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Press Contact
Stephanie Zarecky 202-228-6367