The Public Record • April 25, 2013
Page 8
Heard on the Hill / in City Hall
Union Labor… Building it right for a better and stronger community! Laborers’ District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and vicinity is comprised of four unions:
www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000
Local 332, Samuel Staten, Jr., Vincent Primavera, Jr. Business Manager/Co-Chairman L.E.C.E.T. Co-Chairman Local 135, Daniel L. Woodall, Jr., Damian Lavelle Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 413, James Harper, Jr., Fred Chiarlanza Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Local 57, Walt Higgins Harry Hopkins Business Manager L.E.C.E.T. Management Trustee Laborers District Council, Ryan N. Boyer, Business Manager. Laborers’ District Council promotes a safe work environment, jobs completed on time and on budget, and represents union members, who are well trained, productive, professional, and take pride in their work. Union labor…building better and safer communities in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.
(Cont. From Page 4) moving forward with this thorough examination to implement vital changes needed to ensure the safety of all students from kindergarten through graduate school,” Parker said. “The committee received pertinent facts from the experts in their fields, particularly from those in the military and law enforcement. The information we received today is the start of what I trust will be significant progress and protections made on behalf of the students depending on us to enact effective policies and legislation ensuring their safety.” Brownlee On School Safety Committee
State Rep. Michelle Brownlee (D-N. Phila.) has been appointed to the House Select Committee on School Safety, which is conducting a thorough study of school safety and security procedures, with the ability to call witnesses and procure documents, before issuing a report of its findings and recommendations by Sep. 30. “We know too well that schools can be host to violence on a grand scale, but they also see violence in many forms on a weekly or almost daily basis,” Brownlee said. “I’m joined in this committee by colleagues who believe violence, from bullying to gunplay, is unacceptable in any amount.” According to the Pennsylvania Office of Safe Schools, there were 60,160 total incidents of reported school violence in the 2011-12 school year. Of these incidents, 14,829 required assistance from law enforcement and 5,837 led to arrests.
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Pa. Black Caucus Accepts Scholarship Applications
The Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust 319 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 Telephone: 215-922-6139 Fax: 215-922-6109 Web: www.ldc-phila-vic.org
State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D-W. Phila.), chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, has announced the PLBC’s annual scholarship competition is open for the 2013-14 school year. “I am greatly pleased to announce the PLBC will again play a key role in removing
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many obstacles confronting minority students and their families concerning their pursuit of higher education,” Brown said. The scholarships are available for high-school seniors and first-year college students who will be enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university. Brown said the students applying for the scholarship must be an ethnic minority student, have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, reside in the legislative district of and be sponsored by a PLBC member, and demonstrate leadership qualities. A 500-word essay on the student’s academic plans and career goals must also be submitted. Only the first 250 applications submitted will be considered. The PLBC will award at least five scholarships this year, with a maximum of 10 awards. To obtain an application and more details about the program, students can visit www.pahouse.com/plbc. If they have any additional questions about the PLBC Scholarship Program, applicants can contact Brown’s office at (717) 783-3822. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, May 22. Tartaglione Blasts Pa. Employment
State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Kensington), commenting on US Dept. of Labor figures showing Pennsylvania with the sharpest rise in new unemployment claims, stated, “We need serious leadership and commitment right here at home. We continue to fall behind the rest of the country in job creation while leading in unemployment claims and the answer isn’t going to be found thousands of miles from the cities, towns and schools that need help. We have the ability, right here, to create a 21st-century economy. “The last two years have been a disaster in terms of where we stand among states in our ability to create jobs and
participate in the national recovery,” Tartaglione said. “Simple solutions, like investment in transportation infrastructure, schools and tax reform are collecting dust while administration officials and hand-picked friends are collecting souvenirs. It’s unthinkable.” Rep. Boyle Seeks Same Day Registration, Vote
State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Northeast) is seeking to increase voter participation throughout the Commonwealth by allowing same day voter registration. Boyle said his bill, HB 178, would allow a voter to register at his or her polling place on Election Day. Under the bill, the judge of elections would issue a provisional ballot that would be submitted with a same-day voter registration application. Voters would be required to present a valid form of identification, as is currently required by law. Boyle cited a recent report by the group Nonprofit VOTE, which found that in the 2012 election, states with same-day registration had voter turnout rates 12 percentage points higher than states without it. “To ensure a vibrant democracy, we need as close to full participation in our elections as possible,” Boyle said. “My bill will undoubtedly increase voter turnout by allowing people to vote at their polling place on Election Day.” Brendan Awards Cadet Scholarship Grant
State Rep. Brendan Boyle has selected Suzanne Pepe, from his district, to receive the Legislative Appointment Initiative. Enacted by HR 565, the Initiative is aimed at students who desire to become an officer in the US Army. Each Pennsylvania State Legislator can appoint one candidate per year. The winning student receives guaranteed acceptance to Valley Forge Military College in addition to a $12,000 scholarship. Through the program, Cadet Pepe will become (Cont. Page 9)