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HEALTHCARE UPDATE Spring 2015
Building Bones
Research at TCMC may yield a way to build up the fragile, thinning bones of the aging. See page 28
APRIL 2015 VOL. 30 NO. 4
As production outpaces infrastructure, rig counts fall in Marcellus shale Seen standing from left are John Arnott, Ph.D., associate professor of cell biology at The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC); and Carmine Cerra, M.D., associate professor of pathology, TCMC. Seated is Youngjin Cho, Ph.D., assistant professor of cell biology, TCMC.
The natural gas industry undoubtedly pumped significant dollars, jobs and energy cost-savings into Pennsylvania’s economy over the past few years, a trend many hope will continue. But the industry’s natural cycles and additional proposed government taxes could thwart that hope. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget would create a five percent severance tax plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet of gas extracted — an effective rate of 7.5 percent, one of the highest in the nation. That proposal hits at a time when the industry cycles downward. According to RigData, the rig count in Pennsylvania fell by eight, to 45 rigs, the lowest since 2009.
Tom Bonomo photo
Spring Healthcare Update New
TCMC research holds promise for those suffering from osteoporosis.... ...................................................... 28
ALSO INSIDE:
Please see RIGS on page 15
In an increasingly uncertain world, preparedness pays When the manhunt for cop-killer Eric Frein was ongoing, the Wallenpaupack Area School District was closed for several days on police orders. In addition, the school’s team of school resource officers (SRO), composed of retired state troopers, conducted added security checks and campus inspections. Preparedness helped the district deal with the crisis and mitigate the costs.
would impose ‘artificial minimum’ on gas prices severely depressed by oversupply, lack of pipelines ............. ........................................................7
Harvard of Home Study Penn
Times-Tribune file photo
Foster celebrates 125 years .............. ......................................................22
By Dave Gardner
Businesses are dealing with a brave new world of security concerns. Alongside more traditional problems like fraud and natural disaster, plans must account for everything from terrorism to active shooters to cyber criminals and a host of other threats. Security experts from throughout NEPA are in
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Price floor proposal Severance tax
universal agreement that there’s common ground for organizational safety, no matter what type of threat looms. This is also true for more traditional security problems, such as theft, fires, disgruntled employees and contagious disease. Security professionals say they study business locations carefully to uncover areas of vulnerability. Then, a business should deploy processes,
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systems and material assets that can deter disaster from happening. Its also vital that staff who may cope with trouble receive training and rehearsal. Repetition and drills come in handy when a real disaster occurs, since training will kick in and overwhelm the paralyzing “fight or flight” response. Please see PREPAREDNESS on page 10
Spring Building Forecast Builders sound an optimistic note .................. ......................................................46 FIND US ONLINE AT BIZ570.COM