June 22 – WILKES-BARRE – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week invited the public to comment on the draft 2025 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
The program consists of projects across the state that support the Shapiro Administration’s vision for a safe and reliable transportation network that connects Pennsylvanians to opportunities and services.
The comment period will remain open until July 3, 2024.
STIP’s 2025 draft consists of a list of prioritized projects and project phases identified for federal, state, local and private funding over four years for capital improvements and includes 23 regional Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), the independent Wayne County TIP, and two statewide programs, the Interstate Management Program and the Statewide Initiatives TIPs.
“Infrastructure that serves everyone requires input from everyone,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Planning the future of transportation infrastructure is a complex process and I encourage everyone to submit their comments and participate in this process.”
The concept, including an infographic providing an overview of the STIP process, can be viewed at https://talkpatransportation.com/how-it-works/stip.
Comments may be submitted by completing the online comment form at TalkPATransportation.com, or by emailing a fillable form to RA-PennDOTSTC@pa.gov.
The public can also call PennDOT to share their comments at 717-783-2262. If you have other questions or challenges, please contact PennDOT’s Bureau of Equal Opportunity to request assistance by emailing beodot@pa.gov or calling 717-787-5891; TTY (711).
The STIP is the first four years of the 12-Year Program (TYP), Pennsylvania’s mid-market planning tool. The TYP lists planned projects and associated financing for the next twelve years.
State law requires PennDOT to prepare an update to Pennsylvania’s TYP every two years and submit it to the State Transportation Commission (STC) for approval. The draft STIP 2025 will be adopted as part of the TYP update 2025 by the STC during the STC business meeting on August 14, 2024.
After the 2025 TYP is adopted, PennDOT will submit the 2025 STIP draft to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a 45-day federal review period.
Information about the state’s infrastructure and the results the department delivers for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at https://www.projects.penndot.gov.
Subscribe to local PennDOT news or statewide PennDOT news on the department’s website.
Representatives Kaufer and Kinkead will discuss bipartisan legalization of adult-use cannabis on Monday
Reps. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, and Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, will be joined by other lawmakers and stakeholders Monday at a Capitol press conference to discuss the first comprehensive, bipartisan adult-use cannabis bill to be advanced in the House of Representatives introduced. of representatives.
Their proposal would prioritize public safety, consumer protection, social justice and criminal justice reform.
Sens. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia will join Kaufer and Kinkead; Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition; Northumberland County District Attorney Michael O’Donnell; and others.
The press conference will take place on Monday at 10:30 am
,
24th of June,
at the Capitol Media Center, State Capitol Complex, Harrisburg.
Earlier this week, Kaufer and Kinkead announced their intention to introduce the first comprehensive, bipartisan adult-use cannabis legalization bill in the House of Representatives, prioritizing public safety, consumer protection, social justice and health care reform criminal law.
Kaufer said Monday that a bill he is introducing underscores a commitment to responsible regulation of the cannabis industry while addressing the diverse needs of Pennsylvania communities.
“By prioritizing public safety and consumer protection, this legislation will build on the successful regulatory structure of the state’s medical cannabis program, continuing strict standards for product quality, packaging and labeling to ensure the well-being of all consumers,” Kaufer said .
The two lawmakers said that by leveraging Pennsylvania’s robust medical cannabis program and agricultural infrastructure, the proposed legislation aims to promote employment and generate significant tax revenue for the Commonwealth, while helping to eradicate the illicit market that plagues many communities.
“It is past time for the Commonwealth to legalize cannabis for recreational use, address the injustices of the failed War on Drugs, and ensure that Pennsylvanians can benefit from this industry in the same ways as our neighboring states,” Kinkead said. “Our bipartisan effort to provide specific language that adopts best practices from other states is the next substantial step to finally making this happen.”
The bill recognizes the potential of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry and provides ample opportunities for farmers to participate in the legal cannabis market.
By integrating cannabis cultivation into the state’s agricultural landscape, the legislation would not only support local farmers, but also help grow a sustainable and professional industry.
Rep. Meuser is co-sponsor of a resolution condemning the ban on liquefied natural gas
US representative Then MeuserThis week, R-Dallas co-sponsored H.Res.1303, condemning what he called the “politically motivated” ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries not covered by a free trade agreement (FTA).
This resolution is in response to President Joe Biden’s recent announcement of an indefinite ban on natural gas export licenses to non-FTA countries, pending an investigation into climate impacts.
Annually, Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry supports nearly 123,000 jobs and contributes more than $41 billion to economic activity.
In addition, $2.3 billion in royalties was paid to more than 186,000 Pennsylvania recipients in 2023 from oil and natural gas royalties.
More than $193 million of these royalties are attributable to LNG exports. Despite studies showing the positive impact of U.S. LNG exports, including significant economic benefits and reduced emissions, Meuser said the Biden administration has “paused” permitting to conduct more studies.
The resolution condemns the administration’s suspension of LNG export licenses as reckless and harmful to the U.S. energy sector, and calls for an immediate lifting of the ban to restore confidence and stability in this vital industry.
Furthermore, it insists on prioritizing American workers and communities over partisan political agendas.
“The negative impact of (this) energy policy is detrimental to our economy and national security,” Meuser said. “By privileging partisan ideologies over results, the Biden administration is prioritizing Moscow over communities in our district like Montrose.”
Meuser said this pause on LNG export projects creates global uncertainty, hampering America’s ability to leverage natural gas in the international market and undermining the economic and strategic benefits we provide to allies.
“I strongly support this resolution, which strengthens House Republicans’ commitment to advancing American energy,” Meuser said.
H.Res.1303 was referred to both the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
PBDA to Offer $20 Million Program to Provide Laptops to Libraries, Nonprofits and Community Agencies
Brandon Carson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), announced this week that the application period for the new Digital Connectivity Technology Program will be open from Thursday, June 20 through Monday, August 19.
Online applications can be made from June 20 via the PBDA website.
Through the new program, the PBDA will purchase and distribute $20 million worth of laptops to eligible public institutions such as libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, nonprofits and other community agencies in areas where affordability is low. identified as a barrier to the adoption and use of broadband, which will then make it available to individuals who do not have the technology necessary to access the Internet.
The PBDA will begin reviewing applications for the Digital Connectivity Technology Program on August 20 and expects to announce grant awards in November. The projects are expected to start in early 2025. Grant recipients are required to make digital skills training available through their own program or the free options on the PBDA website, but end users are not required to participate in a training program.
“We are working hard to provide Pennsylvanians with the resources they need to make ‘Internet for All’ a reality across the Commonwealth,” Carson said. “The Digital Connectivity Technology Program will provide libraries and other community agencies with the technology needed to give Pennsylvanians the internet access they need for better health care, education and economic outcomes.”
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
