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News You Can UseMay 30, 2008 PA Senate Promotes Government Transparency New rules and a new attitude are contributing to increased transparency in the Pennsylvania Senate, according to State Senate Leaders. Whether you are a student, a teacher, a policy junkie/enthusiast, or simply curious about some legislation, you will now be able to access 15 years of the PA Senate's Legislative Journals beginning with 1993 through the present. New rules adopted by the PA Senate since January 2007 promote government transparency. The first step of the project entailed getting the PA Senate Legislative Journals for 2005-2007 on the PA Senate's official website. Most recently, the site was expanded to include:
The PA Senate website allows you to access historical details, kid's activities, scholarship information, and links to legislative service agencies, among numerous others. Fuel Surcharge Consumer Advisory Businesses attempting to recoup the high costs of fuel and energy must include fees and surcharges in advertised and quoted prices, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Contracts must also conform to the law and clearly disclose all associated charges. Consumers should thoroughly review contracts and bills for information regarding added fees and unauthorized charges. The Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection is particularly concerned about the impact of hidden fees on consumers already struggling with higher prices. Businesses must present pricing in a manner that avoids confusion and sticker shock. If you believe you were charged for undisclosed fees, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555, or file an online consumer complaint. Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program Expands Income Guidelines Pennsylvania's rich bounty of fruits and vegetables will be getting into the hands of the State's most nutritionally at-risk, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. PA will continue to supplement federal funding to support the Seniors Farmer's Market Nutrition Program. Eligible seniors will receive four coupons or checks worth $5 each to be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables. Seniors must be 60 or older by Dec. 31 and have a total household income, before taxes, of less than $19,240 for a single person and $25,900 for a couple. Women, infants and children qualifying for the federal WIC nutritional program will also meet the criteria for the WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, administered by the PA Department of Public Welfare. WIC provides free supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant and post-partum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be a nutritional risk. Eligibility for this program is determined through local WIC agencies. Access a list of more than 950 farmers participating in the program at 182 farm markets and 794 roadside farm stands statewide, from June 1 to Nov. 30. Turn to pages 176 and 177 of the Consumers Guide to PA Farm Markets 2008 for related information. Unsafe Commercial Vehicles to Get a Checkup An international program known as Operation Roadcheck will operate in Pennsylvania next week in an effort to get unsafe commercial vehicles off the roads. Highly trained and certified Pennsylvania State Police and municipal officers will be stopping commercial vehicles from June 3-5, 2008 to inspect safety equipment, drivers' licenses, endorsements, and log books to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The 2007 effort is considered to have saved 1,825 lives and prevented 32,972 injuries. The 10-year program has contributed to a dramatic decrease in crashes, injuries and deaths relating to commercial vehicles. Operation Roadcheck is sponsored by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Association (CVSA). The non-profit organization consists of law enforcement, safety officials, truck and bus companies, industry associations, insurance companies, commercial vehicle drivers, and others dedicated to highway safety. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will participate in the annual safety campaign. Kids, Coins & Money If the words "coins" and "money" appeal to your kids, perhaps it's time to help them achieve a greater understanding of the meaning of "earning, saving, investing, and spending", according to the Pennsylvania Office of Financial Education. Find kid-friendly games, stories, and information to guide their exploration of money concepts this summer. Kids will learn about the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the U.S. Mint, and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. There they will learn about the history of money and how it is made. The younger set will enjoy web pages devoted to coloring, counting coins, and making change, while the older kids will learn about the stock market, savings, and investing. The website goes beyond kids and shares the Office's website with tools for adults as well. Find information relating to budgets, taxes, retirement, and much more. Add a Little Nature to Your Life Don't let the beauty of nature pass you by this summer without a closer look. The Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education (PICE) will conduct seminars and retreats intended to further your knowledge of the state's natural history, geology, wildlife, and plants. Workshops set for June explore techniques for creating wildlife art paintings while another focuses on the geological effects of the collision of North America and Africa 300 million years ago. The ecology of bats and how research is conducted will be the topic for a 3-day, in-depth seminar set for the end of July. Moving into August, PICE will conduct a 2-day course on wetlands, grasses, sedges, and rushes. The learning does not stop when the seasons change. September will bring a look at ferns and mosses and later an introduction to nature journaling. Explore landscape photography in mid-October capturing the colors and splendor of the Appalachians in autumn. Courses are Act 48 approved for professional education credits, offering between 6 and 20 credit hours. Some PICE programs are approved for academic credit through Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA.
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