Ron Eberz was a 1966 Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) Automotive Technology graduate who suddenly passed away on June 23, 2012. His family is keeping his name and memory alive through a new EASTERN student award they have recently established. The Eberz family will present the Ron Eberz Memorial Award to one EASTERN student at EASTERN’s Awards Night on May 29, 2013.

Ron was able to utilize the skills and knowledge he acquired at EASTERN throughout his life. He served in the U.S. Navy as an airplane mechanic, after which Ron spent many years working in the printing industry. He then started his own home contracting small business. Most recently he was a maintenance engineer for a local commercial real estate company. He was a longtime volunteer at the Sunny Willow Swim Club and a football coach at St. John of the Cross Church. He was a valued contributor to the efforts of the Upper Moreland Historical Association. He was a self-taught computer genius and could repair and rebuild a computer with ease.

Ron joined Boy Scout Troop 354 in 1958 and was an original member of the fledgling Willow Grove Troop. He was also one of the charter members of the 354 Alumni Scouters organization, spending the last 14 years of his 27 year membership as a director on the Board.

Ron was the type of person who would lend a hand to anyone in need and he did so frequently and willingly. He enjoyed teaching his sons and sons-in-law how to complete projects for their homes and could be found working by their sides. Ron had many talents and shared them with everyone he knew.

The Eberz family will give the award directly to the post-secondary institution of the selected student’s choice. This award is open to students in all 14 EASTERN programs. Criterion for this award is as follows: the student must be a senior; can be a male or female student; the student must be continuing his/her education after high school graduation; the student must be involved in some form of service project or organization that serves the community, children, or a cause in which he/she is passionate about; and the student must have 10 absences or less. The student nominees will be narrowed down to three students by EASTERN’s Student Recognition Committee, and the final three students will be interviewed by the Eberz family. The Eberz family will select the student for the award.

For friends and family who would like to donate to the annual Ron Eberz Memorial Award, please make checks payable to “The EASTERN Foundation” indicating “Ron Eberz Memorial Award” in the note section. Checks can be sent to the EASTERN Foundation at 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

With snow in the forecast, the Upper Moreland School District has announced the start times for varisty and junior varsity boys basketball games against Wissahickon have been pushed up.

The teams are traveling to Wissahickon and JV will tip-off at 4:30 p.m. while the varisty game will start at 6 p.m.

Check back with Upper Moreland Patch throughout the day to see how the weather is impacting our neighborhood.

Looking for a new home? Does the Willow Grove area have everything you're looking for in a place to settle down? Then check out these homes that will be hosting an Open House this weekend (weather permitting).

The following homes are listed on AOL Real Estate.

311 Dallas Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090

• $354,800
• 4 Bed, 2 Bath 2,718 Sq Ft 0.29 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Quinn & Wilson
• Open House: Sun 2/10, 1 PM - 3 PM

*new* 2820 Rubicam Ave., Willow Grove, PA 19090

• $214,900
• 3 Bed, 1 Bath 0.28 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home
• Brokered By: Long and Foster-Doylestown
• Open House: Sun 2/10, 1 PM - 3 PM

The Upper Moreland Public Works Department is preparing for inclement weather and members will stay well past their shift times are over in anticipation of the snow.

The National Weather Service has called for anywhere from three inches to a foot of snow in Montgomery and Bucks counties, and Public Works will have a “pre-standby” to make sure the roads are in good conditions later this evening.

"Basically we’re getting all of our trucks ready,” Upper Moreland Public Works Director John Primus told Patch. “We have about 20 trucks and we’re making sure the plows are ready to go.

“Were going to have pre-standby. We’ll be working all night. We won’t be going home after our normal shifts,” Primus added.

The township has asked residents to move their cars to off-street parking spots. It posted the following information on its web site.

If you cannot move your vehicles to off-street parking spots, please follow the following system to help ensure that plowing and salting covers as much of your street as possible:

1. Unless your street permits parking on one side only, park vehicles on the "even" or "odd" numbered side of the street depending on the year. For example, in 2000, park cars on the even numbered side of the street, in 2001, parks on the odd numbered side.
2. And remember, if a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be removed from snow emergency routes until the emergency is lifted.

Snow emergencies are announced on KYW-1060 All News Radio as well as cable television channel 60 (ETV-1), Comcast Cable Channel 965, Verizon Channel 41; as well as the Breaking News Section of the Township Website. Street signs are posted on those roads which are designated as snow emergency routes.

Just in case you missed a day at Patch, which can happen but shouldn't (sign up for our free newsletters), here's a look at the top headlines around our area this week:

Injured Teen Airlifted from Technical High School
An emergency medical helicopter took a teen with a broken leg from Bucks County Technical High School to the hospital on Thursday.

Mother of a Murdered 18-Month-Old Faces Criminal Charges
Nakia Adams, 28, was arraigned on Monday on a charge of endangering the welfare of children

Truman Grad Performs with Beyoncé at Super Bowl
Crystal Torres, from Bristol Township, played the trumpet in Beyoncé's halftime act at the the Super Bowl.

Sexual Assault Reported in Doylestown
A woman was putting things in the back seat of her car when a man grabbed her from behind, police report.

Murder Charge Held Against Driver in Fatal Crash
Drew Bodden will face trial in connection with the Nov. 21 high-speed car crash on the Rt. 611 Bypass that killed Holly Huynh.

Homeless Count Shines Light on Invisible Problem
The Housing Continuum and Care agency counted more than 150 unsheltered people living in Bucks County.

Scaled-Back Courthouse Wins Approval
Bucks County commissioners estimated the county would save $300,000 in construction costs by reconfiguring the new justice center's fifth floor.

Drunken Driver Does Push-Ups on Trevose Road, Cops Say
24-year-old Philadelphia man was arrested for DUI in Lower Southampton.

'Abuse' of Subpoena Costs Ex-Tullytown Councilman His Job
Former Tullytown Councilman George Fox will not face charges.

Police Offering $2,500 Reward for Info on Lower Moreland Armed Robbery
The Lower Moreland Police Department and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office are looking for Michael Bivans after an armed robbery in Huntingdon Valley.

Upper Moreland Looking for Ways to Improve Willow Grove Town Center
The Upper Moreland Township Revitalization Task Force is looking for ways to improve the look of the Willow Grove Town Center.

Hatboro Pet Store Gets Second Life
A Dog’s Life (and a Cat’s Too) in downtown Hatboro will remain open under new ownership.

Montgomery County Commissioners are seeking a grant to fund a 12-month pilot program for the Montgomery County Correctional Facility to help inmates find gainful employment after being released.

According to a press release from Montgomery County, 62 percent of inmates in Montgomery County return to prison.

“The recidivism rate, while better than the national average, is too high,” said Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “And we need to do something about it.”

This week, the commissioners approved the application for a $185,000 federal grant that would supplement $270,00 in state workforce development funds.

The program will include job readiness, classroom instruction, individual career counseling, assessment and training, job placement and employment retention support, according to Warden Julio Algarin.

“The more we can do to help the people be successful when they leave prison, to be able to reacclimatize to life, to get a job, to be able to care for their families and to avoid having to go back to prison, that’s the goal of this initiative,” Shapiro said.

The program will begin with 15 prescreened participants, and will add participants every quarter going forward.

The area of Montgomery County will now likely get less snow than originally predicted. The National Weather Service has reduced the area's warning down to a "Winter Weather Advisory."

Last night, the NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning, declaring that four to eight inches of snow were expected for the county. However, today's forecast lessened the report to a now-expected one to two inches.

"Accumulations of snow of one to at most four inches are expected," according to the latest advisory.

The newest information from the NWS, located in Mount Holly, N.J., says that travel may still be possible now.

"A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties," said the advisory. "Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution when driving."

For the full NWS update, click on the advisory here.

The area of Montgomery County will now likely get less snow than originally predicted. The National Weather Service has reduced the area's warning down to a "Winter Weather Advisory."

Last night, the NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning, declaring that four to eight inches of snow were expected for the county. However, today's forecast lessened the report to a now-expected one to two inches.

"Accumulations of snow of one to at most four inches are expected," according to the latest advisory.

The newest information from the NWS, located in Mount Holly, N.J., says that travel may still be possible now.

"A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties," said the advisory. "Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution when driving."

Click on the advisory for the full NWS update.

By Eric Boehm | PA Independent

HARRISBURG – The budget proposal outlined by Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday calls for the repeal of a 2007 state law that has driven the Pennsylvania Turnpike deep into debt and forced five consecutive years of toll increases.

The governor’s budget would sunset that law – Act 44 of 2007– within 10 years, but an administration official says motorists using the turnpike can expect to continue seeing toll increases for the next decade, and probably longer, to retire the turnpike’s $8 billion in debt.  Lawmakers say they are supportive of the repeal and are looking for ways to lessen the impact on drivers.

Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch said that tolls will continue to increase between 3 percent and 5 percent for the next 10 to 15 years, with smaller increases for years after that.

The increases will be necessary to continue capital projects on the highway and pay for debt service payments.

“The increases will be less once the Act 44 payments end, a few years after it ends,” Schoch said. “There is a lag of a few years before you start seeing toll reductions because you have to pay for the debt we have already incurred.”

Under the provisions of Act 44, the turnpike was authorized to borrow more money for capital projects and increase tolls annually for 50 years in order to cover the costs.  In return, the turnpike was required to pay $450 million annually to the state.

Those payments are split, with $250 million funding other highway and bridge projects and $200 million funding mass transit, mostly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Before leaving office in January, Auditor General Jack Wagner had hammered the Turnpike Commission for allowing its debt to get out of control.  Turnpike debt climbed from about $2.6 billion to more than $8 billion in the six years since Act 44 was passed.

To pay for all that debt, tolls on the turnpike have been hiked five times in five years – more than 70 percent for toll-paying customers and 36 percent for those paying with EZ-Pass.

Newly appointed CEO Mark Compton, a former senior official with PennDOT, is supportive of the repeal, which would ease the financial burden on the turnpike, said Carl Defebo, spokesman for the commission.

Defebo said shortening the time frame for Act 44 would not necessarily reduce future toll increases, and that it is too early to determine what effect, if any, it would have.

Schoch said the turnpike would be financially stable for the next 10 years, and ending the Act 44 payments after a decade would also send a signal to the ratings agencies that the debt being incurred by the turnpike would end soon.

It would leave a decade for the legislature to find a way to replace those lost revenues, he added.

State Sen. John Rafferty, R-Montgomery, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said Wednesday he favored repeal of Act 44 and was considering several options for how to do it.

“We’re going to try to contain those increases,” Rafferty said.

State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Cambria, minority chairman of the committee, said he agreed with Rafferty on the need to explore options for Act 44 but said details still needed to be hashed out.

“All of this needs to be on the table,” he said.

Frank Gamrat, a senior research associate at the Allegheny Institute, a free-market think tank in Pittsburgh, said lawmakers should repeal Act 44 as soon as possible because increasing tolls on the turnpike will push more drive motorists to find other routes.

“If the price gets too high, people will start finding alternatives,” Gamrat said. “The increase in revenues from tolls is not keeping up with the increase in debt. It is not sustainable.”

Schoch said an immediate repeal of Act 44 would be detrimental to the state’s transportation budget because it would mean an immediate loss of $450 million – particularly problematic at a time when Pennsylvania is seeking to increase funding for transportation.

“If we ended it tomorrow, that would add another $450 million to our deficit, that we have to deal with,” Schoch said.

Corbett on Tuesday announced a five-year funding plan that would increase a portion of the state’s gasoline tax in order to direct up to $1.8 billion in new cash for road, bridge, mass transit and freight projects.

Rafferty said Wednesday he would like to see more revenue included in the plan.  He would favor an increase in vehicle registrations and other fees charged to motorists.

And all the while, tolls will keep climbing.

Contact Boehm at Eric@PAIndependent.com and follow @PAIndependent on Twitter for more.

HARRISBURG – The state budget is a complicated mess of numbers, spreadsheets, charts and graphs.

And that’s before the politicians get their hands on it.

Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a spending plan for fiscal year 2013-14 on Tuesday that would cost $28.4 billion, a 2.4 percent increase from the current year.

The state legislature has until June 30 to pass the budget, and it is sure to go through some changes before then.  But here’s a brief look at some of the important projects, proposals and plans outlined by Corbett on Tuesday.

ISSUE: Education funding

CORBETT’S PROPOSAL: Increase spending for basic education by $90 million, increase funding for early education by $11 million, create a new block grant program to be funded with $1 billion over four years from the divestiture of the state liquor stores and keep state colleges/universities flat-funded after two years of propose cuts.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS:

“My budget works to provide our public schools with enrichment funding to help them achieve academic excellence at all grade levels. It provides for enhanced learning opportunities, career-focused training and most importantly, a safe learning environment.”

WHAT IT MEANS:

This will be – as always – one of the biggest budget battlegrounds.  After taking political knocks for cutting education funding (though most of those reductions were the result of federal stimulus money ending), Corbett has proposed increases to basic education and is holding higher education harmless this year after two straight budgets where they went under the scalpel.

But the complications here are many-fold.  Corbett has tied liquor privatization to additional money for schools, and Budget Secretary Charles Zogby has suggested that schools may be in line for cuts if cost-saving pension reforms are not passed.

And once lawmakers get their hands on the budget, they usually love to pump whatever extra cash is sitting around into education line items – that tends to score points with the people back home.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“Attempting to handcuff one year of education funding to a plan to sell off liquor stores is a gimmick, not a long-term solution to Pennsylvania’s declining investment in, and performance of, public schools,” – State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Cambria

“I support the governor’s efforts in this budget to provide stable funding for our higher education institutions. Providing level funding for our universities while securing a commitment from them to hold tuition increases to a minimum is good for faculty, parents and students.” – State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre

–

ISSUE: Liquor privatization (and a little more education funding)

CORBETT’S PROPOSAL: Get rid of the state control liquor system by selling off licenses for state stores and changing where alcohol can be purchased. Then use $1 billion proceeds over a four-year period to boost education programs and school safety.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS:

“Selling liquor is not a core function of government. Education is.”

Gov. Tom Corbett gives his third budget address to the General Assembly. (Photo by Melissa Daniels)

WHAT IT MEANS:

Corbett announced the plan to privatize the state liquor system last week, but revisited the issue in his budget address to lawmakers. But this plan is no easy dunk. He’s not the first Republican governor to try to change the state’s liquor system, which employs unionized workers and gives Pennsylvania some of the largest buying power in the country.

Already, opponents are saying this plan could cause the state to lose money by not generating enough revenue currently made by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, or could have safety problems.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“If you look at every other state that’s went from a system like ours to what they’ve proposed, the state lost revenue immediately and has not recovered that. Every other state saw lower selection and higher prices in every state that went this way. So when Gov. Corbett says, ‘Why can’t we be like the other 48 states, I think the real question is why would we want to?’” – WendellYoung, President, UFCW Local 1776.

“I think moving to a system that allows for private sales of wine and spirits and beer focused on convenience, customer convenience and customer choice, I think it’s an expectation that the vast majority of the public has put in front of us and we need to get that over the goal line,” House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny.

–

ISSUE: Business tax changes

CORBETT’S PROPOSAL:  Finish a phase-out of the capitol stock and franchise tax, set-up a future decrease in corporate taxes and make other changes to the tax code that businesses have been pushing for.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS:

Well, actually, not much.  Corbett skipped over the business tax changes in his budget address, though they were included in budgetary guidelines distributed by administration officials on Tuesday.

“Understanding that government does not create jobs, Governor Corbett is creating a business climate in Pennsylvania that encourages our employers to grow and create jobs,” said C. Alan Walker, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, in a statement. “The governor has created a solid road map that if followed, will lead to economic prosperity and a job for every Pennsylvanian who wants one.”

WHAT IT MEANS:

Corbett is finishing off a long-planned phase-out of the capital stock and franchise tax, a tax paid by businesses on goods and supplies they cannot sell.  He is also proposing the beginning of a 10-year gradual reduction in the state’s corporate net income tax, which is currently assessed at 9.99 percent and is the highest in the nation.

That gradual decrease will begin in fiscal year 2015-16 and continue incrementally for 10 years until the tax rate reaches 6.99 percent.

Senators and Representatives fill the state House chamber to hear Gov. Tom Corbett’s address on Tuesday. (Photo by Melissa Daniels)

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“We would feel better about these proposals if he was also talking about closing tax loopholes that allow the biggest corporations to get away with paying almost no tax in Pennsylvania. He is not talking about doing that.

And what about the jobs? Wasn’t that supposed to be the point of all of these reductions in corporate taxes? Where are the jobs?” – House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny

“We understand the need for that slow progression, but it is progress.  It’s an acknowledgment that we have to reduce it, because it’s a huge red flag for this commonwealth.” – Gene Barr, president/CEO Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

–

ISSUE: Medicaid expansion

CORBETT’S PROPOSAL: Refrain from expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS:

“At this time, without serious reforms, it would be financially unsustainable for the taxpayers, and I cannot recommend a dramatic Medicaid expansion.”

WHAT IT MEANS:

Corbett had held off making a decision on the Medicaid expansion, citing an inability to get straight answers from Washington. In his budget address on Tuesday, Corbett said that without the expansion Department of Public Welfare costs are already going up by $400 million. Five Republican governors, including Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich, have opted into the Medicaid program.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states that choose to expand their Medicaid programs to new eligibility levels starting in 2014. The federal government will pick up 100 percent of the cost through 2017, eventually decreasing to 90 percent thereafter.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

“He is turning down billions of dollars the federal government is offering to cover 800,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians, but he offered no alternatives… Even Governor Kasich, no liberal, said ‘This is such a good deal that we’re going to take it in Ohio.’” –State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery.

“The federal government has to get their act together and give all the states their details. You can’t just say yes to a plan without the information.” –House Appropriations Chair Bill Adolph, R-Delaware.

Follow @PAIndependent on Twitter for more.

Just in case you missed a day at Patch, which can happen but shouldn't (sign up for our free newsletters), here's a look at the top headlines around our area this week:

Upper Moreland Reappoints Officials for Local Government
Upper Moreland Township held its regular meeting earlier this week and several people were reappointed to government positions.

Upper Moreland Looking for Ways to Improve Willow Grove Town Center
The Upper Moreland Township Revitalization Task Force is looking for ways to improve the look of the Willow Grove Town Center.

Police: Upper Moreland Man Arrested for Assault
Read the latest slew of arrests made by the Upper Moreland Police Departent.

New Award Established in EASTERN Alumnus' Memory
The Ron Eberz Memorial Award was created by his family and will be presented to one EASTERN student at Awards Night

Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company Needs Your Help
The Wilow Grove Fire Company is looking for volunteers to join its team.

By PA Independent Staff

HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett delivered his budget address this week, pitching an overall increase in spending to go along with pension reforms and a hike in the state’s gasoline tax to pay for reconstruction of roads and bridges.

This Friday, we explore the various sides of Corbett’s third budget proposal — which will be tweaked, haggled over and perhaps even completely rewritten before the General Assembly passes a budget in June.

Corbett’s budget includes tax increase, tackles heavy issues

Corbett’s proposed budget would spend $28.4 billion during fiscal year 2013-14, a 2.4 percent increase.

As part of his plan to spend $5.4 billion over five years on highways, bridges and mass transit, the governor wants to boost levies on gas stations and drivers in the state by incrementally uncapping the Oil Franchise Tax.

The budget also tackles a $500-million increase in pension contributions, but does so by reducing the amount the state will contribute to the pension costs and increasing the debt of the state’s two public pension funds. Those funds already face more than $40 billion in debt.

By artificially cutting the state’s contribution to the pension systems, the budget proposal seeks to achieve $175 million in savings at the state level and $140 million in savings for school districts. Those savings also are predicated on reforms to current and future employees’ pensions.

Corbett proposed adding $90 million to basic education, part of an overall $350 million increase on the education line item that includes some of the costs of the pension increase.  That does not include an addition $1 billion for schools that would be made available if Corbett succeeds on another front – privatizing the state liquor stores.

Corbett also called for an incremental reduction in the state’s corporate net income tax, beginning in 2015 and continuing for 10 years.  By 2025, the proposal would lower Pennsylvania’s corporate income tax rate from 9.99 percent to 6.99 percent.

Transportation plan unveiled, lawmakers get final say

On the same day Corbett introduced his 2013-2014 budget proposal, he announced a plan to generate more than $5 billion in transportation funding over five years, mostly from a change in the way gas taxes are levied.

Under his plan, funds would come from lowering the flat tax paid by consumers while increasing the tax gas stations pay on fuel.  Corbett and other administration officials maintain this wouldn’t necessarily raise gas prices, as pump prices are determined by a variety of factors, including the price of crude and location.

The changes would generate $500 million in new revenues for transportation projects in the first year, rising to $1.8 billion annually by the fifth year when the cap on the tax is entirely removed.

“If we don’t do anything, we’re going to reduce our spending on roads and bridges,” said Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch. “We know we have an old system and it will simply exacerbate the problem.”

House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, said lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to discuss solving the state’s transportation funding issues.

Turzai said he did not think “the governor’s proposal is necessarily the definitive proposal” or that it will get passed by the June 30 budget deadline.

But he promised to give the proposal a “very, very serious look,” he said.

Pension reform aims for savings in the short term

Proposed pension reforms in Pennsylvania save about $175 million next year, but could end up costing billions in the long run.

During his budget address on Tuesday, Corbett called on lawmakers to pass his multilevel pension reform proposal with this year’s state budget. The plan would move new employees to a 401(k)-style pension system, would reduce future benefits for current employees and would reduce the state’s payments into the state’s two pension systems for the foreseeable future.

The first two parts of his plan are intended to save costs in the long run by cutting a small part of the state’s unfunded liability, while the third part would free up about $175 million for the state in next year’s budget.

“Resolving our pension crisis will be the single most important thing we do for decades to come,” Corbett said in his address.

Under current law, the state’s pension contributions will climb from $1.1 billion this year to about $3 billion in fiscal year 2016-17. But those contributions are already less than recommended by actuaries, resulting in the state’s unfunded liability being projected to climb from $40 billion now to $65 billion by 2018, before declining.

With the proposed reforms, the unfunded liability will continue to grow, but will peak at about $62 billion in 2018 – and then only if changes to both new and current employees are enacted, according to Corbett administration projections.

State Treasurer Rob McCord blasted Corbett’s pension proposal as “kicking the can down the road” and “fantasy island finance.”

McCord, a Democrat who is widely believed to be preparing for a gubernatorial bid against Corbett in 2014, favors bringing the pension debt on the state’s balance sheet to make policymakers more aware of the $40 billion debt and using pension bonds to pay off some of the liability.

Tolls will continue to increase even as Corbett calls for Act 44 repeal

The governor’s budget proposal, outlined on Tuesday, would repeal of a 2007 state law that has driven the Pennsylvania Turnpike deep into debt and forced five consecutive years of toll increases.

The governor’s budget would sunset that law – Act 44 of 2007– within 10 years. But an administration official says motorists using the turnpike can expect to continue seeing toll increases for the next decade, and probably longer, to retire the turnpike’s $8 billion in debt.  Lawmakers say they are supportive of the repeal and are looking for ways to lessen the impact on drivers.

Secretary of Transportation Barry Schoch said that tolls will continue to increase between 3 percent and 5 percent for the next 10 to 15 years, with smaller increases for years after that.

The increases will be necessary to continue capital projects on the highway and pay for debt service payments, state officials said.

“The increases will be less once the Act 44 payments end, a few years after it ends,” Schoch said. “There is a lag of a few years before you start seeing toll reductions because you have to pay for the debt we have already incurred.”

Under the provisions of Act 44, the turnpike was authorized to borrow more money for capital projects and increase tolls annually for 50 years to cover the costs.  In return, the turnpike was required to pay $450 million annually to the state.

Those payments are split, with $250 million funding other highway and bridge projects and $200 million funding mass transit, mostly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Welfare secretary to resign next week, return to Rhode Island one last time

Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander will resign from his post, the administration announced Friday.

In a news release, Corbett said Alexander “has been a tremendous asset in prioritizing our funding and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our welfare programs.”

Alexander’s last day will be Feb. 15. During his tenure as secretary, Alexander has maintained a home in RhodeIsland, where he was previously a state employee, and traveled back and forth to Harrisburg on a fairly regular basis.

PA Independent reported about the travel patterns in December.

Alexander said in a statement he was “blessed to have been surrounded by a host of remarkable employees at DPW,” and grateful to Corbett for the opportunity to serve the state.

“We’ve accomplished a great deal in Pennsylvania, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure here, but now is the perfect time to pursue new opportunities and rejoin my young family in Rhode Island full-time,” Alexander said.

The administration has picked Bev Mackereth, deputy secretary for the Office of Children, Youth and Families, to serve as acting secretary.

Mackereth is a former state representative and has served in previous health and human service positions before, including executive director of York County Human Services. The Department of Public Welfare employs around 17,000 workers and has an annual budget of more than $26 billion in state and federal dollars. More than 2.2 million Pennsylvanians are supported by DPW services.

Follow @PAIndependent on Twitter for more.

My baby girl turned 5 this week.

As a mother, I struggle with her getting older. Some days, I can’t wait to, say have a beer with my daughter. Other days, I miss how her tiny baby hands would curl around my finger.

I can’t decide if I want her to stay tiny forever or get older. One major fear I often think over is her teenage years. If there is any truth to “bad karma,” I’m probably due for some rough years in there somewhere.

As hormones start to influence her decisions, tone of voice and attitude toward her mother, we could have some issues. We are a lot alike, to be honest. I know when we butt heads it is because I’ve produced a daughter that is as stubborn, independent and bossy as her mother. I’m mostly proud of that. I’m less proud when she turns that all on me.

I fear those teen years. I’m not sure how we’ll fare. I have three sisters, and amongst the four of us, I’d say there were completely different experiences for my mom with each and every one.

Teen years, for all four of us, included door slamming, screaming, sneaking out, getting arrested, moving out, the “I’m-not-talking-to-you” phases … it goes on and on. With four girls, my mom has some real horror stories, and nope, I’m not going to tell you which girl did which of those terrible things. I’d mostly blame hormones.

So, what will my daughter’s teen years look like? Let’s just say karma might be holding some real scary years ahead for me.

For now, we argue about her not eating. She is super picky. She likes to pick out her own clothes. She’s a lot more “girly” than her mom. For now, these are pretty minor fights.

We argue about her whining. I make her repeat things in a calm tone before she’s allowed to get anything she’s asking for, even if she says “please” in there.

These are all little things. I’m not sure what I’ll do when we are arguing about her drinking at a party or breaking her curfew. What happens when she sneaks out the first time (can we get alarms installed on windows?) or doesn’t call me from college?

I know I should live in the moment, right? I shouldn’t fret about something a good decade away, but I do. It’s my nature.

I snapped my usual “last night of being 4” photo while she was asleep. She doesn’t know I do that. Maybe someday, I’ll show them all to her.

There’s a funny Facebook post out there. It shows how girls often feel about their mothers at different stages of life.

It states that around age 6, girls say “Mommy, I love you.” By 16, it is “Mom is annoying.” By 18, “I want to leave this house” is the sentiment. By 25, you know “Mom was right,” while by 30 she’ll say “I want to see my Mom.” By, 50 you think “I don’t want to lose my Mom.” By 70, you know “I’d give anything to be with my Mom.”

So, maybe I’ll have some rough teen years. I just will have to hope I raised my baby girl to be strong enough to know by age 25 or so why I did what I did.

I hope, with every picture I take, with every year that goes by, I hold on to that sight forever. I always want to remember her, just the way she is: Perfect.

The Upper Moreland Community Development Committee is scheduled to meet for its monthly meeting tonight, Feb. 11 in the Township Building beginning at 7 p.m.

The committee will discuss compensation rates for the Real Estate Tax Collector, as well as ways to acquire funding for municipal costs sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The Act 209 Transportation Impact Fee will also be up for discussion as part of new business. You can read the full agenda here.

The following is the posted agenda on the Upper Moreland Township web site:

UPPER MORELAND TOWNSHIP
Public Hearing, Special Meeting and
Committee Meeting Agenda
February 11, 2013
7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING #1880 – 7:00 P.M.– to consider proposed Ordinance No. 1623 establishing rate of compensation for Real Estate Tax Collector

SPECIAL MEETING

A. Ordinance No. 1623– establishing rate of compensation for Real Estate Tax Collector

B. Resolution No. R-2013-06  – authorizing David A. Dodies to serve as Agent for the purpose of obtaining financial assistance under the Stafford Act for municipal costs incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy

Community Development Committee

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Approval of Minutes – December 10, 2012

B.Reports

C. Township-Wide Stormwater Study

D. Streambank Fencing along Memorial Park Drive

E. Catholic Shop, 125 York Rd. - Signage

F. 2603 Broadway Avenue-flooding

G. Proposed UCC Appeals Board

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Need for a street light in cul-de-sac on Castello Avenue

B. Act 209 Transportation Impact Fee for Discussion

C. North Crossing Apartments, 3625 Welsh Road – draft Ordinance proposing new M-2 Zoning District

REDEVELOPMENT - Reports

VISITOR/COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

According to ReadyNotifyPA alerts, the National Weather Service has issued a freezing rain advisory for Montgomery County. The county is also under a heavy rain and flood advisory.

The advisory issued states that the county could see freezing rain conditions from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 11. The conditions could largely affect the morning commute.

"As warmer air moves in at the surface, the freezing rain should change to rain in most areas between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday morning," said the NWS.

Those needing to get to work and school in the early morning hours may find dangerous conditions.

"Untreated roadways, especially bridges and overpasses wil become extremely slippery," said the advisory notice. "Expect longer commuting times during the morning rush."

For more on the expected weather conditions, visit the NWS website.

Here's this week's schedule for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Information has been supplied by Rep. Mike Turzai, Republican Majority Leader.

Updating Pennsylvania Child Protection Laws

In light of the recent sexual abuse scandals involving students, the House passed and sent to the Senate for consideration the Child Exploitation Awareness Education Act, House Bill 19 authored by Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon County). 

The legislation would require the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness curriculum to be included in the health curriculum for children in grades K-8. The curriculum would teach children to recognize sexual abuse and to identify certain behaviors in adults, such as grooming, that can lead to sexual abuse.

Next week, the House will continue its focus on child protection by moving a series of bills which passed out of the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin County. The bills were developed from recommendations of the Task Force on Child Protection, which was formed in the wake of the Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal. The task force presented a final report to the General Assembly last year that included a number of recommendations for improving Pennsylvania’s child welfare system.

The House Children and Youth Committee, chaired by Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks County), will begin to hold several meetings and hearings on a package of bills based on the task force recommendations.

The Weekly Schedule

Identified by bill number, the sponsors and summaries for bills scheduled to be considered in committee or on the House floor are posted below.  More information regarding these bills can be found at PAHouseGOP.com by clicking on the “Research Bills” tab.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

EDUCATION, 11 a.m., Room 60, East Wing

• HB 2 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Creates a legislative commission to recommend a formula to distribute state funding for special education.
• HB 555 (Rep. Justin Simmons, R-Lehigh/Northampton): Requires that school districts provide Megan’s Law website information to aid parents in determining safe walking routes to and from school and school bus stops.
• HR 53 (Rep. Gary Day, R-Berks/Lehigh): Establishes a select committee on school safety and security.

VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, 11 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 119 (Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver): Establishes an “Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Memorial Flag” to honor EMS personnel who have died in the line of duty. 
• HB 179 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Requires insurers to pay emergency medical services (EMS) claims directly to an EMS agency for 911 calls. 
• HB 472 (Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-Chester/Delaware): Provides in-state tuition rates at community colleges and state-related/state-owned institutions of higher learning for veterans, military and civilian personnel, along with their spouses and dependent children, so long as they are a resident of the Commonwealth on the first day of the semester.
• HB 500 (Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Beaver/Lawrence): Includes members of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol in the Emergency Responder Death Benefit Act.
• HB 583 (Rep. Stephen Barrar, R-Chester/Delaware): Advances consolidation, regionalization and joint purchasing measures among county 911 centers.

GAME AND FISHERIES, Call of Chair, Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• HB 126 (Rep. David Maloney, R-Berks): Increases the availability of certified hunter education courses in public schools.
• HB 353 (Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana): Reduces the safety zone distance for trapping within any waterway, watercourse, marsh, pond, or dam from 150 yards to 50 yards for properly licensed furtakers and maintains the 150-yard safety zone for trapping near a school, daycare, or playground.
• HB 410 (Rep. Matt Baker, R-Bradford): Guarantees that the right to hunt, fish and harvest game will forever be preserved.

Session

On Monday, the House will convene at 1 p.m. for legislative business. The members will vote the uncontested calendar and Rule 35 resolutions.

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 121 (Rep. Curt Sonney, R-Erie): Allows for the direct shipment of wine to residents of the Commonwealth and requires that the wine shipper charge the 6 percent sales tax and the 18 percent Johnstown Flood Tax for all shipments to the Commonwealth and remit the tax to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
• HB 316 (Rep. Julie Harhart, R-Lehigh/Northampton): Establishes a funding mechanism to help existing Child Advocacy Centers and establish new Child Advocacy Centers.
• HB 328 (Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland): Requires that courts have a complete record regarding whether a child subject to a proceeding has been abused or is the subject of a child abuse investigation.
• HB 350 (Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin): Establishes the crime of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child under the age of 12 as a first-degree felony and establishes the crime of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to a child under the age of four as a second-degree felony.
• HB 404 (Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin): Establishes the crime of intimidation or retaliation of a victim or witness in child abuse cases and penalties.
• HB 414 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Requires that a court, in a child custody matter, has information regarding the child with respect to whether the child has been identified as a victim of child abuse by a party or a member of the party’s household.
• HB 493 (Rep. Matt Gabler, R-Clearfield/Elk): Redefines the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP) program and reduces the RACP debt ceiling.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 34 (Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery): Requires the design, construction, and renovation of state-owned or state-leased buildings to comply with specified energy and high-performance building standards.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

CHILDREN AND YOUTH, 9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• Informational meeting with an overview of the child welfare system in Pennsylvania and special focus on the response to child abuse.

HUMAN SERVICES, 10 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

• HB 315 (Rep. Gene DiGirolamo. R-Bucks): Supplements funding for Human Services.
• HB 317 (Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks County): Establishes the Pharmaceutical Accountability Monitoring System (PAMS) database within the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to monitor the prescription and dispersal of Schedule II, III, IV and V drugs.

JUDICIARY, 10 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• HB 23 (Rep. Glen Grell, R-Cumberland): Comprehensive revision of the Uniform Arbitration Act.

• HB 31 (Rep. Mauree Gingrich, R-Lebanon): Amends the Crimes Code to provide for the offense of neglect of a care-dependent person and creates the offense of abuse of a care-dependent person.

• HB 89 (Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin): Discontinues sales of Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) license plates and transfers all money in the DARE license plate fund to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to provide grants to Child Advocacy Centers.

• HB 90 (Rep. Rick Saccone, R-Allegheny/Washington): Authorizes the issuance of an administrative subpoena.

• HB 286 (Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland): Provides courts with guidelines to follow during custody disputes and divorce proceedings, to help courts identify families at risk for abduction, and to provide methods to prevent the interstate or foreign abduction of children.
• HB 321 (Rep. Marcy Toepel, R-Montgomery): Establishes a sentencing enhancement for the offense of child pornography.
• HB 342 (Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-Bucks): Prevents courts from disclosing the names of minor victims of sexual or physical abuse to the public.

Session

On Tuesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Second Consideration

• HB 272 (Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Bucks): Allows licensed dentists from other states or countries to obtain a restricted faculty license to teach in Pennsylvania.
• HB 290 (Rep. Michele Brooks, R-Crawford/Lawrence/Mercer): Revises the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act to clarify definitions, permit new games and address other concerns raised by affected organizations and clubs.
• HB 336 (Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery): Authorizes the Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) to expunge the disciplinary record of a licensee, registrant, certificate holder or permit holder.
• HB 378 (Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny): Seeks to implement new training in recognizing and reporting child abuse in the mandated training for both police officers and minor judiciary.
• HR 45 (Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks): Directs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to undertake a study on the expansion and funding of Child Advocacy Centers in Pennsylvania.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 121
• HB 316
• HB 328
• HB 350
• HB 404
• HB 414
• HB 493

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

EDUCATION, 8:30 a.m., Room 205, Ryan Office Building

• Informational meeting on the implementation of the teacher educator effectiveness system and the adoption of the department’s new performance profiles.

AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, 9:30 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building

• Informational meeting with presentation on aging demographics in Pennsylvania.

JUDICIARY/SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME AND CORRECTIONS, 9:30 a.m., Room 140, Main Capitol

• Public hearing on the closures of State Correctional Institution Cresson and State Correctional Institution Greenburg.

STATE GOVERNMENT, 10 a.m., Room B-31, Main Capitol

• HB 201 (Rep. George Dunbar, R-Westmoreland): Places limitations on the membership of evaluation committees that review contract proposals under the competitive sealed proposal method of procurement.

Session

On Wednesday the House will meet at 11 a.m. for legislative business.

Votes on Third Consideration

• HB 272
• HB 290
• HB 336
• HB 378

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Committee Meetings/Hearings

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, 9 a.m., Room 140, Main Capitol

• Public hearing on Natural Gas Distribution Service.

Friday's near miss storm was literally that ― we were about 50 miles away from getting several additional inches of snow in your backyard as many areas of northern New Jersey and coastal areas of central New Jersey ended up getting ten or more inches of snow. Locally, anywhere from trace amounts to six inches fell from Chester County to Bucks, with the city getting anywhere from a few tenths of an inch at the naval yards to nearly five inches in the Northeast.

Most of that snow washes away with Monday's rains moving through, some of which will be steady if not heavy for a time. We'll probably get a half to full inch of rain in the region, with the bulk of it falling in the morning. Some drizzle lingers into the afternoon.

The balance of the work week won't be bad, with temperatures generally in the 40s for highs daily and lows near or just below freezing at night. I am keeping my eyes on a potential storm system for Wednesday night into Thursday. Computer modeling varies on placement with a swath of snow and rain that develops on the northwest edge of a low that pushes off the coast near Virginia Beach. Odds are we're on the northwest fringe of this and probably end up with clouds although a slight deviation in track, at least from this vantage point, could throw some modest accumulating snow in on Wednesday night and Thursday.

After that, a cold front passes through Friday night with a sprinkle or shower, setting the stage for a return of colder air for this weekend.  Snow showers (perhaps more than that) are possible on Sunday as a disturbance hits the coast and develops into a stronger low in the Atlantic.

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Tom Thunstrom is the editor and publisher of Phillyweather.net. You can also follow Phillyweather.net on twitter at @phillywx and like the site on Facebook.