Good morning Wednesday, dear seekers.
Labor Day may be clearly in the rearview mirror, but a latest report By anti-poverty group Oxfam America is ample reminder that economic rebalancing is still a year-round proposition.
The group ranked all 50 states based on a variety of metrics, ranging from whether workers can earn a living wage, whether it is warm to organized labor and the support services offered to workers. Based on these metrics, Pennsylvania ranked 24th in the nation, behind five of the Keystone State’s six neighbors.
“While the U.S. economy is booming for some, it is leaving millions of working families behind. Because the federal government has refused to make changes to labor laws that would help, most states have taken steps to make significant improvements in wages and working conditions,” the study authors wrote.
Here’s the overall score for Pennsylvania’s contiguous states: Delaware (16), Maryland (13), New Jersey (12); New York (13), Ohio (20) and West Virginia (25).
Overall, Pennsylvania ranked 36th in the nation for wage policy – the biggest issue was the GOP Legislature’s continued resistance to raising the state’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which is 29.9 percent of the living wage for a family of four (24.24 dollar/hour). , According to Oxfam.
The state also got a chance to pass a law prohibiting local governments from raising the minimum wage if they choose.
Pennsylvania ranked 37th in the nation for worker protection policies, including failing to provide accommodations for pregnant workers and failing to provide workplace protections for breastfeeding workers.
We can’t lend a hand but highlight this lack of support (again) even as Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate repeatedly push legislation that limits a person’s access to abortion and abortion services.
You can view the full Worker Protection Scorecard below.
Meanwhile, the state took first place in terms of its organizational policy Oxfam in particular pointing to the lack of employee-unfriendly provisions such as the “right to work”.
Here is the full scorecard:
Our stuff.
The Wolf Administration received a $2.25 million federal grant to study maternal mortality rates in Pennsylvania, Stephen Caruso reports.
State Senate Democrats will hit the road this month for a series of open houses on addiction issues, Elizabeth Hardison reports.
Sarah Anne Hughes has everything you need to know about Wolf administration hunger relief efforts in Pennsylvania, and his desire to preserve the benefits of food stamps for over 200,000 Pennsylvanians.
On ours Comments pagecountry Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Philadelphiaargues for his own a bill aimed at reducing teen suicides. And two University of California/Irvine scholars offer a prescription for reducing lead contamination in US water supplies.
Elsewhere.
Questioning has the latest information on the “intrigue” around the GOP fight for the Philadelphia City Council.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto supports legislation that would make this possible eliminate carbon dioxide emissions produced by local government buildings in Steel City, Pittsburgh City Document reports.
A child who went missing in Allegheny County over the weekend was found dead on Tuesday evening, PennLive reports.
Expanding broadband access in rural areas could lend a hand save lives through the development of telemedicinethe Senate panel said on Tuesday. Morning call has a history.
Here’s yours #Pittsburgh Instagram of the day:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B15JWBOHdkR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Federal bankruptcy judge will call the places of stay at Hahnemann Hospital, WHY-FM reports.
Governor Tom Wolf will go abroad to visit the Auschwitz Memorial AND Dad Guard soldiers serving in Lithuania, Related press reports (via WITF-FM).
Stateline.org looks at due process debate on red flag laws.
Pentagon will provide $3.6 billion in funds for military construction pay for Trump border wall, Roll call reports.
Wolf watch.
Governor Tom Wolf continues his work on charter school reform with a 10 a.m. stop at an elementary school in charming McKeesport, Pennsylvania. At 1:00 p.m. he goes to Slippery Rock University to emphasize “It’s On Us” campaign to reduce sexual violence on campus.
What’s going on.
This year State Employees Combined Appeal the campaign starts with an event at 11:00 Grove of soldiers and sailors behind the east wing of the Capitol.
You say this is your birthday section.
Our best wishes are sent this morning to Lycoming County Board of Elections Director Forrest Lehman who today becomes older by an unspecified year. Your wife, MeganI wanted to make sure your day started well. Congratulations, sir. We hope you enjoy your massive day. Additional best wishes go to our elderly pal, Bryce ConnorHarrisburg poppers Jellybricksand to PCN boss, Brian Lockmanboth of them are also celebrating today.
Heavy rotation.
For the birthday boy – also on request – here is one from the tardy George Harrisonin his disguise The Traveling Wilburys. His “Handle with care.”
Wednesday free football link.
Bright, Arsenal the back line is a mess. This it just means they’ll be fun to watchGuardian reports.
And now you’re up to date.
