Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to campaign for Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin
Watch: Gov. Josh Shapiro full speech at DNC convention
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania governor, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to show his support for Kamala Harris.
MADISON — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a former Democratic vice presidential short-lister, will campaign in south-central Wisconsin with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Saturday.
The Baldwin campaign shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Shapiro will join Baldwin at a meet-and-greet in Richland County on Saturday morning and a picnic with supporters from Iowa and Lafayette counties later that afternoon.
“At both events they will talk about the stakes of the upcoming election and the issues most important to voters this fall. They will also highlight their shared commitment to focusing on the priorities of all Americans and winning votes in all communities,” the Baldwin campaign said in a statement.
Less than two months from the Nov. 5 election, Baldwin maintains a slight lead over Republican challenger businessman Eric Hovde, according to a Marquette University Law School poll of Wisconsin voters released last week.
Baldwin led Hovde among registered voters 52%-48% and among likely voters 52-47%. That showed little change since the last Marquette poll conducted in August, which had Baldwin leading Hovde among registered voters 53% to 46% and among likely voters 52% to 47%.
The results included voters who were initially undecided and were asked who they would vote for if they had to choose. Without factoring in the 8% of registered voters undecided between Baldwin and Hovde, Baldwin led 48-44%. The polling was concluded before Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump debated.
In the latest poll, Baldwin was viewed favorably by 47% of voters, compared to 44% in August. She was also viewed unfavorably by 46%. About 7% of voters had no opinion of her, compared to 12% in August.
The Baldwin-Hovde race is closely watched as one that could help determine the balance of power in the Senate, where Baldwin is seeking her third term.
Baldwin and Hovde will meet for a debate on Oct. 18 in Madison hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation, which will be televised and broadcast on radio throughout the state.
Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo
HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.
Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone
With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”
Spotlight on East Penn Railroad
The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.
The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.
Building a Better Freight Future
East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.
Some of the other key projects include:
- CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
- Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
- NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.
Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.
Why It Matters
Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.
East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.
Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.
A Commitment to Progress
The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.
Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.
Pennsylvania
A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know
Have a question about Philly’s neighborhoods or the systems that shape them? PlanPhilly reporters want to hear from you! Ask us a question or send us a story idea you think we should cover.
A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.
But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.
“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.
Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.
In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.
Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute.
Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues
Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.
Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.
Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.
Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.
“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.
There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.
If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.
“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.
Pennsylvania
Ice-cold temperatures overnight, Impact Day Sunday
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