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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
More local governments in Pennsylvania would be able to tax more to cover fire, EMS costs under new bill
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at STATE COLLEGE — Hundreds of local governments in Pennsylvania would gain expanded taxing power to fund their cash-strapped fire departments and emergency medical services under a bill advancing in the legislature. Last year, the state legislature gave some local governments the ability to levy higher property taxes to fund fire companies and EMS providers. Now, a bill that would expand that opportunity to over 1,400 more municipalities has passed the Democratic-controlled state House. Local governments in Pennsylvania decide how to fund these emergency services for their communities. Governing boards can pay for these costs out of their main account, usually called the general fund, or they can set money aside using a special real estate tax and restrict that income to only fire or EMS services. David Greene, executive director of the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission, a legislative agency, described such a dedicated property tax as a 'lock box mechanism.' It 'gives the public an understanding that that portion of their tax bill is going [to] and is guaranteed for that specific purpose,' he told Spotlight PA. But for decades, state law has imposed an upper limit on how much local governments can tax property owners for these purposes: no more than 3 mills for a fire tax, and no more than half a mill for an EMS tax. These kinds of limits have been criticized by some as arbitrary. But that changed — to a small extent — last year when state lawmakers approved Act 54, which raised the fire tax limit to 10 mills and the EMS tax cap to 5 mills for about 150 boroughs and townships in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, according to a count compiled by the Pennsylvania Local Government Commission. In Bucks County's Northampton Township, the board of supervisors decided it was 'absolutely critical' to fund a full-time fire department that is on call every hour of the day, Township Manager Robert Pellegrino told Spotlight PA. The trouble was that the township was already charging property owners the maximum rate of a fire tax it could under state law: $3 for every $1,000 of the assessed value of a property — or 3 mills. That translates to about $1.8 million, which is less than one-third of the township fire department's budget, Pellegrino said. Before the tax cap increase, Northampton Township had limited options to make up the difference. It could transfer money from its general fund, which could put severe strain on other services like police, or it could raise its taxing limits through a voter referendum, which Pellegrino said is an 'unsustainable model.' Pellegrino said his township worked with state legislators on behalf of the measure. Northampton Township was one of the three local governments (all in Bucks County) that have exercised this new, higher taxing authority so far. 'It's a huge relief and a very big help,' Pellegrino told Spotlight PA. Northampton Township is able to almost entirely fund its fire department with the new tax. At least 855 of the state's 2,558 municipalities impose some form of fire tax, according to a database maintained by the Department of Community and Economic Development, which includes tax information submitted by about 80% of local governments. The same dataset showed 224 local governments reported having a tax for ambulance, rescue, and emergency services. A Spotlight PA analysis of state data found that among municipalities that have a form of fire tax, about 7.5% have reached or exceeded the cap. For those with an EMS tax, 62% have met or gone beyond half a mill. The increases allowed by Act 54 were 'a step in the right direction,' state Rep. Chris Pielli (D., Chester), prime sponsor for House Bill 393, wrote in a memo seeking support from his colleagues. His proposal would allow second-class townships in Pennsylvania — where a majority of commonwealth residents live — the same 10-mill limit for a fire tax and 5-mill cap for an EMS tax. Pielli, a former township supervisor, told Spotlight PA that his proposal has the support of local fire and EMS agencies. He said that funding is only one aspect of the crisis facing public safety services and that additional actions in Harrisburg, like tax breaks for first responders, should be considered. 'This is a problem that requires a multipronged approach,' Pielli said. Nearly 90% of the state's 1,770 registered fire departments are entirely staffed by volunteers, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A 2021 survey of Pennsylvania's 744 certified EMS agencies found more than half of them had experienced a budget deficit, according to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency. Many local fire companies and EMS providers have sounded the alarm on funding and operational challenges. 'EMS systems are collapsing under the weight of outdated reimbursement models [and] the lack of funding to maintain 24/7 readiness and workforce attrition,' Janette Swade, executive director for the independent Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, told Spotlight PA in an email. Swade's organization doesn't take positions on legislation, including Pielli's. But she said raising municipal EMS taxes, increasing mutual aid among agencies, and establishing EMS authorities are some solutions the council supports. David Sanko, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, told Spotlight PA that the higher taxing limits proposed in Pielli's bill would enable better local decision-making. Arden Knapp, chair of the Pleasant Township Board of Supervisors in Warren County, told Spotlight PA the proposed measure is 'really necessary.' Knapp's rural township now taxes the maximum rates for both fire and EMS services, but revenue continues to be strained, because a third of the township's land mass is public forest that does not generate tax income. The township is 'taking every bit of that EMS tax' as well as additional monies from the general fund to ensure ambulance services for residents, he said. Part of the cost goes to hiring a private, nighttime ambulance, because staffing has been a struggle. Knapp said he believes residents will support a potential increase because they realize the financial reality of fire and ambulance services — something Pellegrino, Sanko, and Pielli told Spotlight PA they have observed. 'When you're dealing with municipalities, I think for the most part, they try to be as responsible as possible and set the rates precisely [as] what they believe is the reasonable amount of revenue that they need,' Greene, of the Local Government Commission, said. The commission tracks which municipalities take advantage of Act 54 and studies the impacts. Some key questions Greene and his agency will study include why municipalities opt to levy these special real estate taxes, how the increased funding is spent, and whether higher fire and EMS taxes alleviate fundraising pressures. The commission's assistant director, Kristopher Gazsi, said the study will hopefully inform future bills. and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Firm behind Project Eagle loan portfolio to be wound up
Directors of the company at the centre of the National Asset Management Agency 's (Nama) controversial Project Eagle deal expect to wind it up next year, according to its latest accounts. Promontoria Eagle, the company used by US investor Cerberus Capital Management to buy loans to mostly Northern Ireland-based borrowers from Nama in 2014, collected £526,606 (€626,000) from those debts last year, returns to the Republic's Companies' Registration Office show. Directors Donal O'Sullivan and David Greene state that the company expects to collect the outstanding loans within 12 months from May of this year, when they signed Promontoria Eagle's latest accounts, after which time the company will no longer be active. 'As a result it is the intention of the directors to wind down and liquidate the company following the realisation of the company's remaining assets,' they say. READ MORE [ Nama criticised over handling of 'success fee' in €1.6 billion Project Eagle sale after seven-year inquiry Opens in new window ] 'The directors expect this to occur within 12 months from the approval of the financial statements.' The accounts show that Promontoria Eagle lost £592,702 last year, following a profit of £362,850 in 2023. Cerberus paid Nama €1.6 billion for Northern Ireland-linked property loans worth a total of €6 billion in April 2014, giving the US investment giant the right to collect the debts or take ownership of the assets against which they were secured. Following a Dáil Committee of Public Accounts inquiry sparked by a row over the deal, the State's Comptroller and Auditor General found that Nama could have secured €220 million more for the loans. However, a subsequent commission of inquiry headed by solicitor Susan Gilvarry found the agency got the best price available. Cerberus was an active buyer of property loans from banks and Nama in the years following a financial crash in 2008 that threatened to leave the State insolvent. The US firm generally channelled finance to Irish companies established to hold the loans, such as Promontoria Eagle, through subsidiaries in the Netherlands. Cerberus used a combination of its own cash and loans from international banks to pay for its Irish activities. It then loaned this money to its companies in the Republic, allowing it take advantage of tax breaks on interest repayments given to property holding companies. The Oireachtas subsequently changed the law to end those tax breaks. Controversy erupted over Project Eagle in 2015, when it emerged that Ian Coulter, managing partner of Belfast solicitors' firm Tughans, transferred €7 million in fees from the transaction to an Isle of Man bank account without his firm's knowledge. Mr Coulter transferred the cash back to the firm and resigned, leading to claims that political and business figures in the North were to benefit from the cash. The row led to a criminal investigation in the North and the Committee of Public Accounts inquiry in the Republic.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
R3 Stem Cell Publishes Podcast Called Stem Cell Genius to Educate Consumers on Regenerative Medicine
The world's largest provider of regenerative therapies, R3 Stem Cell, has launched a new podcast called Stem Cell Genius. 'With R3's Podcast Stem Cell Genius, we will provide accurate information to FAQ's in layman's terms so people understand what these wonderful stem cell and exosome therapies can or can't do!'— David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA SCOTTSDALE, AZ, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2025 / / -- The world's largest provider of regenerative therapies, R3 Stem Cell, has launched a new podcast called Stem Cell Genius. The podcast will touch on regenerative medicine subjects that will educate consumers on frequently asked questions and provide accurate information to delineate fact from fiction in the industry. The topics will be generated from the vast majority of frequently asked questions received on a daily basis. For instance, in the first episode R3 Stem Cell CEO David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA, explains the basics of what stem cells and exosomes are. In the second episode, Dr. Greene clarifies the differences between stem cells used in the USA versus internationally. According to Dr. Greene, 'There are so many questions surrounding stem cell therapy from the public, and unfortunately there are many unscrupulous actors spreading misinformation. With R3's President Samantha Brechner as the host, we will provide accurate information to FAQ's in layman's terms so people understand what these wonderful therapies can or can't do!' With over 26,000 stem cell procedures performed in the past decade, R3 Stem Cell has over 70 Centers in 7 countries. The company has published 10 peer reviewed research papers over the past 2 years, on regenerative therapies for conditions such as autism, Cerebral Palsy, premature ovarian failure, diabetes and more. With an incredibly broad experience, R3's CEO Dr. David Greene is able to convey a deep understanding of not just what the biologics are, but how they work for individuals and what to expect. Dr. Greene added, 'I'm not interested in fluff content involving stem cell research that won't help people. The topics are directly tied to existing therapies that are changing lives every day. For example, stem cell therapy for autism works amazingly well and is safe. Parents need the latest information to be able to make educated decisions regarding their child's healthcare.' R3 Stem Cell has stem cell clinics in Turkey, Philippines, Pakistan, India, Mexico, USA and South Africa. Each clinic utilizes R3's biologics and best practice protocols. New episodes will be added weekly, with the Stem Cell Genius podcast being available on all major content platforms. David Greene, MD, PhD, MBA R3 Stem Cell International +1 (888) 988-0515 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
One major Georgia quarterback snubbed from top 90 quarterbacks in 21st century
One major Georgia quarterback snubbed from top 90 quarterbacks in 21st century ESPN sports writer Bill Connelly ranked the top 90 college football quarterbacks in the 21st century. Three Georgia Bulldogs quarterbacks made the list, but there was one major name snubbed from the rankings (but earning honorable mention recognition). Honorable Mention: Matthew Stafford Stafford didn't make the list, probably due to lack of attempts at Georgia, but through three seasons, he totaled 7,731 yards. He had 51 touchdowns and 33 interceptions, but his raw arm talent was enough for him to be No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He's the only Georgia quarterback to be selected No. 1. He is also the most successful pro quarterback from Georgia, winning a Super Bowl and earning the most guaranteed money through 2025 of any active NFL player. No. 76: David Greene, 2001-04 David Greene was the quarterback during Mark Richt's first four seasons, and he led Georgia to great heights. He won 42 games as Georgia's starter, breaking NFL legend Peyton Manning's record when he was in college. He also totaled eight fourth-quarter comebacks, with the most memorable one being against Tennessee in the infamous "Hobnail Boot" game. Green led the Bulldogs to a 2002 SEC championship victory as well, something he has over the next Dawg in Connelly's rankings. No. 48: Aaron Murray, 2010-2013 David Greene broke several records as a starter for UGA, but Murray ended up breaking many of Greene's records during his tenure as a Bulldog. Not only did he own Georgia records, he also has the SEC record for career passing yards and touchdowns. He is almost 1,000 passing yards over second place Will Rogers. While not winning as much as Greene at Georgia, he led the Bulldogs to back-to-back SEC championship appearances in 2011 and 2012. Unfortunately, he lost both games to LSU and Alabama respectively. Once he ran out of eligibility in Georgia in 2013, he was drafted in the fifth-round of the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. While his NFL career was short, he has had a successful career as an analyst of college football. No. 42: Stetson Bennett, 2020-2023 Stetson Bennett was a consummate winner at Georgia, but he was also a steady quarterback at Georgia. His story is the stuff of legends. As a walk-on, Bennett had to compete for the starting job and didn't win it until 2021. After that, he led the greatest run in Bulldogs history, quarterback the Bulldogs to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. Bennett has the second best completion percentage of all Georgia quarterbacks and his 2.27% interception percentage is the third lowest out of any Georgia quarterbacks. He's currently on the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL with Matthew Stafford.
Axios
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
"The Outsiders" joins Playhouse Square's Broadway series
"The Outsiders" will join the already loaded 2025-26 KeyBank Broadway Series, Playhouse Square announced Wednesday. The intrigue: Playhouse Square was a co-producer on the Broadway production of "The Outsiders," which won Best Musical at last year's Tony Awards. The announcement caps a months-long reveal for the 2025-26 series that began with news "The Notebook" musical would launch its national tour at Connor Palace this September. Here's the full schedule: "The Notebook" (Sept. 6-27 at Connor Palace) "Hell's Kitchen" (Oct. 10-Nov. 1 at KeyBank State Theatre) "Stereophonic" (Jan. 6-25, 2026 at Connor Palace) "Suffs" (Feb. 3-22, 2026, at Connor Palace) "Water For Elephants" (March 10-29, 2026, at Connor Palace) "The Outsiders" (April 28-May17, 2026, at Connor Palace) "The Great Gatsby" (June 9-28, 2026, at Connor Palace) What they're saying:"We are incredibly proud of our investment in The Outsiders," said David Greene, senior VP of programming at Playhouse Square, in a statement. "From the very beginning, we knew this show was something special. Presenting the first national tour here at Playhouse Square and sharing 'The Outsiders' with Cleveland audiences is a true full circle moment." If you go: Season tickets for the 2025-26 KeyBank Broadway Series go on sale Feb. 26 at 11am. Prices start at $165. Single-show tickets will go on sale at a later date.
