Senator Eichelberger » Blog

The truck turned over 280,000

John Eichelberger — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:50:06 +0000

I drove to Williamsport early this morning for Senator Gene Yaw’s student program. Gene’s program is much different than what I did. He had small groups of students in a classroom with a panel of state officials and lobbyists. There were three such sessions, two with specific topics and the last one being an open forum. I enjoyed it, for the most part. I got back in time for a quick stop at the Bedford Chamber’s Business After Hours on my way to a town hall meeting in Needmore. We had a lively group tonight and went longer than usual. We talked about Voter ID, the budget, school consolidation, health care and redistricting among other things. It was a big day and with all of the traveling, the truck turned over 280,000.

-John

No one cares how the problem got fixed, just that it’s fixed

John Eichelberger — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:27:39 +0000

I went through a stack of scheduling requests for this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wed. that could choke a horse. If there is anyone out there who is not coming to Harrisburg next week, let me know. I worked on constituent problems most of the day. We’ve seen some very unusual situations lately. I’ve learned that knowing where to turn is about as important as anything. People usually come to us for help with a state agency. Sometimes we can solve the problem by working with the local or federal government. To use a very overused phrase, at the end of the day, no one cares how the problem got fixed, just that it’s fixed.

-John

At least, they have a better chance of making it

John Eichelberger — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:25:53 +0000

I met with constituents this morning then went to the quarterly advisory board meeting of Youth Forestry Camp #3 in Huntingdon County. We had an informative meeting, as usual and spent some time going over the educational program at the camp and through the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center. The kids have several options on top of the GED program, including a new course on auto mechanics that will give them an inspection certificate. If we can get these kids on a better path that provides the security of a job, they can make it. At least, they have a better chance of making it.

-John

With a district that’s almost 3,000 square miles, that’s the way it works

John Eichelberger — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:12:51 +0000

I had trouble with my cell phone last week and was advised to do an update that should have been done a few weeks ago. I got advice from an IT guy and my carrier before doing it. Well, after the update was completed, my problem was fixed, but I lost about half of my contact list. So, if you don’t hear from me for a while, you’ll know what happened. I didn’t have anything scheduled out of the office today. I met with constituents and took care of the usual scheduling, etc. with staff. Most of the rest of the week’s schedule includes a lot of travel. With a district that’s almost 3,000 square miles, that’s the way it works.

-John

Happy Mother’s Day!

John Eichelberger — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:33:34 +0000

Happy Mother’s Day! Charlotte and I took my mother to lunch after church. We had a good time together. I hope everyone who was able to do something for their mother did so. For those that couldn’t, I hope they enjoyed a good memory or shared a story about their mother. There wasn’t much worth discussing in the papers. There are rumors about what will happen in the House with the budget. I’m sure there will be some tweaks, but beyond minor adjustments, who knows. They may wait until May’s revenue numbers are in. One thing to remember on this issue is that the Senate, and I assume the House, will be using the new Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) numbers, not the Secretary of the Budget numbers. There are some differences. The other detail that seems to escape writers on the budget is that from the time the Governor proposed his budget in February and the Senate version last week, there was a much different revenue figure. That figure not only affects this year, but carries through for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 budget projections.

-John

Thanks to everyone who helped

John Eichelberger — Sun, 13 May 2012 01:39:05 +0000

I spent all day at our inaugural A.B. Ross Leadership Program. After the local schools were no longer interested in continuing our William Penn Leadership Program, we decided to approach Penn State Extension about a program for 4H students. They liked the idea and the subsequent discussions led to the new program that began this morning. A.B. Ross was the very first extension agent in the country and started his new role in Bedford County. An historic marker honoring him was unveiled at this year’s farm show and will soon be placed in Bedford County. Our program was focused on a new requirement for nutrient management plans and was set up to “train the trainer”. The kids who attended will work with other kids in their chapters to teach them about the new rules. Wendy Reitz from my staff did a great job putting this together. You know it went well when everyone was talking about next year as they went out the door. Thanks to everyone who helped.

-John

We’re lucky to have this resource in Pennsylvania and this area will share in the growth

John Eichelberger — Sat, 12 May 2012 02:44:51 +0000

I heard an economist speak this morning at ABCD’s annual breakfast. He tried to put a positive spin on where the economy globally and nationally is headed, but it was not all good news. He was surprisingly bullish on this area, however. He cited various gauges that had our area near the top of the state’s metropolitan statistical areas. I often see such indicators, but never as presented today. He also talked about the success Marcellus has brought and will bring to Pennsylvania. Yesterday at the Gardner Denver ribbon cutting, the DCED Secretary said his department calculates that 200,000 Pennsylvanians will be working in the gas industry by 2020. The CEO of the company said that it will be sooner than that. As bad as things look at times, our natural resources are providing opportunities that haven’t been tapped since the boom of the coal or lumber industries many years ago. We’re lucky to have this resource in Pennsylvania and this area will share in the growth.

-John

It’s great to see good news like this

John Eichelberger — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:15:32 +0000

This morning I attended Senator Don White’s student event at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I was on an insurance panel with insurance company executives. We had a classroom full of high school students and worked through a mock bill that would mandate every citizen to purchase health insurance or be fined. Thankfully, most of the students were adamantly opposed to this idea, and for all of the right reasons. I enjoyed the interaction with the kids and am sorry our local schools abandoned this area’s program at Penn State Altoona. I got back in time to speak to a large group of folks at the Ramada in Altoona who have a loved one with special needs. I left there to join DCED Secretary Allen Walker for a ribbon cutting at the Gardner Denver building near Bellwood. The new jobs there are only part of the growth this facility brings because other local businesses have hired additional employees to provide services for them. It’s great to see good news like this.

-John

I was squeezed into my truck like a sardine in a can

John Eichelberger — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:24:47 +0000

The Senate passed budget bills today by a vote of 39 to 8. Most of the D’s voted with us, which was great. The package of bills now goes to the House and starts through their process. Word in the halls was that most of the House members were pretty comfortable with what we sent. The Governor toned down his rhetoric by saying that the new total spend number is a “ceiling”. That’s better than calling it “unsustainable” like it was termed in yesterday’s media. I went to a LEAD meeting at the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center on my way home. We covered a lot of information and I enjoyed seeing everyone in attendance. I hit the office after that to unpack the equipment and supplies I brought back from Harrisburg. I was squeezed into my truck like a sardine in a can. What a trip.

-John

Better communications from our chief executive would be appreciated

John Eichelberger — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:02:52 +0000

I had more appointments in the office today than I can remember for a long while. It is always busy at the capitol close to budget time and this year is no exception. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed budget bills today that will be on the calendar for the full Senate tomorrow. The Appropriations staff has been working on these numbers for weeks while our leadership had meetings with the House leadership and the administration. Today, after 24 hours of news stories that included the latest numbers, the administration said that the spending was too high, that it was “unsustainable”. It would have been nice if he expressed his concerns two days ago, before the revisions were released to the press. Once again, I look at a situation and scratch my head. Where was the Governor over the past few weeks and why would he wait until the numbers went public to say that a 1.8% spending increase, well under a TABOR spending number, was too high? In spite of his comments, the Senate should pass it tomorrow, without much of a problem. It still has to go through the House and will probably change somewhat in any event. But, as things progress, better communications from our chief executive would be appreciated.

-John