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Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker this week celebrated the achievements of a group of high school students with disabilities who spent their summer gaining valuable job skills and making a visible difference in Scranton through L&I\u2019s MY Work program.<\/p>\n
Over the course of the summer, six students worked throughout Scranton\u2019s parks on projects including painting murals, gardening, mulching, and general maintenance and repairs.<\/p>\n
During the celebration at Weston Field, Richard Bagley, Jan Carlos Bello Cardoso, Aaric Bernard, Keyla Guevera, Andrew Islas, and Rhys Jones were recognized for their accomplishments, dedication, and contributions to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese six young people spent their summer showing us exactly what MY Work is all about,\u201d Walker said. \u201cThey showed up, worked hard, learned new skills, earned a paycheck, and made Scranton a better place for everyone who calls the Electric City home. What they gained this summer goes far beyond something to add to a resume. They built confidence, made connections, and opened doors to new possibilities for their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Created by L&I\u2019s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), MY Work provides high school students with disabilities meaningful, paid work experiences in their own communities. For many participants, the program provides their first job, first paycheck, and first opportunity to explore a career while developing workplace and independent-living skills. OVR covers wages for MY Work participants, while community partners provide worksite training and support.<\/p>\n
\u201cYear after year, the students enrolled in the MY Work program have contributed so much to Scranton and our collection of parks,\u201d said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. \u201cWe are proud of them and appreciate their hard work for the City of Scranton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP), a national nonprofit organization that provides community-based services and support to young people and families, has partnered with OVR on MY Work in Scranton for six years, providing staff and worksite support to help participating students succeed on the job.<\/p>\n
This year marks the 10th anniversary of MY Work. The program expanded statewide in 2021, and since then has provided paid, real-world work experiences to more than 3,600 young Pennsylvanians.<\/p>\n
Auditor General releases Turnpike audit<\/p>\n
Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor has released a second performance audit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, which found its financial position has improved, but that debt management and unpaid toll collection continue to be challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am pleased to say that a lot has improved since our first audit in 2022,\u201d DeFoor said. \u201cThe commission has worked with the legislature to implement our recommendation to make it harder for drivers to dodge their toll bills, made headway on its debt payments, and improved its credit rating. However, it still has more debt than the entire general obligation debt for government activities for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, largely due to Acts 44 and 89 requiring it to pay PennDOT another $1.6 billion through 2057.\u201d<\/p>\n
The audit has five findings and 19 recommendations for improvements. The performance audit covers the time from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Finding 1, auditors found that the commission continues to face significant challenges to raise toll revenue to make future payments to PennDOT under the Act 44\/89 financial structure, associated debt payments, and capital contributions.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Finding 2, auditors found toll increases driven by Act 44\/89 continue to burden travelers, including the need for the Commission to annually increase toll rates through 2055. However, since the annual payment to PennDOT decreased, the commission\u2019s credit rating has improved, and they have been able to invest in the turnpike\u2019s future improvement beyond maintenance.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Finding 3, auditors found that the implementation of Open Road Tolling (ORT) resulted in a mix of increases and decreases to both passenger and commercial vehicles\u2019 toll rates. However, by implementing the new formula, the commission aligned the Turnpike with the industry standards that base tolls on the number of vehicle axles and vehicle height.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Finding 4, auditors found that the commission has seen a significant increase in bad debt expense and the amounts reported for uncollected and unbillable tolls since the implementation of all electronic tolling in June 2020. The commission had $229 million still owed to it from June 2024 to May 2025 from in-state and out-of-state travelers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Finding 5, auditors found that the commission must continue to seek new ways to collect tolls from travelers. Although the Pennsylvania General Assembly and the commission implemented additional toll collection enforcement methods since our prior audit report, we found that those efforts did not result in the actual collection of outstanding tolls.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made 19 recommendations to improve the financial status of the turnpike and collect the money it is owed,\u201d DeFoor said. \u201cThe fact remains, the Turnpike Commission didn\u2019t get into this situation alone, and the legislature and the Governor need to help improve its financial viability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recommendations include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Putting together a task force to develop and enact legislation that will help mitigate the turnpike\u2019s massive debt.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Closely monitor the performance of the two debt collection agencies to help recover the money it is owed and add more agencies if higher collection rates are not achieved.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Make it easier for travelers to pay toll bills through tools like Venmo and Cash App.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Finding ways to attach unpaid bills to the traveler\u2019s credit score, like any other creditor.<\/p>\n
Martin continues efforts to protect kids<\/p>\n
To help keep kids safe from potential threats online, the week of August 17-23 would be designated as Social Media Safety and Parental Awareness Week in Pennsylvania under a resolution introduced today by Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster.<\/p>\n
First created last year, the week-long designation is the first of its kind in the country, urging parents, guardians, and students to better understand potential threats in the digital world. These include growing threats, such as sextortion, cyberbullying, AI-generated child sexual abuse material, grooming, and other dangerous forms of abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are new threats emerging online at a rapid pace, and it can be extremely difficult for parents and young people to keep informed about all the different ways criminals seek to exploit children,\u201d Martin said. \u201cThis designation recognizes the dangers facing young people online and the importance of protecting them from those who target them through social media, gaming platforms, and other digital mediums.\u201d<\/p>\n
Culver, Bloomsburg Public Library to workshop<\/p>\n
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) and the Bloomsburg Public Library will host a free Senior Technology Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 27, at the library, 225 Market St., Bloomsburg.<\/p>\n
The workshop will provide seniors with assistance using smartphones and tablets and information about cyber safety. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own phone or tablet so they can receive help with questions about their device.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology has become part of so many everyday tasks, but it can also be frustrating or confusing when something does not work the way we expect,\u201d Culver said. \u201cThis workshop will give seniors an opportunity to ask questions, get hands-on help, and learn more about staying safe while using their devices.\u201d<\/p>\n
Registration is encouraged by calling the Bloomsburg Public Library at 570-784-0883.<\/p>\n
Attendees should bring their smartphone and\/or tablet to the workshop.<\/p>\n
Event details<\/p>\n
\u2022 What: Senior Technology Workshop<\/p>\n
\u2022 When: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 27<\/p>\n
\u2022 Where: Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market St., Bloomsburg<\/p>\n
\u2022 Registration: Call 570-784-0883<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cost: Free<\/p>\n
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