Brewster: City of McKeesport to Receive Traffic Safety Improvement Funds

Brewster: City of McKeesport to Receive Traffic Safety Improvement Funds

McKeesport – May 29, 2019 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) announced that McKeesport is set to receive funding assistance to improve traffic safety through the Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) fund.

“This funding is instrumental to improve traffic flow and safety,” Brewster said. “I am glad to see our region receiving assistance to invest in traffic projects that will ensure both motorists and pedestrians are able to travel safely.”

Three projects were approved for ARLE funding totaling $344,000.

They include:

  • McKeesport Traffic Safety Project;
  • Versailles Avenue and Evans Street Signal Replacement; and
  • Lysle Boulevard and Coursin Street Audible Pedestrian Upgrade.

The approved projects will provide a variety of traffic safety improvements in McKeesport such as new traffic signal supports, updated pedestrian accommodations, and the creation of traffic safety programs.

According to Brewster, the improvements implemented with the ARLE funding will help to remediate speeding and sight issues that have concerned pedestrians and motorists in McKeesport.

“As travel increases in our area, we must do what we can to provide for traffic improvements that keep motorists and pedestrians safe,” Brewster said. “I believe this funding is an excellent step in addressing the traffic concerns of local residents and those traveling through the area.”

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State Officials and Advocates Kick Off Real Jobs, Real Pay Tour

State Officials and Advocates Kick Off Real Jobs, Real Pay Tour

Pennsylvania − May 20, 2019 − Advocates, lawmakers and state officials will participate in tours and a statewide day of action on Thursday, May 23rd with businesses that choose to pay their employees a living wage.

Pennsylvania’s minimum wage remains at a regional low of $7.25 per hour, the minimum still set by the federal government. The state is beyond due for an increase in this poverty-level wage.

According to a recent report from the Keystone Research Center, an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $12/hour on July 1, 2019 (as proposed by Governor Tom Wolf and members of the General Assembly as part of this year’s budget negotiations) would impact a total of 1.7 million Pennsylvania workers. More than 1.13 million would see a direct increase; 540,000 people who make slightly more than $12/hour would see their wages increase as payscales are adjusted upwards.

Despite a decade without a mandated increase from the state or federal government, business owners throughout Pennsylvania understand that a $7.25 wage is unacceptable and have taken it upon themselves to ensure that their workers are able to support themselves through full-time work. Those businesses are thriving.

Members of the press are invited to attend these tours and ask questions of the legislators and business owners. Tour stops include:

Harrisburg

2:00pm at Elementary Coffee

Broad Street Market, 1233 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17102

Pittsburgh

3:30pm at Bar Marco

2216 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Philadelphia

1:30pm at La Barberia

Suburban Station Concourse, 17th St. & JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Delaware County

5:00pm at Five Points Coffee Shop

47 Long Ln, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Chester County

3:00pm at Mabel’s BBQ

607 East Market St. West Chester, PA

Bucks County

1pm at Exact Solar

82 Walker Lane, Newtown PA 18940

Lancaster

11am at El Pueblito Mexican Restaurant

1027 Dillerville Rd., Dillerville Square, Lancaster

Follow along with the day of action on Twitter with #RealJobsRealPay

For more information on the urgent need to raise the minimum wage, visit realjobsrealpay.com