December 17, 2014
Harrisburg – Dec. 17, 2014 – To better manage the cost of higher education and cut tax liability this year, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today reminded students and parents that contributions to an approved college savings plan by Dec. 31 are tax deductable.
“The high cost of a college education is a real challenge for students and parents,” Brewster said. “A 529 plan helps families manage costs and provides a means to reduce tax obligations.”
Brewster noted that state Treasurer Rob McCord’s office is offering free enrollment in the PA Guaranteed Savings Plan and the PA 529 Investment Plan.
“There are a great many resources available to help students, parents and families deal with the high cost of college,” Brewster said. “Establishing a PA 529 plan and making contributions is an excellent way for families to both save for college and lower tax bills at the same time.”
The treasurer reported that there are now nearly 200,000 accounts with more than $3.3 billion in assets that are being managed by his office.
Taxpayers can deduct up to $14,000 per beneficiary in PA 529 contributions from Pennsylvania taxable income on their state tax returns for 2014. Married couples filing jointly can deduct up to $28,000 per beneficiary if each spouse has taxable income of at least the amount deducted.
The PA 529 College Savings Program is offering free enrollment ($50 savings) for all new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) accounts opened by Dec. 31.
Brewster said that if students, parents, guardians or others need more information or want to enroll, they can visit www.PA529.com. To take advantage of the $50 savings, use enrollment code Brewster when prompted.
-30-
December 5, 2014
McKeesport, December 5, 2014 – Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today announced a $ 95,000 state grant for the City of Arnold to implement a five year financial management plan and operation strategy.
“These funds will help officials from Arnold establish a sound financial strategy moving forward,” Brewster said. “I am hopeful this will lead to a number of helpful efficiencies, improved management practices and long range cost savings.”
As former mayor of nearby McKeesport, Brewster said capitalizing on proven planning strategies, workable contingency planning and capitalizing on a host of other best practice financial and management tools can have an extensive impact on a community’s viability.
Brewster said he will continue to work with city leaders to obtain state funds to support efforts aimed at improving Arnold’s infrastructure and economic standing.
The grant is being administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Early Intervention Program.
# # #
October 30, 2013
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30, 2013 – Workforce development leaders and strategists from community colleges worked with the state Senate Democratic Policy Committee today to devise a better strategy for delivering trained employees to Pennsylvania’s energy, manufacturing and other industry sectors.
The policy committee travels the state to gather varied and, sometimes, groundbreaking ideas about how to respond to the commonwealth’s more pressing issues.
Today’s workshop, which was held at the request of Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), aimed its microscope at the problems employers continue to have in finding enough skilled workers who can fill key positions.
“The time has come to recognize that a four-year college education isn’t the only path to a good job and family sustaining career,” Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, said at the at the Green Tree Municipal Center meeting. “Community colleges, technical schools, apprenticeship programs, employer-sponsored programs and military careers have become viable choices and should no longer be viewed as the ugly step-sister to a four-year college education.”
“We met to discuss what is working in the greater Pittsburgh area,” said Fontana. “While college remains a vital thoroughfare for developing trained and critical-thinking graduates, there are other alternatives that have – and will – deliver the highly trained employees many in-demand industries are now seeking.”
At Alcoa, Paul Harris, the company’s human resources manager, said high school students too often lack the soft skills needed to be a good employee; things like coming to work on time, being able to take constructive feedback, and knowing how to properly dress for the job.
“We’ve got to find a way to cause our young people to think when they come to work,” Harris said.
Alcoa Foundation Principal Manager Scott Hudson said 65 percent of his company’s workforce is not college educated, so it’s important that some solution be presented to help high school graduates be better prepared.
“(Our employees) are certificate, skilled trades, operators and technicians, so we have a lot at stake, and we have a lot to offer in terms of our leadership and experts,” Hudson said.
Other panelists, like Catalyst Connection President and CEO Petra Mitchell, urged committee members and education leaders to better blend technical and soft skill instruction and to rethink the concept of career and technical schools and how they play into community colleges.
Community College of Allegheny County Vice President of Workforce Development Alicia Booker said even people with college degrees are turning to community colleges like hers to develop real world work skills.
Others who testified today before the Senate Democratic Policy Committee included William Generett Jr., president and CEO, Urban Innovation21; Stefani Pashman, president and CEO, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board; Steven Shivak, president, SMC Business Councils; and Cheryl Begandy, director of education, outreach and training, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.
###
January 21, 2012
McKeesport – January 21, 2012 – State Sen. Jim Brewster, who serves as the Democratic chair of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, has been reappointed as Chairman of the Board of the McKeesport Housing Authority.
“I am pleased and honored to continue my service as chair of the housing authority board,” Brewster said. “There are so many issues to address and so much work yet to do.
“We have had great success in developing new initiatives and formulating solutions because the board works together to solve problems. That is a credit to the dedication of the board members and those who are served by the programs offered by the authority.”
Brewster said the McKeesport Housing Authority is the third oldest in Pennsylvania. In addition to providing housing, the McKeesport Housing Authority has important and innovative programs such as the healthy lifestyle discussions lead by UPMC and a YMCA After School program available at its facilities.
Brewster was elected to council in McKeesport in 1995 and served as its president before becoming mayor in 2004. Brewster remains actively involved in activities in his hometown since his election to the state Senate and has served on the housing authority for the last 22 years. Brewster has served as chairman of the board for the last 20 years.
“As a former mayor and councilman who has been intensely involved in addressing issues impacting economically hard-hit communities, I know that we have plenty of work to do in the Senate to make progress,” Brewster said. “Senate Democrats recently unveiled a multi-faceted and comprehensive plan to tackle problems that plague smaller cities.
“The Senate Democratic GPS plan is focused on solving problems in areas such as economic development, blight, crime, education, modernization and distress.”
Brewster said that he is excited to begin the new session of the General Assembly. He was re-elected to a full term in 2012.
