Шестеро школьников с инвалидностью получили работу и признание в Скрэнтоне по программе L&I

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’s MY Work program. Over the course of the summer, six students worked throughout Scranton’s parks on projects including painting murals, gardening, mulching, and general maintenance and repairs. 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. “These six young people spent their summer showing us exactly what MY Work is all about,” Walker said. “They 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.” Created by L&I’s 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. “Year after year, the students enrolled in the MY Work program have contributed so much to Scranton and our collection of parks,” said Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. “We are proud of them and appreciate their hard work for the City of Scranton.” 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. 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. Auditor General releases Turnpike audit 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. “I am pleased to say that a lot has improved since our first audit in 2022,” DeFoor said. “The 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.” The audit has five findings and 19 recommendations for improvements. The performance audit covers the time from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2025. • 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. • 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’s credit rating has improved, and they have been able to invest in the turnpike’s future improvement beyond maintenance. • 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’ 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. • 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. • 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. “We made 19 recommendations to improve the financial status of the turnpike and collect the money it is owed,” DeFoor said. “The fact remains, the Turnpike Commission didn’t get into this situation alone, and the legislature and the Governor need to help improve its financial viability.” Recommendations include: • Putting together a task force to develop and enact legislation that will help mitigate the turnpike’s massive debt. • 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. • Make it easier for travelers to pay toll bills through tools like Venmo and Cash App. • Finding ways to attach unpaid bills to the traveler’s credit score, like any other creditor. Martin continues efforts to protect kids 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. 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. “There 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,” Martin said. “This 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.” Culver, Bloomsburg Public Library to workshop 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. 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. “Technology 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,” Culver said. “This workshop will give seniors an opportunity to ask questions, get hands-on help, and learn more about staying safe while using their devices.” Registration is encouraged by calling the Bloomsburg Public Library at 570-784-0883. Attendees should bring their smartphone and/or tablet to the workshop. Event details • What: Senior Technology Workshop • When: 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 27 • Where: Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market St., Bloomsburg • Registration: Call 570-784-0883 • Cost: Free Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more. Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.