The LuLac Edition #2816, January 16th, 2015

WOLF’S GREAT PICK

Incoming Governor Tom Wolf made a Cabinet choice that I thought was indicative on the type of Governor he will be. Ever since I can remember Insurance Commissioners have been tools of the Insurance companies. Why do you think that Blue Cross/Blue Shield had a monopoly in the Commonwealth for years?
Wolf has picked Teresa Miller who has real life experience in the health sector at both the state and federal levels. She is the former administrator of the Oregon Insurance Division, where she received national recognition for her efforts to improve the rates review process. She also served as acting director of the State Exchanges Group, the Oversight Group, and the Insurance Programs Group at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

 Teresa D. Miller. (Photo: Crowell & Moring).

Miller helped CMS roll out the regulations and guided the implementation of key provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
Here’s the thing. Wolf knows the Affordable Care Act is here to stay. He also has not picked some lackey who will delegate this important economic component of his administration to someone who cant navigate this new law. In this pick Wolf is exhibiting his common sense and experience as businessman who provided health for his workers. Good pick.
Here’s a bio of Attorney Miller: Teresa D. Miller, 39, is a partner at Crowell & Moring in the Health Care Group where she focuses on matters related to the implementation and enforcement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Miller served as acting director of the State Exchanges Group, the Oversight Group, and the Insurance Programs Group at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to her time with the federal government, Miller was the administrator of Oregon's Insurance Division. Earlier in her career, Miller worked for the Oregon Department of Justice, Portland General Electric, the Tresidder Company, among other organizations. Miller also served as legislative director to former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. Miller received her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Pacific Lutheran University. She currently lives in Washington, D.C.

WHY KANE WILL PREVAIL

Attorney General Kathleen Kane. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Bold prediction time on LuLac. These proposed charges against Attorney General Kathleen Kane will only enhance her political standing. Here’s why:
1. It is not an issue about money. People understand a politician on the take. Kane has not stolen anything.
2. The charges against her are muddied by the fact that people know that confidential sources are supposed to be confidential. Who leaked that she supposedly leaked?
3. This is not a statewide indictment but from a county in the state. People will be hard pressed to articulate why she is being charged. Spiro Agnew getting cases of shrimp, they believed and could tell their neighbor. This? Can they explain it? Forget it.
4. Everybody loves an underdog and Kane’s people are playing that card. Kane will have her haters but know and understand this. Pennsylvanians have a strange sense of justice. Call it chivalry or sexism but a large segment of the population will look at Kane as their wife, daughter or sister being picked on.
5. With Kane coming out and defending herself, with Lanny Davis as her lawyer (he of the Clinton scandal legal crew) and the former President himself on speed dial, you can be sure Kane will not go away without a fight.
Like Mitt Romney going for a third try at the White House…remember you read it here first.

THE CANDY MAN

Senator Pat Toomey. (Photo: LuLac archives).

Senator Pat Toomey is closing in on the last two years of his term as United States Senator. Without a doubt there are various issues ahead of him but there is also some light duty. Toomey is now in charge of stocking The Senate candy drawer. Now this might seem like a trivial thing but in one of my former jobs I had, I was assigned to that task. And you never took it lightly. If you got junk, like stuff from The Dollar Store that was past due there would be subtle hints. Your work would be on the bottom of the pile. So I went with a safe choice. Hershey. Yeah I’m a brand guy but you could never miss with good old Hershey. I’m sure Toomey will add a few more Pennsylvania varieties to his stash, can anyone say Gertrude Hawk, Stopays’s or Victoria’s?
Toomey said, “This is a sweet honor. I can now showcase Pennsylvania confectioners to the other 99 Senators in hopes of sweetening the bitter partisan atmosphere that has consumed the Senate in recent years.
This is also an important industry for our state. Pennsylvania is home to more than 200 confectionery companies, 10,000 confectionery employees, and produces $5 billion worth of candy each year.”

REP. CARTWRIGHT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY

Congressman Matt Cartwright. (Photo: LuLac archives).

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright reintroduced the Financial Literacy for Students Act with the support of 29 colleagues.
The Act would create incentive grants to states who agree to provide financial literacy education in Title I public elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, the legislation would allow for significant flexibility, creativity and innovation in the integration of financial literacy and entrepreneurship education into existing curriculums, as well as encourage appropriate professional development for teachers for the teaching of financial literacy.
“Consumer sophistication on financial matters has never been more important than it is in today’s economy,”said Cartwright. “The key to improving the financial literacy of all Americans is ensuring that our students have access, at all appropriate stages of their education, to formal financial literacy education.”
One national organization that is already focused on financial literacy educations is Junior Achievement (JA). JA provides K-12 students with experiential, hands-on programs focusing on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness. Its programs are typically delivered during the school day by a volunteer from the local business community. Students learn critical life skills such as how to create and use a budget, how to start and run a business, and how to succeed in the workforce.
JA currently reaches more than 4.5 million U.S. students annually including over 10,000 throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, with an office based in Pittston.
Melissa Turlip,President of Junior Achievement’s NEPA Chapter applauded the legislation, “Junior Achievement supports an increased focus on financial literacy education for our nation’s students. Money-management skills are critical to students’ success as adults. Too often, young people must learn how to manage their finances through trial and error. JA is dedicated to empowering young people to own their economic success, and supports this bill.”
Under current law, individual states are left to create and implement financial literacy education curriculum and courses in their districts and schools. As a result, only six states require the testing of student knowledge in personal finance. Only 17 states require students to take a personal finance course (or require that personal finance be included in an economics or civics course) as a high school graduation requirement.
“As we work to prepare our students for the 21st century workplace, a consistent approach to financial education in our schools will help our students entering college and the workforce be well-prepared and ready to make sound financial decisions,” said Cartwright.

HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES BARLETTA BILL PROTECTING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS FROM OBAMACARE

Congressman Barletta on C-Span. (Photo: Barletta press office).

Congressman Lou Barletta praised the House’s unanimous passage of his legislation to protect volunteer firefighters and emergency responders from the unintended consequences of Obamacare. Barletta’s bill, theProtecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act (HR 33), ensures that emergency services volunteers are not counted as full-time employees by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Employer Mandate of Obamacare. If volunteer fire companies were subject to the mandates of Obamacare, they could be liable for crippling new health care costs, causing many to have to close their doors. The House passed Barletta’s bill on a rare unanimous vote of 401-to-0. It now heads to the Senate for its approval.
“To be clear, forcing volunteer fire companies to comply with Obamacare will not extend health insurance to the uninsured,”Barletta said. “Rather, it will close firehouses, placing people at risk.”

FRIENDS OF FRANK BENEFIT

Frank Pasquini. (Photo: Facebook).

For anyone who was involved in the Unite Way in the 80s, the local colleges or downtown Wilkes Barre Development you need to hear about this. Frank Pasquini is in a battle with cancer and his friends are putting together a benefit for him. Here’s what’s happening. The Friends of Frank benefit reception is Thursday, January 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Genetti’s Best Western Hotel, Wilkes-Barre.
You can still help support Frank, Donna and their family by attending the reception or by making a gift to “The Friends of Frank Fund”. Gifts will assist Frank with medical and related expenses.
If you wish to purchase a ticket for the reception or make a donation online, please go to the following site http://pasquini.eventbrite.com
You may also make a gift by sending a check payable to “The Friends of Frank Fund” to PNC Bank, 11 W. Market St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or Choice One Community Credit Union, 101 Hazle St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.
A gift basket for our Silent Auction is also appreciated.
In addition to the online site above, reception tickets are available from the following “Friends of Frank” – Jim Bebla, Chris Bedwick, Bill Behm, Jim Brogna, Gary Cook, John Dawe, Bill Genello, Brian Gill, John Maday, Donna Sedor, Mark Soprano, Paul Strunk, Bob Sylvester or at any of the following locations (Wyoming Valley CYC, Wilkes-Barre; Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce; Diocese of Scranton Chancery; and Lackawanna College, Scranton.)

MEDIA MATTERS

SEASON SIX OF WOMEN TODAY “SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS” PREMIERES JAN 19TH!

Women Today, the show created by women for women on issues important to them, begins a new season on WYLNTV35 January 19th 10AM.
Season Six focuses on how making small, achievable lifestyle changes can lead to big results. The season includes: making fitness a priority; building healthy eating habits; understanding food and wine pairing, for a more enjoyable meal; unleashing inner creativity; finding inner peace; keeping safe on the streets and much more.
Women Today Season Six is presented in cooperation with the Lehigh Valley Health Network, a sponsor that show host/executive producer Liz Tolan says, “Allows us to share the most expert health and wellness advice and resources with our viewers.”
Additional sponsors include Fritizingertown Senior Living Community, SAMI Hotel Group and Simply Homebrew.
And in keeping with the community-oriented spirit of the show, every week, Women Today will highlight “Sensational Seniors” in our viewing area to recognize and honor amazing local women.

In addition to Liz Tolan returning as show host, returning co-hosts are Cathy “Coco” Colangelo, Lonnie Polli and Cathy Kutchi, a panel of area women bringing diverse personal, professional experience and skills to the audience.
As Season Six is about to kick off, Liz Tolan adds, “Our goal is to be the most entertaining locally produced women’s talk show and the most relevant, professional and diverse source of information for our viewers, thanks to our sponsors, guests and panel of co-hosts.
The show airs on WYLNTV35 every weekday morning at 10AM with additional broadcasts: Wednesday evening 8:30PM and Friday evening 9PM. “Like” Women Today on Facebook each week to check out the show topic, guest information and a chance to win fabulous prizes too.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Part 2 of Brian Hughes' interview with Mark Chamberlain & Terry Martin about the "Leg Up University" Event coming up on Feb 3rd at the Tunkhannock Library.
Brian speaks with local comediene Teri Granahan about the Comedy Fundraiser to benefit the Greater Scranton YMCA's youth boxing program, coming up on Jan 24th in Old Forge.
And Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Rich Pais from CASA about how you can become a child advocate.
Sunday Magazine, Sunday morning at 5am on NASH-FM, 93.7, 5:30am on 97BHT, 6am on 97.9X & Sports Radio 590, WARM, and 6:25am on Magic 93.

ECTV

Rusty Fender, David DeCosmo and Jennifer Moran. (Photo: ECTV).

ECTV Live hosts David DeCosmo and Rusty Fender will welcome Jennifer Moran from the West Pittston Library to the program during the week of January 19th. The Library, at 200 Exeter Avenue in West Pittston, has an extensive series or programs for adults and children over the next few months in addition to traditional Library services. Ms. Moran will review those programs including several dealing with the home brewing craze! ECTV Live can be seen on Comcast Cable Ch 19 (61 in some areas) several times each day throughout the week around the Noon, 6pm, and Midnight time periods.

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

This week on Community Forum Mike Remish talks with Dr. Frank Homer, historian at the University of Scranton. You'll hear the program Sunday morning at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on NEPA's Sports Radio-The Game 1340/1400/1440 am and 100.7 and 106.7 fm; and at 7:30 on 105 The River

SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION

Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

Our 1965 logo.

1965

Fifty years ago yesterday, Winston Churchill suffers a serious stroke that leaves him gravely ill….

Lyndon Johnson is sworn in for his own full term as U.S. President.

Indonesian President Sukarno announces the withdrawal of the Indonesian government from the United Nations……in Pennsylvania the Philadelphia Phillies make big news obtaining both Dick Stuart and Bo Belinsky in an effort to bolster their hitting and pitching after that 1964 collapse….in Wilkes Barre City Mayor Frank Slattery advises that the new year will bring more vitality to the bustling downtown. Slattery is mid way in his term as Mayor and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'” by The Righteous Brothers.