This virtual workshop will help individuals understand the importance of identity differences and conflict management in communication. The free program is part of the ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for the community through the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 28th and was rescheduled to Dec. 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

Conversations among people who share different personal identifications and ideologies can be a challenging enterprise. This presentation will explore some of the reasons for those challenges and will focus on communicative approaches, particularly conflict management strategies, for navigating difficult dialogues in our personal relationships.

Click here to register.

A project to replace and widen the Interstate 80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges in lower Luzerne County is proposed to begin in 2023. To help pay for this work, PennDOT is planning to implement a toll on the West bound lanes of the bridge. An in-person public meeting to discuss the project is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nescopeck Social Hall, 510 Zenith Rd., Nescopeck.

An on-demand virtual public meeting for the project is also available through Dec. 15, clicking the virtual public meeting link.

This bridge replacement project is one of nine along Pennsylvania interstates where PennDOT plans to implement tolling. The Public Private Partnership (P3) law adopted in 2012 authorized the establishment of such partnerships to assist in funding road and bridge repairs across the Commonwealth. Senate Bill 382 would void these current plans and prescribe a more open and transparent process for P3 projects. Specifically, a detailed analysis would have to be developed prior to any consideration by the P3 board, and a 30-day public comment period would be held following publication of the project in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Additionally, any P3 project that includes a user fee would require legislative approval. The House passed the bill in November, and it is awaiting further consideration in the Senate.

The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, T-Mobile. The company operates the second-largest wireless network in the U.S. market with over 95 million customers.

When it comes to T-Mobile, customers come first. The company offers plans for mobile devices including trade-ins, upgrades, and money for switching plans. The company operates a nationwide Wi-Fi Internet access network under the T-Mobile HotSpots brand. The T-Mobile HotSpots network consists of thousands of Wi-Fi access points installed in businesses, hotels, and airports throughout the U.S.

The Chamber will help to celebrate T-Mobile’s newest location in our area at Giant Plaza in Briar Creek on December 17th  at 12:00 p.m.

T-Mobile joins 417 members of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce to receive benefits and support the Chamber’s efforts to enhance the region.

On Friday, November 19, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced proposed regulations to update rules about how employers pay tipped workers.

The department’s proposed regulation covers five primary areas for tipped workers, including:

• An update to the definition of “tipped employee,” adjusted for inflation since 1977, that increases the amount in tips an employee must receive monthly from $30 to $135 before an employer can reduce an employee’s hourly pay from $7.25 per hour to as low as $2.83 per hour.
• Codification of a recent federal regulatory update governing employer tip credits to allow employers to take a tip credit under certain conditions, including that the employee spends at least 80 percent of their time on duties that directly generate tips, commonly known as the 80/20 rule.
• An update to allow for tip pooling among tipped employees under certain circumstances.
• A prohibition on employers deducting credit card transaction charges from an employee’s tip left on a credit card.
• A requirement for employers to educate patrons on the employer’s use of service charges, clarifying that service charges are not gratuities for tipped employees.

This proposed regulation also updates the definition of “regular rate” for salaried employees whose overtime pay is determined by the fluctuating workweek method, clarifying that for the purpose of calculating overtime the regular rate is based on a 40-hour work week. 

The proposed regulation was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Saturday, Nov. 20, which starts a  30-day public comment period. Comments can be emailed to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission at irrc@irrc.state.pa.us.  Reference Department of Labor and Industry, Regulation #12-114: Minimum Wage, IRRC Number 3322. L&I will review any comments submitted by the public, the General Assembly and the IRRC before submitting a final form regulation. A public hearing and review by legislative committees will precede a final decision by the IRRC. This process will take several months.

On Tuesday, November 16, the Board of Directors of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution opposing the pending OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that would require employers with 100 or more employees to require vaccinations or weekly testing of workers. The ETS has been blocked temporarily by a Federal Circuit Court. The Chamber is also urging OSHA to delay any implementation of the ETS pending a final ruling.

As it’s currently published, employers need to have a vaccination plan in place and require unvaccinated employees to wear masks as of December 5^th. The vaccination/testing requirement would take effect January 4. This requires businesses already struggling with employee shortages to devote resources to this process and implement policies that could make it even more difficult to attract and retain employees. While employers do not have to pay for vaccinations or testing, the availability and costs of weekly testing are of concern for employers and employees. Whether or not employees who fail to comply would be eligible for unemployment benefits is unclear.

The ETS is a result of an Executive Order by President Biden to compel individuals to get vaccinated. The Chamber Board feels that this “creates an excessive and inappropriate burden on employers” being put in the position of enforcing the order.

Copies of the resolution are being sent to Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and Representative Dan Meuser.

Focusing on employee wellness not only benefits your employees but can boost your company’s bottom line as well.  Estimates that one in five Americans experience some form of mental illness, most without getting treatment, means that many will continue to struggle with their issues, impacting both family life and work life, if employed.  And although mental health struggles have long pre-dated COVID-19, the pandemic only served to exacerbate the health challenges for many individuals.

For the employer, the benefits of supporting employee mental health can be substantial. By showing an interest in the health and well-being of their staff they can help employees navigate through issues like anxiety, depression, burnout and traumas.  In addition to showing they truly care about their employees, providing mental health support can also increase productivity and improve the overall morale of the office.

The first step concerned employers can take is to look critically at their benefit portfolio to assure that the resources they are providing adequately meets the needs of their working populace.  Start by reviewing the mental health benefits provided by any base health insurance benefits, Employee assistance programs (EAPs) and Telehealth services, then make sure all these programs are being effectively communicated to employees so they will be able to take advantage of the resources being provided to them. 

Finally, employers can create opportunities for management and human resource personnel to open up supportive conversations with employees regarding mental health issues, helping to reduce the stigma wherever possible by sharing any of their own personal experiences and challenges.

The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings.  For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Glynis Roberts at (800) 377-3539.

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The Columbia County Commissioners are holding another round of public meetings for all residents, businesses, and municipal officials to learn more about the Fishing Creek Watershed and West End flood mitigation studies.  The meetings will be held at separate locations: 

• Tuesday, November 30^th starting at 6:30PM – Fishing Creek Flood Mitigation Study
  • Held in the Large Meeting Room, 702 Sawmill Road, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. Entrance for the meeting room is at the rear of the building.
• Wednesday, December 1^st starting at 6:30PM – West End Flood Mitigation Study
  • Held at the Bloomsburg Fire Department, 911 Market Street, Bloomsburg, PA.

Reservations can be accepted online HERE or by calling, Flood Resiliency Program Analyst Geralee Zeigler, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) at 570-522-7218. Individuals who are interested in attending should register for the session independently or for both sessions. SEDA-COG is assisting Columbia County in the grant administration of the studies. Both projects have been financed by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
 
Matt Vanaskie, Senior Project Manager at Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc. said, “HRG is excited to review progress of the Fishing Creek Watershed flood mitigation study with Columbia County municipalities and residents. To date our work has focused on understanding flooding and wet weather issues in the County based on available information and stakeholder feedback. At this meeting we are seeking to engage the community again to review noted problem areas and preview development/assessment of strategies and solutions that may mitigate flooding and wet weather issues.”
 
Borton-Lawson’s project Technical Lead, Tom Lawson said, “In this second public meeting we will be presenting an overview of our evaluation of existing flood impacts, results of the public survey, preliminary floodwall concepts, as well as non-floodwall flood mitigation alternatives. Before the formal meeting, we will have maps of the study area on display and team members will be available to answer any questions.”
 
SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania.  SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. 

From Representative David Millard

The House on Tuesday passed legislation to stop PennDOT’s plan to toll nine interstate bridges in Pennsylvania and reassert the Legislature’s oversight of, and community involvement in, any future tolling plans.

The Public Private Partnership (P3) law adopted in 2012 authorized the establishment of such partnerships to assist in funding road and bridge repairs across the Commonwealth. However, the initial approval last fall by the P3 Board of the Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative failed to offer any specific information about the proposal, including which bridges would be affected.

Senate Bill 382 would void this proposal and prescribe a more open and transparent process for future P3 projects. Specifically, a detailed analysis would have to be developed prior to any consideration by the P3 board, and a 30-day public comment period would be held following publication of the project in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Additionally, any P3 project that includes a user fee would require legislative approval. The measure now returns to the Senate for further consideration.

Last week, the state House passed H.R. 150, that urges Congress to oppose the U.S. Treasury’s proposed changes to IRS reporting requirements. The resolution passed 181-19, with Representatives Kurt Masser and David Millard supporting the resolution.

The proposal would require financial institutions to report aggregate deposit and withdrawals information from customers’ business and personal accounts to the IRS without their consent.  The reporting requirements would apply to personal or business savings, transactional, loan and investment accounts.  The proposal would require financial institutions to report inflows and outflows of more than $600.

The PA Chamber supports the resolution because it presents extreme privacy rights issues and data security concerns for millions of Pennsylvania citizens and businesses. In recent weeks, The Chamber sent memos to the House and Senate urging opposition to the Treasury Department’s proposed sweeping overreach.

Aggregated from the U.S Chamber of Commerce, PA Chamber of Business & Industry, & U.S. Senator Bob Casey

 
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress in early November, makes a record investment in our nation’s infrastructure, but despite its popularity, many still have questions about what exactly is in the final legislation. Some highlights of the bill are as follows:
 

The IIJA makes the biggest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak and the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.

The bipartisan infrastructure bill is 100% real infrastructure. It funds $1.2 trillion in physical infrastructure, including $550 billion in new funds for much needed investment. Here’s how it breaks down:

• $387 billion (46.3%) for highways and bridges ($12.9 billion for Pennsylvania)
• $96 billion (11.5%) for transit ($2.8 billion for Pennsylvania)
• $66 billion (7.9%) for rail
• $65 billion (7.7%) for broadband ($100 million for Pennsylvania)
• $54.21 billion (6.4%) for energy grid infrastructure and technology
• $48.4 billion (5.8%) for water and wastewater infrastructure (Replacement of 160,000 lead service lines in Pennsylvania)
• $31.1 billion (3.7%) for western water and power, wildfire management, and dam safety
• $26.7 billion (3.1%) for ports, maritime, and inland waterways infrastructure
• $25 billion (3%) for aviation
• $18.5 billion (2.2%) for economic development, public buildings, and agency operations
• $17.9 billion (2.1%) for mine/well cleanup and environmental remediation ($3+ billion for Pennsylvania)

The infrastructure bill’s energy provisions direct funding for traditional fossil fuels and the technologies needed to capture and remove carbon emissions, as well as advanced nuclear, renewables, and batter technology. It also expands access to domestically sourced critical minerals and finances the retrofitting and “hardening” of power grids so that our communities can better withstand the impact of natural disasters. The strict 100% renewable energy mandates of the Green New Deal are NOT a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

The bipartisan infrastructure bill repurposes existing reserves of more than $225 billion from unused unemployment insurance and unused COVID aid to finance projects in the bill.