Joint State Government Commission

10/08/2020

Conversion of Unused State Property to Drug Treatment Facilities - Joint State Government Commission Podcast

Our first podcast! The topic is our report on converting unused state properties to drug treatment facilities. Plus, there's a little background on who we are, what we do, and how we work.
The podcast is available on Buzzsprout and Spotify and will soon be on iTunes and Google.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1400200/5785858

In our very first episode, Glenn Pasewicz, Executive Director at Joint State introduces the agency and explains our process for creating reports. The remainder of the episode contains a discussion between Susan Elder, Comptroller at JSGC and Bryan...

09/03/2020

We are pleased to release our latest report, "Delivery of High-Speed Broadband Services in Unserved Areas and Underserved Areas of the Commonwealth," in response to Senate Resolution 47 of 2019. This is the first of five reports to be released.
The Commission was directed to study on the delivery of high-speed broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. The Commission was further directed to establish an advisory committee to assist in its study. The advisory
committee included representatives from Commonwealth agencies with an interest in broadband delivery, as well as Internet service providers, and related cable, wireless, and other technology industries and associations.
The report is comprehensive presentation of the technology and infrastructure that deliver Internet services to customers in both public and private sectors. The laws and regulations governing broadband services are discussed in detail. The report profiles broadband services around Pennsylvania and how coverage is affected by natural tensions between supply and demand, and regulation and competition. The report addresses the role of broadband in many aspects of life in Pennsylvania, including
education, health care, agriculture, economic and community development, the arts, and tourism. Finally, the report provides the General Assembly with recommendations on how to address challenges to ensure broadband services are available throughout the commonwealth.
The full report is available on our website, http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us
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08/06/2020

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release our latest report, "Conversion of Unused State Property Into Drug Treatment Facilities," written in response to HR147 of 2019.

The report contains a review of existing laws that control how state and municipal properties are transferred to public and private entities and examples of previous state properties that have been converted to new uses.

The report details the potential barriers to siting, licensing requirements, and the types of services commonly offered by drug treatment centers. The report also provides an overview of vacant properties owned by the Commonwealth, and county-level statistics on drug fatalities. Reuse of vacant correctional institutions and medical facilities are covered in greater detail.

The full report is available on our website, http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

07/30/2020

We are pleased to release our latest report, "Behavioral Health Care System Capacity in Pennsylvania and Its Impact on Hospital Emergency Departments and Patient Health," The project included an advisory committee that studied the practice known as psychiatric boarding—wherein people with behavioral health needs are maintained in hospital emergency departments while awaiting care in more appropriate settings.

The report includes a number of recommendations for the General Assembly's consideration. Generally, the recommendations are to improve alignment of patient needs with resources, to improve how behavioral health patients are helped through emergency departments, and to support better outcomes for people with behavioral health needs.

The full report is available on our website, http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

06/04/2020

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release, "Pennsylvania Mental Health Care Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Solutions," in response to House Resolution 193 of 2019. The report provides a comprehensive discussion of the many professions that work in the mental health field, and how existing shortages are expecting to get worse in the coming years. It suggests recommended ways of mitigating these shortages to help improve mental health care for Pennsylvania residents.

This is the fourth report that the Commission has released on health care shortages in Pennsylvania. "Professional Bedside Nursing in Pennsylvania," "The Physician Shortage in Pennsylvania," "Pennsylvania Health Care Workforce Needs," and this report are available on our website at: http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us.

04/20/2020

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release our newest report, "Meningitis: Immunizations on Pennsylvania College and University Campuses." We are particularly proud that this is the first report we've published entirely remotely.

It is timely, if not topical, as it addresses the subject of disease outbreaks on U.S. and Pennsylvania campuses, and how colleges, medical, and public health officials work to prevent and respond to stop the spread of disease, particularly Meningitis B.
It is available on our website jsg.legis.state.pa.us

04/01/2020

Bill Information (History) - Senate Bill 422; Regular Session 2019-2020

Act 12 of 2020 creates the PA Election Law Advisory Board in the Joint State Government Commission. We look forward to supporting the board as it addresses critical parts of democracy in the commonwealth.
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2019&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=422

02/13/2020

jsg.legis.state.pa.usstatistical

We are pleased to release our two annual reports on higher education in Pennsylvania.

The 47th annual "Instructional Output and Faculty Salary Costs of the State-related and State-owned Universities," is a report of full-time equivalent student levels, degrees conferred, and average workweek hours and instructional salary of faculty, as reported by the universities and compiled by our staff.

The "Information Disclosure of the State-related Universities," is a report of the employment and salary, financial and contract data, and statements on retirement and tuition benefits as reported by the universities and compiled by our staff.

Both reports are available at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

01/10/2020

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release "Pennsylvania’s Turnpike Commission and Department of Transportation: A Potential Consolidation of Interstate Operations," in accordance with Senate Resolution 209 of 2017.

This comprehensive and highly detailed report presents the potential benefits and disadvantages that would be presented by combining the agencies.

The report is available on our site at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

10/18/2019

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release "Sleep Deprivation in Adolescents: the Case for Delaying Secondary School Start Times." The report presents the findings of an advisory committee of experts, from researchers to educators to school transportation officials to parents and students.

As teenagers mature, their biological sleep cycles change. On the one hand, they sleep later, stay up later, and evidence shows they perform better if their day starts later. On the other hand, school districts must take into consideration a number of factors before they determine if a change in start times is right for their circumstances.

The full report and a one page summary are available on our website, http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

10/01/2019

jsg.legis

We are pleased to release the fourth edition of "Diabetes In Pennsylvania: Prevention and Maintenance Programs," a series of reports authorized by House Resolution 936 of 2013.

The report describes new approaches to diabetes treatment that have emerged nationally and globally and focuses on the relevant programs of the Commonwealth agencies charged with implementing public health policy and with assisting individuals with diabetes.

The report addresses the tremendous burden recent insulin price increases places on patients and publicly funded medical assistance plans.

The report is available on our website http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

07/30/2019

We are pleased to release our latest report, "YOUTH COURTS: Report of the Advisory Committee on the Use and Effect of Youth Courts in Pennsylvania’s Education and Juvenile Justice Systems." Youth courts are diversion programs in which youth are sentenced by their peers for minor crimes, offenses, and/or violations. These programs offer communities an opportunity to provide immediate consequences for primarily first-time youthful offenders, and are intended to offer an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system and school disciplinary proceedings as well as a means of promoting restorative justice. While empirical evidence is scarce, anecdotal support seems to suggest that youth courts are a promising pathway, which in addition to diverting youth from further contact with the juvenile court, could lead to more intangible benefits such as improved student-teacher relationships, civic engagement, and the development of public speaking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

The full report is available on our website, jsg.legis.state.pa.us.

06/18/2019

PA General Assembly

We released our latest report, "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," as directed by House Resolution 829 of 2018. The report includes information on the prevalence and outcomes of workplace harassment and sexual misconduct complaints within State government entities, including the Governor and the departments, boards and commissions, authorities and other officers or agencies of the Commonwealth, the courts and other officers or agencies of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies and any independent agencies for the period 2013-2018.

A total of 554 claims were reported by all agencies, with a variety of disciplinary actions taken, most commonly counseling, suspensions, or termination. Few referrals to law enforcement were made. The total of monetary settlements and awards was in excess of $1.9 million.
The report is available at: //jsg.legis.state.pa.us

The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, State Senate and House of Representatives. Sessions, legislation lookup, laws, history, and visitor information.

06/03/2019

We are pleased to release "Teacher Certification Grade Spans in Pennsylvania," as directed by Act 82 of 2018. This staff study reviewed and analyzed data from the PA Dept. of Education, the U.S. Dept. of Education, and a variety of other sources to study Pennsylvania teacher certifications' grade spans.

A number of federal, state, and university researchers confirmed that there has been no research into the relationship between teacher certification spans and student outcomes.

The report recommends that the State Board of Education study grade spans and outcomes as it reviews certification regulations; and that the State Board consider returning to the pre-2013 certification spans to help remedy the precipitous decline in new teacher certifications, high pre-retirement attrition rates, and looming teacher shortages.

The report is available at: https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

04/30/2019

We are pleased to release the report, "Grandfamilies in Pennsylvania: 'The Second Time Around,'" in response to House Resolution 390 of 2018.

In the past three decades, a growing number of children have found themselves in a position where they reside with their grandparents and are being raised by them.

The report includes a review of the available data; explores barriers, gaps, and unintended consequences for grandparent caregivers in the current U.S. policy; and traces the recent developments in grass-roots advocacy as well as the actions taken at the state level.

The report contains an analysis of the reasons children are placed in the care of grandparents and great-grandparents, including the impact of the opioid epidemic; economic, social, legal, and emotional challenges facing grandfamilies.

The report concludes with recommendations on how these challenges may be addressed and resolved.

The report is found on our website https:// jsg . legis . state . pa . us (copy and paste into your URL bar, without the spaces)

04/29/2019

We are proud to release the advisory committee report, "Lead Exposure Risks and Responses in Pennsylvania," as directed by Senate Resolution 33 of 2017.

The report includes:
• comprehensive reviews and analyses of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Commonwealth and other states

• assessment of lead exposure as a public health concern

• assessments of the age of Pennsylvania’s housing, schools, daycares, and public drinking water systems

• recommendations for changes to those statutes, regulations, practices, policies, and procedures.

This 411 page report, containing information that is otherwise unavailable or scattered across multiple sources, will be a compendium for policy makers, public health officials, and the general public.

It is available at https:// jsg . legis . state . pa . us (copy and paste the URL into your browser, without the spaces).

04/10/2019

We're pleased to release our latest report, "Pennsylvania Health Care Workforce Needs," as directed by HR754 of 2018. The report discusses the workforce training needs as well as how federal and state statutes and regulations impact the ability of the Commonwealth to meet those needs. Recommendations are provided to ensure that the Commonwealth is able to adequately train, attract, and retain its health care workforce to meet those needs identified by the Commission.

The full report is available on our website, https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

02/08/2019

We are pleased to release our two annual reports on expenditures of the PASSHE universities and the state-related universities:

"Instructional Output and Faculty Salary Costs of the State-related and State-owned Universities," a.k.a. the Snyder Report;

and

"Information Disclosure of the State-related Universities," a.k.a. the Stairs Report.

Both are available on our website, https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

01/22/2019

We are pleased to release the "Biennial Report of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session," a compendium of work done in service to the General Assembly.

Of the 106 pieces of 2017-2018 legislation traced back to JSGC's work, ten bills, concerning: child protection; children of incarcerated parents; college student suicide prevention; human trafficking; outpatient mental health treatment; school safety drills; and protection from abuse orders were enacted into law.

The report is at our website: https://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

11/13/2018

Ms. Yvonne Hursh, JSGC Counsel, is the the 2018 recipient of the William E. Zeiter Award, which is presented annually by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Statutory Law Committee for outstanding contributions in the field of statutory and legislative drafting. Congratulations, Yvonne!

10/24/2018

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release our latest report, "Motor Vehicle Emissions Testing: Pennsylvania’s Program--
The Advisory Committee Report," as directed by Senate Resolution 168 of 2017.

The report is a comprehensive review and analysis of how federal and state laws and regulations affect auto emissions testing in Pennsylvania, with particular emphasis on rural counties.

It is available for download at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/publications.cfm?JSPU_PUBLN_ID=474

08/13/2018

JSGC

The Act 5 Public Pension Review Commission held a meeting on July 30, 2018. Videos are available on our Vimeo page, https://vimeo.com/jsgc More information is available on our site at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us/act5.cfm

The Commission has been providing public policy and legislative research to the Pennsylvania legislature since 1937. It is nonpartisan and works for both the Pennsylvania…

07/24/2018

JSGC Public Website

We are pleased to release our latest report, "Evidence-Based Decision Making by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." The report explores the uses of empirical research, data, and information in setting Commonwealth policies and programs. It is available on our website, http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us

07/24/2018

It is with sadness that we note the passing of our chairman, Representative Florindo Fabrizio. We offer our deep condolences to his family and loved ones.

06/25/2018

We are proud to release, "Capital Punishment in Pennsylvania: The Report of the Task Force and Advisory Committee."

The report is the culmination of several years' work that resulted from the tremendous contributions, efforts, and dedication of a number of individuals (some of whom are counted among our staff).

A one-page summary and the full report are available at http://jsg.legis.state.pa.us