Bill Introduced in Pennsylvania House Mirroring Federal ACP

A Pennsylvania bill seeks to emulate the federal Affordable Connectivity Program by providing a $30 per month subsidy for internet costs.

 by Jericho Casper   Apr 12, 2024 — 2 min read

WASHINGTON, April 12, 2024 – A bill that would establish a statewide internet subsidy program, mirroring the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, was introduced to the Pennsylvania House on Monday.

House Bill 2195 aims to make broadband internet more affordable for households facing financial challenges by offering a $30 per month subsidy to assist with monthly internet subscription costs. 

Read more here

Request for Proposals for Legal Services for the Allentown Housing Authority

 The Allentown Housing Authority (AHA), by virtue of its contract with the United States of America, acting through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, pursuant to the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, is hereby requesting proposals for legal services as specified in RFP No. 2024-002-000-50-4130030 for the term from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.

The Authority provides housing and housing related services to low-income families in the City of Allentown. The Authority has a public housing inventory of 1,009 low-rent housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides support to 1,740 families.

Attention is called to all respondents that all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity requirements for federally assisted contracts must be complied with. This includes strict compliance with Executive Order 11246, as amended (establishing a goal of 6.9% for female employment and 1.3% minority percentage by craft); Nondiscrimination; Executive Order 11625, Minority Business Enterprises; Executive Order 12138, Women Business Enterprise; Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Civil Rights Act of 1964; and Minority Business Participation. Also, pursuant to 62 PA.C.S. Sec 4601-4604, the Authority is permitted to use a secure electronic bidding platform, such as The PennBid Program.

Interested respondents may obtain contract specification documents containing detailed submission requirements by accessing The PennBid Program at https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/.

Interested firms are requested to respond by proposal submission (satisfying the requirements of this Invitation) on or before Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 3:00 PM EST. Complete Proposals shall be submitted electronically via https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com/projects.

Questions may be submitted via the “Vendor Discussions tab” within Messages on the left side of the pennbid.bonfirehub.com webpage before Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. Responses will be provided to all bidders no later than Friday, April 19, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST.

The Allentown Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to waive any informalities in bidding, and to withhold award for a period of sixty (60) days.

DaVinci Career Fair Monday March 25th 10:00am-1:00pm @ Butz Corporate Center 840 W. Hamilton Street Allenton PA 18101

 

It's a Jazz Vibe; with Gerry Pegues, Wednesday March 27th, 6:00pm @ the HUB at CIVIC, 514 N 19th Street Allentown PA, 18104 (BYOB)

 

For all of your insurance needs, please reach out to Moise (mo iz)!

 

Loans for Minority -Owned Businesses from AEDC

 

Got MEDICARE Questions? Call Derrick @ MEDICARE LIFE 484-221-9200

 

View my website here:

Open Enrollment Period
January 1st- March 31st 2024

My MEDICARE LIFE gives you a second chance to make sure that you have a plan that fits your health and budget needs.

Call me for a free no obligation review.

Derrick Brickhouse 484-221-9200 

Investigation of Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk: Council votes to score bid investigation contract - WFMZ.com

WFMZ ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown City Council voted Wednesday night to adopt a resolution that will prevent any members of city administration from being part of the scoring process to select a service that will conduct an investigation into the administration.

The resolution states: "Outside of the purchasing agent (from the city), neither the director of finance nor anyone from the administration should participate in the scoring process or be present during the process to select a response to the request for proposals for selecting investigatory services."

City Council voted on Sept. 20, 2023, to adopt an ordinance to authorize an investigation by an outside agency for the purpose of examining procedures related to the hiring, terminations and discipline of employees. Read more

Rising Sun Initiative Black History Month Celebration @ Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Saturday February 24th @ 1:00pm

 

New Bearden print will be focus of Conversation Saturday, February 24, beginning at 2 p.m. @ The Allentown Art Museum

 

In celebration of the Allentown Art Museum’s recent acquisition of The Piano Lesson by Romare Bearden, author and scholar Robert O’Meally will lead a Dynamic Conversation about the layers of history and culture represented in this artwork. The talk will take place on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Museum’s auditorium. Admission to the Museum and to the Conversation is free, but please take a moment to let us know you are coming by REGISTERING HERE Members, you are invited to attend a special meet and greet with Robert O’Meally before the event, REGISTER HERE Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Romare Bearden grew up in New York City and Pittsburgh. He began his artistic career creating scenes of the American South and is probably best known for his photomontage compositions made from torn images from popular magazines and assembled into visually powerful statements on African American life. Read more about the event here

Kenya's world-record marathon runner dies in car crash

 

Bushkill Park Roller Rink & LV House Heads: House Music Late Skate Saturday February 3rd 2024

 

Pa.’s broadband authority reverses position on key state law before new federal funding arrives

by Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA | Jan. 22, 2024

HARRISBURG — A state agency recently reversed its position on whether Pennsylvania law could cause problems for an unprecedented surge of federal investment for expanding access to high-speed internet.

In the first draft of the state’s plan for administering more than $1 billion in federal funding, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority said that to avoid a conflict with federal law it would waive an obscure state statute that restricts when local governments can build their own internet networks.

But in the latest draft of the document, submitted to the federal government last year, the agency reversed course, declaring that there was no conflict.

The about-face came after the first draft of the plan drew public comments that included praise, pushback, and questions about the agency’s ability to set aside state law. Read full article here

The Truth Behind Why Pan African Event Was Canceled By The Ghanaian Gove...

House Music / Late Skate @ Villa Roller Rink, Friday January 26th 2024 10:30pm to 1:00pm

 

‘HUD Does Bear Responsibility’: French Hill Slams Sec. Fudge For Little ...

Youngest son of Martin Luther King Jr. dies

World News & Headlines for Friday January 19th 2024

 

NAACP Allentown Branch: Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monday, January 15th, 2024 11am-12:30pm

 

MLK Jr Day @ the Allentown Art Museum: Monday January 15th 2024