Representative Joe Sestak | Representing the 7th District of Pennsylvania

June 12, 2009

6/12/2009

Information and Resources for Digital Television Conversion

On June 12, 2009, all over-the air full power television broadcasts will become digital only.  Households with over-the-air analog only televisions will no longer be able to receive full-power television service unless they either:

1.       Buy a digital-to-analog converter box to hook up to their analog television set;

2.       Acquire a digital television or an analog television equipped with a digital tuner; or

3.       Subscribe to cable, satellite, or telephone company television services, which will likely provide for the conversion of digital signals to their analog customers.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Department of Commerce has established a digital-to-analog converter box program that partially subsidizes consumer purchases of converter boxes.  NTIA provides up to two forty-dollar coupons to requesting U.S. households.  The coupons have been issued since January 1, 2008, and will continue to be issued until July 31, 2009, and must be used within 90 days after issuance towards the purchase of a stand alone device used solely for digital-to-analog conversion.  The DTV Delay Act allows for expired, but unused coupons, to be replaced.  The two fastest ways to request coupons are online at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-800- DTV-2009.  A searchable list of digital-to-analog convertor box retailers can be found at www.dtv.gov or www.dtv2009.gov, however, consumers should call individual retailers concerning availability.

Resources:

·        What is DTV?: http://dtv.gov/whatisdtv.html
·        FAQ’s about the Conversion: http://dtv.gov/consumercorner.html
·        List of Stations Transitioning: http://www.dtv.gov/stationlist.htm
·        DTV Reception Maps: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/
·        DTV Support Centers or Events: http://dtv.gov/map.htm
·        DTV Interactive Troubleshooting Guide: http://dtv.gov/iguide.htm
·        FCC Call Center: 1-888-Call-FCC

 

 

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4/18/2009

Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Resource Directory

I am pleased to provide you with the latest version of the 7th Congressional District Resource Directory (updates highlighted in yellow) for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, known as the Economic Stimulus Bill. I voted for the Economic Stimulus Bill (H.R. 1) to stop the hemorrhaging of jobs here in the District, restore stability to the financial sector, and put us on the path to restored prosperity by investing in education, health care, and clean energy. To see my press release about the stimulus bill, click HERE. This Resource Directoy is intended to be a starting point — providing detailed information on the provisions of this bill, and importantly, making readily available contact information and Web site references. The Directory is organized by the Federal Government Department administering the various provisions of the Recovery Act, and where possible contact information for Pennsylvania, regional, or local organizations. In many cases, the law provides added funding for existing programs at the Federal and State level. In some cases, for new programs detailed implementation plans may not yet be available, but the Web site location is provided for future reference. It will be updated weekly (each Friday) for new information. To learn more about the Recovery Act and to access the Directory click HERE.  Please follow these links for specific information for: Individual Tax Relief, Small Businesses, Seniors, Veterans, Municipal Governments, Education, Health Care, Green Energy and Environment, Department of Defense, and Law Enforcement.

Or click on a county to see a breakdown of some of the benefits going to that county: Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware.

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3/5/2009

Recovery.gov and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

To avoid a deeper and more protracted economic recession that would devastate the economic security of his constituents, while ensuring a more rapid recovery from the recession, Congressman Joe Sestak voted for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The legislation begins to rebuild the economy and puts Americans back to work (including 143,000 new jobs in Pennsylvania) during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression – an economy in which the housing market is in its worst state since the 1930s and turmoil in the financial markets threatens the long-term economic, health, education, and retirement security of millions of Americans. To ensure that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be carried out with full transparency and accountability, President Obama has set up a website, Recovery.gov, which you can use to track the Recovery Act's progress. For more on the Recovery Act and to access Recovery.gov click HERE.

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4/17/2009

Congressman Sestak Acknowledges and Respects Sec. Napolitano’s Apology to Veterans

As I have said throughout my career in the Navy and in Congress, this Nation’s servicemen and women offer their fullest devotion to their country, and their country should offer nothing less in return. I welcome Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s apology for language contained in a recent report that could be interpreted as disrespectful to our returning Veterans. We owe the community of our Veterans our fullest support and thanks. We must never lapse, especially in matters of national security, into oversimplification or generalization. This Nation faces a range of challenges that can and will be overcome only by our working together as Americans.

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