Numbers in the news

60

Sixty percent of Americans identified as "middle class" economically a decade ago say they are worse off today. Eighty percent of today's middle class fear they will be unable to meet basic living expenses in the future. The biggest concerns: insufficient funds for health care, tuition, buying a home and retirement.

Nineteen percent say they are "getting ahead" financially; 23% say they are falling behind.

8.4

Last weekend's celebration of Jackie Robinson's debut in major league baseball 60 years ago revealed a statistic many people found surprising. African Americans now comprise just 8.4% of major leaguers, down from a peak of 27% in the 1970s. The Braves and Astros don't have any.

44

There's growing talk of a generational backlash, as today's younger workers face higher taxes to cover all of the benefits for Baby Boomers in their twilight years.

Today, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid constitute 44% of the $2.7 trillion federal budget. The figure will inevitably rise, requiring tax increases of anywhere from 30% to 50% over the next 20 years, economists say.

The Boomers will flex their political muscle to protect their entitlements. At 38 million members, the AARP is already a powerful lobby.

825M

Everyone in northcentral Pennsylvania pays the price for the $93 million being spent to re-route traffic on U.S. Rt. 219 around Johnsonburg and Bradford. Those two projects, as well as a bridge job along Interstate 80 near Clearfield and an access road to the airport near DuBois, are consum- ing a major portion of the $825 million available to the region for highway and bridge projects through 2030.

The situation was spelled out during a public meeting on the Long-Range Transportation Plan being put together by Northcentral Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission. The big-ticket items will draw federal and state funds away from other needs, such as the many deteriorating bridges in the region.

State spending could be boosted if the state legislature passes Gov. Rendell's proposed gross profits tax on oil companies.

7,353

Pennsylvania again offered hunters a chance to take a second gobbler during the spring season. The agency issued 8,045 second spring gobbler tags in 2006. This year's unofficial total was 7,353.