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September 2, 2010
The Senate
Transportation Committee held a hearing to determine the state of
Pennsylvania's roadways and why the federal government won't allow the state
to toll Interstate 80 to raise money for repairs. Don Rooney has more with
Senator Richard Kasunic of Fayette County, Chairman of the Senate Democratic
Policy Committee, who also sits on the Transportation Committee.
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August 31, 2010
Senate Bill
798, the proposed Senior Citizens' Property Tax Freeze Act, would allow
senior citizens over the age of 65 to claim an exemption from property tax
increases. Don Rooney gets details from the bill's sponsor, Senator Lisa
Boscola of Northampton County
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August 30, 2010
A
key state lawmaker says the state should levy a tax on natural gas
extraction, and he also has some advice for property owners who are being
approached by gas or oil companies who want to drill on their land.
Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, the
Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate.
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August 27, 2010
There's reason for optimism in Philadelphia when it comes to creating jobs.
A new state law will help keep the Philadelphia Ports competitive with the
rest of the country and create badly needed job opportunities in the region.
Howard Ondick has more with Senator Larry Farnese of Philadelphia, who
played a key role in getting the new law passed and the Southport expansion
project underway.
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August 26, 2010
State lawmakers are
expected to meet this fall to establish a severance tax on drilling for
natural gas in the state's Marcellus Shale formation. As Don Rooney reports,
Senator Lisa Boscola of Northampton County wants to make sure the money goes
to local communities to address the issues of environmental damage brought
on by the drilling.
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August 25, 2010
As students
return to school this month, they and their parents should be aware of a
statewide program that's intended to help those boys and girls who are
facing mental health issues and behavioral problems. Howard Ondick has
more with Senator Wayne Fontana of Pittsburgh, sponsor of a Senate
Resolution celebrating the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program's 25th
anniversary.
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August 24, 2010
A state Senator from
Allegheny County is calling for changes to Pennsylvania's campaign finance
laws with legislation that limits what political action committees and
individuals can contribute to a campaign. Don Rooney gets details from
Senator Jay Costa of Allegheny County, Democratic Chairman of the Senate
Appropriations Committee.
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August 23, 2010
The Rendell
Administration made its pitch to state lawmakers on Monday at the State
Capitol on how to solve Pennsylvania's transportation funding shortfall for
roads, bridges, and mass transit. Howard Ondick has more with Senator
John Wozniak of Cambria County, who agrees that additional funding is badly
needed but is not sure that the legislature will take action before a new
governor takes office in January.
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August 20, 2010
A Philadelphia lawmaker is
applauding a 'Second Chance' pilot program in Allegheny County that's
intended to prevent repeat offenders, and reduce the jail population.
Howard Ondick has more with Senator Shirley Kitchen who is hoping to develop
a statewide 'Second Chance' program for non-violent, ex-offenders who are
looking to turn their lives around.
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August 19, 2010
A key state lawmaker
says the state legislature has its work cut out for it when it comes to
raising additional funding for roads, bridges and mass transit in
Pennsylvania. But, he says, doing nothing is not an option.
Howard Ondick has more with Senator Jay Costa of Allegheny County, the
ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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August 18, 2010
The Senate
Transportation Committee continued its series of hearings on transportation
funding issues Wednesday by hearing from representatives of the railroad and
aviation industries and officials of the state's major ports. Don Rooney has
more with Senator Barry Stout of Washington County, Democratic Chairman of
the Committee.
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August 17, 2010
Should local police departments across Pennsylvania be allowed to use radar
and other new technology to catch speeders? Howard Ondick has more
with Senator Barry Stout of Washington County, Democratic Chairman of the
Senate Transportation Committee, who says 'yes.'
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August 16, 2010
The state Department of
Environmental Protection has doubled the size of rebates for some home
heating system upgrades. Don Rooney gets details from Senator Mike O'Pake of
Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate.
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August 13, 2010
While Gov. Rendell is
urging state lawmakers to take quick action this fall on a natural gas
extraction tax to help balance the state budget, one state lawmaker says the
legislature should not rush to action. Howard Ondick has more with
Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, a member of the Senate Appropriations
Committee.
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August 12, 2010
A Berks County lawmaker is
proposing an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would allow
Pennsylvania residents to vote by absentee ballot whether or not they're
able to make it to their polling place on Election Day. Howard Ondick
has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Reading, the Democratic Whip in the
Pennsylvania Senate, and sponsor of the legislation.
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August 10, 2010
The
Pennsylvania Department of Insurance has launched PA Fair Care,
Pennsylvania's health plan for uninsured adults with pre-existing
conditions. Sid Michaels has more on the program with Senator Mike
O'Pake of Berks County, the Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate.
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August 9, 2010
Plans are underway to revitalize the Carrie Furnace in Rankin, Pennsylvania,
including the development of a National Park. Sid Michaels has more
with Senator Jay Costa of Allegheny County, who says that projects such as
these not only help restore the Commonwealth's Brownfield sites, but also
preserve a part of Pennsylvania's history.
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August 4, 2010
Many
Pennsylvanians remember the days when downtown business districts around the
Commonwealth were the place to go. Over the years, those areas have
fallen on hard times, as businesses have relocated in the suburbs. Sid
Michaels talks with Senate Democratic Whip Mike O'Pake of Berks County about
state programs designed to help revitalize our downtown areas.
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August 3, 2010
Members of the
Senate Democratic Policy Committee toured three Marcellus Shale natural gas
drilling sites in Fayette County, looking for insights into the Marcellus
Shale drilling process. Don Rooney gets details on the tour from Senator
Larry Farnese of Philadelphia, a member of the Policy Committee and
Democratic Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness
Committee.
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