The state Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing in Philadelphia to discuss improving Pennsylvania's foster care system. Don Rooney has more with Sen. LeAnna Washington, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Youth Committee.

With drug and alcohol abuse causing devastating problems on our university campuses and in our college towns, a Chester County lawmaker says schools in Pennsylvania need to do a better job of notifying parents when their kids get into trouble.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Andy Dinniman, a member of the Senate Education Committee.

The final step in Pennsylvania's phased-in minimum wage has kicked in.  As of July 1st, the minimum wage is $7.15 an hour.  And, as Don Rooney reports, Senator Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia and other Senate Democrats are pushing legislation that would tie the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index and guarantee an increase every year.

Voters are going to decide whether or not Pennsylvania makes a big investment in drinking water supply and sewage treatment systems across the Commonwealth. Sid Michaels has more with Senator Ray Musto of Luzerne County, a member of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and sponsor of Senate Bill 1341.

Governor Rendell has signed an executive order reviving the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council through November 30, 2008.  But the agency that has been collecting health care data since 1986 will need help to survive past that date. Sid Michaels has more with Senator Wayne Fontana of Allegheny County, who has sponsored legislation to extend the life of the agency.

The Governor has signed legislation providing for a first-ever state income tax credit for Pennsylvania's active volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance and rescue company personnel. Don Rooney has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate, who first introduced such legislation nearly five years ago.

Gov. Rendell has signed into law a bill that, among other things, mandates insurance coverage for autism. Don Rooney has more with Senators Mike Stack of Philadelphia, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, and Anthony Williams of Philadelphia.

Legislation that's aimed at protecting homeowners from unscrupulous mortgage lenders has been signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia who says the new laws will help keep the American dream of home ownership from becoming a nightmare.

Coal miners in Pennsylvania got some good news this week.  For the first time in 47 years, the state's coal mine safety law has been updated and that should give miners and their families some peace of mind.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Richard Kasunic of Fayette County, sponsor of the new law.

Senator Vince Fumo and state Representative Dwight Evans hold State Capitol news conference Thursday to announce that they're launching an effort to find new locations for Philadelphia's two slots casinos.  Senator Fumo says the proposed Delaware River Waterfront sites for both the Sugarhouse Casino and the Foxwood Casino are too close to local residents and both casinos should look elsewhere.  Both are enlisting the help of Gov. Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter to help change the minds of the casino operators.

Governor Rendell has signed into law a bill that requires reviews and reports on child fatalities and near fatalities resulting from child abuse. Don Rooney gets details from the bill's sponsor, Senator LeAnna Washington of Philadelphia.

Bell ringing announced our independence in 1776 -- and on July 4th bell ringing will again be heard around Pennsylvania to celebrate our independence and freedom.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Connie Williams of Montgomery County, sponsor of a Senate Resolution observing July 4th as Let Freedom Ring Day.

Blaming utility companies for being more concerned with profits than their customers, state Senate Democrats are planning to introduce legislation to head off huge rate increases that will hit ratepayers in less than two years. Sid Michaels has more with Senators Vince Fumo of Philadelphia and Lisa Boscola of Northampton County.
 

Budget negotiations have produced an agreement for the 2008-09 Pennsylvania state budget. Once all the legislation is written up and legislators have had a chance to vote, it's believed the budget will be in place by late Thursday or early Friday. Don Rooney gets details from one of the negotiators, Senator Vince Fumo of Philadelphia.

For the first time in 47 years, it appears the state's Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Law is going to be updated in an effort to better protect Pennsylvania's 5,000 coal miners.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Richard Kasunic of Fayette County, whose bill was approved by the state Senate on Monday.

The state Senate has unanimously approved legislation Sunday that would help local agencies and communities better protect children from neglect and abuse. Don Rooney has more with the bill's sponsor, Senator LeAnna Washington of Philadelphia.

A Lehigh Valley lawmaker says a real energy crisis is about to hit Pennsylvania consumers in the pocketbook unless the state legislature takes action to stop electric rates from skyrocketing once the rate caps come off next year and in 2010.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Lisa Boscola of Northampton County, Democratic Chair of the Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee.

Budget negotiators for the Senate, House and Governor's office will continue talking over the weekend, hoping to come to an agreement on the state budget by the Monday deadline. Don Rooney has the latest with Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate.

The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a bill that would allow public transportation systems to partner with private companies as a method of raising revenue to help finance operations and improvements.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Barry Stout of Washington County, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Committee, and a co-sponsor of the bill.

The Senate has passed and sent to the House a bill that reimburses developers of brownfield sites for some of the costs of cleaning up those sites. Don Rooney gets details from Senator Jay Costa of Allegheny County, co-sponsor of the bill.

It appears another summer will go by -- and the state Senate will again fail to take action to help those working Pennsylvanians who can't afford to purchase their own health care insurance.  Here's more with Senator Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia, who took to the Senate Floor Wednesday, to criticize the Republican-controlled Senate for its inaction.

The State Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would allow municipalities in Pennsylvania to deal with water and wastewater improvement projects.  Sid Michaels has more with Senator Ray Musto of Luzerne County, the sponsor of that legislation.

Reaching a verdict for a jury is difficult in any trial, but especially in this state, says Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County. That’s why he has introduced a law making things less difficult for a panel when it begins to deliberate. Sid Michaels has more with the Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate.

The state Senate passed Senate Bill 1389 this week, but that bill won't actually wind up being the state budget. The budget will be crafted out of that bill by the four legislative caucuses and the Governor. Don Rooney has a progress report on the budget with Senator Vince Fumo of Philadelphia, one of the Senate negotiators.

On Thursday rallies for health care reform were held in five cities across Pennsylvania, protesting not only the high cost of health care, but also the business practices of health insurers. Don Rooney has more with Senator Jim Ferlo of Allegheny County, who spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of the rallies.