Legislation regarding the use of seclusion rooms in Pennsylvania schools is on it’s way to the floor of the state Senate. Sid Michaels has more with Senator Andy Dinniman of Chester County, the bill’s sponsor.

A new law goes into effect July 1st in Pennsylvania, prohibiting mandatory overtime for nurses and other health-care workers. Don Rooney has more with Senator Tina Tartaglione, sponsor of the legislation.

A new state law aimed at protecting homeowners from unscrupulous home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania goes into effect July 1.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Andy Dinniman of Chester County, a member of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure.

Pennsylvania homeowners are better protected against mortgage fraud after Governor Ed Rendell signed a pair of bills into law Monday (6/30).  Sid Michaels has more on that legislation with Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, and Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate.

The Senate Finance Committee has unanimously approved a bill to stimulate the state's economy by giving a bigger tax credit to businesses for every new job created. Don Rooney gets details from the bill's sponsor, Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate.

The state Senate has passed a bill that allows State Police ranks to rise. But cuts in funding contained in the Republican-backed budget, Senate Bill 850, could see the State Police complement drop by 800 officers. Don Rooney has more with Senator Jay Costa of Allegheny County, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

By a vote of 50-0, the state Senate approved these three nominations to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission:
Timothy J. Carson, J. William Lincoln, and A. Michael Pratt.  Carson and Lincoln (a former state Senator) had their terms renewed, and Pratt was appointed to his first term.  Here's reaction from Senator Rich Kasunic of Fayette County, who sits on the Senate Transportation Committee, and Senator Barry Stout of Washington County, Democratic Chairman of that Committee.

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee has approved and sent to the Senate floor bills designed to aid National Guard troops deployed overseas. Don Rooney gets details from Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, sponsor of the bills.

Four surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen were honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for their contributions to the American military and the fight against racism in America. Don Rooney has more with Senators Anthony Williams, LeAnna Washington and Shirley Kitchen, all of Philadelphia.

In view of a recent faked kidnapping in southeastern Pennsylvania, a Berks County lawmaker is introducing legislation to increase the penalty for causing a false Amber Alert.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Reading, the bill's sponsor, and the Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Pennsylvania's five year old gaming law may be getting a significant overhaul.  The Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee has given unanimous approval to a bill that makes major changes in the way the state's slots casinos are governed.  Sid Michaels has more with Senator Wayne Fontana of Allegheny County, the Democratic Chairman of that Committee.
 

A Chester County lawmaker says the Pennsylvania Department of Education's decision to stop the development of high school graduation tests is a step in the right direction.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Andy Dinniman, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

With the deadline for a new state budget rapidly approaching, Pennsylvania's Democratic lawmakers met behind closed doors with Governor Edward Rendell on Monday, discussing the state's $3.2 billion deficit for the current fiscal year, and the Governor's call for an increase in Pennsylvania's personal income tax.  Sid Michaels has more with Senator Robert J. Mellow of Lackawanna County, the Senate Democratic Leader.

Child abuse and domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania would receive additional funding, if legislation upping fees for couples getting married or divorced becomes law.  Here's more with Senator LeAnna Washington of Philadelphia, sponsor of the legislation which has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Pennsylvania Senate has unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Friday, June 19th, as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" in Pennsylvania.  Don Rooney has more with Senator Shirley Kitchen of Philadelphia, sponsor of the resolution.

The Pennsylvania Senate has approved legislation that will help prevent financial fraud schemes like the one discovered two years ago in Berks County in which some 800 investors were bilked out of $26 million.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Reading, a strong supporter of the measure.

The list of people who can perform a marriage ceremony in Pennsylvania could grow -- under legislation approved Tuesday by a state Senate committee.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who supports the measure.

A new state program will provide rebates to help fund solar electric and hot water projects for residents and small businesses across Pennsylvania. Don Rooney gets details from Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, Democratic Whip in the Senate.

A bill in Harrisburg that would crack down on those who drive with a suspended license has cleared the Senate Transportation Committee.  Here's more with Senator Barry Stout of Washington County, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Committee, and sponsor of the legislation.

You may be surprised to learn that when a business swipes your driver's license to check ID, they're also      getting other personal information that, in some cases, is then being sold to companies without your knowledge or consent.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator John Wozniak of Cambria County whose legislation to prevent that practice has been approved by the Senate Communications & Technology Committee.

The Pennsylvania Senate has taken action to stop the state Department of Education from implementing a $200 million contract for the development of high school graduation tests.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Andy Dinniman of Chester County, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee, and cosponsor of the legislation.

Witnesses told the Senate Democratic Policy Committee that proposed funding cuts to Pennsylvania hospitals would force many hospitals to cut medical services, lay off workers and shut down. Don Rooney has more with Senator Rich Kasunic of Fayette County, Chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee.

Senate Democrats say the Republican budget that was passed along party lines by the Pennsylvania Senate last month would be a severe blow to the development and progress of small business in the Commonwealth.  Sid Michaels has more from Harrisburg with Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, the Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate

With more than a thousand teenagers "aging-out" of foster care each year in Pennsylvania, one state lawmaker is pushing legislation that would allow them to remain in the system until they're 21.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator LeAnna Washington of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging & Youth Committee.

The rising cost of higher education is a problem that many Pennsylvania students and families are facing today.  That's why a State Senate panel is searching for answers to make it more affordable.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Andy Dinniman of Chester County, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee, which held a public hearing Thursday on this issue at West Chester University.

A key Senate Democratic leader is backing Gov. Rendell's plan to increase the income eligibility limits for the low-cost PACENET prescription drug program for senior citizens.  Howard Ondick has more with Senator Mike O'Pake of Berks County, the Democratic Whip in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Senate Democrats have announced a plan that will cut and modernize business taxes, help balance the budget and make Pennsylvania businesses more competitive. Don Rooney gets details from Senators Bob Mellow of Lackawanna County, Democratic leader in the Senate, and Jay Costa of Allegheny County, Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Six years ago, Pennsyvlania's Mcare Fund was established to help physicians afford rising medical malpractice premiums. Now, state lawmakers are looking at ways to phase out that fund.  Sid Michaels has more with Senator Mike Stack of Philadelphia, the Democratic Chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.