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July 2, 2009
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.
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July 1, 2009
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.
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June 30, 2009
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.
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June 29, 2009
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.
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June 29, 2009
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.
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June 26, 2009
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.
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June 25, 2009
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.
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June 25, 2009
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.
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June 24, 2009
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.
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June 24, 2009
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.
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June 23, 2009
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.
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June 23, 2009
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.
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June 22, 2009
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.
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June 19, 2009
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.
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June 18, 2009
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.
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June 17, 2009
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.
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June 16, 2009
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.
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June 15, 2009
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.
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June 12, 2009
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.
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June 11, 2009
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.
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June 10, 2009
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.
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June 10, 2009
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.
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June 9, 2009
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
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June 8, 2009
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.
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June 5, 2009
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.
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June 4, 2009
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.
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June 3, 2009
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.
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June 2, 2009
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.
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