Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Democrats voice concerns while Republicans lend support for Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget.
Western Pennsylvania Democrats had some harsh words for Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 state budget, which he presented Tuesday, while state Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason called the governor's plan a "balanced and responsible budget that reinvests in Pennsylvania." “The plan presented by the governor is disappointing,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills. “It was long on politics but short on solutions.” State Rep. Erin Molchany, a newly elected Democrat serving South Hills communities said the governor’s "Band-Aid budget does little to make up for the hurt this state has felt from his deep cuts." State Rep. Robert Matzie, a Democrat representing the Sewickley area, said: “New Jersey has Chris Christie as …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The first-term Democratic state senator called the decision to hire a British-based company to run the Pennsylvania Lottery a “risky scheme” and questioned the motivation of Gov. Tom Corbett.
State Sen. Matt Smith is questioning how Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration made the decision to hire a British company to run the Pennsylvania Lottery. The first-term Democratic senator from Mt. Lebanon said a hearing with the Finance Committee helped to shed light on the decision-making process by the administration, but it “does not forgive the actions taken that effectively cut the public and specifically seniors out of the process” to select the private operator. The Corbett administration last week issued a notice of award to Camelot Global Services, a British-based company, to manage the Pennsylvania Lottery. The governor’s office has said privatizing the lottery will add billions to the state coffers to help its aging population. …
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The new state senator from Mt. Lebanon announces appointments to several senate committees.
Pennsylvania Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, has been appointed to the state Senate's finance committee. The senator, who earlier this month was sworn into the seat vacated by former Sen. John Pippy, of Moon, was also named to the professional licensure committee; the game and fisheries committee; and the community, economic and recreational development committee. He will also serve as the Democratic chair of the state government committee, according to an announcement from spokeswoman Lauren Hurley. As a state representative, Smith served as the Democratic vice chair of the House finance committee. Smith's district includes Bridgeville, Collier and most of the South Hills of Pittsburgh.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Matt Smith was at the state Capitol in Harrisburg for the unusual New Year’s Day swearing-in ceremony to become the new state senator of the 37th District.
Matt Smith’s New Year's Day celebration got off to a good start Tuesday afternoon when he was sworn in as the area’s new state senator. Smith, who previously was a three-term state representative for most of the South Hills, was at the state Capitol in Harrisburg with friends and family for the unusual New Year’s Day swearing-in ceremony. The Mt. Lebanon Democrat takes over the 37th state Senate seat vacated by the retirement of John Pippy, a Republican from Moon Township. Smith defeated D. Raja, a Republican from Mt. Lebanon, in the November election to win the senate seat. “It has been an amazing and humbling journey to arrive at this moment,” Smith said in a statement. “I am thankful to reach this milestone and look forward to returning…
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The Pennsylvania governor speaks at the Moon Township-based air wing, urging military officials to scrap plans to shutter the base.
Standing beneath the wings of a C-130 aircraft at the 911th Airlift Wing, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said he would work with Pennsylvania's federal lawmakers to fight renewed plans to close the Moon Township air base. Corbett, appearing alongside Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, and state Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, implored military officials and federal lawmakers to end efforts to close the 911th as a cost-saving measure. "I'm going to ask our (Pennsylvania) congressional delegation to do whatever they need to do to save this base," Corbett said. The U.S. Air Force has again taken initial steps toward closing the airlift wing after March 2013— after the expiration of a law put…
Monday, December 17, 2012
The Allegheny County Democratic Committee unanimously nominated Dan Miller of Mt. Lebanon to run for the vacancy left by Matt Smith after he won his state Senate seat.
The Allegheny County Democratic Committee unanimously nominated Dan Miller of Mt. Lebanon to run for the vacancy in the 42nd House District on Sunday night. Miller, who is a former Mt. Lebanon Commissioner and a current volunteer firefighter, lives with his wife and son in Mt. Lebanon. Miller will run for the spot in a special election for the 42nd state House District after Matt Smith won the 37th state Senate seat in November. “We are excited to nominate and recommend Dan to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Board and look forward to electing him as our next State Representative,” Allegheny County Democratic Chair Nancy Patton Mills said. The Republicans have yet to say who they will put forward to challenge for the seat. Like…
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Are you a Democrat living in the 42nd Pennsylvania House District who wants to be a state representative? Find out how you can apply for the job.
Are you a Democrat living in the 42nd Pennsylvania House District who wants to be a state representative? The Allegheny County Democratic Committee is asking for candidates to submit their names to be considered to replace state Rep. Matt Smith, who won election to the state Senate last month. The 42nd state House District includes all of Mt. Lebanon and parts of Scott Township, Green Tree, Bethel Park and Rosslyn Farms. Candidates should submit a letter of intent to Grant Gittlen by sending it to 223 Fourth Avenue, Suite 150, Pittsburgh, PA, or by emailing him at ggittlen@alleghenydems.com. The letters or emails must be received by Friday, Dec. 7. The candidates will then be selected during a vote by the Allegheny County Democratic …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The most read articles this week were about the tragedy involving a 2-year-old boy who was mauled to death by African painted dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Other top stories were about this week's election.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Mike Jones
-
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Even with a major presidential campaign in full swing, the top stories this week weren’t about politics. Unfortunately, the most read articles were about the tragedy involving a 2-year-old Whitehall boy who was mauled to death by African painted dogs at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The zoo later announced the animals will not be euthanized. The popular elections stories included the results and recaps of the most important races. The hottest local race was between Matt Smith and Raja to see who would replace former state Sen. John Pippy. And the most interesting storyline was how the four communities that make up the Chartiers Valley School District closely split their presidential election votes. The final results for Bridgeville Collier, …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Matt Smith defeated D. Raja for Pennsylvania State Senate with 53% of the vote.
Matt Smith bear hugged supporters and feverishly pumped hit arms in the air moments after learning he had won election to the Pennsylvania State Senate. The normally subdued 3-term state representative showed more emotion than usual after a hard-fought battle against fellow Mt. Lebanon resident D. Raja. Smith takes over the seat formerly held by John Pippy. The district wraps around the South Hills of Pittsburgh from Peters Township up to Findlay. “When you have a message that resonates, then that will trump money every day of the week,” Smith said about being outspent 3-to-1 on the airwaves. “The message we have is resonating with people.” Smith, standing with his wife, Eileen, and three young children, Delaney, Emerson and Jameson, …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Patch will post preview stories and candidate profiles for those on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election.
Americans will be going to the polls in less than a month to choose who will lead this country. Over the next few days, we’ll feature each race that affects people in Bridgeville, Collier, Heidelberg, Mt. Lebanon, Scott and South Fayette. We will post preview stories and candidate profiles for those on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election of the U.S. presidency, U.S. Senate, state Senate, state House and a number of statewide offices. Click here to find your polling place. Here are your choices in ballot order: U.S. PRESIDENT: Republican: Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor. Democrat: Barack Obama, incumbent U.S. president and former U.S. senator from Illinois Libertarian: Gary Johnson Green: Jill Stein (Click …
Jon Wain
1:09 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
first the lottery next the state stores next the gas tax next-------------------------------------- Frank oyu said it right.Opps forgot the turn pike more ›