Sunday, February 10, 2013
The governor is proposing to spend $200,000 to help communities gather economic evidence about how the closure of a base would impact their area. The money could help the 911th Airlift Wing make its case to remain open.
Buried deep inside Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal released this week is a small line item to help communities gather economic evidence about how the closure of a base would impact their area. The $200,000 is just a drop in the bucket of the $28.4 billion budget, but it could go a long way to protecting the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township–and other bases across the state–from being shuttered by the federal government. Steve Kratz, a spokesman for the Department of Community and Economic Development, said that funding would provide additional staff for a committee tasked with gathering evidence about the economic impact of these military bases. “That’s going to allow the committee to hire an additional staffer and provide additional…
Friday, February 1, 2013
Gov. Tom Corbett announced his plan to privatize the liquor system in Pennsylvania and committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. How do you feel about the plan to privatize the state stores?
Gov. Tom Corbett, joined by state Rep. Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny County, on Wednesday announced his plan to privatize the liquor system in Pennsylvania and committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. Corbett said the $1 billion will be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, which will provide flexibility to schools, allowing our public schools, instead of Harrisburg, to decide what their students need. The grant will focus on four priority areas: school safety, enhanced early education programs, individualized learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. “Our proposal is part of my commitment to changing Harrisburg, streamlining government and moving …
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Some Chartiers Valley students are preparing to take the Keystone Exams this week and next.
Some Chartiers Valley students are preparing to take the Keystone Exams this week and next. The Keystone Exams for students in ninth, 10th and 11th grades will be held on Jan 9, 10 and 15. Algebra I will be on Jan. 9, Literature will be held on Jan. 10 and Biology will be on Jan. 15. Eighth grade students who are scheduled to take the Algebra I exam will do so on Jan. 10. Makeup exams are scheduled for January 16, 17, 18, 22, and 23, according to the school district’s website. “Please see your homeroom teacher or school counselor for details regarding your exam session and testing requirements,” the school district said on its website. “Students are required to bring a fully-charged laptop and battery charger on exam dates as the Keystone …
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…
Monday, December 24, 2012
If the holidays are expected to bring you new electronics or you’ve been keeping an old console TV in the garage in hopes an electronics recycling event would appear, there’s good news on the calendar for you—and the environment.
If the holidays are expected to bring you new electronics or you’ve been keeping an old console TV in the garage in hopes an electronics recycling event would appear, there’s good news on the calendar for you—and the environment. Pennsylvania’s new Covered Device Recycling Act takes effect in January and requires the recycling of all TVs and computer equipment being discarded by households, businesses and institutions. The law also provides free recycling for these devices being disposed of by households and businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Larger businesses are required to pay for electronics recycling. “For the last several weeks we have informed our customers that our collection crews will not pick up TV’s and computer equipment…
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
In the wake of recent mass shootings in Newtown, CT. and elsewhere, Patch examines the recent history of gun-control legislation in Pennsylvania.
On the books, Pennsylvania's gun laws are somewhat tougher than those found elsewhere in the United States, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The gun-control group gives Pennsylvania a 25 out of a possible 100-point rating on its state scorecard—the 10th-strictest rating in the country. "While Pennsylvania has some common-sense gun laws, including the requirement of Brady criminal background checks on all handgun purchasers, more needs to be done to stop illegal gun trafficking," according to the Brady Center website. Current Law In Pennsylvania, a person does not need a license to "open-carry" a gun by wearing it in a holster or in similar fashion anywhere but in Philadelphia, state police spokeswoman Diana Bates told…
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…
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The 2011 U.S. Census population estimate released this month shows Bridgeville is falling behind Allegheny County and Pennsylvania in population growth and household income. Click to read more about the findings.
Bridgeville’s population remains stable but is lagging in growth and household income compared to Allegheny County and Pennsylvania, according to a 2011 U.S. Census estimate released this month. The population is estimated to have increased slightly to 5,158 residents in 2011, which is an increase of 0.2 percent over the official 2010 Census figures. That is slightly less than the 0.3 percent population increase in both Allegheny County and Pennsylvania from April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011. The median household income also lags behind the state with the average estimate in Bridgeville to be $33,477. That compares to the state average of $51,651 and Allegheny County’s average of $49,805. Bridgeville’s 62 percent homeownership rate is about 9 …
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 …
Laughing at Trannie Fable
11:36 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Worst - Comment - Ever!! So you are telling me that the state-employeed liquor store worker has been "extensively" trained to help me select my beverage of choice? That is truly funny! They are doing a "great job" if they can even point you in the right direction of the bourbon aisle, let alone what variety of red wine will pair well with my dinner. Let capitalism and the supply/demand market … more ›