The state Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision upholding the latest legislative redistricting plan. The new maps make only small changes to my Senate District, the biggest being the loss of Monessen and the gain of Aliquippa. The redistricting process has been difficult and, unfortunately, very partisan.  But it’s time to accept the unanimous decision of the court and shift our effort to meeting new constituents and helping with the transition that comes with these changes. The approved redistricting plan is far better than some of those that came before it, and I’m grateful to …

All of the organizers were pleasantly surprised (earlier this month), when more than 22 tons of electronic items were dropped off at our first big recycling event since a new Pennsylvania law took effect, prohibiting disposal of electronics in household trash. Cars lined up and televisions, computers, and stereos quickly piled up in the parking lot of the Canonsburg Borough Building. In the end, 45,750 pounds of material was collected. Seeing all of that equipment, containing hazardous chemicals such as lead and cadmium, in such a big pile really brought home the importance of recycling as a …

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country. Through programs such as the President's Volunteer Service Award, Daily Point of Light Award and the Extra Mile – Points of Light Volunteer Pathway, we …

In order to help maintain a well-trained and certified contingent of first responders in our communities, I have introduced legislation that would allow volunteer firefighters’ relief association funds to be used to pay for the costs related to advanced life support (ALS) or paramedic (EMT-P) training. Recruiting volunteers is hard and even ALS and EMT professionals don’t make so much money that keeping up with training isn’t a financial burden. Currently, the law authorizes the use of volunteer firefighters’ relief association funds for 16 separate categorized items, one of which is to pay …

The Senate was back in session last week after nearly a month of budget hearings and, despite some growth in the economy, a long series of tough decisions is now ahead of us. The Republican governor has majorities in the House and Senate, but there are growing divisions over his decision to link some major issues as a way to force through his own priorities. Although governors going back to Dick Thornburgh more than 30 years ago have tried to privatize the state liquor store system, Corbett has taken the position that it must done this year or schools will lose the $1 billion that a sell-off …

As budget hearings wrapped up in Harrisburg last week, the challenges in the months ahead have come into sharper focus.  One of the most pressing problems facing lawmakers is the dire need for investment in transportation infrastructure.  Even before the recession hit a few years ago, Pennsylvania was struggling to keep up with the cost of maintaining roads, bridges and mass transit systems.  What was once a nagging problem is now approaching a crisis. Over the years one after another “blue-ribbon” commission has recommended dramatically increased funding for transportation, but the …

The Senate Appropriations Committee met last week with the Adjutant General of the PA National Guard, Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig.  Because I now serve on this important committee, I was able to ask the adjutant general some questions. I have to say up front that I have great faith in this man’s abilities. He oversees a department that is not only of major importance to the Commonwealth, but to the safety and security of our great nation as well. I expressed concerns about the future of the 171st Air Refueling Wing and the overall economic impact of the 911th Air Wing in our region. In short, Gen…

My recent appointment to the Senate Appropriations Committee will have me in Harrisburg for the next three weeks reviewing the details of the governor’s budget proposal and what it means to various parts of Pennsylvania government. The secretaries of the various departments will appear before the committee to explain their needs and respond to questions about performance, priorities and, of course, spending. These appropriations hearings are an important way to talk face to face with top officials and pass on concerns from constituents. We recently heard from the governor’s office staff, his …

Pennsylvania’s largest prosecutor’s group has thrown its support behind my bill that would allow expungement of minor criminal records. The support of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association, representing the men and women who work on the front lines of the criminal justice system, wipes away any misconception that expungement means going soft on crime.  The truth is, prosecutors don’t want to see the same faces coming through the courthouse time after time because long-ago minor offenses prevent them from obtaining employment. This bill recognizes genuine efforts at rehabilitation; …

The small games of chance law that went into effect last year made it impossible for some small organizations to comply with its cumbersome reporting requirements, a complication that threatened the existence of some important community assets. We can’t put any more burden on already over-extended volunteers and we have to recognize the importance of local volunteer organizations to both the fabric and the economy of our communities. Last week, I introduced a bill that will make needed changes to the law. Earlier this year, the Corbett administration agreed—after some colleagues and I wrote a…

Progress in the affiliation agreement between Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System is good news for the people of southwestern Pennsylvania who depend on these two health-care giants. And it’s not just patients who are breathing a sigh of relief—thousands of employees were affected by the difficult negotiations that led to the recent agreement over debt financing. Highmark recently submitted an amended affiliation agreement to the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance, and I hope the department can act quickly to create stability for the patients and health-care workers of the region…

Although there are signs that the economy is now strongly rebounding from the recession, some households have not fared as well. A record number of families are facing serious debts and increasingly aggressive debt collectors. Fortunately, starting this year, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began monitoring debt collectors, trying to crack down on abusive, unfair and deceptive practices. Harassing an individual with repeated phone calls; threatening someone with lawsuits, property seizure, or arrest; making false claims; and sharing personal information with third parties are…

Pennsylvania’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation, will conduct the first-ever Pennsylvania Women Veterans Symposium in Gettysburg, March 8 through 10. The event will feature important guest speakers as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics of particular interest to women veterans. The event will take place at the Wyndham Hotel, and will kick off with a welcome reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8. General sessions and breakout sessions will be held on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday morning, March 10. Presentations …

As the General Assembly prepares for what will be a difficult 2013-2014 session, I learned that I’ve been appointed to the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. The Appropriations Committee must clear any bill that could have a measurable financial impact on Pennsylvania and it steers important budget bills through the Senate. A voice on appropriations carries a good deal of prestige, but an even larger measure of responsibility. I believe I was chosen for the committee because of my record of working with members on both sides of the aisle to come up with reasonable solutions without …

I have good news to report to the many volunteer organizations across the region that depend on small games of chance for vital operating funds. Weeks after I wrote to the Corbett Administration asking for a delay in the reporting requirements of Pennsylvania’s new Small Games of Chance law, the state Department of Revenue has announced a one-year reprieve. This is great news for hundreds of important organizations across Pennsylvania that are struggling with the complexity of the new law. I applaud the governor for recognizing the consequences that heavy handed enforcement could have had. In…

I sent a letter last week, along with 12 of my colleagues, asking the Corbett administration to delay the reporting requirements of Pennsylvania’s new Small Games of Chance law to give the Legislature more time to address concerns raised with the law. While Act 2 requires annual reporting from small games licensees, the law contains no filing deadline. The Department of Revenue, however, has set a Feb. 1 deadline.              Since passage of the new law, a number of unexpected issues have come up. Organizations continue to have difficulty understanding what’s required of them, while facing …

The discovery of large natural gas deposits in the Marcellus Shale, and the development of technology to extract it, means more to this region and the country than jobs and economic growth. It also brings the potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which would improve national security and shield our economy from instability in the Middle East. Oil and gas industry executives, along with local government officials met recently at Waynesburg University to discuss how we can transition more vehicles from gasoline to compressed natural gas. The bottom line is that converting cars and …

Like most families, mine is making plans for the Thanksgiving holiday and that means food, football and friends. But I know first-hand that there are many families in our community making different plans. Firefighters and EMTs are stretching their schedules to make sure the day is covered in case a turkey fryer gets out of hand. Health-care providers are switching days for their celebrations so hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency rooms will be ready. Police officers, prison guards and night watchpeople are shuffling their time off to keep the rest of us protected. Hotel housekeepers are …

Members and veterans of our armed forces who have been decorated for valor or meritorious service can now get one in a series of special license plates offered by the state Department of Transportation. PennDOT’s new series of plates offers a design exhibiting one of the following military decorations: Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor and Bronze Star. Veterans and military personnel interested in these new plates can click here to visit PennDOT’s web page for military veterans. PennDOT’s Specialty Plate …

An event that began nearly 30 years ago as a food drive for the unemployed, is again kicking off the holiday season with the right spirit. WJPA Radio and the Observer-Reporter newspaper have been partners from the beginning. The 2000 Turkeys campaign has grown into an annual tradition with families, schools, businesses, and local media pitching in to help provide a holiday meal for Washington County residents who meet eligibility requirements established by the Greater Washington County Food Bank. Just recently, The Meadows announced it was donating $10,000 and the 2012 campaign has already …