Friday, April 5, 2013
Solobay said the bill, which would help former offenders find jobs, has garnered support from across the country.
A nationwide justice-reform advocacy group has launched a website in support of a Pennsylvania bill that would help former offenders find jobs and help trim the rising costs of incarceration, state Sen. Tim Solobay announced this week. Solobay, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 391, said his legislation has drawn attention and support from across the United States. “Recidivism and soaring costs are not unique to Pennsylvania’s prison system,” he said. “We spend more than $40 million each year giving prisoners vocational training but their job prospects are limited because no matter how dedicated they are to overcoming their past mistakes, minor criminal records make finding a job difficult.” Solobay’s bill, now supported by Pennsylvania’s …
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
The senator from Canonsburg reintroduced a resolution asking for a study to be conducted to determine the possible benefits of converting more state vehicles to natural gas.
State Sen. Tim Solobay is again urging the Department of General Services to study whether it should convert more state vehicles to run on natural gas. Solobay has reintroduced a resolution in support of a study and is asking colleagues to support it. “Pennsylvania is at the forefront of the natural gas industry and our resource supply puts us in a position to reap great benefits from using this asset wisely,” he said. “One of the ways in which we can do this is by setting an example for the commonwealth by using natural gas in our state fleet.” Many gasoline-powered vehicles can be cost-effectively converted to run on natural gas, Solobay said. While many private companies have converted truck fleets to take advantage of historically low…
Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, also gives you the skinny on trout stocking for this season.
A bill to rename a local highway interchange after a fallen Marine has unanimously cleared the state Senate Transportation Committee. I sponsored Senate Bill 406 to honor Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Kovacicek, a 22-year-old Marine from Washington who was killed in 2005 during a mortar attack in Iraq. The bill would designate the Murtland Ave. exit of Interstates 70 and 79 in his honor. Thousands of people will drive past every day and be reminded of the sacrifice made by Lance Corporal Kovacicek and the many others who gave their lives in service to their country. Kovacicek was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Corps Reserve, Moundsville, West Virginia, attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd …
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State Senator Tim Solobay
68 E Pike St, Canonsburg, PA
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Thursday, March 28, 2013
State Sen. Tim Solobay explains new legislation he has introduced.
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 for attending firefighters’ training schools. My Senate Bill 707 would expand the authorized use of funds to include reasonable expenses incurred for …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Solobay introduced similar legislation in the past.
State Sen. Tim Solobay (D-Canonsburg) has 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. "Trained advanced life support and paramedic technicians are critical in times of emergency,” Solobay stated. “Providing funding to train individuals in the areas of ALS and EMT-P ensures that our responders are better trained and able to react quickly and effectively in times of times of emergency." Currently, the law authorizes the use of volunteer firefighters’ relief association fund for 16 separate categorized items, one of which is to pay for attending firefighters’ training schools, according to Solobay…
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Liquor privatization is a complex issue with serious consequences for local communities. It should not be the only way to adequately fund schools, Solobay said.
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 could yield. That’s a decision that has lawmakers on both sides of the aisle resisting because, no matter what area of the state you represent, …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Senior licenses are available to hunters at least 65 years old. Fewer than 40,000 of Pennsylvania’s 1.2 million licensed hunters are seniors.
A bill that loosens restrictions on senior hunters, cleared the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee today and now heads to the floor for a vote. The bill was state Sen. Tim Solobay's. In response to numerous requests from hunters statewide, Senate Bill 547 lifts antler point minimums for holders of senior hunting licenses. “Many of the seniors I’ve heard from face difficult physical challenges and I think most of my colleagues support giving them a slight advantage when it comes to getting a buck,” Solobay said. “They’ve paid their dues and passed on their tradition.” Ten years ago, the state Game Commission enacted higher standards regarding the minimum size or number of antler points. The regulations vary for different areas of the state…
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
'Although funding for transportation has taken a back seat to economic recovery, our transportation infrastructure now threatens to derail economic progress,' Solobay said.
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 reluctance to raise revenue during the slow recovery has delayed action. This week, Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch warned of the consequences of another…
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State Senator Tim Solobay
68 E Pike St, Canonsburg, PA
/articles/work-ahead-on-transportation-funding
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Thursday, March 7, 2013
'The days of just tossing things in the trash are long gone,' state Sen. Tim Solobay said.
State Sen. Tim Solobay said the days of just tossing things in the trash are long gone. That's why Solobay, D-Canonsburg, is teaming up with Mayor David H. Rhome and the Borough of Canonsburg, as well as local organizations, to help area residents make sure they protect their finances and the environment while spring cleaning with two local events. “Knowing how to properly dispose of certain things that pile up around the home is essential to preventing unintended consequences,” Solobay said. On April 13, Solobay and the borough will team up with Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania to hold a consumer electronics recycling event. “As technology transforms the world we live in, we have to make sure we’re keeping up with threats to the …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Read this week's message from the senator!
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. Craig is optimistic that the 911th will remain in operation for at least the next two years, allowing us to build the case for an even more robust …
Insider Eyes
11:33 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
I wonder if Senator Solobay is sponsoring this bill so he can get his own record expunged someday. more ›