Fontana Discusses Impact of Gaming on PA Lottery

The focus should be on growing these profitable gaming markets rather than trying to dismantle successful assets, state Sen. Wayne Fontana says.

Throughout its more than 40 years in existence, the Pennsylvania Lottery has funded approximately 75 percent of the state's Department of Aging budget through programs that offer low-cost prescription drugs, free and reduced-fare transit, property tax and rent rebates, long-term living services and senior centers. Today, our Lottery is one of the most profitable in the nation. When Pennsylvania legalized slots gaming in 2004 and expanded to table games in 2010, one of the issues the Legislature faced was how the state's lottery would be affected by these additions to the gambling industry. Recognizing the concerns, a provision was included in Act 71 of 2004 that requires the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LB&FC) to issue annual …

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New Bill Could Provide Major School Safety Funding

State Sen. Wayne Fontana discusses school safety legislation, and a new bill that could provide schools with funding to address safety issues.

School safety is of the utmost importance for everyone in our communities as well as employees of a school district. We send our children to these institutions to receive an education believing that this place is a safe haven for all who are involved in the development and learning of our young ones. The recent tragedies that have occurred across the United States and in particular, Sandy Hook, remind us that even the young and innocent are often the target of some mentally disturbed individuals. Last week, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which would provide targeted grants to Commonwealth schools in order to address the issue of school violence and improve school safety statewide. In particular, the …

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Highmark-West Penn Allegheny Merger Update

'The recent disagreements between Highmark and UPMC have caused great concern and anxiety for the many people who are employed by these health care giants, customers, individuals and companies ... as well as local officials.' - state Sen. Wayne Fontana

In 2011, the state's largest insurer, Highmark, signed an affiliation agreement with the financially troubled West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) and its five Pittsburgh-area hospitals to create an integrated health system. The goal of the acquisition is for the integrated health system to be a competitor to the largest hospital network in western Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Now, the acquisition agreement between Highmark and WPAHS is set to expire at the end of the month. At this point, it is up to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to make a decision on whether the money being spent by Highmark will compromise the health care system's ability to pay the claims of its customers while still …

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Patch Poll: During What Times Should Municipalities Restrict Noisy Activities?

A concern about noisy nighttime trash collections in a North Hills community raises a bigger question of whether trash collection, lawn mowing, construction and other noisy activities in Pittsburgh's suburbs should have time limits.

Complaints from residents in a North Hills community have brought to light a problem that many municipalities have faced over time—when to restrict noise-making activities. Noise at night has been the topic of conversation at many board of commissioners and council meetings throughout the Pittsburgh area over the years. Ross Township commissioners are amending an ordinance to restrict the collection of garbage from commercial and/or non-residential areas from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Currently, trash collection is not allowed in Ross between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. under an ordinance enacted in 1993. The township's decision was made after residents complained about noisy, night garbage collections near three North Hills School District buildings. …

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Pet Adoptions: Ralphie Needs a New Home!

Ralphie is 5 years old and his former family says he's a 91 pound lap dog.

Say hello to Ralphie! Ralph was adopted from the Animal Rescue League and then turned in to another shelter, who transferred him back to the ARL. He is now 5 years old and his former family says Ralph is a 91 pound lap dog. He got along well with other dogs and children. His family also told the ARL staff that Ralph was mostly housebroken, but that he had an occasional accident. Ralph apparently did not like to be left alone. He would try to escape, bark or chew inappropriate items when left alone. We recommend a home where Ralph would not need to be left alone for long. We also recommend a strong crate and lots of great chew toys for Ralph when he needs to be left alone. Ralph knows quite a few commands and walks surprisingly well on a …

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State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana

Fontana Discusses Transportation Funding Source

Significant transportation investments must be made in the coming months, State Sen. Wayne Fontana says.

Pennsylvania has one of the largest highway networks in the country and is one of the most heavily traveled, ranking fifth nationally in miles of state-maintained highways. In March, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) released its first ever Transportation Performance Report which details the Commonwealth’s efforts in safety, mobility, system preservation and accountability. The results of the report underscored the need for a significant transportation investment in the coming months. The Transportation Performance Report highlights how Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate without a long-term solution or sufficient investment into the problem.  Everything from …

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Patch Poll: How Would You Rate the Region's Infrastructure?

Take our poll and give a grade to the roads, bridges and other parts of the public infrastructure.

The American Society of Civil Engineers has released its 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. Every four years, the ASCE grades the nation, state by state, on the condition and performance of the nation’s infrastructure in the form of a school report card—assigning letter grades that are based on physical condition and needed fiscal investments for improvement. Put mildly, the country didn't do so well. America's GPA (grade point average) came in at a D+. The ASCE says some investment is needed to raise that GPA—an estimated $13.6 trillion by 2020. Pennsylvania fared a little better, earning a C- as its grade. The report card indicates the state has 852 high-hazard dams, 5,540 structurally deficent bridges and notes that 57 …

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Margaret French

9:30 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2013

cc-He/she is so uninformed. Pitiful-huh? But unfortunately a lot of the population is. Maybe they will realize it when we are all living like Little House on the Prairie.   more ›

Patch Pets: Meet Adam & Eve

These siblings from the Animal Rescue League need a home.

Cats Adam and Eve need a home! The almost 3-year-old domestic Shorthair/Mix siblings are at the Animal Rescue League of Western PA because their owner has been hospitalized. The kitties originally were adopted from the shelter as kittens. Eve is very playful, according to volunteers at the shelter. Adam is a little more subdued but responds quickly to petting and a soft word. If you have any questions, email catladycam@gmail.com. --- Follow the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for the (free) daily Baldwin-Whitehall newsletter.

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Are Large Non-Profits Paying Their Share?

The time has come to address whether all large non-profits are paying their fair share, State Sen. Wayne Fontana says.

Last week, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced the City of Pittsburgh would be filing a lawsuit against University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) seeking a removal of UPMC’s tax-exempt status and payment of back payroll taxes. I commend Mayor Ravenstahl and the city for challenging UPMC’s non-profit status and for bringing this issue before the Court of Common Pleas to determine whether UPMC deserves its current non-profit status. UPMC should welcome the opportunity to provide transparency and prove to the public that they are truly non-profit, once and for all. The time has come to address whether all large non-profits are paying their fair share. I have re-introduced legislation that would amend the Purely Public Charity Act …

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Patch Poll: Should UPMC Be Considered a Nonprofit?

Or does it act more as a business? And what about the other major nonprofits in the area?

In a June 2012 "Taxpayer Alert," Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner questioned the fairness of nonprofits that have expanded their roles beyond the traditional definition of a charitable organization, but still maintain tax-exempt status. "In these challenging financial times, it is our duty and responsibility to address the questions raised by a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling and determine if properties are used for a truly charitable purpose," Wagner said in the report. "While exemptions are justified for clearly charitable organizations such as churches, soup kitchens and many others, some are plainly unfair." A 2012 state Supreme Court decision has given local governments a tool to challenge the loopholes in a five-…

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NE12Ukid

7:36 am on Thursday, May 9, 2013

Those with employer provided healthcare do not always have a choice.   more ›