From Sen. Fontana

WPAHS and Highmark Make Progress With Agreement

Officials with WPAHS and Highmark have reached an agreement on a debt reduction deal with bondholders, and now it's important for the insurance department to act, Robinson-area state Sen. Fontana says.

  Last November, I expressed my concerns with the news that Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System (WPAHS) had ended negotiations to finalize their affiliation agreement. The two entities appeared in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court in October after WPAHS claimed Highmark breached their affiliation agreement by insisting WPAHS file for bankruptcy prior to executing the agreement. As a result, WPAHS began searching for other suitors in place of Highmark, which prompted Highmark to ask the Court to block WPAHS from talking to other potential partners. A Common Pleas judge ruled on the matter and blocked WPAHS from talking to other potential affiliation partners. Recently, we have come to learn that after re-starting the …

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From Sen. Fontana

Fontana Discusses Expanding Film Tax Credits

Now is the time to consider increasing the Pennsylvania film tax credit, says Robinson-area state senator Wayne Fontana.

In the past, I have discussed the benefits the Pennsylvania film tax credit has brought to our state, including the more than 16,300 direct jobs and over $739 million in wages. As the administration starts to draft a proposed 2013-14 budget in the coming months, now is the time to consider increasing the Pennsylvania film tax credit so that this very successful program can continue providing financial perks to companies to come to our state and invest in our economy. Currently, the film tax credit offers directors and producers who film 60 percent of their production within Pennsylvania a 25 percent credit in taxes. For this fiscal year, $60 million is available and has helped fund eight featured films, one documentary, eight television …

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From Sen. Fontana

Fontana on Honoring, Supporting Veterans

Robinson-area State Sen. Fontana discusses legislation that will support veterans.

As Veteran’s Day approaches, I’d like to acknowledge and thank our military men and women for their service to our country and our families. The commitment of these brave individuals is one for which we should all be grateful. As your state Senator, I will continue working to ensure that active members of the military as well as our veterans and their families receive the necessary opportunities in order to improve their lives upon returning home. Legislation Supporting Veterans There were several pieces of legislation relating to veterans which were enacted during the final days of the 2011-2012 legislative session that I proudly supported. Act 176 (House Bill 2428) offers a special designation on Pennsylvania driver’s licenses or PennDOT…

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Election 2012: Smith, Raja Vie for Seat in Senate District 37

Republican businessman D. Raja and Democratic state Rep. Matt Smith vie for the Senate seat. Here are profiles of the candidates.

  General Information: Place of residence: Mt. Lebanon College: Raja graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2003.    Employment Information: Job titles held: CEO and founder Employers: Computer Enterprises Inc., a company that provides IT services   Political Information: Party affiliation: Republican Running for: Pennsylvania Senate Running for position: State Senator District: 37th Incumbent/Seat last held by: Former Sen. John Pippy Previous elective offices: Served as a Mt. Lebanon commissioner and later as president of the commission Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: Previously lost his bid for Allegheny County Executive to Rich Fitzgerald   Website : http://…

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Nearby: Vulakovich Wins 40th District Seat , Succeeds Orie

The Republican from Shaler Township scores decisive win over Democrat Dr. Sharon Brown.

Republican Randy Vulakovich won Tuesday's special election and will fill the 40th District state senatorial seat formerly held by Jane Orie. “I’m ecstatic. I’m in a little in awe because all these people you see here worked so hard and got behind me in a short period of time," Vulakovich said Tuesday night at Monte Cello's Restaurant in the Hampton Shoppes on Route 8 in Hampton Township where he was joined by about 300 supporters. "And to put a race together in that short period of time and get in full gear is a lot of work. Everything goes according to how well they work. I’m very blessed with a lot of friends and a lot of people who have faith in me.” With 100 percent of precincts reporting in Allegheny County, Vulakovich has 12,065 …

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Pippy’s Senate Seat Could Remain Empty

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley will have to decide whether to hold a special election to fill the last few months of John Pippy’s senate term.

State Sen. John Pippy’s resignation could leave his constituents without a senator for the next six months. According to state law, if a senate vacancy happens less than seven months before the expiration of the term, Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley has 10 days to decide if there should be a special election or let the seat remain empty. Pippy, R-Moon, resigned from his position over the weekend after voting on the budget. However, his district and capital staff members are expected to remain intact to assist constituents. The Associated Press has reported that Pippy left his post early to accept a job in the private sector, though he has not specified what that position will be.  With less than six months left until the term expires, Cawley will have…

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Sen. Pippy Resigns After Budget Vote

State Sen. John Pippy left his seat in the state Senate at midnight.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, formally resigned his seat in the Senate late Saturday after casting his budget vote.  Pippy announced in January that he would not seek re-election for the state legislature. He has served in the state Senate since 2003.  Pippy resigned at midnight, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  He called his work as a state senator the most "meaningful experience I have had in my professional career," according to the resignation letter obtained by the newspaper.  He served in the state House for six years prior to being elected to the state Senate.  Republican D. Raja, a business owner from Mt. Lebanon, is vying for Pippy's seat in the 37th district in November's general election. He may face an …

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Louisa

2:01 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Senator Pippy, you let us down! As a supporter of you I am confused and unhappy that that you would not finish the term you are currently serving. Would it have hurt you to serve until your succesor had been elected? I believe the residents of your district deserve more than a terse "I resign" letter. Hopefully our next senator won't leave us in a lurch without representation.   more ›

State Senate Passes 2012-13 Budget

The final version was $500 million higher than Gov. Corbett's proposed budget.

The Pennsylvania Senate passed a nearly $27.66 billion state spending plan by a 32-17 vote late Friday, the Harrisburg Patriot-News is reporting. The budget is $500 million higher than Gov. Tom Corbett's initial proposal, according to the Post-Gazette. Other parts of budget package will still need to be acted on by the state House and Senate. The state House approved the budget on Thursday. The budget still requires action by Gov. Tom Corbett for final approval. The plan requires no increase in taxes or new taxes. It maintains funding at current year levels for public universities and most school districts, but some fiscally struggling districts received a little extra money, the Patriot-News reported. It cuts funding for human services by…

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cc

4:41 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

(Part 4) Some districts are implementing mentoring and training programs led by highly trained teachers, and may pay for teachers to take classes in the subject they will be teaching. But in many poor school districts, both urban and rural, schools are facing teacher shortages. "Teaching in high-poverty, high-needs schools is not necessarily an appealing option," Rosen says. Even though many …   more ›

D. Raja Wins GOP Nod in 37th District

State Rep. Mark Mustio of Moon has conceded the election after a bruising weekend battle over campaign literature aimed at his primary opponent.

Mt. Lebanon business owner D. Raja has won the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's 37th Senate district in Tuesday's state primary election.  More than 97 percent of Allegheny County precincts have reported returns.  Raja, who is vying to replace outgoing state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, defeated two other candidates to win the GOP nomination with more than 40 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. No Democrat has entered the race for the seat, but Pleasant Hills Democrat Greg Parks has indicated that he will run as a write-in candidate in the November general election, according to Raja campaign officials.  Raja and his supporters gathered at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South hotel in Bethel park. He confirmed that …

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