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September 23, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Senate News Brief

SENATE KICKS OFF FALL VOTING SESSION
 
The Senate returned to voting session on Monday, with a full fall agenda that is expected to feature Marcellus Shale, School Choice and other priority issues.

Among the bills that could be considered this week are Senate Bill 162, the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (Delaware), and Senate Bill 361, vital statistics disclosure, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (Mercer).

LIBRARY CODE REFORM, HIGHMARK/UPMC DISPUTE

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (Dauphin), held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1225, reform of the Library Code. For those interested in testimony presented at the hearing, materials may be accessed at the Committee website – http://piccola.org/education.htm.
 
On Thursday, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White (Indiana), held a public hearing on the contract dispute between Highmark and UPMC, and Highmark's proposed acquisition of West Penn Allegheny Hospital. For those interested in the testimony presented at the hearing, materials may be accessed at the Committee website - http://www.senatordonwhite.com/banking.htm.

SENATORS UNVEIL BIPARTISAN FLOOD RELIEF PACKAGE
 
Sen. John Gordner (Columbia), Sen. Lisa Baker (Luzerne), and Sen. Gene Yaw (Lycoming) joined a bipartisan group of senators today to unveil a comprehensive legislative package in response to the devastating effects of flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

The seven-piece package combines financial assistance, infrastructure funding and tax breaks for affected areas

For details of the package, please see Fast Facts below.

SENATOR PILEGGI UNVEILS PROPOSAL TO CHANGE THE WAY  ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES ARE ALLOCATED

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (Delaware) announced a plan to introduce legislation designed to change the manner in which Pennsylvania's Electoral College allocates their votes in presidential elections.
 
In 2012, Pennsylvania will have 20 electoral votes, one for each of the 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the two U.S. Senators who represent the Commonwealth. Under Senator Pileggi's proposal, two presidential electors would be chosen based on the results of the statewide popular vote. The other 18 would be awarded based on the vote for president within each Congressional district.
 
Gov. Tom Corbett and leaders in the state House of Representatives have expressed support for the legislation. Currently, Maine and Nebraska utilize a district-based system.

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE BEGINS HEARINGS ON HIGHER EDUCATION ISSUES

The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Jake Corman (Centre), began a series of public hearings on the role of the Commonwealth's state-related universities.

The September 12 hearing was held at the University of Pittsburgh, one of Pennsylvania's four state-related universities, meaning that it receives state funds but is independently operated. It shares this status with the Pennsylvania State University, which hosted a September 7 hearing, Temple University and Lincoln University.
   
The committee heard testimony from university officials on a variety of topics, including the impact of the state budget on the university's operation. To view video and testimony from this hearing, visit the Appropriations Committee website at - http://jakecorman.com/appropriations.htm - and scroll down to the "Hearings & Meetings" section.

Additional hearings will be held October 12 at Temple University and October 13 at Lincoln University.

SENATE AGING AND YOUTH COMMITTEE EXAMINES LONG-TERM CARE ISSUES
 
The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (Westmoreland), held a public hearing September 7 in Beaver County on long-term care in Pennsylvania.
 
Senator Ward, Sen. Elder Vogel (Beaver) and other committee members heard testimony from state Aging Secretary Brian Duke, as well as representatives of Area Agencies on Aging, adult day services, homecare agencies and others.

For more on the hearing, please see In the Spotlight, below.

INDEPENDENT FISCAL OFFICE'S FIRST DIRECTOR NAMED

Matthew J. Knittel, a senior financial economist with the U.S. Department of Treasury, was selected to serve as the first director of Pennsylvania's new Independent Fiscal Office.

Knittel, 43, holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Michigan State University, where he also earned an M.A. in Economics. He earned two bachelor's degrees, in economics and business administration, from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

The non-partisan Independent Fiscal Office will develop revenue estimates and have access to the same financial information as the Governor's Budget Office. It is also responsible for developing performance standards for executive-level programs and departments.

In the Spotlight
Aging Secretary Duke noted that Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in the number of people age 60 and older, and by the year 2020, one in four state residents will be over the age of 60. He said that in November the department will begin working with long-term care providers and others to create a four-year plan to serve older Pennsylvanians and people living with disabilities.

According to the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, the bulk of Pennsylvania's long-term care system is spent on nursing homes – about $3.5 billion compared to in-home services, which account for $386 million.

It was noted that difficult economic circumstances will require difficult choices, as Medical Assistance long term care and health care in general will continue to drive much of the Commonwealth's budget into fiscal year 2012-13 and beyond.

The role of Pennsylvania's 526 Senior Centers was also discussed. The centers often serve as an entry point into the long term care system.
The need for long-term care is not limited to seniors. There are more than 260 Adult Day Services centers across Pennsylvania serving 11,300 Pennsylvanians under age 60 who are not capable of full-time independent living. 

Visit the Aging & Youth Committee website to view the hearing testimony in full - http://pasenategop.com/committees/aging/2011/090711/agenda.htm.

FAST FACTS
SENATORS UNVEIL FLOOD RELIEF PACKAGE

• Establishes a restricted account in the State Treasury to provide additional state grant monies to individuals and families based on income eligibility and damage losses.
• Authorizes $250 million for the state share of flood-related highway and bridge rehabilitation projects.
• Allows local taxing bodies to abate real estate taxes for properties substantially affected by the flood.
• Authorizes a county-by-county list of highway, bridge, flood control and hazard mitigation projects that need rehabilitation.
• Gives the Secretary of Education the authority to waive certain requirements for public and non-public schools that were substantially affected by the flood.

PennDOT Invites Students to Enter Annual Aviation Art Contest

Harrisburg – Young artists are invited to display their talents and learn about aviation through an annual art contest sponsored by PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation.

"Aviation is an important industry in Pennsylvania, and this is a great opportunity for kids to learn about it while having fun," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E.

"Aviation's Value to My Community" is the theme of this year’s contest. Entries will be judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 14.

There will be 22 statewide winners, with one winner from each division selected from each of PennDOT’s 11 district offices. Winners will receive a certificate signed by Schoch, and a mounted, full-color, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry. The students' schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display.

Artwork should be submitted on 8.5-by-11-inch or 9-by-12-inch paper, unframed, unmatted and unlaminated. All work must be done by hand (there is an exception for children with physical challenges).

Permitted formats are:
acrylic, oil paint, felt-tip pens, indelible ink, soft ballpoint pens, watercolor or crayons.

Formats that are not permitted include:
non-permanent media such as pencil or charcoal, computer-generated artwork and collage work using photocopies.

The back of each submission should include the student's name, teacher's name, grade level, county and school address and phone number. Entries will not be returned. Winners' schools will be notified by telephone.

Send entries to: Bureau of Aviation, c/o Harrison Brooks, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA 17120 or P.O. Box 3457, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0064.

Last year's winners are viewable under the Bureau of Aviation's "Aviation Education" section on www.dot.state.pa.us.
For more information, call 717-783-8800. 

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
September 23-26, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 23-26.

All activities are weather permitting and subject to change. Motorists should plan their travels accordingly by anticipating highway work zones, slowing down, exercising patience and being safe.

PennDOT is also reminding motorists approaching lane restricted highway work zones to use all open lanes to the merge point. Please be courteous to other motorists and allow them to merge. The effectiveness of traffic flow in highway work zones is highly dependent on driver behavior. Using all lanes and allowing a consistent, courteous merge will reduce congestion and delay and help traffic move smoothly and safely through the work zone.
The HOV lanes on the Parkway North (I-279) are open to all outbound traffic on weekends after 7 p.m. on Friday and remain open until 5 a.m. on Mondays. In addition, the two passenger vehicle rule does not apply during weekend hours. To alleviate congestion, motorists are encouraged to use the HOV lanes to exit the downtown area following sports games and other events on weekends.

Below is a summary of the major closings and restrictions this weekend:

SHORT TERM:
I-79
Bridge Traffic Shift
 
Single lane traffic on I-79 in both directions in the area of the Warrendale-Bayne Road (Route 4052) interchange (Exit 75) will occur from 10 p.m. on Friday through approximately 7 p.m. on Saturday. Significant delays should be expected.

Crews have completed work to reconstruct the left half of the Warrendale-Bayne Road overpass bridges. Work will occur this weekend to paint lines and installing temporary barrier to shift traffic onto the newly reconstruct lanes and begin work to improve the right side of the structures.

Full release: I-79 Single Lane Traffic Friday and Saturday in Marshall
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/8qb98 

Roadwork
Traffic in both directions on I-79 will be restricted to a single lane from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) from 7 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Full release: I-79 Bridgeville to Washington Improvements Continue Nightly Next Week
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/t9rve

Route 22
Ramp resurfacing
Several ramps on Route 22 at the Route 30/978 Imperial Interchange in North Fayette Township will be closed from 6 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday.

The following ramps will be closed:

• Westbound Route 22 to westbound Route 30
• Route 30/Route 978 to eastbound Route 22
• Eastbound Route 22 to Route 30 (west) and Route 978 (east)

Signs will be posted to guide motorists.

Full release: Route 22 Ramp Resurfacing Begins Thursday Night in North Fayette
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/f6ca8   

Concrete replacement
Westbound Route 22 in the area of the Tonidale/ Montour Church Road (Route 3086) Interchange in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County, will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday. Crews will be removing and replacing concrete. Traffic will be detoured using the on-off ramps at the interchange. Eastbound Route 22 will not be affected.

Full release: Westbound Route 22 Closed this Weekend at Montour Church Road/Tonidale Interchange
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/8bapg 

Route 50
Roadwork
 
Traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) in Collier Township and Heidelberg Borough will be reduced to a single lane from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday in the following areas this weekend:

• Route 50 reconstruction will continue in both directions in the area of the Great Southern Shopping Center. Traffic will be shifted to one side of the roadway.
• Crews will continue concrete patching and removing and replacing strip seal dams on the bridge that carries Route 50 over Chartiers Creek between Hope Hollow Road/Carothers Avenue and First/Washington Street. Westbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane this weekend. Eastbound traffic will not be affected at this time in this area.

Full release: Route 50 Single Lane this Weekend in Collier and Heidelberg 
Google Map of Greentree Road/Chartiers Creek Area: http://g.co/maps/ax23b
Google Map of Great Southern Area: http://g.co/maps/hmeah

LONG TERM:
Route 65 
Lane Closures

Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange continuously through late November 2011. Crews are rehabilitating the mainline Route 65 bridges at the interchange between the West End and McKees Rocks bridges. Traffic is being detoured using the on-and-off ramps to Beaver Avenue and California Avenue.

Full release: Route 65 Long-Term Closures Begin July 15 at Marshall Avenue Interchange in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.457985,-80.0245&spn=0.051331,0.077162&z=14

Route 28
Lane Closures
 
Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the 31st and 40th street bridges in the City of Pittsburgh through 2012.

Full release: Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begin Aug. 23 at 40th Street Bridge in Millvale
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.469282,-79.976006&spn=0.025661,0.038581&z=15

I-579/Crosstown Boulevard
Bridges and Ramps

The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies to the southbound Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) is closed continuously through Aug. 20 for bridge rehabilitation.

Full release: Boulevard of the Allies Ramp to Liberty Bridge Long-Term Closure Begins Sunday in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15

The bridges that connect Sixth and Seventh avenues to Washington Place over I-579 near the Civic Arena are closed continuously through mid-October 2011.
 
Full release: I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Ramp Closures Long-Term Detours Begin this Weekend in Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15

Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway problems and concerns.

Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. The 511 system also automatically feeds Twitter accounts with information such as incidents, construction notices and weather alerts. The Pittsburgh/Southwestern-region account, www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh, covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Follow PennDOT to receive real-time updates.

District 11 offers specialized information for particular roadways and projects. Potential email subscribers should specify preferences for receiving information for the following categories:

• All roadways and bridges in Allegheny, Beaver or Lawrence counties;
• Weekend work and restrictions in Allegheny County (this will only include restrictions and work activities that occur on weekends);
• Parkway East (I-376);
• Parkway West (I-376) ;
• Parkway North (I-279);
• Interstate 79;
• West Liberty Avenue and Liberty Tunnel Improvements;
• Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway);
• Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard);
• Route 48 Boston Bridge; and
• Route 19 Wexford Flats Project.

Potential subscribers should send their email address and location preferences to Press Officer Jim Struzzi at jstruzzi@state.pa.us or contact the PennDOT District 11 Press Office by phone at 412-429-5010.