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September 29, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Senate News Brief

PANEL HOLDS TWO HEARINGS ON TRANSPORTATION FUNDING REPORT

The Senate Transportation Committee, chaired by Sen. John Rafferty (Montgomery), held two public hearings this week on the report issued by the Governor's Transportation Funding and Advisory Commission.

Visit the Transportation Committee website for testimony and video of the hearings - http://pasenategop.com/committees/transportation.htm.

For highlights of transportation funding challenges, please see Fast Facts, below.

SENATE HOLDS HEARINGS ON DISASTER ASSISTANCE, PLCB, DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMS, PENSION SYSTEM STATUS

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (Luzerne), held a joint public hearing with the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on the possibility of establishing a State Disaster Assistance Program for communities that sustain damage that falls below federal thresholds for aid.

Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://senatorbaker.com/veterans-affairs.htm.  
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The Senate Law and Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. John Pippy (Allegheny), held a public hearing Tuesday on the nomination of Joseph E. Brion to the Liquor Control Board.

Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://pasenategop.com/committees/law.htm.
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The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (Cumberland), held a public hearing to review the past payment practices of the Office of Developmental Programs.

Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://pasenategop.com/committees/public-health.htm.
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The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Brubaker (Lancaster), held a public hearing Wednesday on the status of the Pennsylvania Public Pension System.

Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://www.pasenategop.com/committees/finance.htm.

SENATE APPROVES BILL REQUIRING PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF PERSONAL DATA  

State and local government agencies would be required to notify the public of data breaches involving personal information within one week under legislation approved by the Senate on Wednesday.
 
Senate Bill 162, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (Delaware), would also require the Attorney General to investigate every breach involving state agencies, with breaches involving local governments investigated by the county District Attorney.

For more on Senate Bill 162, please see In the Spotlight below.

SENATE SENDS VETERANS CIVIL SERVICE BILL TO GOVERNOR FOR ENACTMENT

Legislation requiring that at least one member of the State Civil Service Commission be a military veteran was approved by Senate on Tuesday and sent to the governor to be signed into law.
 
House Bill 378 was approved by the Senate State Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (Bucks), in March. It would ensure that someone on the commission would thoroughly understand required hiring practices such as "Veterans' Preference," designed to give hiring preference to qualified veterans seeking a public position.
 
An audit found that 25 state agencies filled at least 569 civil service employment positions without considering eligible veterans seeking employment, even though the agencies requested employment lists that included these veterans with test scores among the top three highest-scoring job candidates.
 
The State Civil Service Commission is made up of three full-time members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and serve six-year terms

SENATE ACTS TO BOOST PROMOTION OF PENNSYLVANIA FARM PRODUCTS

Legislation designed to help promote Pennsylvania farm products was approved Wednesday by the Senate and sent to the governor to be signed into law. 

House Bill 1424 was approved in June by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Sen. Elder Vogel (Beaver). It creates the Pennsylvania Preferred Act which provides the statutory framework for the PA Preferred program which has been used to promote PA agricultural commodities.

The measure requires the department to acquire, register, license, protect and promote the PA Preferred® Trademark for use in the sale and promotion of Pennsylvania-produced agricultural commodities. 

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.

In the Spotlight 

Senate Bill 162 was drafted by Senator Pileggi after reports of three separate thefts of state-owned computers containing personal information.
Although those computers included at least 17,800 Social Security numbers and other personal information of approximately 400,000 state residents, the state agencies involved did not notify the public until two or three weeks after the incidents.
 
The legislation would also allow courts to require individuals who are determined to be responsible for a data breach to pay the cost of the investigation and the cost of repairing or restoring the system.
 
As Senator Pileggi noted, "There's no good reason for a government agency to wait for two or three weeks after a data breach to let the public know. We have an obligation to let potentially affected residents know as soon as possible when personal information is stolen so they can take steps to protect themselves from identity theft." 

Fast Facts

PENNSYLVANIA'S TRANSPORTATION FUNDING 

• In 2010, the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee produced a report that quantified the state's unfunded transportation needs at approximately $3.5 billion.
• The gap is growing and will reach an estimated $7.2 billion in 10 years if not addressed.
• The gap is growing in part because of a continued decline in fuel tax revenue due to increased vehicle efficiency, reduced buying power due to inflation, and costs at the Pennsylvania State Police consuming a bigger slice of the Motor License Fund.

MAKING SMART AND INFORMED DECISIONS WHEN GIVING TO CHARITY

Donating to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help support a cause that you find valuable. Whether a new group has piqued your interest or you consistently donate to an old favorite, choosing upstanding organizations that are putting your money to good use and working to achieve the goal you support is important. In order to verify that a charity is working toward achieving its goals and managing its funds wisely, you need reliable and detailed information about the charities in which you may be interested. Here are three web sources that specialize in providing this information:

Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) provides information about charities’ expenses, fundraising, and payroll, and then evaluates charities assigning them a rank of zero to four stars based on their financial health, transparency, and accountability. Soon, Charity Navigator will also evaluate charities’ overall effectiveness so you can tell just how far your dollar will go.

Guidestar (www.guidestar.org) allows you to make your own assessment of a charity’s merits by providing you with a downloadable copy of its tax return and summarizing basic financial information. The service is free, and allows you access financial information of over 1.8 million non-profit organizations.

The Pittsburgh Foundation (www.pittsburghgives.org) provides in-depth information about the charities that service the Pittsburgh area. The site does not rank the local charities, but it gives you plenty of information about an organization’s mission, management, finances, expenses, and income.

The best feature of all three websites is that they provide a one-stop shop for charitable giving, as each site allows you to directly donate to any organization it lists on their website.

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
September 30 - October 2, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, September 30 through .

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:

I-79
Bridgeville Restrictions Begin Next Week
I-79 Long-Term Restrictions Begin Next Week at Bridgeville Interchange
Eastbound Route 50 On-ramp to Northbound I-79 Closed

PennDOT District 11 is announcing long-term single lane closures on I-79 in Bridgeville Borough and Collier and South Fayette townships, Allegheny County, will begin on Monday night, Oct. 3.

Short-term:
The following will occur next week and next weekend, Oct. 7-9: 

• Next week - Overnight single lane traffic in both directions from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday-Thursday nights, Oct. 3-6, 
• Next weekend - Overnight single lane traffic in both directions from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 7-8.

Long-term:
The following will occur from 8 p.m. on Monday night, Oct. 3 continuously through mid-November; 

• The ramp from eastbound (traveling from South Fayette toward Bridgeville) Route 50 (Millers Run Road) will be closed (see attached map). 
  Traffic will be detoured using southbound I-79 to the Southpointe/Hendersonville (Exit 48) interchange, exiting, and taking the northbound 
• Traffic in three-lane section on I-79 at the Bridgeville interchange will be reduced to two lanes in both directions. One of three lanes will remain 
  closed around-the-clock. A traffic will also occur approaching the work area.

The long-term restrictions are necessary as portions of the bridge decks will be milled and removed during the replacement process.

The $2.6 million project includes repairs on three bridges, overlays, joint sealing, concrete roadway patching, sign and guiderail upgrades and other improvements on 3.7 miles of I-79 from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54). Swank Construction Company, LLC of New Kensington, PA is the prime contractor. Overnight and weekend restrictions will continue through November this year. Overall work will conclude in summer 2012.

PennDOT advises motorists to allow extra time and use caution when traveling through the area. Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.

To sign up for PennDOT’s I-79 email notification list for traffic and construction advisories in Allegheny County, send email addresses to jstruzzi@state.pa.us. Please write “Subscribe – I-79” in the subject line.

Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/t9rve
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

Roadwork 
I-79 Bridgeville to Washington Improvements Continue this Weekend

PennDOT District 11 is announcing work to improve I-79 in Bridgeville Borough and Collier and South Fayette townships, Allegheny County, will continue this weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2 weather permitting.

Single lane traffic will occur in both directions from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) from 7 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Sunday. Motorists should expect significant delays.

Overnight and weekend restrictions will continue through November this year. Long-term single lane closures (one of three lanes closed) will also occur at several bridge locations and the ramp to northbound I-79 from eastbound Millers Run Road (Route 50) will be closed starting Oct. 3. Additional details will be provided later this week.

The $2.6 million project includes repairs on three bridges, overlays, joint sealing, concrete roadway patching, sign and guiderail upgrades and other improvements on 3.7 miles of I-79 from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54). Swank Construction Company, LLC of New Kensington, PA is the prime contractor. Overall work will conclude in summer 2012.

PennDOT advises motorists to allow extra time and use caution when traveling through the area. Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.

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
Route 22 Ramp Resurfacing at Hankey Farms/Oakdale Road Interchange Begins Thursday Night in North Fayette

PennDOT District 11 is announcing several ramps at the Route 22/Route 3063 (Oakdale Road) Hankey Farms Interchange in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County, will be closed short-term beginning on Thursday night, Sept. 29, and this upcoming weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 3 weather permitting.

Crews will be milling and resurfacing the ramps. The following ramps will be closed from 6 p.m. on Thursday through 6 a.m. on Friday, and from 6 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday:

• Eastbound Route 22 to Oakdale Road 
    Posted detour: 
    o Continue east past the closed off-ramp 
    o Exit at the Tonidale/Montour Church Road interchange 
    o Loop around on ramp onto Old Steubenville Pike (Route 3066) 
    o Continue west on Old Steubenville Pike back to Oakdale Road

• Oakdale Road to eastbound Route 22 
    Posted detour: 
    • Continue north past on-ramp 
    • Turn right on Old Steubenville Pike 
    • Bear right onto McKee Road 
    • Access on-ramp to eastbound Route 22 
    • Westbound Route 22 to Oakdale Road

Posted detours 
    • Continue west on Route 22 
    • Exit at Imperial Farms Route 30 interchange 
    • Make right onto Old Steubenville Pike 
    • Follow Old Steubenville Pike east to Oakdale Road 
    • Oakdale Road to westbound Route 22 
    • Continue north past on-ramp 
    • Turn left onto Old Steubenville Pike 
    • Follow Old Steubenville Pike west to Kelso Road 
    • Make left onto Kelso Road 
    • Access on-ramp to westbound Route 22

Signs will be posted to guide motorists during the closures.
 
The $2.9 million project will improve safety by lengthening acceleration and deceleration lanes at the interchanges. The prime contractor is the Golden Triangle Construction Company, Inc. of Imperial, PA. The overall project will be complete this fall.

Motorists are advised to use caution and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area. Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling. 

Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/f6ca8   
 

Route 50
Roadwork
Route 50 Single Lane this Weekend from Bridgeville to Carnegie

PennDOT District 11 is announcing traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) will be reduced to a single lane from Bridgeville Borough to Carnegie Borough in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

Single lane traffic in both directions will occur from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday on Route 50 from Bower Hill Road in Bridgeville to Boden Avenue in Carnegie. Crews will be concrete patching, adjusting and rebuilding inlets and replacing curbs. Note: Restrictions between Arbys/Great Southern Shopping Center and Bower Hill Road may continue through 7 a.m. on Monday if necessary.

Motorists should use caution and expect delays when traveling through the area.

The $6.8 million, 3.5 mile project includes milling and resurfacing, drainage, guide rail, curb and sidewalk, signing and pavement markings, signals, bridge rehabilitation and preservation, and other improvements on Route 50 in the boroughs of Heidelberg, Bridgeville and Carnegie and Collier and Scott townships. Overall work will conclude in late spring 2012. Swank Associated Companies of New Kensington, Pa is the prime contractor.

PennDOT is also offering the public direct updates about the project including traffic restrictions, schedules and construction activities. To enroll, send your email address to Press Officer Jim Struzzi at jstruzzi@state.pa.us and include “Route 50 – Subscribe” in the subject line 

Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/hmeah

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

I-579/Crosstown Boulevard
Bridges and Ramps
Southbound I-579 to Liberty Bridge Closed this Weekend in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the ramp from southbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) to the southbound Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will be closed this weekend, Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

The closure will occur from 8 p.m. on Friday through approximately 6 a.m. on Monday. Crews will be placing a concrete overlay on the ramp.

Posted detour: 
    Southbound I-579 to Liberty Bridge 
    -    Take the off-ramp to 6th and 7th avenues 
    -    Turn right onto 7th Avenue 
    -    Make left onto Grant Street 
    -    Turn left onto 6th Avenue 
    -    Make right onto Ross Street 
    -    Continue on Ross and make right onto 1st Avenue 
    -    Turn right onto Grant Street 
    -    Make right onto Boulevard of the Allies 
    -    Access southbound Liberty Bridge 
        End detour

Traffic from Bigelow Boulevard wishing to access the Liberty Bridge should continue past the Crosstown Boulevard on-ramp to Ross Street and follow the detour provide above. Downtown traffic on 7th Avenue should also follow the posted detour to access the Liberty Bridge. The ramp from Crosstown Boulevard to the eastbound Boulevard of the Allies/Parkway East (I-376) will remain open.

In addition, lane closures will occur on Fifth Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily and this weekend from 8 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday from Washington Place to Sixth Avenue.

To help keep motorists informed as work on Crosstown Boulevard and the Veterans Bridge continues PennDOT is creating an email distribution list for I-579 traffic advisories and construction updates. Enroll by sending email addresses to jstruzzi@pa.gov and writing “Subscribe – I-579” in the subject line.

The $18.7 million Veterans Bridge Preservation Project Phase I includes bridge preservation and rehabilitation, painting structural steel, deck repairs and replacement, latex overlay, structural steel repairs, concrete substructure repairs, bearing replacements, neoprene strip seal dam installation, drainage system repairs, pin and hanger retrofits, highway lighting, signing and pavement markings. The prime contractor for the project is the Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh. Construction will conclude in fall 2012.

Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway problems and concerns.

PennDOT Information and Resources:/

For more information, visit the District 11 website, www.dot.state.pa.us , click PennDOT near you, “11” under “roadwork”. PennDOT reminds motorists to call the construction hotline at 412-429-6035 for information and current activities on the Parkway East, Parkway West, Parkway North, I-79 and Route 28. All work is weather permitting.

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.