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October 7, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Senate News Brief

COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON DEFINING CHILD ABUSE IN PENNSYLVANIA

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (Westmoreland), held a public hearing in Pittsburgh to explore possible changes to the state’s definition of child abuse or to the Commonwealth’s Child Protective Services system. The hearing is a follow-up to an August 26th hearing on child abuse. The committee could consider legislation in the fall.

See the Aging and Youth Committee website for details:  http://pasenategop.com/committees/aging.htm 
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COMMITTEE HEARING TO EXAMINE QUAIL, PHEASANT MANAGEMENT HELD TODAY

Today, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Sen. Richard Alloway (Franklin) ,held a public hearing regarding the PA Game Commission's Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRA), the implementation and administration of the Wild Pheasant Conservation Enhancement Program (CREP), and an overview of the Commission's Quail Management Program. 
 
Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://senatoralloway.com/game.htm 
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VANCE COMMITTEE EXPOSES WASTEFUL SPENDING

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance (Cumberland), held a hearing last Wednesday, September 28, 2011 that revealed a significant lack of fiscal oversight of funds meant to provide services for those with intellectual disabilities.

The Office of Development Programs (ODP) in the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) provides those with intellectual disabilities, autism and their families with services and support in order to achieve greater independence and to enhance quality of life.

Examples of abuse disclosed by the Corbett Administration included:
• Flea dipping for a "therapeutic" cat
• Chandeliers
• A bowling alley
• Rental payments beyond market value
• Luxury cars

Over half of each new tax dollar generated in Pennsylvania is going toward human services. If this continues, the human services' system is expected to grow 11 percent per year until 2014. With a $4 billion budget shortfall expected in fiscal year 2012 and a structural deficit going forward, this growth is unsustainable. 
 
Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://pasenategop.com/committees/public-health.htm
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FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING EXAMINES PENSION ISSUES, POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Brubaker (Lancaster), took a closer look at the financial challenges of state and municipal pension systems and gathered suggestions for possible solutions during a public hearing Wednesday.

The committee heard from testifiers about the pros and cons of alternatives that include defined contribution plans, hybrid plans, and cash balance plans. According to testimony from several participants, the unfunded liabilities of the major state-run pension systems present a significant obstacle to reducing pension costs because those liabilities must be paid even if a switch is made to a different type of plan.

Visit the Committee Website for testimony and video - http://www.pasenategop.com/committees/finance.htm
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TEEN DRIVER SAFETY BILL SENT TO GOVERNOR FOR ENACTMENT

The Senate approved a measure last week designed to increase safety among Pennsylvania's most inexperienced drivers.

House Bill 9, as amended by the Senate, would limit the number of passengers who may ride in a vehicle operated by a junior driver. The House of Representatives concurred on Senate amendments and sent the bill to the Governor for enactment into law.

The measure would prohibit a junior driver from having more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not a member of the junior driver's immediate family unless the junior driver is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. That provision would apply for the first six months after the issuance of a junior driver's license. After the six-month period expires, a junior driver would be limited to no more than three passengers under the age of 18 who are not members of the driver's immediate family unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The bill also would require minors with a learner's permit to complete 65 hours of practical driving, including no less than 10 hours of nighttime driving and five hours of inclement weather driving before testing for a junior driver's license.
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.
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PACKAGE TO MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BIDDING PROCESS LESS COSTLY APPROVED

The Senate approved a multi-bill package September 27 that updates and increases the threshold for the formal bidding process for local and county governments and other public entities across the Commonwealth.

The bills would amend the various laws impacting local government entities -- including counties, cities, townships, boroughs and other public agencies -- by raising to $18,500 the level at which they must go through the formal bidding process.

Sponsors of the bills include Senate Local Government Committee Chair John Eichelberger (Blair), Sen. Bob Robbins (Mercer), Sen. Lisa Baker (Luzerne), Sen. Mike Folmer (Lebanon), Sen. John Gordner (Columbia), Sen. John Rafferty (Montgomery), Sen. Mike Brubaker (Lancaster) and Sen. Mike Waugh (York).

Additionally, the bills provide for adjustments of the bid limit thresholds by the Department of Labor and Industry based upon the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

For more on the hearing, please see Fast Facts, below.
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FAST FACTS
LIST OF BILLS AIMED AT MAKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT BIDDING PROCESS LESS COSTLY

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Columbus Day Holiday

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Oct. 8 through Monday, Oct. 10 in observance of Columbus Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.state.pa.us.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and include driver’s license and photo ID renewals; vehicle registration renewal; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; and exam scheduling.

There are no additional fees for using online services.

A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in  2011  is available on the website under "News, Stats and Facts."

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any  phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
October 7, 2011 - October 10, 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:

Short-Term:
I-579 Crosstown Boulevard

Ramp Improvements
The ramp from southbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) to the eastbound (toward Oakland) Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885)/Parkway East (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday through approximately 6 a.m. on Monday. Crews will be replacing expansion dams, bearings and other key components on the ramp. Traffic will be detoured using Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies.

Full release: Southbound I-579 Ramp to Boulevard of the Allies Closed this Weekend in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/jd2cd  

I-79
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 this Weekend
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/dg9vz

Bridge Work
Single lane traffic on the I-79 Neville Island Bridge (between Exits 66-64) over the Ohio River in Allegheny County will occur from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday in both directions. Crews will be placing a protective sealant on the bridge deck.

Motorists are advised to expect significant delays; alternate routes should be considered.

Full release: I-79 Neville Island Bridge Single Lane Traffic Saturday
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/w7gc2 

Route 28

The intersection with 40th Street and southbound Route 28 will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday through 5 a.m. on Monday. Access to southbound Route 28 from the 40th Street Bridge, from southbound Route 28 to the 40th Street Bridge, and from Millvale to the 40th Street Bridge will be restricted. Crews will be reconstructing the intersection. Access from the 40th Street Bridge to northbound Route 28 and Millvale will remain open.

Full release: Southbound Route 28 40Th Street Bypass Lanes Closed Nightly through October
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/z4bta  

Parkway East

Bridge Inspection
Short-term single lane closures on the westbound (inbound) Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Crews will conduct inspection activities on the bridge that carries the westbound Parkway East/Central over Second Avenue near the county jail/Second Avenue off-ramp (Exit 71B).

Full release: Westbound I-376 Parkway East/Central Lane Closure Saturday Morning in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/49y7x 

Ramp Closure
The ramp from the outbound (eastbound) Parkway East (I-376) to Plum/northbound Route 48 (Exit 84B) in Monroeville will be closed from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Crews will be patching, milling and paving the ramp. Signs will be posted to guide motorists during the Plum outbound ramp closures to use Exit 80 to Business Route 22 continuing east to access Route 48.

Full release: Outbound Parkway East Off-Ramp to Plum Nightly Closures Begin Thursday
Google Map of Area:  http://g.co/maps/z4nd4 
 

Route 50

Roadwork
Traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from Bridgeville to Carnegie from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through midnight Sunday 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.

Full release: Route 50 Single Lane this Weekend from Bridgeville to Carnegie
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/tgt2 

Long-Term:
 
Route 65
Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange. 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 Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/qjve

Route 28
Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the Chestnut Street Overpass and the 40th Street Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh through 2014.

Full release: Next Phase of Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begins Monday in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area: http://g.co/maps/atdy 

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.