Shale Panel to Gather at CCAC

Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) will gather experts and activists versed in the debate over drilling in the Marcellus shale formation in a forum Tuesday evening in McCandless. This is going to be a community discussion said Altmire, “It’s not to advocate one side over the other, it’s certainly not a political meeting but it is to give everybody the opportunity to have a panel all in the same room, at the same time, answering the same questions so hopefully we can all learn from it.” Altmire hopes the activists on both sides will not disrupt the event.

The forum runs from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Community College of Allegheny County North Campus.

Each of the seven panel members will be given a chance to make opening remarks, “and then we are going to ask the obvious questions that always come up… the things I always hear in the public, and then we are going to open it up at the end for members of the community to directly ask the panel anything that they want,” said Altmire.

Representatives from the gas industry, the environmental movement, government regulatory agencies and academicians will sit on the panel. According to Altmire, this is the issue he hears about more often than any other issue as he travels around his district.

While the forum is to explore sides of the issue, Altmire has come out in favor of drilling in the past. “If you do it right the fracking process can be done safely without the environmental impacts that some are concerned about, but there does need to be oversight, we do need to make sure corners are not cut and that the process is carried out in an environmental way,” said Altmire. At the same time Altmire says Pennsylvania should not follow the lead of New York where all drilling has been banned pending review of the process.

Altmire, Murphy Promote Nuke Power

Cranberry-based Westinghouse thinks it has designed a game changer in the nuclear power industry and two local congressmen say they are doing what they can to help.

Tim Murphy (R- Upper St. Clair) and Jason Altmire (D- McCandless) have teamed up to introduce the Nuclear Power 2021 act. Altmire says it is based on the Nuclear Power 2010 program, which he says gave a kick-start to the nuclear power industry. “It provided for loan guarantees and financing and permitting that was not available before,” says Altmire.

Since that bill went into effect Westinghouse has signed contracts to build 14 nuclear power plants in the US. Four of those plants have broken ground in the preconstruction phase. Westinghouse spokesperson Vaughn Gilbert says the plants would be the first to be built in the U.S. since 1978. Gilbert also says those contracts have resulted in 5,000 jobs in the region.

The bill sponsored by Altmire and Murphy would use the same model but apply it to small modular nuclear reactors. “Hopefully by the year 2021 we can have at least two of these [small plants] up and running,” says Altmire.

The legislation does not mention Westinghouse by name but Altmire says the company is the worldwide leader in the technology so it stands to reason that Southwestern Pennsylvania would benefit from the promotion of the technology.

The small plants, according to Altmire, can be built at a tenth of the cost of a large plant and produce about a 6th of the power. He goes on to say the new Westinghouse product allays some of the fears associated with nuclear power. “There is less power being generated, there is less heat, it doesn’t need to be near water, so a lot of the things that would give people concern about the nuclear industry because of what happened in Japan are taken care of with the smaller design.” Because they need less water the power plants can by built in areas of the western United States where larger plants are not possible.

EPA Says "No" to Continue Using "Winter Gas"

Although some service stations in the Pittsburgh region are running out of gasoline, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced it has denied Pennsylvania's request to waive gasoline volatility standards and allow terminals in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland Counties to continue selling the winter blend of gasoline through the end of this month.
Under federal law the distributors cannot sell the winter blend to service stations after May 1 because of air pollution levels in the Pittsburgh region.
The shortage of the summer blend is due to a recent outage at a New Jersey refinery and a since repaired leak in the pipeline that links the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets.
Western Pennsylvania Congressmen Jason Altmire, Mark Critz, Mike Doyle, Mike Kelly and Tim Murphy said they will continue to urge the EPA to grant the waiver.

“Rising gas prices are already causing pain at the pump for Pennsylvania’s families. While disappointed in today’s decision by the EPA, we urge the agency to monitor on a moment-by-moment basis the supplies in Western Pennsylvania and react swiftly should the situation deteriorate. We will work together to do all that we can to ensure this issue is resolved quickly.”

Santorum, Gingrich Bash Obama at NRA

A long list of politicians went before the members of the National Rifle Association gathered in Pittsburgh Friday for the group’s annual convention and several of them used the opportunity to take shots at President Obama.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich set the tone when he ripped the President for not having a foreign policy that encouraged gun rights in other nations. He said the Obama Administration is the most consistently anti-second amendment administration the nation has ever seen. “In its efforts to help get anti-gun international treaties, in its effort to appoint anti-gun judges, in its effort to avoid prosecuting gun criminals while taking away the rights of innocent citizens,” said Gingrich.

Former US Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania followed on the list of speakers and followed the growing theme. Santorum bashed Obama for a recent statement the president made that he believed that America became great when it passed Medicare, Medicaid and unemployment laws. “Our President has to believe in who we are and then reflect those values to the world. Not see America as something broken, something that wasn’t good or great before our big government policies were introduced,” said Santorum.

Both Santorum and Gingrich are said to be considering runs for the presidency.

Santorum went on to strike out at those who he says have told him that there needs to be “a truce on moral issues” during the upcoming presidential campaign. “They don’t understand. America is a moral enterprise. Unless we are a good and virtuous people, we will not be a free people; we will not have limited government. What makes America special is that we trust you.”

Several other speakers touched on the theme of the US Government gaining its power from the people, rather than the people being granted powers by the sovereign.

Listen to the Newt Gingrich’s speech to the NRA convention. (26:00)

Listen to Rick Santorum’s speech to the NRA convention. (15:00)

Listen to US Senator Pat Toomey’s speech to the NRA convention. (5:48)

Listen to Congressman Jason Altmire’s speech to the NRA Convention. (6:47)

PA Congressmen React to State of Union

President Barack Obama urged better cooperation between Democrats and Republicans in dealing with the country's economic troubles and soaring debt.
In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Mr. Obama talked about spending in core areas like infrastructure while also working to rein in the debt.
The president called for a 5 year freeze on spending at current levels while some Republicans want to roll back to 2008 levels and then freeze spending.
The President called for speeding up the economic recovery through greater
infrastructure spending. He called for a six-year plan to repair or improve bridges, roads and mass transit.
He says the plan should be paid for, not increase the deficit, and not include Congressional pet projects. He vowed to veto any bill that included earmarks.
The president said he knows there is opposition to health care overhaul legislation which House Republicans voted to repeal, but he said he's not willing to go back to the days when insurance companies could deny coverage.

In responding to the State of the Union address, Pittsburgh area Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA-18) said Americans are eager for a job growth agenda but are also eager for less government spending.
" Tonight, we heard that America's competitiveness is suffering from a case of sluggishness and the need to get back on track. But I am cautious of a solution that sounds like more government spending out of Washington. American families need jobs, but jobs and prosperity will not come from more government growth and deficit spending."
Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA-04) said it's critical to work together to cut government spending and reduce the deficit.
" I support the president’s proposal to freeze non-security discretionary spending for the next five years. In the coming weeks, I look forward to seeing additional bipartisan proposals to further cut spending and get our fiscal house back in order. "
Altmire said he hoped the spirit of civility and bipartisanship that was visibly evident throughout the House chamber last night, with some Democrats and Republicans sitting with each other, "will remain with us as we move forward."

Altmire Sees Bipartisanship in 2011

As control of the house moves from one party to the other, US Congressman Jason Altmire of Beaver says he hopes bipartisanship will be the rule for the next two years. Altmire says he thinks the two parties will be able to build on the cooperation seen during the debate to extend the Bush-era tax cuts. He says he knows there are some newly elected congressmen who feel they did not get sent to Washington to be bipartisan but he hopes he will be able to work on changing their minds. “I have always has a pretty good relationship with Republicans. I’m somebody in the middle who likes to work with both sides. I enjoy bipartisanship and getting people involved from across the political spectrum,” says Altmire, “I’ve garnered some respect on the Republican side and I feel I’m going to be able to work pretty well with the new congressional leadership.” Altmire says the only way Congress is going to get anything done is if the members work together.

Altmire says budget issues will be the focus for the foreseeable future in Washington.

The Democrat says he hopes to be able to find time among all of the budget debate to help veterans, “I think we need to make sure that we treat the folks who are coming back from the field of battle and keep the promises that we have made them and treat them as well as we possibly can and I think there is work to be done on that,” says Altmire.

Altmire GI Bill Amendment Passes

As the U.S. Congress renewed the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill it also closed a loophole thanks to a change put forth by a Pittsburgh area Congressman. The act is aimed at getting traditional education benefits given to veterans into the hands of more National Guard members and Reservists.

When the bill was originally passed it excluded Guardsmen who served stateside. Congressman Jason Altmire of McCandless says local members of the National Guard brought this to his attention. Under the amendment introduced by Altmire and passed today, members who are called up for border security, natural disaster or other domestic duties can receive the G.I. Bill benefits. Altmire says by closing the loophole approximately 130,000 additional National Guardsmen qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits.

“The point is that this is an issue of fairness, these are people who have served their county,” says Altmire, “ and we want to make sure that everyone who has served… is able to qualify.”

Altmire says, “America’s National Guardsmen provide invaluable service to our country during times of crisis. It is only right that they too should benefit from the largest expansion of veterans’ education benefits since World War II.” To qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits, veterans must have completed at least 90 days of active-duty service since September 11, 2001. Until the amendment was passed only days served overseas counted.

The G.I. Bill benefit caps are based on the cost of education in the recipient’s home state. Altmire says for a Pennsylvanian that adds up to $24,000 in tuition reimbursement plus an additional $1,000 to offset the cost of books and other educational expenses. Veterans can also pass along the benefits to their children.

The law still needs to be signed by the President but Altmire says that should not pose a roadblock. It will go into effect January 1st.

Rothfus Challenges Altmire for PA's 4th

Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District spans six counties in western Pennsylvania and since 2007 Democrat Jason Altmire has kept Republicans at bay. In the May primary Keith Rothfus defeated former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan and is challenging Altmire by hitting him on issues like the economy, expiring tax breaks and health care reform. Rothfus, a private industry lawyer, served under President George W. Bush for two years in the Department of Homeland Security heading an office of faith-based initiatives after Hurricane Katrina. Rothfus says it's not enough that Altmire didn't vote for President Barack Obama's health care law, "You have a representative who would rather go on national tv and hem and haw for weeks on end, that's not the kind of leadership we need." And despite Altmire's "Blue Dog Democrat" label, Rothfus says he's a traditional liberal at heart. Rothfus says he wants to get the economy rolling again and vows that he would pay attention to the private sector and the job creators.

Jason Altmire joined Congress after beating three time incumbent Republican Melissa heart. He says he has a record of listening to constituents regardless of political affiliation, saying his district isn't interested in a partisan politician "they want someone who can get things done in a highly charged political environment." And while he says he'll leave it to Rothfus to distinguish himself, Altmire notes that he was a high profile participant in the discussion leading up the health care reform vote. "I was a pretty visible player, both in western Pennsylvania and around the country and I'm surprised, of all the lines of attack, that people would come at me for not being visible enough." Altmire says he's looking ahead to November 3rd, when he thinks those willing to work across the aisle will wield he most influence in Washington.

Click here to listen to an interview with Republican candidate Keith Rothfus.

Click here to listen to an interview Democratic incumbent Jason Altmire.

Altmire Bill Would Extend Benefits to Nat'l Guard

Armed forces members serving within the United States would be eligible for the same education benefits as those serving abroad, under new legislation proposed by Congressman Jason Altmire of suburban Pittsburgh. (D-PA-4)

National Guard and reserve members could qualify for more than $24,000 in annual education aid if Altmire’s bill is passed.

Currently, soldiers and sailors need 90 days of overseas duty to qualify for education benefits under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. But Altmire says that’s unfair to the men and women serving in a more domestically-focused role.

“If they are training for deployment, if they’re responding to a domestic emergency like those who responded after the September 11 attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon, people who are responding to natural disasters like Katrina, the oil spill where we have people along the Mexican border, if there is a federal deployment along the border, those are things that would qualify.”

The education benefits package covers tuition as high as that of the most expensive state-owned university. Also included are a book stipend of $1,000 and cost-of-living coverage that varies depending on the soldier’s location.

Altmire says about 19,000 Pennsylvanians would qualify for the federal money, including about 6700 from the Pittsburgh region. All 14 schools owned by the state have a yearly tuition of $5,804.

The Congressman says the measure would boost recruitment and retention rates in the National Guard and armed forces reserves.

Altmire says with support from veterans’ groups and both chambers of Congress, he expects the bill to be signed into law later this year.

Miners Families: Safety Concerns "Brushed Off"

The head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration says investigators are looking into allegations that Massey Energy illegally warns workers when safety inspectors arrive.
Relatives and colleagues of 29 miners killed in an explosion last month at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia made those allegations today at a House Education and Labor Committee hearing in Beckley, West Virginia.
Such warnings would violate federal mining regulations, and MSHA chief Joe Main says it's being evaluated as a potential crime by the Justice Department.
Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) of McCandless Township is a member of the House committee and told DUQ News that is was difficult to hear the testimony from the families because they were quite emotional in presenting their stories.
"In many cases what was most revealing, there were miners who had multiple times expressed their concerns (about ventilation problems in the mine).....miners who had written notes to their wives saying 'if things don't work out and I don't come back, I want you to take action. '"
Altmire says they heard testimony that safety concerns expressed to the mine's owner, Massey Energy, by veteran and younger miners were "brushed off" and as a result 29 miners lost their lives because nothing was done.
Altmire says the Mine Safety and Health Administration does not have the enforcement mechanisms it needs and the families of the victims want Congress to give the agency the power to shut down mines if they don't take corrective measures. Last year Massey was cited 500 times and this year 120 times before the April explosion.
On Monday, Massey reiterated earlier statements that it doesn't
put profits ahead of safety.

Republican Candidates in Fourth Congressional District

Mary Beth Buchanan and Keith Rothfus will be squaring off in the fourth congressional district race for the Republican nomination in Tuesday's primary.

The district includes several suburbs of Pittsburgh such as Plum and Murraysville and parts of Beaver County, Lawrence County, and Mercer County. The winner of the primary will go up against democratic incumbent Jason Altmire.

Keith Rothfus has spent most of his career as an attorney in the private sector, working with businesses. From 2005 to 2007, as a federal employee, he worked with faith-based organizations to provide natural disaster relief.

Mary Beth Buchanan was Western Pennsylvania’s U.S. Attorney for eight years.

Both candidates have similar stances on many issues.

In terms of the economy, Buchanan says she is worried about job loss in the region and says government has placed too many regulations on industry, not allowing businesses to operate to their full capacity. Rothfus says he will work to build more partnerships with the private sector.

In terms of taxes, Buchanan says, "the tax structure that we have is extremely complicated and onerous on both individuals and businesses, we need to work to simplify the tax structure to reduce both the level of taxes and the level of regulation that have been implemented."

Both candidates believe in utilizing a mixture of all resources to obtain energy such as drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale, mining and using solar energy.

"We need to have a comprehensive energy policy that looks at all of the resources we have. And we have to make sure that we use our resources and are prudent to the environment," says Rothfus.

Both candidates are anti-abortion, believe in the right to bear arms and are not supportive of the recently passed health care legislation.

Altmire Says He'll Vote "No"

While Democratic leaders in the U.S. House continue to scramble to come up with the needed 216 votes to pass a health care overhaul tomorrow. But they won't be getting the vote from Congressman Jason Altmire from suburban Pittsburgh. The McCandless Township Democrat had been undecided and voted against the original House measure that was approved late last year. Now on his web site he says he will vote "no" on this current version.

"I regret that this year-long process of debating health care reform has resulted in a final product that I cannot support. The cost of inaction on health care is great, but it would be an even bigger mistake to pass a bill that could compound the problem of skyrocketing health care costs.

Altmire says this measure does not enact real reform...."it does not improve the quality of care or reduce costs for families, small businesses, or the federal government. It creates a system of winners and losers, rather than reforming the system in a way that lets everyone win."

Altmire said it became clear that the vast majority of his constituents want him to oppose the bill.
"I strongly believe that a vote in opposition to the health care bill is consistent with the views of the district I represent, and is the correct vote based on the impact of the bill on my constituents and the overall health care system."
He added that the politically easy decision would have been to vote with his party.

Sestak: Dems Missed a Great Opportunity on Health Care

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak says he’ll vote for President Obama’s health care package this week but he thinks his party squandered its chance to produce a more comprehensive reform package.
Sestak, who is challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in the May Primary, initially pushed to include a public health insurance program in the final bill, but dropped that demand when it became politically untenable last winter.
He says Congress could have passed a better bill sooner, if Democratic leaders hadn’t spent so much time trying to cut deals with individual Senators.

"They’re really more responsible -- because they focused on deal making, like Arlen Specter switching, and Ben Nelson, and deals with the insurance companies – rather than crafting the right strategy, explaining it to people and being out there as leaders. And I believe that."

The House is expected to vote on a health care package this weekend. Every Pennsylvania Democrat voted for an earlier version of the health care bill last year, except for Jason Altmire and Tim Holden.
Holden says he’ll vote “no” again, while Altmire is undecided.

If the measure passes, Senate Democrats will try to adopt the House changes using reconciliation, which bypasses the cloture vote Republicans could use to stall its passage.
President Obama says the plan will provide coverage for more than 30 million uninsured Americans.

PA Congressional Reaction to State of Union

Members of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation agree with President Barack Obama's new focus on jobs. In his first State of the Union address, the President told Congress that creating jobs must be its No. 1 focus this year. He's proposing that Congress take $30 billion dollars from the Wall Street bailout to help community banks make loans for small businesses. But he also said he doesn't want Congress to abandon efforts to reform health care.

Republican Congressman Tim Murphy of Upper St. Clair, says he likes the idea of the tax credits for small businesses, which are very much needed to keep doors open. While he supports extending the tax breaks for the middle class, he opposes the rollback of tax cuts for people making $250,000 or more. Murphy says the rollback would impact 60 to 70 percent of small businesses. He says while you're cutting the capital gains, you're increasing the personal income tax, therefore there's no positive impact. Murphy calls the President's proposal for a three year freeze on discretionary spending, symbolic.

Congressman Jason Altmire, a Democrat from McCandless, says while freezing discretionary freezing is a strong first step, he also wants Congress to act to make Pay-As-You-Go budget rules law. He says during the 1990's, that's what helped America move from budget deficits to record surpluses. Altmire is a co-sponsor of the Statutory Pay Go legislation that would force Congress to pay for new spending and prevent it from adding to the federal deficit.

Johnstown Democrat, John Murtha, says the President addressed the challenges that we face now and those that threaten to burden our future. He agrees with the President that there needs to be a focus on job creation to get the economy back on track.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Joe Sestak of Delaware County, says now is the time for Congress to prove that government can restore accountability and transparency by making job growth and long-term financial security top priorities. He says to rein in deficit and debt spending, any job creation plan needs to close tax loopholes that ship jobs overseas.

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, a Democrat from Philadelphia, says President Obama was right on target in making jobs the number one priority, with an emphasis on clean energy jobs. He says he liked the President's fighting spirit refusing to quit on health care reform.

PA Delegation on President's Afghanistan Plan

Members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation are weighing in on President Barack Obama's new war strategy for Afghanistan. Senator Arlen Specter says he opposes the president's plan to send an additional 30 thousand troops there starting in January. Specter says Al Qaeda can operate out of other countries like Yemen and Somalia, so it doesn't make sense to center the fight in Afghanistan, where no one has succeeded in the past.
Senator Bob Casey, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee, travelled to Afghanistan in August. He issued a statement saying the country deserves a full accounting of the challenges posed in Afghanistan. Casey's committee plans to question Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire of Pittsburgh's North Hills says he fully supports the Administration’s decision to provide commanders in Afghanistan with additional troops. "Make no mistake, the war in Afghanistan is still the central front of the war on terror. In order to keep our country safe, we must take the actions necessary to stabilize Afghanistan and to ensure that it will never again be a safe haven for Al-Qaeda or other terrorist groups.”
Congressman Joe Sestak, who is challenging Specter in the May Democratic Primary, says
the president has presented a plan to allow the nation to complete a mission that is as indispensable today as it was 8 years ago....
"It is a difficult decision. After years of war and with economic challenges at home, the American people are justified in their concern about an increased commitment in Afghanistan. But the President has made the right call. If we leave Al Qaeda behind in a safe haven and are struck again, what can we ever say to those we swore to protect?"

Sestak added that the clear emphasis of the overall goal must remain focused on eliminating the safe haven in Pakistan. And second, we should measure our progress not by a fixed timetable, but by benchmarks of achieving America's security.

2 PA Dems Vote "No" on House Health Care Bill

The two Pennsylvania Democrats who voted against the House health care package this weekend say the legislation is “dead on arrival” in the Senate.
Tim Holden and Jason Altmire were two of 39 House Democrats to vote against the health care overhaul that President Obama has centered his domestic agenda around.
Holden, who represents portions of central Pennsylvania, says party leaders were “foolish” to “ram through” a bill he argues won’t be seriously considered by the Senate.
Holden says that’s partially due to the public health insurance program the legislation would create.

"Oh, I don’t think there’s any way in the world that can pass the United States Senate. I didn’t have all that much of a problem with it, if I would learn--if they would ever tell us how they’re going to administer it, which they haven’t. But it seems to be a non-starter in the Senate, so I did not want to be a pawn in the chess game between Henry Waxman and Harry Reid and Max Baucus."

Holden wants to see the legislation’s language changed on several topics.

"It’s clear in the House bill that no public money could be used for illegal immigrants, but on the exchange People should be required to have certification that they’re a United States citizen. And leaders in the House did not accept that. They’re going to have a problem passing it at the end if they don’t have that in."

Altmire, a second-term Democrat from Allegheny County, says he wants health care reform to pass, but he couldn’t support this bill.

"I want to see us address the fact in the fee for service system there’s very little incentive for providers to keep cost down. Because every time you go to the doctor, every test they run and every procedure they order, they make money. And when you have a system that’s run that way it leads to inefficiency."

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey is predicting a final vote by year’s end.

Altmire Undecided on Health Care Bill

President Barack Obama is to head to Capitol Hill this morning (Saturday) to "rally the troops" one more time ahead of a landmark House vote on changes to the health care system. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the president will try to answer any lingering questions Democrats still have. Mr. Obama spoke on the phone with many of those undecided Democrats Friday, including Pennsylvania Congressman Jason Altmire of McCandless Township (Allegheny County). Altmire told DUQ News that it was "a good conversation" and he told the president about his concerns with the bill. Altmire says his district is split down the middle and he's hearing most about the impact on small businesses and jobs.
Altmire says that he will not vote for "a bill that adds to the federal deficit, this bill does pay for itself," and even though the proposed tax increase is on the the wealthy, "I feel it's misguided."
He says the insurance reforms are very good but "I have to weigh the balance of passing a flawed bill, furthering it in the process hoping we are going to achieve health care reform in a reasonable and rational way versus the implication of voting 'No' and kill the bill, coming up with nothing."
Altmire says he will talk with his constituents up to the time of the vote and then decide how they would want him to vote.

UPMC Outlines Vaccine Facility Ideas

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Jason Altmire pointed to the lack of a national center for vaccine production today, at a hearing in Pittsburgh’s federal courthouse. They hosted University of Pittsburgh Medical Center President Jeffrey Romoff and vaccination experts who spoke on the possibility of such a center.

Specter says UPMC’s proposal for such a facility to be built in southwestern Pennsylvania is innovative and would create 1000 permanent jobs, not including construction employment and related jobs also brought in by the facility. The UPMC pitch would incorporate General Electric as the manufacturing arm of the partnership and the University of Pittsburgh as the research branch, with UPMC overseeing the actual vaccine production facility. Romoff says UPMC would need to win a competitive bidding process before carrying out these plans.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the “21st Century Bio-Defense” center, or 21CB, would cost over $800 million, with UPMC throwing in as much as $250 million and the federal government providing the remainder. The facility would have eight separate suites that could quickly produce different vaccines in the event of an act of biological terrorism or an epidemic.

Senator Specter supported the UPMC proposal, saying that helping the nation’s welfare and gaining valuable jobs would be a dual victory for the city of Pittsburgh.

Passenger Rail Service Talks

A Congressional hearing about the future of passenger rail service this morning discussed many possibilities, including improvements made to the Amtrak Daily Pennsylvanian route between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, creating a route to stop at State College, creating a route between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and additional routes to Pittsburgh's light rail system to include South Side, Oakland and the Route 28 Corridor. Amtrak Senior Director for National State Relations Ray Lang says the Keystone Corridor, the route connecting Harrisburg and Philadelphia, is a major triumph. It take 90 minutes to get from one city to the other on an express route, 30 minutes faster than it was before making improvements. Since improvement completion, ridership was up by 26 percent. Lang says the Daily Pennsylvanian route could use similar improvements to become more efficient. Also, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 Patrick McMahon says light rail will pay large dividends, and would be more reliable than other modes of transportation to get to jobs, businesses and run errands. The most practical routes to extend Pittsburgh light rail service to be to accommodate the East End, South Side, and Route 28 Corridor.

VA Office Accused of Mishandling Claims

There have been some accusations about the Veterans Affairs Office claiming there have been workers taking inappropriate advantage of performance incentives. Now some local politicians are taking the situation into their own hands. U.S. Congressmen Jason Altmire, Tim Murphy and Mike Doyle, along with Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey have sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office to look into the matter. Altmire says workers would delay entering a name from the time they initially heard about the case, and instead entered it right before they started working on the case, making it seem that their work was more efficient. He says the Pittsburgh Veterans Office has the fifth longest backlog in the country, and this situation only makes matters more frustrating. In fact, Congress made an investment to aid in clearing the backlog by purchasing a computer organizing program for the group.