Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Panel Discussion in the North Side
A panel discussion tonight will focus on the homeless population in the North Side. The discussion is intended to start dialogue on how to deal with the issue. One topic that may come up is the Mexican War Streets Society's attempt to gain historic designation for the former Malta Temple, where the Salvation Army now operates. The Salvation Army wants to re-model the building so it can better handle the homeless population of the North Side. Panel members will include Councilwoman Tonya Payne, and representatives from the Salvation Army.
Pittsburgh's Venture Capital
A recent study of venture capital investments nation wide finds Silicon Valley and the Boston are are still leading the way when it come to venture capital but Pittsburgh is coming on strong. The National Venture Capital Association looked at VC growth from 1997 to 2007 and found a 513% increase in dollars invested and a 267% increase in the number of companies funded. The growth rate was exceeded only by New Mexico. Association President Mark Heesen says he sees more growth in the future. He says the Region has many of the attributes that attract VC including good universities, top investors, a relatively large pool of middle managers, a good airport and a well respected yearly venture capital fair.
Monday, March 10, 2008
"Bodies" Controversy Leads to Legislation
The controversy over "Bodies... the Exhibition" at the Carnegie Science Center has prompted new legislation in Harrisburg. The exhibition features plasticized cadavers with the skin pulled back to reveal the inner workings of the human body. State Representative Mike Fleck of Huntingdon County has proposed a bill modeled after a similar one in California. The bill would give counties the power to permit exhibits of human remains. To get the permit, companies would have to prove that the remains were acquired with the donors' consent.
The Bodies exhibition has been controversial partly because the company behind it, Premier, has acknowledged that it cannot prove that the donors consented. The remains were acquired from China. The Chinese government denies that the remains came from political prisoners.
Another commercial exhibitor called Body Worlds says it has documents that show its donors gave informed consent.
The Bodies exhibition has been controversial partly because the company behind it, Premier, has acknowledged that it cannot prove that the donors consented. The remains were acquired from China. The Chinese government denies that the remains came from political prisoners.
Another commercial exhibitor called Body Worlds says it has documents that show its donors gave informed consent.
City Hotline to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure
Pittsburgh's 3-1-1 line is now going to help homeowners find the resources they need to keep their homes, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today. Troubled homeowners can call and be directed to agencies that can best help them, mostly based on location.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about," Ravenstahl said. He says more than half of those facing foreclosure don't talk with their lending company about their problems. Pittsburgh has fared relatively well considering the national situation, but working class neighborhoods are the hardest hit.
Brian Hudson of the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Association says they offer two different loan programs, designed for two different situations, along with available federal assistance. Residents can also call 1-800-PA-BANKS as another way to find local resources.
The goal is to get homeowners in danger at least pointed in the right direction to get help. "I don't think I'd know where to call I was in danger of foreclosure," Ravenstahl said.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about," Ravenstahl said. He says more than half of those facing foreclosure don't talk with their lending company about their problems. Pittsburgh has fared relatively well considering the national situation, but working class neighborhoods are the hardest hit.
Brian Hudson of the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Association says they offer two different loan programs, designed for two different situations, along with available federal assistance. Residents can also call 1-800-PA-BANKS as another way to find local resources.
The goal is to get homeowners in danger at least pointed in the right direction to get help. "I don't think I'd know where to call I was in danger of foreclosure," Ravenstahl said.
Smoking Ban Compromise Discussed
Last summer the House passed a blanket ban on smoking at almost all indoor public sites-- restaurants, bars and other venues.
But a Senate-passed plan includes a number of exceptions -- for casinos, American Legion halls and other sites. Lawmakers cited financial concerns for those establishments.
Sam Monismith, Board Chair for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society, says his group is seeking a comprehensive clean indoor air act, with no exceptions.
"When exceptions are made we create literally two classes of Pennsylvanians - Pennsylvanians who are covered by clean indoor air law, and Pennsylvanians who are at greater risk for developing cancer because of their exposure."
The House-Senate Conference Committee must find a compromise to pass what all say is a priority this session. The panel will hold public hearings today and Thursday.
Meantime, the Governor has said he won't sign a "weak" law, but hasn't laid out specific requirements for the measure he would support.
But a Senate-passed plan includes a number of exceptions -- for casinos, American Legion halls and other sites. Lawmakers cited financial concerns for those establishments.
Sam Monismith, Board Chair for the Pennsylvania Division of the American Cancer Society, says his group is seeking a comprehensive clean indoor air act, with no exceptions.
"When exceptions are made we create literally two classes of Pennsylvanians - Pennsylvanians who are covered by clean indoor air law, and Pennsylvanians who are at greater risk for developing cancer because of their exposure."
The House-Senate Conference Committee must find a compromise to pass what all say is a priority this session. The panel will hold public hearings today and Thursday.
Meantime, the Governor has said he won't sign a "weak" law, but hasn't laid out specific requirements for the measure he would support.
The Value of Governor Rendell's Endorsement
Pennsylvania's Democratic State Committee has not endorsed a nominee in the presidential contest that's come to the Commonwealth. Top party leaders are backing Hillary Clinton, however, the question remains if that will influence the outcome of the race in Pennsylvania's Primary April 22nd between Senators Clinton and Barack Obama.
Penn State Harrisburg Political Science professor Steve Peterson says the endorsements of Governor Ed Rendell and State Democratic Party leader T.J. Rooney will only be really influential if they translate into action at the community level.
"When you begin to have top operatives saying that they're backing Clinton and so on and you get a sense that Democratic partisans across the state are willing to put in an effort because some of the top leaders are in favor of Clinton then that would be something really positive for her."
Overall, Peterson says despite the hoopla over the candidates campaigning in the Commonwealth this year, the significance of the outcome remains to be seen.
"No one is going to have a majority of delegates before the convention. So Pennsylvania technically isn't going to determine things.
In the meantime the state's Republican Committee has endorsed presumptive nominee John McCain. A fundraiser with Senator McCain is scheduled for March 13th in midstate.
Penn State Harrisburg Political Science professor Steve Peterson says the endorsements of Governor Ed Rendell and State Democratic Party leader T.J. Rooney will only be really influential if they translate into action at the community level.
"When you begin to have top operatives saying that they're backing Clinton and so on and you get a sense that Democratic partisans across the state are willing to put in an effort because some of the top leaders are in favor of Clinton then that would be something really positive for her."
Overall, Peterson says despite the hoopla over the candidates campaigning in the Commonwealth this year, the significance of the outcome remains to be seen.
"No one is going to have a majority of delegates before the convention. So Pennsylvania technically isn't going to determine things.
In the meantime the state's Republican Committee has endorsed presumptive nominee John McCain. A fundraiser with Senator McCain is scheduled for March 13th in midstate.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Power Lines Decision Comes as No Surprise
The U.S. Department of Energy has affirmed its decision to designate much of Pennsylvania as national energy corridor. That designation could make it easier for Allegheny Energy to build proposed transmission lines through Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania. Still unclear is whether the federal government would be able to use eminent domain in states that reject proposed power line projects.
Opponents to the project in southwestern Pennsylvania say it's not needed and could cause environmental damage. The towers supporting the lines would be up to 160 feet tall. The lines would begin in Pennsylvania and continue into West Virginia and northern Virginia. Allegheny Energy says the region will be at risk of blackouts by 2011 unless the lines are built.
Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission will hold hearings on the project in Pittsburgh later this month.
Opponents to the project in southwestern Pennsylvania say it's not needed and could cause environmental damage. The towers supporting the lines would be up to 160 feet tall. The lines would begin in Pennsylvania and continue into West Virginia and northern Virginia. Allegheny Energy says the region will be at risk of blackouts by 2011 unless the lines are built.
Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission will hold hearings on the project in Pittsburgh later this month.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
CCAC's Science Center Gets Larger
A new science center at the Community College of Allegheny County may be a little larger than originally planned. CCAC's Board of Trustees has authorized plans for a four-story building off Ridge Avenue. The building originally was going to be just three stories tall. The science center will include new lab space for biology, chemistry, geology and physics students. Spokeswoman Helen Kaiser says the new space is needed at a time that interest in the health sciences is growing. CCAC will seek a $22 million bond issue to help pay for the building. Construction is expected to begin in late 2009.
CCAC's Board has not yet acted on a possible tuition hike. Board members say they want additional budget information before deciding whether to raise tuition by four percent in July.
CCAC's Board has not yet acted on a possible tuition hike. Board members say they want additional budget information before deciding whether to raise tuition by four percent in July.
Flaherty Assesses Homestead Exemptions
In an effort to uncover uncollected revenue, Allegheny County Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty has begun conducting a review of the Office of Property Assessment's Homestead exclusion records to identify ineligible claims for exemption. Flaherty says that discussions with County Council led to legislation that clarifies the controller's authority to locate irregularities in the granting of homestead exemptions. Homestead exemptions are meant only for the primary residence of the property owner. In December 2003, Council and the County Executive approved a change to the Homestead Exclusion Act whereby the first $15,000 in assessed valued would be excluded from county property taxes. Flaherty says it's plausible that his initial review of Homestead Exclusions will result in the discovery of significant back taxes owed to the county. He says violators will first be sent a letter and if they don't respond Council and the Chief Executive can develop the mechanism to collect the back taxes. In addition, the penalty for filing a false applications is a fine up to $2,500. Flaherty estimates there are more than 100,000 properties that now received the Homestead exemption. Flaherty expects to complete the review in a couple of weeks.
Ferlo Promotes Single-Payer Health Care
Two advocates for new health care plans in Pennsylvania appeared in Homewood today. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Calvin Johnson and State Senator Jim Ferlo presented an $87,500 check to Alma Illery Primary Health Care Services. The money will be used to upgrade the facility's equipment.
But although the two officials appeared together today, they are far apart on the issue of health care reform. The Governor's "Cover All Pennsylvanians" proposal would extend health care coverage to more people who lack insurance. Ferlo says the state needs a fundamental overhaul in health care. He supports a single-payer system as he proposed in Senate Bill 300. Ferlo says the Medicare system demonstrates that government-provided health insurance can be cost-effective.
But although the two officials appeared together today, they are far apart on the issue of health care reform. The Governor's "Cover All Pennsylvanians" proposal would extend health care coverage to more people who lack insurance. Ferlo says the state needs a fundamental overhaul in health care. He supports a single-payer system as he proposed in Senate Bill 300. Ferlo says the Medicare system demonstrates that government-provided health insurance can be cost-effective.
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