Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Dist. 12 Goes to Murtha Again
Congressman John Murtha beat his Republican challenger by a much wider margin than would have been expected just a few days ago. In his victory speech Murtha admitted he neglected his campaign this year and fell behind in the polls. That is until the last 10 days when he and his campaign volunteers came roaring back with mailings, rallies and door-to-door campaigning. He says he told the story of how he has been able to deliver federal money to the district over the last 34 years for economic development and public works projects. Murtha says he learned his lesson and will not negelect his campaign again. Opponent Bill Russell says his campaign was proof that one person can make a difference in politics and he says he came a long way against an entrenched incumbent in a year that not many Republican challengers had much luck. Russell says he will continue to fight over the next two years for issues important to him including fights against gay marriage, abortion and stem cell research. He has also vowed to run again in 2010. One of the strongest arguments against Russell was that he moved to the area for the first time in the last two years. He made the move after retiring from the army. Murtha says he is looking forward to working with a Democratic president and overwhelmingly Democratic congress to restore the nation’s “credibility.” He says it will be a tough two years, full of hard votes, but he is ready to take on the job.
McCord Celebrates Win in Pittsburgh
Democrat Rob McCord will be Pennsylvania's next Treasurer. He defeated Republican Tom Ellis and Libertarian Berlie Etzel. McCord will take over for Robin Wiessmann, who was appointed to the office after Bob Casey was elected to the U.S. Senate. Wiessmann agreed not to seek a full term in office.
McCord spent Election Night in Pittsburgh, even though he's from Montgomery County. He says he's worked in Pittsburgh and has strong ties to his party's union base. After thanking supporters at the IBEW hall on the South Side, McCord cautioned that they have a lot of work to do. He says he wants to help families and especially women who have been hit hard by the poor economy. McCord also says he wants to take a hard look at state spending in order to avoid a tax increase next year.
Revenues this fiscal year have so far lagged behind projections. Governor Ed Rendell has ordered state agencies to cut spending, but some state leaders fear a tax increase may be the only way to balance the budget unless the economy improves.
McCord spent Election Night in Pittsburgh, even though he's from Montgomery County. He says he's worked in Pittsburgh and has strong ties to his party's union base. After thanking supporters at the IBEW hall on the South Side, McCord cautioned that they have a lot of work to do. He says he wants to help families and especially women who have been hit hard by the poor economy. McCord also says he wants to take a hard look at state spending in order to avoid a tax increase next year.
Revenues this fiscal year have so far lagged behind projections. Governor Ed Rendell has ordered state agencies to cut spending, but some state leaders fear a tax increase may be the only way to balance the budget unless the economy improves.
Auditor General Wagner Wins Another Term
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner has won another term. He won about 59% of the vote, defeating Republican Chet Beiler and Libertarian Betsy Summers. Wagner, a former state senator and Pittsburgh City Council member, says he plans to continue working on exposing waste in state government. He cited audits into the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), which revealed lavish spending on retreats for board members and bonuses for staff members.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
University of Pittsburgh Researcher Shows New Understanding Of Schizophrenia
University of Pittsburgh researcher Bita Moghaddam has identified a region of the brain that responds to more than one type of anti psychotic drug during treatment of Schizophrenia. The research studied the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain that has been found to cause symptoms of Schizophrenia. Current treatment of the disease has been around since the 1950's, and even though this new research doesn't bring about any new medications it can lead to a new understanding of the disease and may lead to new medications. Current medication treats neurotransmitters that are releasing dopamine improper levels. the medications regulate the release of those chemicals. The study found that a chemical called Glutamate can also cause symptoms of Schizophrenia when not regulated well.
Transit Union Discusses Possible Work Stoppage
The Port Authority's transit union says there could be a work stoppage December 1. Patrick McMahon, President of Local 85 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, says there is a very strong possibility of a work stoppage because the Port Authority is forcing the union down that path. He says December 1, 2008, is the date that the authority wants to impose a contract on the workers. McMahon says if anything would happen on that date, the union believes legally it would be a lockout on behalf of the Port Authority. He says that's because PAT changed the terms and conditions of employment.
McMahon says the union is looking into its legal options and seeing how they will address this. He says the Port Authority has "painted the union into a corner" where it looks like they'll be forced into a work stoppage. But he says Local 85 has some charges filed with the State Labor Relations Board and they are looking into some kind of court action if the Port Authority goes through with imposing a contract on the drivers. McMahon says the union has written a letter to the Port Authority and its legal counsel explaining that they don't believe there is an impasse and they should probably get back to the table for a resolution to their contract dispute. But according to McMahon, "the Port Authority is not interested in doing that." McMahon says he intends to schedule a meeting soon with the union leadership.
Steve Bland, the Port Authority's CEO, says any work stoppage would be the union's choice, not his. He says a strike would "blatantly and callously disregard the needs of our customers and the community at large." Bland disagrees with McMahon's contention that the contract that will be imposed December 1st amounts to a lockout. He says the new contract gives drivers a 70-cent increase in wages and allow the agency to cut costs in the long-term. Regarding additional bargaining, Bland says the Port Authority has offered to discuss terms of how to implement next month's contract but has heard no response from Local 85. The Port Authority's board voted last month to impose the contract after Bland said negotiations had reached an impasse.
McMahon says the union is looking into its legal options and seeing how they will address this. He says the Port Authority has "painted the union into a corner" where it looks like they'll be forced into a work stoppage. But he says Local 85 has some charges filed with the State Labor Relations Board and they are looking into some kind of court action if the Port Authority goes through with imposing a contract on the drivers. McMahon says the union has written a letter to the Port Authority and its legal counsel explaining that they don't believe there is an impasse and they should probably get back to the table for a resolution to their contract dispute. But according to McMahon, "the Port Authority is not interested in doing that." McMahon says he intends to schedule a meeting soon with the union leadership.
Steve Bland, the Port Authority's CEO, says any work stoppage would be the union's choice, not his. He says a strike would "blatantly and callously disregard the needs of our customers and the community at large." Bland disagrees with McMahon's contention that the contract that will be imposed December 1st amounts to a lockout. He says the new contract gives drivers a 70-cent increase in wages and allow the agency to cut costs in the long-term. Regarding additional bargaining, Bland says the Port Authority has offered to discuss terms of how to implement next month's contract but has heard no response from Local 85. The Port Authority's board voted last month to impose the contract after Bland said negotiations had reached an impasse.
Groups Get Funding to Get Out the Vote
Pennsylvania voters are expected to turn out in record numbers, fueled in part by some groups that have been calling, knocking on doors, and providing incentives for people to go out to the polls.
The group Pennsylvania VOICE has awarded more than $40,000 in grants for get-out-the-vote efforts. Just Harvest, an advocacy group for low-income residents in the Pittsburgh area, has operated a phone bank for about a month. Co-Director Joni Rabinowitz says her group began its "Just Vote" initiative to give low-income people more of a voice in politics. Just Harvest has helped to register new voters and distributed a newsletter with information on how the election process works.
The Mon Valley Providers Council has also made phone calls to remind people to vote. It has also distributed pledge cards to try to get voters to commit to showing up on Election Day. The organization is also providing a continental breakfast on Wednesday to anyone who voted.
Other groups that received get-out-the-vote funding include the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Planned Parenthood Association of Pennsylvania.
The group Pennsylvania VOICE has awarded more than $40,000 in grants for get-out-the-vote efforts. Just Harvest, an advocacy group for low-income residents in the Pittsburgh area, has operated a phone bank for about a month. Co-Director Joni Rabinowitz says her group began its "Just Vote" initiative to give low-income people more of a voice in politics. Just Harvest has helped to register new voters and distributed a newsletter with information on how the election process works.
The Mon Valley Providers Council has also made phone calls to remind people to vote. It has also distributed pledge cards to try to get voters to commit to showing up on Election Day. The organization is also providing a continental breakfast on Wednesday to anyone who voted.
Other groups that received get-out-the-vote funding include the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Planned Parenthood Association of Pennsylvania.
Passive Electioneering Policies Still Differ
Some Pennsylvania voters who wear campaign t-shirts and buttons to the polls will be asked to remove them or cover them up. The Department of State calls the wearing of campaign attire "passive electioneering," and says it's allowed under Pennsylvania law. But a memo from the department also says it's up to each county to determine how to interpret Pennsylvania's ban on electioneering.
Washington County once barred voters from wearing campaign paraphernalia at the polls, but its Board of Elections decided to allow the practice after the Department of State issued its memo. Other counties like Butler that have long banned passive electioneering say they will continue to enforce their policies. Some elections judges bring jackets that voters can wear over their campaign attire. Other counties, like Allegheny, have long allowed voters to wear whatever campaign paraphernalia they want.
Other people inside polling places, including election workers and watchers, are not allowed to wear campaign paraphernalia.
Western Pennsylvania counties that allow "passive electioneering":
Allegheny
Armstrong
Beaver
Cambria
Clearfield
Greene
Indiana
Jefferson
Somerset
Washington
Westmoreland
Western Pennsylvania counties that bar "passive electioneering":
Blair
Butler
Elk
Fayette
Lawrence
Mercer
Venango
Washington County once barred voters from wearing campaign paraphernalia at the polls, but its Board of Elections decided to allow the practice after the Department of State issued its memo. Other counties like Butler that have long banned passive electioneering say they will continue to enforce their policies. Some elections judges bring jackets that voters can wear over their campaign attire. Other counties, like Allegheny, have long allowed voters to wear whatever campaign paraphernalia they want.
Other people inside polling places, including election workers and watchers, are not allowed to wear campaign paraphernalia.
Western Pennsylvania counties that allow "passive electioneering":
Allegheny
Armstrong
Beaver
Cambria
Clearfield
Greene
Indiana
Jefferson
Somerset
Washington
Westmoreland
Western Pennsylvania counties that bar "passive electioneering":
Blair
Butler
Elk
Fayette
Lawrence
Mercer
Venango
Voters Will Decide Whether to Borrow for Water, Sewer Repairs
Pennsylvania voters will decide on Election Day whether the state should borrow $400 million for water and sewer infrastructure repairs.
John Schombert is Executive Director of the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program, which has worked with Allegheny County municipalities to coordinate their repairs. He says the bond issue would be good for the state because it would let municipalities borrow money for the repairs at lower rates than they could get on the commercial bond market. The alternative, he says, would be higher water and sewer rates. With an estimated $70 billion in repairs needed statewide over the next 20 years, Schombert says rates are bound to go up anyway--but the bond issue would make those increases less extreme.
Matt Brouillette, President of the Commonwealth Foundation, says the bond issue isn't necessary. He says the state could find the $400 million it wants to borrow if it reprioritized its spending. Brouillette says lawmakers have approved borrowing for pork-barrel projects when fixing the state's aging infrastructure should have taken greater precedence. He also says the borrowing comes at a bad time, since the poor economy has made lenders more hesitant. The Commonwealth Foundation estimates that the total cost of the bond issue will be closer to $620 million.
Matt Brouillette, President of the Commonwealth Foundation, says the bond issue isn't necessary. He says the state could find the $400 million it wants to borrow if it reprioritized its spending. Brouillette says lawmakers have approved borrowing for pork-barrel projects when fixing the state's aging infrastructure should have taken greater precedence. He also says the borrowing comes at a bad time, since the poor economy has made lenders more hesitant. The Commonwealth Foundation estimates that the total cost of the bond issue will be closer to $620 million.
State Data Center Releases Population Projections
The Pennsylvania State Data Center at Penn State Harrisburg has released its projections for state population projections over the next 12 years. The data estimates population figures through 2030 using the year 2000 as a base. The report is projecting that the state will see an increase in population by 7.4% with an increase in the elderly population. In regards to Allegheny County the center is projecting further population loss but an increase in minorities. Most notably the Hispanic population is expected to more than double from its 2000 numbers. The areas around the state expected to see a population increase are the eastern and southern edges of Pennsylvania that touch the borders of New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Ravenstahl Gives First Glimpse Of Son
Three days after the birth of their first child, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and his wife Erin released photos of Cooper Luke Ravenstahl. The baby was born at 9:24 a.m. Friday weighing in at 7 pounds 14 ounces and 21 inches long. Mayor Ravenstahl called it the happiest day of his and his wife's lives... "Erin and Cooper are healthy and doing great."
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