Opening arguments continue this afternoon in the legislative corruption trial of former State Representative Mike Veon of Beaver Falls and 3 former aides. They are charged with conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy for allegedly using taxpayer dollars to do campaign work on state time. In his 90 minute opening statement, Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Blessington told the jury what they would be hearing over the next few to several weeks. Blessington says it started in 2004 when the House Democratic Caucus put for a bonus program to incentivize legislative staffers to knock on doors, do what needed to be done to win an election and re-take the majority in the House. Blessington said the campaign bonuses from public monies grew each year, surpassing $1 million in 2006, in order to gain power. Blessington called it "a brilliant scheme."
Veon's attorney, Dan Raynak was about 3 hours into his opening statement at 3:30 this afternoon. DUQ's Capitol Reporter Scott Detrow says Raynak is presenting a very detailed argument trying to methodically discredit witnesses who appeared before the grand jury. Raynak says many of those witnesses had incentives to tell investigators that the law was broken by his client (Veon) because they were given plea deals or immunity. The opening arguments by the attorneys for the other 3 defendants could extend into tomorrow morning.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Ravenstahl Unsure of Prevailing Wage Bill
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says he will review any prevailing wage legislation passed out of City Council and then decided if a veto is in order. With just hours remaining in 2009 the Mayor killed a bill that would have forced anyone benefiting from city-subsidized development to pay workers the going wage in the city. Despite a 9-0 vote earlier in December the council was unable to override the veto because 6 votes could not be found New Years Eve. The new council reintroduced the bill last month and it quickly moved through a hearing and preliminary vote. Council is expected to take a final vote Tuesday. Ravenstahl says he will not make a final decision on the bill until all amendments have been considered. He says the legal department has serious concerns about the legality of the bill and he will not sign anything that he believes in unenforceable. However, he says if the vote in 9-0 in favor of the bill he will not veto it. He says, “I’m not looking for another fight.” The bill has been amended several times since it was introduced and more amendments are expected to be introduced before Tuesday’s final vote. Ravenstahl says he stands by the decision to veto the measure the first time. “[It] allowed us to come back to the table, it allowed us to improve the bill. I don’t know if it allowed us to improve the bill to the point where we think it is legally enforceable or a good bill, but it has resulted in positive discussions this month,” says Ravenstahl. He says he is, “hesitant to put his name on a bill he feels will hold the city liable in the future.” Ravenstahl believes the city council cannot pass rules that will govern the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
City Puts 3 Officers on Paid Admin. Leave
Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl says while he can not take final action or come to a conclusion on what happened at this time, he has decided to place the three officers involved in the beating of 18-year-old Jordan Miles on paid administrative leave. Miles says three plain-clothes officers who did not identify themselves as police beat him January 12th. The officers contend they thought Miles had a weapon. Ravenstahl says the incident has left the city deeply concerned, “the situation we, as one community, find ourselves in is a difficult one. As much as I believe it is appropriate to take action after all the facts are revealed, I feel it is necessary to restore a sense of safety, trust and peace in our communities.” Ravenstahl has asked the chief of police to place Richard Ewing, Michael Saldutte and David Sisak on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Office of Municipal Investigations. He says investigations of this type, “often take months if not years,” but he has asked OMI to complete its work by the end of February. The office has told the mayor that is possible. Ravenstahl says the decision to put the officer on Paid Administrative leave is, “necessary for the safety of the officers involved, their colleagues and the peace of mind and safety of the entire community.” The Mayor would not comment on any threats that may have been made against the officers prompting his reaction. He says, “I ask that we all remain patient, and while we reach out to Jordan and his family in their hour of need, let us also pray for the safety of our officers and tolerance for all.”
CHIP May Live On
Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) might survive past its December 2010 expiration date thanks to a bill from State Representative Tony DeLuca.
The Allegheny County Democrat’s legislation would rid the program of a “sunset date,” meaning CHIP would be free to continue indefinitely.
The program provides health insurance for 197,150 children whose parents couldn’t afford it otherwise.
DeLuca says 68 cents of every CHIP dollar comes from the federal government. He says it would be unwise to let that federal income go.
DeLuca says the bill will probably be passed soon. Right now, it’s before the full House for consideration.
The Allegheny County Democrat’s legislation would rid the program of a “sunset date,” meaning CHIP would be free to continue indefinitely.
The program provides health insurance for 197,150 children whose parents couldn’t afford it otherwise.
DeLuca says 68 cents of every CHIP dollar comes from the federal government. He says it would be unwise to let that federal income go.
DeLuca says the bill will probably be passed soon. Right now, it’s before the full House for consideration.
Local MD Brings Haitian Cancer Patient to Pgh.
A local pediatric doctor helped transport Haitian teen Kenson Jean to Pittsburgh for emergency cancer treatment this weekend.
Dr. Mark Sangimino of Allegheny General Hospital examined the child in a field hospital outside the Port-au-Prince airport, before overcoming many bureaucratic obstacles to fly him to Pennsylvania.
He says the plane was leaving at seven o’clock, with or without the doctor and child.
“It took me almost 45 minutes to determine that the boy wasn’t even there. I ran to the airport trying to figure out where he was, and he was still back at the tent community because the medical director there didn’t think there was any hope,” says Sangimino.
“We got caught right up to the point of seven o’clock.”
Sangimino says the first medical step is surgical reconstruction of the 15-year-old’s swollen left leg, which is stricken with bone cancer. He says after that, chemotherapy is likely.
The orthopedic doctor says although it was a miracle to bring Jean to Pittsburgh, there were many other children in similar situations that should also have come.
Dr. Mark Sangimino of Allegheny General Hospital examined the child in a field hospital outside the Port-au-Prince airport, before overcoming many bureaucratic obstacles to fly him to Pennsylvania.
He says the plane was leaving at seven o’clock, with or without the doctor and child.
“It took me almost 45 minutes to determine that the boy wasn’t even there. I ran to the airport trying to figure out where he was, and he was still back at the tent community because the medical director there didn’t think there was any hope,” says Sangimino.
“We got caught right up to the point of seven o’clock.”
Sangimino says the first medical step is surgical reconstruction of the 15-year-old’s swollen left leg, which is stricken with bone cancer. He says after that, chemotherapy is likely.
The orthopedic doctor says although it was a miracle to bring Jean to Pittsburgh, there were many other children in similar situations that should also have come.
Gubernatorial Hopeful Won't Rule Out Tax Hike
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty says he wouldn’t shy away from raising taxes as governor, if the state needed the additional revenue.
Doherty, who’s running in the four-man Democratic primary, says he’s raised taxes as a mayor, and wouldn’t have a problem doing-so as governor, if he thought it was the best course of action. He says candidates who promise not to raise taxes aren’t dealing with reality.
"You’re not going to raise taxes? Where are you going to get the money from? And don’t tell me you’re just going to keep reducing the size of government. That means you’re going to keep reducing the hopes and dreams of the people in this state. All your saying is, we will ignore this problem and let’s hope it goes away."
In an interview, Doherty also said he’d consider leasing out more state forest land for natural gas drilling – but would also push for tougher environmental regulations.
He says he favors abortion rights – but acknowledges he was anti-abortion when he first ran for office.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Auditor General Jack Wagner and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel are the other Democrats running for governor.
State Senator Anthony Williams of Philadelphia is considering making a late entry into the race.
Doherty, who’s running in the four-man Democratic primary, says he’s raised taxes as a mayor, and wouldn’t have a problem doing-so as governor, if he thought it was the best course of action. He says candidates who promise not to raise taxes aren’t dealing with reality.
"You’re not going to raise taxes? Where are you going to get the money from? And don’t tell me you’re just going to keep reducing the size of government. That means you’re going to keep reducing the hopes and dreams of the people in this state. All your saying is, we will ignore this problem and let’s hope it goes away."
In an interview, Doherty also said he’d consider leasing out more state forest land for natural gas drilling – but would also push for tougher environmental regulations.
He says he favors abortion rights – but acknowledges he was anti-abortion when he first ran for office.
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Auditor General Jack Wagner and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel are the other Democrats running for governor.
State Senator Anthony Williams of Philadelphia is considering making a late entry into the race.
New Inspectors to Monitor Drilling
The Department of Environmental Protection is hiring 68 new inspectors to monitor natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale formation, but environmental advocates say that’s not nearly enough.
Governor Rendell says the hiring wave is an example of “decisive, progressive protections” for Pennsylvania’s environment but Brady Russell of environmental advocacy group Clean Water Action says that still leaves DEP’s inspection staff undermanned and spread too thin.
He says the agency needs to do more preventative inspections, arguing right now, officials are simply reacting to problems that have already happened.
"So they’re not just there every time they hear a line blew up, or a worker got injured, or a few thousand gallons of fraking fluid spilled. They’re not just putting out fires. They need to get there and make sure work’s done right, to prevent those kinds of accidents from happening."
The department performed 14,544 site inspections last year, and expects to carry out much more work in 2010. The Rendell Administration expects companies to apply for 52-hundred Marcellus Shale drilling permits this year. Money generated from permitting fees will fund the new hires.
Representative Greg Vitali, a Delaware County Democrat, is introducing a measure requiring a five-year moratorium on land leasing, saying environmental policy gets thrown to the wayside when legislators eye state forests as money-makers.
"There are serious consequences to drilling on state forest land, including water quality issues, habitat issues. Quality of life issues, including hunting, hiking, fishing and so forth."
DEP Secretary John Hanger disputes the notion inspectors are spread too thin. He says the new hires will give the department the resources it needs to carry out inspection work this year.
Governor Rendell says the hiring wave is an example of “decisive, progressive protections” for Pennsylvania’s environment but Brady Russell of environmental advocacy group Clean Water Action says that still leaves DEP’s inspection staff undermanned and spread too thin.
He says the agency needs to do more preventative inspections, arguing right now, officials are simply reacting to problems that have already happened.
"So they’re not just there every time they hear a line blew up, or a worker got injured, or a few thousand gallons of fraking fluid spilled. They’re not just putting out fires. They need to get there and make sure work’s done right, to prevent those kinds of accidents from happening."
The department performed 14,544 site inspections last year, and expects to carry out much more work in 2010. The Rendell Administration expects companies to apply for 52-hundred Marcellus Shale drilling permits this year. Money generated from permitting fees will fund the new hires.
Representative Greg Vitali, a Delaware County Democrat, is introducing a measure requiring a five-year moratorium on land leasing, saying environmental policy gets thrown to the wayside when legislators eye state forests as money-makers.
"There are serious consequences to drilling on state forest land, including water quality issues, habitat issues. Quality of life issues, including hunting, hiking, fishing and so forth."
DEP Secretary John Hanger disputes the notion inspectors are spread too thin. He says the new hires will give the department the resources it needs to carry out inspection work this year.
Local Girls to Shadow State Rep.
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Women and Girls Foundation has created a new program to encourage Allegheny County girls to pursue politics.
"GirlGov" will select 16 local ladies in grades 8-12; these young women will be given the opportunity to shadow a Pennsylvania representative March 8.
WGF Executive Director Heather Arnet says the program was developed by Allegheny County Change Agents, an active group of local teenage girls.
“They will be the selection panel. They will review the applications,” says Arnet. “The applications ask girls to talk about themselves, and share some ideas.”
Applications are due February 2. Those interested should visit the GirlGov website.
"GirlGov" will select 16 local ladies in grades 8-12; these young women will be given the opportunity to shadow a Pennsylvania representative March 8.
WGF Executive Director Heather Arnet says the program was developed by Allegheny County Change Agents, an active group of local teenage girls.
“They will be the selection panel. They will review the applications,” says Arnet. “The applications ask girls to talk about themselves, and share some ideas.”
Applications are due February 2. Those interested should visit the GirlGov website.
Elizabeth Lock And Dam Fails On Sunday
On Sunday the main hydraulic system at the Elizabeth Lock and Dam on the Monongahela river failed resulting in a 6 hour closing of the lock and dam. An estimated 50 gallons of fluid spilled into the river as a result of the failure. Army corps of engineers of Pittsburgh spokesman Jeff Hawk said the Elizabeth Lock and Dam is very old and needs to be replaced. He says there is currently no funding in place outside of recovery act money to replace the outdated system of locks and dams in the Pittsburgh region. Currently Hawk estimates the Elizabeth Lock and Dam will not be replaced until 2030.
Auditor Gen. Wants Medicaid Changes
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner says the Department of Public Welfare must improve its monitoring of Medicaid recipients to save public money.
Wagner says auditors found errors on 14.7% of more than 13,000 Medicaid cases they sampled from 2005 to 2009. He says these mistakes allow Pennsylvanians who are ineligible for the service to receive Medicaid assistance.
Wagner says the DPW Secretary admitted to a 4% error rate, but he says even that lower margin of error would cost state taxpayers $320 million annually.
He says this is a managerial problem that is especially painful, given the current economic recession.
The DPW currently reviews changes in recipients’ eligibility once or twice each year. Wagner says with today’s technology, DPW offices should be able to review these files monthly, weekly, or even daily.
Wagner says there are a variety of reasons a person’s Medicaid eligibility could change, including getting a second job or a promotion.
Wagner says auditors found errors on 14.7% of more than 13,000 Medicaid cases they sampled from 2005 to 2009. He says these mistakes allow Pennsylvanians who are ineligible for the service to receive Medicaid assistance.
Wagner says the DPW Secretary admitted to a 4% error rate, but he says even that lower margin of error would cost state taxpayers $320 million annually.
He says this is a managerial problem that is especially painful, given the current economic recession.
The DPW currently reviews changes in recipients’ eligibility once or twice each year. Wagner says with today’s technology, DPW offices should be able to review these files monthly, weekly, or even daily.
Wagner says there are a variety of reasons a person’s Medicaid eligibility could change, including getting a second job or a promotion.
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