Entries by PAMatters

PennDOT Asks Drivers to Take On Line Survey

PennDOT is asking drivers to give it some feedback, asking people to take a few minutes to fill out an on line survey focusing on highway safety issues. It’s an effort to gauge how drivers feel about enforcement, drinking and driving, seat belts, motorcycles, distracted driving and other issues. Erin Waters, a spokeswoman for the […]

How About Another Round of Liquor Store Privatization Debate?

Debate over state control of wine & spirits stores could be on tap, this fall, at the capitol.  House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is already seeking co-sponsors, and could unveil his latest bill soon.  Supporters say Pennsylvania shouldn’t be in the booze business in the first place.  In fact, Pennsylvania and Utah are the […]

GOP Chair Confident Heading into 2012

Republicans are targeting Pennsylvania in their quest to retake the White House in 2012.  The Republican National Committee has already bought up commercial time on cable television, in the Keystone State, to criticize President Barack Obama. Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason thinks President Obama is vulnerable in PA.  “The 2012 election will come […]

Bald Eagle Nest Numbers Soar

The number of bald eagle nests in Pennsylvania now tops 200.  The state Game Commission counts 203-nests in 50-counties.  “As recently as 1983 there were only three known nests, and they were all in Crawford County,” Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser tells us.  1983 was the year the Game Commission implemented its bald eagle restoration […]

Good Samaritan Bill Among New Laws Signed by Governor Corbett

Governor Corbett’s pen was busy this week as he inked nearly four dozen bills in one day. One of those measures is Senate Bill 448, the so-called Good Samaritan law. It would protect people under 21 from underage drinking prosecution if they call 911 to help a friend. The new law, when it takes effect […]

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches Just about on Schedule

The space shuttle Atlantis blasted off just a couple of minutes later than scheduled, finding a window of good weather to head off on its final mission. STS-135 is the last flight of  NASA’s space shuttle program, which began in 1981. Christopher Ferguson is the commander of the historic mission. The Philadelphia native is a […]

New Law Holds Drug Dealers Accountable

One of the 46 new laws that Governor Tom Corbett signed, on Thursday, will reclassify the offense of drug delivery resulting in death.  The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) tells us a 2005 state Supreme Court decision tied prosecutors’ hands by requiring that they prove the drug dealer acted with malice.  “It became almost impossible […]

New Report says Adult Obesity Rates are not Declining

A new report shows no improvement in  adult obesity rates in states across the country in the past year. Sixteen states saw increases in their rates according to the report from Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Twelve states now have obesity rates over 30%. Pennsylvania’s adult obesity rate of 28.5% […]

State Senator Working on “Caylee’s Law”

The Casey Anthony trial is sparking a legislative effort in Pennsylvania. State Senator Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) plans to introduce “Caylee’s Law”, named after the Florida  girl who was missing a month before her disappearance was reported. The 2-year-old was later found dead. Concealing the death of a child is only a first degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania […]