News
State House Committee Holds Hearings on School Choice, Charter Schools
The State House Education Committee opened two days of informational hearing today on school choice and charter schools today. The state education secretary has laid out the Corbett administration’s views on school choice. Ron Tomalis told the Committee we must ask ourselves why we force parents to send their children to a particular school rather […]
CDC Report says Most Hospitals Could Do More to Support Breastfeeding
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report says a majority of U. S. hospitals do not fully support breastfeeding with their practices for new moms. There’s been improvement according to CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden, but the progress has been really slow in getting hospitals to adopt practices that support breastfeeding. Dr. Frieden […]
Meet the “First Pets”
Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett introduced the new “First Pets” today. The Corbetts received hundreds of suggested names from children across the Keystone State. 37-children submitted the name “Penny.” 4-children submitted the name “Harry.” Each of them will receive an autographed picture of the First Family — complete with the “First […]
Caregivers and Relatives May Have Disconnect over What’s Important
A new study by researchers at Penn State and the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging shows different perceptions over what’s important among caregivers, and relatives who are in early stages of dementia. Caregivers may not understand priorities for their older relative in terms of autonomy, burden, control, family and safety. Steven Zarit, a professor and head […]
Monthly Slots Revenue Hits New High in Pennsylvania
July was the best month so far for slots revenues in Pennsylvania. The state’s newest casino gets much of the credit. If you take away the Sugar House Casino, which opened in September 2010, slots revenues for the 9 other casinos in Pennsylvania were actually down 3.5% last month. With the Philadelphia casino added, July […]
Debt Deal Finalized, Pennsylvanians Upset With Both Parties
With the threat of a historic financial default hanging over their heads, a last minute plan emerged that was able to garner the support of President Barack Obama and a majority of Congress. It allows for a $2-trillion dollar increase in the nation’s debt limit, in exchange for $2-trillion dollars in cuts over the next […]
Governor Tom Corbett’s Next Appearance Moved to Tuesday, August 9th
Governor Tom Corbett’s next appearance on “Ask the Governor” has been moved up two days to Tuesday, August 9th. Watch for video clips on Marcellus Shale issues, transportation funding and a host of other topics as we continue our monthly series with the governor. Submit your question today right here at PAMatters.com.
Pennsylvania State Police Get High Marks from Feds for Motor Carrier Safety Data
Pennsylvania’s motor carrier inspectors conducted more than 93,000 random truck inspections last year, a 14% increase from the previous year. State troopers also checked motor coaches and inspected 28,000 school buses across the state. Their efforts earned them the highest marks for providing timely and accurate information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Pennsylvania […]
Transportation Funding Report Released
The five year funding plan, outlined in the final report, could generate an additional $2.5-billion dollars in annual transportation funding. The report indicates that the governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission (TFAC) was directed not to consider hiking the gas tax, leasing the turnpike, or assumed federal aid. With those ideas off-the-table, the ultimate funding recommendations […]
Transportation Commission’s Final Report to be Delivered to Governor
Two weeks after the governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission voted on its package of funding and modernization recommendations, the final report is about to be delivered to Governor Tom Corbett. Phased in over five years, the recommendations are designed to provide an annual $2.5-billion dollar shot in the arm for transportation funding in the Keystone […]