Radio PA Roundtable: August 16, 2013
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, the debate continues on gay rights in PA; F&M College’s Terry Madonna talks state politics; and a special interview with one of the co-hosts of the National Geographic Channel show “Diggers”. Tim “Ringy” Sayles talks about metal detecting as a hobby and how it can possibly help fund your late summer vacation!
Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting, commentary and analysis on the top news stories of the week.
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Governor Tom Corbett Returns on Monday, with Special Guest
Ask the Governor returns on Monday, August 19th with a special edition featuring Governor Tom Corbett and the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Susan Corbett. We’ll get to know the first couple, learn about their early years and what it’s like to be a modern political power couple balancing family and politics.
As always, listeners and web viewers can be a part of the program by submitting questions and comments here on PAMatters.com. Just click the Ask the Governor link at the top of this page and fill out the form to participate.
Radio PA Roundtable – August 9, 2013
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, an update on the hurricane forecast for the rest of 2013; AG Progress Days begin on Tuesday in Centre County; and Penn State is gearing up for another football season.
Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting, commentary and analysis on the top news stories of the week.
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Radio PA Roundtable – August 2, 2013
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, the impact of the state legislature’s continuing failure to address critical transportation funding issues; a hearing on funding for 9-1-1 call centers; and closing arguments in the Voter-ID trial in Harrisburg.
Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting, commentary and analysis on the top news stories of the week.
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New Weight Restrictions Likely on Hundreds of Pennsylvania Bridges
The legislature was unable to agree on a transportation funding package before the summer session break. Now, lawmakers have been told that the consequences are coming soon.
State Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch told the state senate Transportation committee during a hearing Wednesday that the lack of additional funding will mean fewer contracts let this year and more restrictions on aging state and locally owned bridges.
PennDOT structural engineers are evaluating over one thousand state owned bridges and Schoch says there are an equal number of locally owned bridges that are also candidates for weight restrictions. He expects about half of the bridges will see new restrictions starting this summer
Schoch says they have no choice with no new funding for reconstruction and replacement.
Schoch says the restrictions will mean longer commutes for haulers, school buses and emergency vehicles. He also told the transportation committee that even if lawmakers approve a funding plan in the fall, this construction season will already have been lost for projects that might have been started with the additional money.
In other testimony, an analysis by the American Road and Transportation Builders Alliance says fewer contracts could cost the state’s economy more than one billion over five years and jeopardize thousands of jobs.
The organization’s chief economist adds that commuters, first responders, school buses and trucks cross structurally deficit bridges in Pennsylvania an average of 51.5 million times per day.
Child Advocates Warn About Button Battery Dangers
Child advocates are warning anyone who spends time around kids to be careful with button batteries. Nearly three thousand children went to the emergency room after swallowing a coin-sized button battery last year.
Kate Carr, CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, says the small lithium batteries are becoming an emerging danger as they show up in everything from key fobs to remote controls and decorations. She says the batteries can become lodged in the esophagus, where it’s triggered by saliva and causes burns.
Carr says the child is not choking, so you may not know they’ve swallowed a battery until the damage has been done. The symptoms look a lot like the cold or flu.
Carr says the small shiny batteries can be especially dangerous for children under age 4. She says children’s toys must have screws securing the battery compartment, but that’s not the case with many products that use button batteries, such as remote control devices and decorations.
Carr says if you think your child may have swallowed a button battery– seek immediate help. You can learn more at safekids.org. There’s also a national battery ingestion hotline at 202-625-3333.
Radio PA Roundtable – July 26, 2013
On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, coverage of the U.S. Attorney General in Philadelphia, a Pennsylvania Congressman holding a natural gas field hearing in Williamsport; and a warning to parents and doctors from the CDC which says the HPV vaccine is being under-utilized.
Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting, commentary and analysis on the top news stories of the week.
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Sticker Shock at the Pump
Drivers are taking another hit in the wallet with a jump in gas prices this month.
Nationally, gas prices are up 12 cents in just a week. AAA blames the sticker shock on higher crude prices- which have risen 17 percent in four weeks. In Pennsylvania, the average price of gas has risen 15 cents a gallon since a month ago.
Jenny Robinson of AAA Mid Atlantic says global events like the unrest in Egypt and some production disruptions in Libya, Iraq and Nigeria are factors, but there are issues at home as well. She says there are a number of refineries that are undergoing maintenance and repairs. At the same time, we’re in the middle of peak summer vacation season, boosting demand.
Robinson says experts believe prices could creep up at least a few more cents before the end of summer. Any hurricanes could add to the pump price.