News

Teen Tanning Bed Legislation

Bill Would Bar Teens from Tanning Beds

Pennsylvania teenagers would essentially be barred from tanning beds, under legislation that’s being debated in the State House Judiciary Committee.  “What the bill would do is prevent any business from allowing persons under the age of 18 from using an indoor tanning bed,” said State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) at a Wednesday news conference.  Swanger […]

Cash

Another Good Revenue Month for PA

May’s tax receipts have been tallied, and the Department of Revenue reports that collections exceeded estimates by nearly $34-million, or 1.9%.  That means Pennsylvania’s revenues are outpacing estimates by a total of $539-million through 11-months of the fiscal year.  “It just points out once again how bad the Republican budget that was passed last month […]

Sate Capitol View from Commonwealth Ave.

New Debut Date for “Ask the Governor”

Governor Tom Corbett is scheduled to make his debut appearance on “Ask the Governor” on Thursday, June 9th. Video segments of the program will be available on PAMatters.com starting that day and the program is also airing on radio stations statewide through the Radio Pennsylvania Network. Visit our “Ask the Governor” page to submit a […]

Senator Pat Toomey Meets with Israeli Prime Minister

    U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Middle East swing with fellow U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID). The conversation focused on several key issues facing Israel and the United States, including the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, the ongoing Middle East peace process and US-Israeli cooperation on military […]

Hurricane Season is Here, Are You Prepared?

It’s expected to be an above normal Atlantic Hurricane season according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Today (June 1st) marks the start of the season. Lead seasonal forecaster Dr. Gerry Bell says they’re expecting 12 to 18 named storms, 6 to 10 of them hurricanes, with 3 to 6 storms expected to reach […]

State Capitol Fountain

PA Lawmakers Seek New Offices

A half-dozen State Reps. won primary elections for various local offices, last month, and will appear on the November ballot.  For instance, Republican Doug Reichley is on the ballot for a judicial post in Lehigh County.  Discussing the large number of lawmakers who may bolt Harrisburg, Reichley says it comes and goes in cycles.  “I […]

Random Octane Testing of PA Gasoline

Committee Gives Green Light to Octane Testing Bill

Alaska, Nebraska and Pennsylvania are the last three states without required tests for octane levels at their gas pumps.  “Just recently Maryland who passed the legislation did a study, and they found substantial variations in the testing,” says State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, the prime sponsor of SB 341.  Greenleaf’s legislation would require the Department of […]

Pennsylvania State Police Investigate More Crashes, Fewer Fatalities This Memorial Day Weekend

Pennsylvania State Police handled more crash investigations this Memorial Day Weekend than last but there were fewer fatalities.  13 people were killed in the 808 crashes investigated by State Police over the holiday weekend, compared to 16 deaths in 776 crashes during the 2010 Memorial Day weekend. Five of those killed were not wearing seatbelts […]

Lottery Fund

House Committee Wants to Study PA Lottery

The State House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee has unanimously signed off on a comprehensive study of the Pennsylvania Lottery.  “I think it’s going to bring out a number of factors that we really need to consider, because we know that the Lottery system really does provide a lot of revenue for programs that […]

Flags in the State Capitol Rotunda

PA Veterans Can Qualify for Benefits

Memorial Day is a time for all Americans to honor those who have lost their lives in defense of freedom.  It’s also a time to thank our surviving veterans – both young and old – for serving this country.  Here in Pennsylvania, there are more than 964,000 veterans to whom we owe a debt of […]