Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A new bill in the General Assembly could help Pennsylvania farmers reduce the amount of polluted runoff in rivers and streams and help the state meet its clean water commitments.

Almost one-third of Commonwealth streams don’t meet standards for drinking, fishing or recreation, and farms are a major source of that pollution. Under the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, Pennsylvania is required to have plans in place to reduce water pollution flowing downstream to the bay by 2025.

But according to Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania science policy and advocacy director at the Pennsylvania office of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the state’s current plans fall short by more than 25% of pollution reductions and hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

“We believe that this program will put Pennsylvania in the position to achieve those water quality commitments, both locally and certainly within the context of the Chesapeake Bay,” Campbell said.

Senate Bill 1272 would create an Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program to send farmers funding and technical assistance to help keep soil on the land and reduce pollutants entering local waterways.

Darrin Youker, director of state government affairs with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said farmers are willing to take steps like planting cover crops and streamside trees, no-till farming and reducing nutrient runoff. But he noted the farm economy was suffering even before the pandemic.

“Those cost money, so it’s going to help both on the technical expertise but also the practical, on-the-ground applications that need to be done,” Youker said of the legislation.

Funding from the program would be allocated to county conservation districts based on factors like the amount of land under cultivation and livestock adjacent to impaired streams.

Campbell said Pennsylvania’s farmers want to leave farm land for the next generation that is both beneficial to the environment and has grown more productive through sound agricultural practices.

“These types of investments in our family farms are going to help achieve and maintain that cultural heritage, while boosting our economy in a time where that is of critical importance and concern,” Campbell said.

SB 1272, introduced by Sen. Gene Yaw of Lycoming County, has bipartisan support. It’s been referred to the Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee for consideration.

Keystone State News Connection

Andrea Sears

PITTSBURGH — The number of children without health insurance was rising nationwide and here in Pennsylvania before the COVID pandemic, and a new report predicts that trend will continue.

The report, from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, says after years of progress getting more kids covered by health insurance, between 2016 and 2019, most of the gains for children achieved through the Affordable Care Act were wiped out. According to Laura Stephany, health policy coordinator with Allies for Children, an estimated 726,000 children nationwide are uninsured – and Pennsylvania has the eighth-highest number in the country.

“We have now 128,000 children across the Commonwealth who are uninsured,” Stephany said. “And our percentage of uninsured children also rose.”

She added those losses occurred when the economy was strong and unemployment was low – before the economic impact of the COVID pandemic.

The increase in uninsured children in Pennsylvania was relatively small, about 2,000 additional children. But Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown Center, cautions no increase should be ignored.

“If you look at your state and you see that the number’s going in the wrong direction but it’s not statistically significant, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be worried,” Alker said. “This year, 2020, more kids are probably losing. So, it’s a red flag.”

Research shows children who have health insurance are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college and to be healthier and more productive as adults.

Stephany points out many families have lost health insurance along with parent’s jobs, and the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the Affordable Care Act will mean more children will be without coverage.

“Pennsylvania has been hit hard by the economic crisis,” Stephany said. “And there is no national effort to inform newly unemployed families about their public coverage options.”

In November, the Trump administration and 18 state attorneys general will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Aliquippa k-9 officer Nicco D’Arrigo  said warrants have been issued for a male and female in connection with the shooting inside Eleanor Roosevelt Apartments at 8:50 p.m. on Sheffield Avenue Thursday night October 8, 2020 . Four persons were involved, according to Officer D’Arrigo A male suffered a gunshot wound  from a 12 gauge shotgun to  his left thigh. The unidentified male was life flighted to a Pittsburgh hospital, and D’Arrigo said he is listed in stable condition.

Barrett’s Supreme Court hearing opens as GOP seeks speedy OK
By MARK SHERMAN, LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing has begun as the Republican-led Senate is charging ahead to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with President Donald Trump’s pick before Election Day. Barring a dramatic development, Republicans appear to have the votes to confirm the 48-year-old conservative appellate judge to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. In prepared remarks for the Judiciary Committee hearing, Barrett says the courts cannot “right every wrong.” The hearing is like no other with voting underway in many states and the country in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic. Two Republican senators on the panel have tested positive for the virus.

(Ambridge, Pa.) Two people were shot Sunday afternoon in Ambridge. A family members Facebook post states that young kids were breaking into cars Sunday afternoon and when they were approached by the victim one of the youths showed a handgun. The victim and the relative began to chase the group after calling 911 and while they were chasing one member of the group shot at the victim striking him in the neck. The victim was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital and is expected to recover.

Beaver County DA David J. Lozier reported a Monday morning  that Beaver  County Detectives are investigating . The shooting occurred in the  500 block of Merchant and 5th Streets.

(Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar gets an “I voted” sticker after voting early in person by mail ballot today at the Bucks County Elections Office.)

Harrisburg, Pa.  – Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar cast her ballot today in the Nov. 3 election by voting early in person by mail ballot at the Bucks County Election Office.

“I went to the election office today, 25 days before the election, applied for a mail ballot, filled it out and cast it, all in one visit,” said Secretary Boockvar. “It was incredibly easy, and this early voting option is a convenient and secure choice for all Pennsylvanians.”

Bucks County Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Gene DiGirolamo and Bob Harvie accompanied Secretary Boockvar on her visit to the county election office.

“I was pleased to join Secretary Boockvar in casting my vote, as well,” Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said.

As part of the process, a Bucks County election official approved the mail ballot applications of Secretary Boockvar and Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia after verifying their eligibility to vote.

“We couldn’t be more thankful for the job Secretary Boockvar has done guiding the commonwealth through this tumultuous election year,” Commissioner Bob Harvie said. “Even before being named Pennsylvania Secretary of State she was a nationally recognized leader on election security, and she has proven to be a tireless advocate for Pennsylvanians.”

Voters can use the option to vote early in person by mail ballot until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27, the deadline to apply for a mail ballot for the Nov. 3 election.

Before making the trip to vote in person by mail ballot, voters should check the hours of their county’s election office or satellite office. A list of satellite voting locations designated by county election boards will be updated as information is made available.

Voters should make sure that they enclose their ballot first in the white inner secrecy envelope and seal it, then insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope and sign and complete the voter’s declaration on the outer pre-printed return envelope.  Voters must complete these two steps in order for their ballots to be counted.

Pennsylvanians can also choose to vote by mail or to vote in person at their polling place on election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. They should wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. The Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 emergency.

For more information on voting and elections in Pennsylvania, call the Department of State’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772) or visit votesPA.com.

State Rep. Rob Matzie announced that 11 fire companies in his district will receive $261,012 in state grants for operational expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grants awarded by the Office of State Fire Commissioner are needed to offset the additional financial burdens created by the pandemic.

“Even under the best of times, our fire and rescue workers are forced to operate on shoestring budgets, but the pandemic has complicated things a hundred-fold,” Matzie said. “Rescue operations involve a higher degree of risk, and first responders are facing situations requiring additional protective equipment and other resources. At the same time, restrictions on social gatherings have dried up sources of fundraising.

“Securing these grants should help ease the burden on these frontline heroes so they can continue their lifesaving work while staying safe themselves.”

Matzie said the following fire companies will receive the following amounts:

Allegheny County

• Leetsdale Fire Department – $23,151.

Beaver County

• Aliquippa Bureau of Fire – $24,247.
• Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department – $24,110.
• Baden Volunteer Fire Department – $25,205.
• Conway Volunteer Fire Department – $23,973.
• Economy Volunteer Fireman’s Association – $24,794.
• Hopewell Township Volunteer Fire Department – $23,151.
• Monaca #4 Volunteer Fire Department – $23,425.
• Monaca #5 Volunteer Fire Department – $11,094.
• Monaca Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Inc. – $21,020.
• Rochester Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 – $36,842.

Matzie said the funding may be used for operational expenses such as apparatus repair, fuel, personal protective equipment, utilities, insurance and lost revenue related to pandemic restrictions. It may also be used for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting equipment and property or other expenses needed to prevent the spread of disease.

The funds must be used for expenses initiated on or after March 6 and completed on or before Dec. 30 to be eligible for the grant program.