As the special counsel investigation into Donald Trump’s presidential campaign winds down, a new poll finds that most Americans are at least moderately confident that Robert Mueller’s probe has been fair and impartial. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also finds that most Americans have some concern that Trump’s campaign had improper connections to Russia, though fewer than half say the president has done something illegal in his ties to Russia.
The mother of an unarmed black teenager who was fatally shot by a white former police officer is urging prosecutors to show what a “kind, loving and funny” person her son was. Michelle Kenney’s letter to prosecutors was released Wednesday, as the second day of the trial of former East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld resumes in a Pittsburgh courtroom.
The recent report released regarding the building permits obtained by each area of the county by the Planning & Redevelopment Office became a hotbed of conversation at the Commissioners’ weekly work session on Wednesday. The report said that neither Aliquippa nor South Heights had any building permits throughout all of 2018–in fact, the city of Aliquippa hasn’t had one submitted since 2012, and the borough of South Heights hasn’t had one since 2006.
Commissioner Sandie Egley pointed this out during the work session, and pointed out the loophole this creates for citizens of those areas and why she’s disgusted by it:
Solicitor Garen Fedeles responded to Commissioner Egley’s concerns by notifying the Board of Commissioners that there was prior communication with the top persons in those areas about rectifying the situation:
Meanwhile, Commissioner Egley also brought forth a request from the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce asking the Commissioners to send a letter of recommendation to Governor Tom Wolf asking that the Bruce Mansfield Plant in Shippingport stay in operation. However, Commissioner Tony Amadio rebutted the request–not because he opposes the power plant’s operation–but rather because actions already had been taken, and the future of the Mansfield Plant is no longer in their control:
The initial announcement of the closing of the Power Plant came in August of 2018.
PennDOT and the Department of Environmental Protection are seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania. The statewide community cleanup begins now and runs through May 31. Volunteers can organize a local event and register it at gacofpa.org, or sign up to participate in an already-registered event. Gloves, trash bags and safety vests will be provided by PennDOT, DEP and the Glad Products Co., a national sponsor.
The state Game Commission is reporting Pennsylvania deer hunters just had their most successful year since 2005. The recent 2018-2019 harvest, which closed in January, saw 374-thousand, 690 deer taken in. That’s about ten-percent more than last year, and the most since the 2004-2005 season. Hunters using bows or crossbows harvested about a third of the deer, scoring about 50-thousand more than they did the prior season when unseasonably warm weather and rain impacted many bow-hunting days.
YESTERDAY WE TOLD YOU ABOUT LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED IN HARRISBURG TO LEGALIZE ADULT USE OF CANNABIS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS MORNING, DON ROONEY TALKS WITH THE STATE SENATOR WHO AUTHORED THE BILL…
A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined with business and labor leaders Tuesday in Harrisburg to call for continued progress on improvements to the network of pipelines that moves natural gas produced in Pennsylvania safely and efficiently to markets and industrial users. Rep. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) spoke at the event and said he believes responsible pipeline expansion is a critical component to ensuring future job creation in Pennsylvania…
Participants said the future of Pennsylvania’s economy as well as continued investment by industries that utilize natural gas is dependent on having an adequate pipeline infrastructure in place.
Pennsylvania lawmakers want to make it harder for officials and government employees convicted of crimes related to their jobs to retain public pensions. The House voted 194 to 1 on Tuesday to approve legislation that would apply the pension forfeiture law to state and federal felonies and other crimes that could result in at least five years behind bars. It also would forfeit pensions when a defendant pleads or is found guilty. Current law imposes pension forfeiture when sentenced.
10th District State Representative Aaron Bernstine has joined with two colleagues to introduce a bipartisan bill creating a program to help high school students gain work experience while still in school. House Bill 796 would establish a pilot grant program which would encourage schools and local businesses to collaborate to provide work-based learning opportunities for high school students. Bernstine said the pilot program would bring our business leaders and students together to transform our education system and prepare Pennsylvania students for Pennsylvania jobs. Reps. Kate Klunk (R-York) and Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) are co-sponsors of the bill.
Two Pennsylvania senators have introduced legislation to ensure paid sick leave to all workers in the state. Senate Bill 13 would require Pennsylvania companies to provide paid sick leave. State Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia, Montgomery) and Katie Muth (D-Berks, Chester, Montgomery) said under their proposal, people could use paid sick leave for their own care or the care of a family member, including a spouse, children and parents. They said at least 400,000 Pennsylvania workers would benefit from paid sick leave.
