Tuesday, December 18, 2012
In the wake of recent mass shootings in Newtown, CT. and elsewhere, Patch examines the recent history of gun-control legislation in Pennsylvania.
On the books, Pennsylvania's gun laws are somewhat tougher than those found elsewhere in the United States, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The gun-control group gives Pennsylvania a 25 out of a possible 100-point rating on its state scorecard—the 10th-strictest rating in the country. "While Pennsylvania has some common-sense gun laws, including the requirement of Brady criminal background checks on all handgun purchasers, more needs to be done to stop illegal gun trafficking," according to the Brady Center website. Current Law In Pennsylvania, a person does not need a license to "open-carry" a gun by wearing it in a holster or in similar fashion anywhere but in Philadelphia, state police spokeswoman Diana Bates told…
Monday, November 26, 2012
Hunters can share their harvest using a network set up by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
It is considered Pennsylvania's only unofficial holiday. The Monday after Thanksgiving marks opening day of the two-week general deer season. About 750,000 men, women and teenagers wearing fluorescent orange are expected to invade Penn's Woods, according to Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “In addition to being a rich part of our state’s heritage, deer season is critical in managing Pennsylvania’s whitetails,” Roe said. “The efforts of hunters are far-reaching; they help to keep deer populations in check, and enable the agency to meet deer management goals that benefit those who reside, visit or travel through this state.” Safety Rules Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Matt Smith defeated D. Raja for Pennsylvania State Senate with 53% of the vote.
Matt Smith bear hugged supporters and feverishly pumped hit arms in the air moments after learning he had won election to the Pennsylvania State Senate. The normally subdued 3-term state representative showed more emotion than usual after a hard-fought battle against fellow Mt. Lebanon resident D. Raja. Smith takes over the seat formerly held by John Pippy. The district wraps around the South Hills of Pittsburgh from Peters Township up to Findlay. “When you have a message that resonates, then that will trump money every day of the week,” Smith said about being outspent 3-to-1 on the airwaves. “The message we have is resonating with people.” Smith, standing with his wife, Eileen, and three young children, Delaney, Emerson and Jameson, …
Monday, November 5, 2012
Adrian Shanker, president of Equality Pennsylvania, suggests races of significance to supporters of marriage equality and LGBT issues to watch in Tuesday's election.
Every election is important. Every time we vote, we are deciding who will represent us, and which values are important to us at the time. This election could mark a turning point for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. This election marks the first time a major-party nominee for president supports marriage equality. From the president on down, here are some races to watch for LGBT equality. The Presidential Race: For the first time in American history, a major-party nominee for president supports marriage equality. Also for the first time in history, a majority of Americans support marriage equality. And for the first time in numerous election cycles, marriage has not been a major wedge between the two nominees. Without a …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
A candidate profile of Matt Smith, who is running against Raja for Pennsylvania state senate.
Name: Matt Smith Place of residence: Mt. Lebanon Attended college: Yes College: Smith graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and later from University of Duquesne Law School Job titles held: Attorney, Pennsylvania state representative Party affiliation: Democrat Running for: Pennsylvania State Senate Running for position: Pennsylvania Senator District: 37th Incumbent/Seat last held by: Former Sen. John Pippy Previous elective offices: Currently serves in the state house for the 42nd legislative district. Was first elected in 2006. P.O. Box 13445 Pittsburgh, PA 15243 Name: Jake Pawlak Website : http://www.votemattsmith.com Twitter : @VoteMattSmith Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/VoteMattSmith?fref=ts
A candidate profile of D. Raja, who is running against Matt Smith for Pennsylvania state senate.
Name: D. Raja Place of residence: Mt. Lebanon Attended college: Yes College: Raja graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1989 and received an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University in 2003. Job titles held: CEO and founder Employers: Computer Enterprises Inc., a company that provides IT services Party affiliation: Republican Running for: Pennsylvania State Senate Running for position: Pennsylvania State Senator District: 37th Incumbent/Seat last held by: Former Sen. John Pippy Previous elective offices: Served as a Mt. Lebanon commissioner and later as president of the commission Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: Previously lost his bid for Allegheny County Executive to Rich Fitzgerald 1910 Cochran Road Manor Oak Two, Suite …
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
In order to get the state-issued Voter ID card, an individual need only give his or her name, date of birth, social security number and address. The Voter ID will be given at the PennDOT licensing center the same day.
State officials announced Tuesday that all voters can choose to receive either secure PennDOT photo IDs or Department of State voting-only ID cards when visiting a PennDOT driver’s license center. In order to get the state-issued Voter ID card, an individual need only give his or her name, date of birth, Social Security number and address. Proof of residence is not required. PennDOT will then confirm with the Department of State that the applicant is a registered voter while the person is at the driver license center. The applicant will get a DOS voter ID card once the information is confirmed. If an applicant’s voter registration or information cannot be confirmed while at PennDOT, then the Department of State will mail the voter ID card …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we’re giving you all the information you need on how and where to register to vote in Washington County.
If you haven’t yet registered to vote, get it off your to-do list now. Today is National Voter Registration Day, and thousands of local, state and national organizations have mobilized to make sure millions of people don’t miss the chance to cast their vote in this year’s elections. Six million people didn’t vote in the 2008 elections because they either did not know how to register or because they missed the voter registration deadline. Remember: The voter registration deadline for Pennsylvania is Oct. 9. Here’s information on how you can register in time for the Nov. 6 elections:
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The state Supreme Court is pushing the Voter ID law back to Commonwealth Court for further review.
The state Supreme Court is pushing Pennsylvania's new Voter ID law back to Commonwealth Court for further review, multiple news organizations are reporting. A week after hearing oral arguments, the justices voted 4-2 to have the lower court once again review the measures included in the law. Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson on Aug. 15 released his decision that parties challenging the Voter ID law were not able to prove it will cause “immediate and irreparable harm” to the electorate. However, the justices want the court to reconsider whether there are enough alternative forms of identification allowed by the law so as not to disenfranchise voters, according to PennLive.com. The order from the Supreme Court justices insinuates that …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The 42nd annual event, hosted by Washington and Greene counties, will include crafts, home-style foods, historical reenactments and demonstrations.
Washington and Greene Counties are inviting Peters Township residents to the 42nd annual Covered Bridge Festival, a celebration of Pennsylvania’s rich heritage and beautiful countryside. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday across 10 historic locations, offering an array of activities and events including handmade arts and crafts, home-style foods, historical reenactments and crafting demonstrations. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission and parking are free. “The covered bridges of Pennsylvania are a link to our past," said J.R. Shaw, executive director, Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. "The craftsmanship and artistry are a living testament to the very foundations our Commonwealth was built upon. …
Steve Morreale
11:57 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Garbage legislation made by ignorant people. More than 200,000 PA victims and counting being violated, shamed and stigmatized by moron bureaucrats who have no respect for the sanctity of a trusted physician-patient relationship. Nor any true respect for the value of law as the right of an individual to not consent to forced hospitalization is made punitive and permanently scarring even more so … more ›