Newsroom
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Dec. 31 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Filing Deadline
HARRISBURG, December 13, 2011 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is urging eligible senior citizens to make sure they file their state property tax/rent rebate application by the Dec. 31 deadline.
Fontana Introduces Legislation to Raise Awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit
HARRISBURG, December 7, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has introduced legislation requiring employers to post and provide written notification to employees of their potential eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Fontana Bill Would Motivate Non-Profits to “Do the Right Thing”
PITTSBURGH, November 30, 2011 – – After attending today’s Senate Banking and Insurance Committee hearing on the dispute between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark, Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) again stressed the need for legislative action to address non-profit organizations that are clearly driven by profit.
Fontana Announces Skills for Success Career Workshops
BROOKLINE, October 7, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a series of seven career workshops beginning October 15th and running through November 17th that will help attendees gain control of the job search process, create powerful resumes and develop...
Fontana Re-Introduces Assessment Moratorium Legislation
BROOKLINE, September 30, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today filed legislation imposing a moratorium on all court-ordered assessments in the Commonwealth through November 2012, or until the state acts on assessment reforms. There are seven co-sponsors on the...
Fontana to Re-Introduce Assessment Moratorium Legislation
BEECHVIEW, September 14, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana announced today that he will re-introduce legislation imposing a moratorium on court-ordered assessments through November 2012, or until the state acts on assessment reforms. A similar bill, passed by the...
Fontana Invites Public to Grand Opening of Market on Broadway IGA
BEECHVIEW, September 13, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana culminated several years worth of work with today’s announcement that the Market on Broadway IGA will celebrate its grand opening tomorrow, September 14th, at 9:00 a.m. and invited the community to join him...
UPMC-Highmark Impasse Prompts Fontana Bill for Non-Profits to Pay Taxes on Land
HARRISBURG, September 6, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana announced today his intent to introduce legislation that would require non-profits to begin paying real estate taxes on the value of the land owned by their organization. “It has become very clear –...
Fontana Seeks Jobs Impact with Impact Fee on Gas Drillers
BROOKLINE, August 16, 2011 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today said he plans to amend existing Marcellus Shale impact fee legislation to dedicate a one-third share of the revenue to repair roads and bridges statewide. Fontana said a dedicated funding stream for...
Fontana Seeks to Boost Job Creation With New Shale Plan
HARRISBURG, August 8, 2011 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana, responding to today's comments made by Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley, called the administration’s position on the imposition of a severance fee on Marcellus shale drilling short-sighted. Fontana disagrees with...
Fontana Lauds Opening of New Senior Citizen Apartments in Mt. Washington
BROOKLINE, July 13, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today took part in the grand opening of the new 106-unit South Hills Retirement Residence in Mt. Washington. “I am proud to have played a part in the community effort that made this project a reality,” Fontana...
Fontana Applauds PACE/PACENET Benefits Protection Law
HARRISBURG, July 6, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today lauded the new state law that protects thousands of PACE/PACENET recipients from losing their eligibility due to small Social Security cost of living increases. “Prescription drug benefits are too critical...
Costa, Ferlo and Fontana Announce Grant for Natural Gas-Powered Refuse Trucks in Pittsburgh
HARRISBURG, June 23, 2011 - The City of Pittsburgh will be awarded a $500,000 grant to purchase four new refuse trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), state Sens. Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo and Wayne Fontana announced today. The funds were awarded through the state...
Senate Democrats Fight for Local Officials to Govern
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2011 – State Sens. Wayne D. Fontana, John Blake and Jim Brewster today opposed legislation that would allow a 3-member management board to be put in place in an Act 47 community that does not approve a coordinator’s plan. Although aimed at the...
Fontana Lauds Redevelopment of McKees Rocks Railroad Site
HARRISBURG, June 20, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today provided the following statement after Trinity Commercial Development LLC of Pittsburgh announced that it was redeveloping the old Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad property in McKees Rocks, a project that...
Fontana Announces PHEAA Vote for Additional $50 Million for State Grant Program
HARRISBURG, June 16, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), announced today that the Board of Directors has authorized a $50 million public service contribution by PHEAA to...
Fontana Urges Quick House Action on Private Transfer Fee Legislation
HARRISBURG, June 14, 2011 – Legislation introduced by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to prohibit the future use of private transfer fees in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today by a unanimous vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for concurrence. “I am...
Fontana Calls on DCED to Provide Information on Liberty Fund Proposal
HARRISBURG, June 7, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has sent the following letter to Department of Community & Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker asking for details on the Liberty Fund Proposal: June 7, 2011 Dear Secretary Walker: This weekend, I...
Fontana Fighting to Restore Line Items for Economic Development Programs
HARRISBURG, May 26, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D – Allegheny) announced today that he will fight to restore separate line items for the Small Business Development Centers, Local Development Districts, Industrial Resource Centers and Industrial Development...
Fontana Calls Effort to Consolidate Economic Development Programs Senseless
HARRISBURG, May 18, 2011 – At a Senate Policy Committee hearing today at the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) and other members of the committee heard testimony from several economic development programs about their...