PUC Hearing on Transportation Issues

Last week, I participated in a hearing on transportation issues before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to discuss the issue of transportation network systems – so-called ride sharing – and Senate Bill 1457 (SB 1457), my legislation that would legalize and regulate Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in Pennsylvania.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss positions on key transportation issues before the PUC, including developing rules and regulations for TNCs. I was joined on the legislative panel by Representatives Erin Molchany, Tony DeLuca, and Mark Mustio. The collective message throughout the hearing remained the same – TNCs are highly in demand and provide a much needed service to residents and tourists of Allegheny County. What we now must work towards is finalizing a solution that would allow these companies to operate permanently, while putting in place important consumer safeguards and adequate insurance coverage.

You can read my testimony in its entirely, along with the other participants’ statements, by going to the following page established by the PUC: http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/transportation/forms_applications/enbanc_transportation_hearing.aspx

Flu/Pneumonia Shots & Senior Clinic – September 30th

I am hosting my annual Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic on Tuesday, September 30th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Quinn Hall at the Church of the Resurrection in Brookline. American HealthCare Group will be providing the free vaccinations to any senior with the Medicare Part B health insurance card. Make sure to bring your card with you.

There will also be several organizations from around the region in attendance providing seniors with important information on available services and resources including Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, AARP, Carnegie Library, and the Pennsylvania Office of the Consumer Advocate to name a few. I will continue to update you with additional information on the Flu/Pneumonia Shot & Senior Clinic throughout the month of September.

Brookline Unveiled

This weekend, the city of Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood is celebrating the “new” Brookline Boulevard following the completion of the streetscape project with a grand re-opening hosted by the Brookline Chamber of Commerce and South Pittsburgh Development Corporation. Brookline Unveiled is scheduled for Friday, September 5th and Saturday, September 6th. On Friday, various locations along the Boulevard will be hosting live music and entertainment from 6 – 10 p.m.  A street fair will take place on Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., featuring family-oriented entertainment, arts and crafts, food, and local vendors in an effort to showcase the revitalized Brookline Business District.  For more information on Brookline Unveiled, please visit http://www.brooklineunveiled.com/.

Make sure to stop by my district office, located at 932 Brookline Boulevard during the day on Saturday and enjoy the “new” Boulevard!

Convention Center Receives Recognition

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC) was honored recently by Convene Magazine in their 2014 Best in Show edition.  The DLCC was named as top-5 destination in the category of food and beverage joining Scotiabank Convention Center in Ottawa, ON; Firekeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, MI; Ritz-Carlton in Istanbul, Turkey; and the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, FL.  Levy Restaurants manages the DLCC’s food services and was praised in the rankings for how they utilize the Convention Center’s rooftop garden in their dishes and the way they incorporate locally grown products throughout their menu.

Convene Magazine is a product of the Professional Convention and Management Association.  The 2014 Best in Show edition announces the best venues in the world in a variety of categories annually.  This ranking is great news for the DLCC and our region’s convention business as many of the publication’s readership includes large meeting and event planners across North America.

Insurance for College Students

As students return to college, theft is an unfortunate occurrence that should be protected against by both students and their families. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has offered a series of tips to protect students and their property while they are away at school:

Cover Belongings with Renter’s Insurance Policy
If you have a student living in an off-campus apartment, their personal property won’t be covered by your homeowners’ insurance, or the insurance carried by the landlord.  A renter’s policy will protect their personal property, as well as cover them if someone is injured on the property.

Understand what is covered
Most renters’ insurance policies provide two basic types of coverage – personal property and liability.  Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace personal belongings if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen.  Liability insurance provides coverage against a claim or lawsuit resulting from bodily injury or property damage to others caused by an accident while on the policyholder’s property.

Premiums are Affordable
The cost for a policy generally ranges between $15 and $30 per month.  Policies are offered either as “actual cash-value” or “replacement cost” coverage.

Know what you are purchasing
Actual cash-value coverage will reimburse the renter for the cost of personal property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible.  Replacement cost coverage will reimburse the full value of the new item after you purchase it and submit your receipts.

Create an Inventory
If taking a computer, laptop or tablet to college, be sure to take pictures of all belongings, write down serial numbers and the estimated value of these items.  An inventory and supporting documentation will be useful during the claims process if any items are damaged or stolen. 

For additional information on renter’s insurance, or any other insurance product, please call the Insurance Department, toll-free at 1-877-881-6388 or visit them online at www.insurance.pa.gov.

Heidelberg Oktoberfest

The Borough of Heidelberg is hosting their 4th Annual Oktoberfest celebration to honor the town’s German heritage on Saturday, September 27th.  The event is held at Heidelberg Park from 1 – 8 p.m.  Festivities during the day include a raffle, live music and dancing, German and American foods, beers and crafters, children’s activities and a Zambelli fireworks show.  More information on specific activities and musical performances can be found by visiting www.HeidelbergBorough.com.

Citizen’s Police Academy

The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is accepting applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA), which begins on Tuesday, September 9th.  Twice a year the Police Bureau sponsors an opportunity to members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Bureau in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant.  Instructors are law enforcement professionals who teach both veterans and recruit police officers.

CPA participants receive three hours of training one evening each week and are exposed to the operations of the Police Bureau.  Participants are taught the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, firearms, processing of a crime scene, and how police canines are used.

Class size is limited to 30 participants and all interested individuals must give permission for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to conduct a background check.  For more information on the CPA please contact Sergeant Eric Kroll at 412-665-3600 or [email protected].  Applications must be received by mail or hand delivered by tomorrow, September 3rd to:

            Pittsburgh Police Training Academy
            1395 Washington Boulevard
            Pittsburgh, PA  15206

Fontana Fact

Last week, The Economist ranked Pittsburgh as the “most livable city” in the continental United States.  Since 2000, Pittsburgh has been named “most livable city” six times by The Economist, Forbes and Places Rated Almanac.