Newsroom
PHEAA’s New Parkway Center Customer Service Facility to Create 150 jobs in Allegheny County
Pittsburgh, PA (June 7, 2013) – Senator Wayne Fontana, Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s (PHEAA) Board of Directors, today announced a new job creation initiative in Allegheny County that will generate 150 employment opportunities...
PA Senate Manufacturing Caucus Holds First Meeting
Harrisburg, May 13, 2013 – The bipartisan Pennsylvania Senate Manufacturing Caucus, chaired by Sen. Kim Ward (R-39) and Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-42), held its first meeting today, bringing together manufacturers, legislators and experts to discuss ideas for boosting...
Fontana Applauds Highmark-West Penn Merger
HARRISBURG, April 29, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement in response to the state Department of Insurance’s decision today to approve the merger between Highmark and West Penn Allegheny Health System: “I am pleased with the...
Fontana Announces Deadline Extension for Home Heating Aid Program
Brookline, March 28, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced today that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application deadline has been extended through April 26. “I urge low-income homeowners to look into whether they are eligible for...
Fontana Comments on Mayor Ravenstahl Challenge of UPMC Non-Profit Status
BROOKLINE, March 20, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement following city of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s announcement concerning UPMC’s non-profit status: “I commend Mayor Ravenstahl and the city of Pittsburgh...
Fontana Pleased with Senate Vote for Mentored Hunting Program
Harrisburg, March 19, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today applauded unanimous Senate support for a bill that would enable the Pennsylvania Game Commission to establish an adult mentored hunting program. “A mentored hunting program can encourage more...
Fontana Child Abuse Reporting Bill Wins Bipartisan Backing
HARRISBURG, March 18, 2013 – Speaking at a Capitol news conference today, State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) said his bill that would strengthen child abuse reporting laws is being touted under a legislative package endorsed by the bipartisan Task Force on...
Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee Holds Hearing on Medicaid Expansion
Pittsburgh, March 8, 2013 – Democratic members of the state Senate Appropriations Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh today to receive testimony from local officials and health-care experts regarding Pennsylvania’s option to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Senator Fontana’s Statement Regarding City of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl:
"I have been a state Senator working to advance the City of Pittsburgh with Mayor Ravenstahl for the last seven years. By working together with his Administration, I was proud to advance the revitalization and transformation of many of the communities in my district,...
Sen. Fontana Re-Elected Vice Chair of PHEAA Board
Harrisburg, February 21, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today was unanimously re-elected to serve as the vice chairman of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). “I am gratified by the unanimous vote...
Sen. Fontana Lauds Kane for Rejecting Lottery Privatization Contract
Pittsburgh, February 14, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement in reaction to Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Lottery privatization contract on Constitutional grounds: “I applaud Attorney...
Fontana’s Business Investment Tax Credit Bill Wins Committee Nod
Harrisburg, February 13, 2013 – The state Senate Finance Committee today approved Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) legislation that would provide tax credits for those who invest in start-up Pennsylvania businesses. “This measure is about generating private...
Sen. Fontana Says State Budget Light on Economic Development, Creating Jobs
Harrisburg, February 5, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following reaction to Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2013-14 budget proposal: “While I am pleased that after largely ignoring the state’s biggest problems and challenges for the past two...
Fontana to Serve as Democratic Chairman of Key Senate Committee
Brookline, January 8, 2013 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) has been re-appointed to serve as Democratic chairman of the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development. “I am pleased with this appointment and will continue my...
Sen. Fontana Continues to Press Corbett to Bring Voter ID Services to Communities
BROOKLINE, December 6, 2012 – Following is the text of the letter State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) sent today to Gov. Tom Corbett, reiterating his request to make the voter ID process more simple and convenient for citizens seeking the necessary photo...
Sen. Fontana Urges Action on Child Protection Recommendations
PITTSBURGH, November 27, 2012 – Pleased that the state Task Force on Child Protection’s report today supported his call provide additional protections for school students who are abused by school employees, state Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today urged that...
Senate Democrats Elect Leadership Team for 2013-14 Session
Harrisburg, November 14, 2012 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected leaders for the upcoming 2013-14 legislative session, with Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) reelected for a second term as Democratic Leader.
Judge Blocks Portion of Voter ID Law
October 2, 2012 — Earlier today, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson stayed the mandatory requirements of the Voter ID law (Act 18) for at least the 2012 general election. This means that the state of the law reverts to what it was during the primary where voters...
Make it easy to get IDs
Elected officials should be able to issue them at their offices Op-ed By Sen. Wayne D. Fontana Act 18, signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett in March, requires all Pennsylvania voters to show an acceptable photo ID at the polls prior to casting a vote. Since its...
Fontana Expresses Disappointment with Administration’s Decision to not Bring Voter ID Services to Neighborhoods
HARRISBURG, September 17, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today said he is “disappointed” in the Corbett Administration’s decision to not bring Voter ID services into neighborhoods. “I am disappointed that the Administration fails to recognize the...