Press Releases
Fontana Praises PHEAA Decision that Avoids Cuts to Student Grants
Harrisburg, May 24, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he is pleased with the PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) board decision to use additional reserve funds to maintain grants to students at the current amounts. Without...
Senate Passes Fontana’s Bill Mandating Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Childcare Centers
Harrisburg, May 23, 2018 – The state Senate today unanimously approved Sen. Wayne Fontana’s legislation that would require that working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed in childcare centers that use fireplaces or oil/gas-fired furnaces. “With alarms costing an...
Sen. Fontana to Introduce Bills Aimed at Preventing Mass Shootings
PITTSBURGH, February 21, 2018 – Calling it the “Protection for Pennsylvanians” legislation, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced that he will introduce two bills aimed at preventing gun violence and mass shootings. “These commonsense proposals...
Fontana Lauds Pittsburgh’s Departure from Financial Distressed Status
PITTSBURGH, February 12, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today made the following comment about Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to remove Pittsburgh from state financial recovery oversight (Act 47): “I have supported Pittsburgh’s removal from Act 47 oversight for quite some...
Fontana Announces Nearly $5 Million in Grants for Local Transportation Projects
HARRISBURG, February 8, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced six state multimodal grants totaling nearly $5 million. “These state dollars will help communities advance and complete a number of important projects aimed at enhancing efficiency,...
Fontana Lauds Wolf’s Budget Priorities
HARRISBURG, February 6, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s $32.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2018-19: “I applaud the governor’s proposal and spending priorities. I’m pleased that the governor is...
Fontana Urges State to Step up Support for Sto-Rox School District
HARRISBURG, January 11, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today provided the following statement in response to an audit report indicating that Sto-Rox School District continues to struggle: “It’s important to emphasize that the state Auditor General’s...
Fontana Encouraged by UPMC-Highmark Agreement
Pittsburgh, January 4, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today made the following comment after UPMC and Highmark agreed to provide in-network access to community healthcare facilities that provide one-of-a-kind services. “I’m pleased by this positive...
Fontana Calls for Action on Water and Sewer Lateral Repairs Following Recent Investigative Report
Pittsburgh – December 29, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) said today that financing the repair of water and sewer laterals is in the public interest because it helps the consumer, public health and the environment, but more needs to done to help...
Fontana Announces $13.75 Million in State Funds for Local Projects
Pittsburgh, December 22, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced $13.75 million in state grants for key local development projects. “These funds will reinforce and expedite work on important projects aimed at creating jobs, bolstering investment and...
Fontana Backs Pittsburgh’s Departure from Distressed Status
Brookline, December 20, 2017 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is supporting Mayor Bill Peduto’s call for Pittsburgh to free itself from state financial recovery oversight (Act 47). The city has been under Act 47 oversight since 2004. The law is aimed at helping distressed...
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Jan 2 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Filing Deadline
HARRISBURG, December 12, 2017 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is urging eligible senior citizens to make sure they file their state property tax/rent rebate application by the Jan. 2 deadline. “If you are a senior citizen, related to a senior or friends with a senior, please...
Fontana Announces Over $5 Million in State Grants for Area Projects
HARRISBURG, November 14, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced over $5 million in state grants for 10 Allegheny County projects. “This state money will help fund and advance several worthy redevelopment and recreational projects,” Fontana said. “I will...
Senate Includes Fontana’s Water Line Replacement Language in Revenue Package
Harrisburg – July 27, 2017 – The state Senate today approved a budget revenue package that includes state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s legislation that would allow local governments to tap various government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line...
Senate Approves Fontana Bills to Aid Citizens with Sewer/Water Line Repairs
Harrisburg – June 21, 2017 – The Senate today unanimously approved two bills sponsored by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) that would allow local governments to tap government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line repairs — especially...
Senate Democrats, Pittsburgh Mayor Advance Efforts on Climate Change Despite Trump
Harrisburg – June 13, 2017 – Committed to positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the battle against global climate change, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), along with Pittsburgh Mayor...
Fontana Resists President’s Decision on Paris Accord; Calls for Meeting with Trump
Harrisburg – June 8, 2017 – Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today called on President Trump to meet with leaders from the City of Pittsburgh to understand the impact of his decision to exit the Paris Accord, before using the city as an example for the world. “The...
Costa, Fontana React to Trump Paris Accord Decision; Redouble Efforts in Pa
Harrisburg – June 3, 2017 – Stunned at President Donald J. Trump’s dismissal of climate change and abandonment of the Paris climate accord, Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today stated their intentions to position Pennsylvania to lead...
Fontana to Speak at Capitol Rally Urging Nurse Staffing Transparency
State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) will join nursing professionals at a Capitol rally tomorrow in favor of legislation (Senate Bill 336) that would require hospital administrators to publicly disclose information on nursing staffing levels. The rally is...
Fontana Bills Would Empower Municipalities to Help Citizens with Sewer and Waterline Work
Harrisburg – March 29, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is introducing three bills aimed at allowing local governments to tap government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line repairs -- especially when public health or safety are...