Press Releases
Fontana Named to Conference Committee on Table Games
HARRISBURG, JAN. 5, 2010 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) has been named as the Senate Democratic conferee on the six-member conference committee that is expected to hammer out a final agreement on table games legislation. “I am honored to serve on this key...
Fontana and Solobay Introduce Non-Profit Services Fee Bill
HARRISBURG, JAN. 5, 2010 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana and Rep. Timothy J. Solobay have introduced legislation that would allow for the imposition of an “essential services fee” on tax-exempt organizations that own property within a municipality. The lawmakers said...
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline
BROOKLINE, DECEMBER 7, 2009 - State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today reminded homeowners and renters that Dec. 31 is the deadline to apply for the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and residents with disabilities. The rebate program benefits...
Fontana, Solobay Introduce Non-Profit Essential Services Fee Bill
HARRISBURG, NOV. 23, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana and Rep. Timothy J. Solobay began circulating a co-sponsorship memo today to colleagues urging their support of legislation that would amend the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act to allow political...
Fontana Letter Urges Grant to Fund Libraries
HARRISBURG, November 18, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has sent the following letter to the Pittsburgh City Council in support of legislation being considered today that would provide a $600,000 “bridge” grant to the Carnegie Library: November 17, 2009 Dear...
Fontana Joins Learning Express Toys in Robinson For Ribbon Cutting
State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) will join Jennifer Palashoff and Julie Toussaint, owners of the Learning Express of Robinson, for the new franchise’s ribbon cutting. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, November 5th at 1 p.m. at...
Home Heating Program Will Open on Nov 2
HARRISBURG, October 27, 2009 -- Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded citizens that Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) will open for the 2009-10 heating season on Nov. 2. LIHEAP operates by providing cash grants to help...
Fontana Applauds RAD Board’s Vote to Audit Library System
HARRISBURG, OCT. 22, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today applauded the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Board for its approval yesterday of the recommendation of its auditing committee to order a special audit of the library system. “There are a lot of...
Fontana Requests that Carnegie Board Delay Branch Closures
HARRISBURG, OCT. 21, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana yesterday continued his fight to keep open four branches of the Carnegie Library in the City of Pittsburgh by requesting the members of the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees to delay the planned closures, mergers...
Fontana Urges RAD Board to Move Forward with Carnegie’s Audit
HARRISBURG, OCT. 19, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today continued his fight to keep open four branches of the Carnegie Library in the City of Pittsburgh by urging the members of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Board to follow the recommendations of...
Fontana Disappointed with Carnegie Library Board Vote
HARRISBURG, OCT. 6, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today expressed profound disappointment over the Carnegie Library’s decision to close four branches in the City of Pittsburgh – including two in his district and the merger of a third in the district with another...
Fontana Chastises Leaders For Not Hearing Their Members
HARRISBURG, OCTOBER 1, 2009 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today chastised the leaders of the House and Senate for continuing to push forward their budget proposal when their members are calling for other solutions. “We are hearing today that the budget...
Logan and Fontana Prod State Gaming Board to Force Rivers Casino to Make Arena Payment
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16, 2009 –State Senators Sean Logan and Wayne D. Fontana today called on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to take steps to force the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh to make its required $7.5 million annual payment for the city’s new arena. In a...
Fontana Calls Table Games a Winner
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16, 2009 – Calling it a good way to create jobs and help keep Pennsylvania’s casinos competitive, State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he would likely support allowing table games at existing casinos. “While I will insist that the...
Fontana Comments on Budget Compromise
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 11, 2009 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on today’s proposed budget compromise agreement. “While I am encouraged by this overdue compromise agreement, I still intend on thoroughly reviewing all of...
Fontana Reminds Voters of Registration Deadline
PITTSBURGH, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded eligible voters that to participate in the Nov. 3 election, they must be registered by Oct. 5. “Voting is not only a right in Pennsylvania, it’s a responsibility,” Fontana said....
Fontana Commends Local Radio Stations for Years of Broadcasting
Laments Loss of Pittsburgh Urban Community’s Voice HARRISBURG, JULY 28, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today recognized a local radio station for its years of broadcasting in the Pittsburgh region. According to Fontana, WAMO-FM, Pittsburgh’s only urban radio...
Fontana Advocates Additional Funding Sources for Restoration of Programs Critical to PA’s Fiscal Health
HARRISBURG, JULY 22, 2009 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today called on his colleagues to look at other ways to restore or retain programs that are critical to Pennsylvania’s fiscal health, without increasing the personal income tax (PIT). “I am not...
Fontana Blasts GOP for Stalling Unemployment Benefits Extension
HARRISBURG, July 20, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today criticized Senate Republicans for blocking bipartisan legislation that would use federal money to extend unemployment benefits for jobless workers. He said 1,330 workers from Allegheny...
New Program Helps Fund Alternative Energy Projects
HARRISBURG, MAY 27, 2009 - Pennsylvania homeowners and small business owners seeking to reduce their electric bills through alternative energy projects can find assistance through a new rebate program, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana said today. The PA Sunshine Solar...