Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

While saying he wants to run a clean campaign, Senator Joe Scarnati's opponent in November's election is passing along misleading information about campaign finances. Donald Hilliard of Brookville says he wants to concentrate on the issues, including healthcare, transportation and school funding. Meanwhile, he says he concerned about Scarnati's campaign contributions, saying the vast majority are from Political Action Committees. Hilliard told a newspaper in the 25th Senatorial District that only $200 dollars come from local people, one in Coudersport and one in Shinglehouse. However, the Department of State web site lists several thousand dollars worth of contributions from private citizens in Bradford, Brockway, Warren and Ridgway among other places in the district.

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati pays tribute to Pennsylvania police officers who died in the line of duty during a Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Ceremony held at the State Capitol on Monday. ( Photo Courtesy of Senate Republican Communications )

The state Senate has approved a bill that would impose tougher identification requirements for people who apply for public benefits. Proponents say the stricter requirements will help ensure that illegal immigrants do not improperly get such benefits. However, opponents say there is no proof of illegal immigrants improperly getting such benefits. They say the only people who will be hurt are U.S. citizens who do not have ID. The bill passed 39-10, with all Republicans but one supporting it and nine of 21 Democrats opposing it. It now goes to the House. Senator Joe Scarnati is the sponsor of the bill.

Rep. Martin Causer and Sen. Joe Scarnati have announced the release of $5.4 million in state funds to support the expansion of The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in Potter County. The lawmakers, who have been advocating for the funding for three years, were notified Wednesday afternoon by the governor's office that the money would finally be released. "This is absolutely outstanding news, not only for Potter County but for the entire region," Causer said. "The lumber industry is not only an important part of our history - it also has a vital role to play in our future." Scarnati agreed. "Given the growing interest in our region as a tourist attraction, this investment in the Lumber Museum could not have come at a better time. Just as the lumber industry continues to be an important contributor to our local economy, the tourism industry is increasingly generating jobs and investment in our region." Causer and Scarnati praised the work of county government a...

03/17/08 - Kane Fire Damages Two Trains An arson fire caused one million dollars worth of damage, which includes two trains that were once used for tourist trips at Kinzua Bridge State Park.Investigators say someone broke into a warehouse early Sunday morning and set it on fire. The damaged steam locomotives are owned by B. Sloan Cornell of Marienville. One is a diesel and the other is a luxury dining car built in the 1890s and restored in the 1930s. Kane Borough Police are continuing their investigation. 03/17/08 - Kane's Apollo Hardwoods is Closing Apollo Hardwoods Company announced the closing and liquidation of its assets as of last Friday. This includes the permanent closing of the plant Apollo had started in Kane. They had intended to make plywood and veneer products from local black cherry logs. After more than six years of investment in the startup, they decided to close the plant and the business completely and to sell all of its property and equipment. The company is ...

If you've been thinking you haven't heard a lot from Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati lately, you're not imagining things. Scarnati is recovering from surgery he had last week to remove a cancerous thyroid gland. Doctors told him they got all of it. His mother had the same kind of cancer 11 years ago and recovered completely. The cancer was discovered during a routine physical. Scarnati says he feels lucky and blessed – but tired. He took personal leave from the Senate this week, but expects to be back in Harrisburg next week.

The Truth About Transportation The collapse of a heavily traveled bridge outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota in August opened eyes everywhere and focused our attention on the safety of our nation’s infrastructure. States all over the country are grappling with this reality and struggling to find solutions. In fact, so dire our crisis, Pennsylvania is at risk of going beyond having some of the worst roads and bridges in the nation, to a real tragedy like the one in Minnesota. One of the main causes of the transportation funding crisis facing us today can be traced back to the passage of the last federal transportation plan, supported by Congressman John Peterson. Unfortunately, under the law, Pennsylvania received the lowest increase in transportation funding of any state in the country. One question that comes to mind is why Congress would underfund Pennsylvania’s transportation network when all freight and passenger traffic going from east to west or north to south goes through the Keys...

Since Monday, I've been trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to write about the Department of Environmental Protection. For people who don't know, they're holding up at least two major projects here in McKean County. The two that got me thinking even more about this on Monday are the Foster Township sewer line extension and the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Park. During Monday's Foster Township Supervisors meeting, the board said different branches of the DEP are at odds with each other. For instance, once branch says the township must extend the sewer lines. Another branch won't give them approval on where to put the lines. I'm not surprised that a government agency is being that ridiculous, but before I wrote anything, I wanted to find out if other municipalities in the state are having similar problems. I got my answer while talking to Joe Scarnati Wednesday night. He said, "One thing about DEP is that they're equally abusive everywhere around the...