Articles by Marc Levy

Pennsylvania Gas Line Explosion Levels Vacant Building, Injures 4

A backhoe operator hit a gas line Wednesday, causing an explosion that leveled a vacant restaurant building and injured at least four people. Work was being done on curbs and sidewalks in the area. Cogan said workers were behind a …

Pennsylvania Malpractice Insurance Subsidy for Doctors Lapses

A five-year, $1 billion taxpayer subsidy to help Pennsylvania doctors buy medical malpractice insurance lapsed at the end of last month, forcing physicians to pay higher premiums unless Democrats and Republicans break an impasse over expanding a state health insurance …

Long-Sought Pennsylvania Mine Safety Bill Hits New Snags

A new disagreement has erupted over efforts to overhaul Pennsylvania’s 1961 mine safety law, threatening a compromise forged more than five years after the rescue of nine miners in western Pennsylvania spurred a push for tougher regulations. The bill, which …

Politics Forces Pa. Gov. Rendell to Withdraw Insurance Nominee Ario

Republicans in the Pennsylvania Senate are refusing to consider Gov. Ed Rendell’s nominee for the job of state insurance commissioner, forcing the governor to withdraw the nomination. Aides say Rendell plans to resubmit Joel Ario as his pick. The aides …

Pennsylvania Doctors Lose Malpractice Subsidy

A five-year, $1 billion taxpayer subsidy to help Pennsylvania doctors buy medical malpractice insurance lapsed Monday, forcing physicians to pay higher premiums unless Democrats and Republicans break an impasse over expanding a state health insurance program. Gov. Ed Rendell supports …

Pa. Senate Passes Long-Awaited Mine Safety Measure

The first major rewrite of Pennsylvania’s 1961 mine safety law received unanimous approval from the state Senate this week, but the mine workers union wants the House to make additions to it. Under the current draft, state inspectors for the …

Pa. Senate Panel Advances Long-Delayed Mine Safety Measure

A bill that would install a slew of safety measures into Pennsylvania’s long-outdated law protecting coal miners received unanimous approval from a state Senate committee this week. The bill, which is headed for a floor vote in the full Senate …

Pa. Appears Ready to Update Mine Safety Law After Years of Delays

Legislation to update Pennsylvania’s mining safety law is said to be nearing readiness — nearly two years after a state senator warned that foot-dragging could leave blood on the hands of Pennsylvania’s lawmakers. If it passes, it will come after …

Pa. Gov. Rendell Kills Gas Tax for Underground Tank Insurance Fund

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell this week said his administration would withdraw a request that could have added a penny onto the cost of a gallon of gas in Pennsylvania to help clean up damage from leaking underground fuel tanks. The …

Pa. Government in Partial Shutdown

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell late Sunday ordered a range of state government services shut down and placed about a third of the state workforce on indefinite unpaid furlough after frantic last-minute negotiations failed to break a budget stalemate. Rendell, appearing …