Legislative Accomplishments:
Senate Bill 955 (Act 83 of 2002) – The College and University Student Vaccination Act (Meningitis Vaccinations)
Signed into law by Governor Mark Schweiker, Act 83 requires that all college students living in on-campus housing be notified of the availability of the meningococcal meningitis vaccine. Act 83 allows students to opt out of receiving the vaccination by signing a waiver they are aware a vaccine is available but choose not to receive it.
Senate Bill 1478 (Act 217 of 2002) - Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone Act
Signed by Governor Schweiker, Act 217 of 2002 amended the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) and Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone (KOEZ) Act to allow for additional acreage to be designated as KOEZ sites. These designations provide for state and local tax credits and abatements to businesses which choose to begin operations in those sites which is critical to retaining and creating new jobs throughout the Commonwealth. Act 217 also allowed for Governor Schweiker to designate special Keystone Opportunity Improvement Zones (KOIZ). These zones allow for an even longer period of tax abatements, until 2019. The Indiana County Corporate Campus is the only county in Southwestern Pennsylvania to receive a KOIZ designation. Employers such as WyoTech, Dietrich, Penn Machine and KH Controls have chosen to locate expand and grow in the Corporate Campus largely because of the KOIZ designation creating hundreds of jobs.
Senate Bill 1180 (Act 111 of 2001) – Port of Pittsburgh Commission
Signed by Governor Schweiker, Act 111 permitted Indiana County to join the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. The Port of Pittsburgh Commission promotes and encourages private capital investment, fostering the development of industrial and commercial facilities and parks. Businesses in Indiana County are now able to take advantage of such programs.
Senate Bill 810 (Act 42 of 2001) – Public Transportation Association.
Signed by Governor Tom Ridge, Act 42 allows the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA) to be eligible for public grants. Many small and mid-sized LTO’s rely on the PPTA to provide training and other programs for their employees. Act 42 essentially removed a layer of bureaucracy from PENNDOT and now transit authorities are able to more easily access grant funds.
Senate Bill 315 (Act 234 of 2002) – Retired Teacher Extracurricular Activities
Signed by Governor Schweiker, SB 315 was amended by Senator White to allow retired teachers to return to school service in the capacity of a coach or advisor of an extracurricular activity without having their pensions penalized. Prior to the passage of Act 234, any teacher who wanted to coach or advise after retirement could not without jeopardizing their pension. Act 234 will now provide school districts with another pool of talent to fill extracurricular positions which are often left vacant.
House Bill 2910 (Act 192 of 2002) – Land Donation to the Indiana Fire Assn.
Signed by Governor Schweiker, HB 2910 was amended by Senator White, conveyed approximately 2 acres of land to the Indiana Fire Association, from PENNDOT for $1. This allowed the Indiana Fire Association to construct a fire sub-station in southern White Twp. This sub-station will allow the Indiana Fire Association to respond faster to emergencies in southern White Township.
Senate Bill 1402 (Act 226 of 2002) – Electronic Signature Forgery
Signed by Governor Schweiker, SB 1402 made it illegal to forge an electronic signature.
Senate Bill 778 (Act 12 of 2004) – Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) Act
Signed by Governor Rendell, Act 12 allow for private-public partnerships to encourage small business growth and development through tax credits and in cooperation with the Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education. The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in conjunction with the Indiana County Commissioners received a KIZ designation in 2007, further enhancing the ability to establish partnerships with small business entrepreneurs.
Senate Bill 815 (Act 46 of 2004) - Insolvent Insurers Act
Signed by Governor Rendell, Act 46 requires the Insurance Department to change the manner in which claims against the estates of insolvent insurers are handled. The changes made under Act 46 saved Pennsylvania employers over $40 million in future workers compensation premium assessments.
Senate Bill 869 (Act 83 of 2005) – Military Personal Health Insurance Extension Act
Signed by Governor Rendell on December 22, 2005 this legislation extends health insurance benefits to military personal who were full time students at the time of deployment. National Guardsmen and women who were covered by parental health insurance during college for the time they were called to duty would lose benefits upon return to college. In many instances when students returned to school their health insurance would have already expired. Act 83 allows students to retain coverage while in school equivalent to the time served in the military.
Senate Bill 1043 (Act 105 of 2006) – Military Spouses Life Insurance Act
Signed by Governor Rendell, Act 105 increases group life insurance benefits for spouses of National Guard soldiers killed in the line of duty. Additionally, Act 83 extends coverage to include tuition costs and fees to children and spouses of soldiers killed while on duty.
Economic Development and Community Improvement Accomplishments:
Since taking office Senator White has been instrumental in securing millions in state grants for various economic development and community programs. Some of those programs include:
Capital Budget Grants:
Senator White secured a commitment from Governor Ed Rendell for $5 million from the commonwealth to purchase land for the future Regional Development Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex to be constructed by IUP along Wayne Avenue.
Two grants totaling $2.75 million were awarded to the Indiana County Development Corporation (ICDC) to construct two multi-tenant buildings in Indiana County. A 30,000 square foot facility was completed at Indiana County Corporate Campus in Burrell Township in 2006 and is home to Dietrich Industries which employs over 50 people. In early 2008, the Indiana County Development Corporation completed construction of a new multi-tenant facility at300 Indian Springs Road in White Township. This 60,000 square foot building is a state of the art turnkey facility which will be critical to Indiana County’s ability to recruit new employers to the area.
The Northpointe Technology Center opened its doors in early January 2004 thanks in large part to a $950,000 grant secured by Senator White. The Northpointe Technology Center compliments the new Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) branch campus and the Penn State Electroptics Center (EOC) which were also recently completed.
The Indiana Regional Medical Center received $500,000 to construct the M. Dorcas Clark Women’s Health Center.
The Armstrong County Commissioners received $500,000 to renovate the Belmont Complex recreational center in Armstrong County.
Indiana County Commissioners, on behalf of the Indiana Fire Academy received $500,000 to renovate the Indiana County Fire School.
Downtown Kittanning received a major boost when the Armstrong County Commissioners received $1.5 million to revitalize the former IUP-Kittanning campus and acquire other properties for revitalization in downtown Kittanning.
Following on the success of the Northpointe Tech Center I, the Armstrong County Industrial Development Authority received $2 million to construct the Northpointe Tech Center II multi-tenant facility. This facility is expected to be available for occupancy in spring of 2009.
Diamond Pharmacy Services continued its rapid growth in 2007 as one Indiana County’s top employers thanks in part to a $1 million grant secured by Senator White. This grant was used by the Indiana County Commissioners in conjunction with Diamond Pharmacy Services to rehabilitate the formerly underutilized Commerce Center II facility and the Indiana County Commerce Park in White Township. Diamond Pharmacy Services now employs over 800.
Economic Development:
$250,000 to Indiana County Development Corp. to design multi-tenant buildings to be constructed with the previously mentioned capital budget funds;
$150,000 to the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce to develop economic development marketing program initiatives;
$500,000 to connect both the Northpointe Industrial Park in Armstrong County and the Indiana County Corporate Campus with high-speed broadband service. This infrastructure is currently utilized by Mellon’s back office operation located at Northpointe.
$445,000 was secured for site remediation of the old PPG plant in Ford City, Armstrong County. The site will eventually become the Ford City Industrial and Heritage Park. Project currently under construction;
The Commonwealth lived up to its commitment to the Armstrong County Commissioners by approving $2,000,000 for the construction of the infrastructure of the Northpointe Industrial Park.
Established a $200,000 revolving loan fund for local economic development leaders in Armstrong County to help existing business grow and create jobs.
Blairsville, Indiana, Murrysville and Ford City received a total of nearly $1.5 million in funding to undertake Main Street revitalization initiatives.
Water and Sewer:
$1,400,000 for public sewer service in Glen Campbell Borough in Indiana County. Project expected to be complete in fall 2004;
$4,000,000 for public sewer service in Cherry Tree, Hillsdale, Penn Run and Ernest in Indiana County. Project expected to be complete in fall 2004;
$2,500,000 for public sewer service in Cadogan Township in Armstrong County. Project completed in 2003;
$2,400,000 to expand sewer service in Burrell Township and Blairsville Borough. This expansion is necessary due to the rapid growth along the Route 22 corridor.
$150,000 to the Indiana County Planning Office to establish a Revolving Loan Fund for water and sewer design projects. This RLF will be used to assist the communities of Cherry Tree and Tunnelton in designing new water systems;
$100,000 to the Indiana County Municipal Services Authority to purchase a solid waste transport vehicle;
$750,000 for the Manor Twp. Municipal Authority (Armstrong County) to construct public sewer lines along the recently opened A-15 bypass corridor. This project began construction in the fall of 2003 and will be completed by November of 2004;
$300,000 to the Union Twp. Municipal Authority (Clearfield County) to construct a new water line which will connect to the City of DuBois water system. Construction will be completed in 2004.
$300,000 to the Indiana County Office of Planning and Development to construct water lines along the Route 22 corridor near PennView Summit.
$600,000 for construction of a water system for the community of Roseville. Armstrong County. Construction was completed in the fall of 2007;
$50,000 to the Blairsville Municipal Authority to purchase an ultraviolet water sanitizer.
$100,000 to renovate the sewer interceptors along Wayne Avenue in Indiana Borough.
$100,000 to rehabilitate Cumming Dam in Blue Spruce Park.
$50,000 to extend water along Rhine Road, Center Township.
Recreation:
$250,000 to renovate the grandstands at the Indiana County Fair. Project completed in 2002;
$110,000 to the Dayton Fair (Armstrong County) to reconstruct a parking lot; Project scheduled for completion in 2004;
$25,000 to the Cookport Fair (Indiana County) to pave walking paths. Project completed in 2003;
$40,000 for the renovation of the Delmont Library (Westmoreland County). Projected completed in 2003;
$40,000 for renovations to the Homer Center community pool. Project completed in 2003;
$75,000 for improvements to the Conemaugh Township community pool. Project expected to begin in spring 2004;
$50,000 to develop a skate park at Mack Park;
$450,000 for pool renovations to Mack Park Pool.
Public Health and Safety:
$600,000 to the Indiana, Kittanning and Punxsutawney Hospitals to improve patient care in the emergency rooms and outpatient care;
Annually advocates for $25,000,000 for volunteer fire and EMS companies to receive grant funds.
$200,000 for Armstrong County Memorial Hospital clinics in South Bethlehem and Elderton in Armstrong County.
Transportation:
Senator White secured $20 million in highway funding to continue the Route 22 corridor in Murrysville. Route 22 is expected to be four lanes from Pittsburgh to Altoona by the end of 2010.
$5 million to realign, rehabilitate and place turning lanes on Route 422 between Shelocta and Indiana Borough and
$250,000 to allow the Southwest Planning Commission to conduct a pre-feasibility study on the Route 422 corridor between Kittanning and Ebensburg. The feasibility study identified future improvements necessary to the Route 422 Corridor.
Secured $2 million in funds for Preliminary Engineering on the Route 422 Corridor.
In working with the Jimmy Stewart Airport Authority and PennDOT, Senator White has been instrumental in helping to obtain over $600,000 in state funds to construct the runway extension which began in the fall of 2006.
Other Notable Accomplishments:
Preserved nearly 300 jobs by ensuring Breeze Industrial Products in Tunnelton was not sold to a competitor, thereby resulting in its closure. Also was very instrumental in working with Allegheny Energy to ensure a consistent power supply is provided to the facility.
Facilitated the location and expansion of Dielectric Solutions in downtown Kittanning. Today Dielectric Solution employs over 70 and has revitalized a formerly idle industrial facility in downtown Kittanning.
Thanks to the efforts of IUP, the Indiana County Commissioners, Indiana Borough, White Township and the Indiana County Development Corporation (ICDC) the $5 million match necessary to complete the acquisition has been raised to match the Commonwealth’s commitment to purchase nearly 40 acres along Wayne Avenue in Indiana presently owned by the Kovalchick Corporation. The long-term goal for the property is to have IUP construct a $40 million Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC). The KCAC will become the focal point of athletic and recreational activities for not only IUP but the entire community. Additionally, the RDC will become a key facility for the burgeoning John P. Murtha Institute for Homeland Security. Senator White is pleased to facilitate the project.
Thanks again to several local leaders, Indiana County gained a competitive edge on many its regional counterparts by approving the only KOIZ in southwestern Pennsylvania. Thanks to the provisions of Senator White’s Act 217 of 2002 and the foresight of the Burrell Township supervisors, Blairsville-Saltsburg school board and Indiana County commissioners the Corporate Campus received the KOIZ designation which is one of a kind in southwestern Pennsylvania. This designation gives Indiana County ‘something to sell’ that nobody else has. Also, thanks to Act 217 of 2002, several other sites in the 41st District received KOZ designations making them prime prospects for future economic development.
Secured permanent funding for the IUP Small Business Development Center at Eberly College. The IUP SBDC is responsible for aiding several businesses such as Quintec and Cherryhill Manufacturing in the area with the development of sound business plans and securing appropriate financing.
Commitment to the 41st District:
In 2005, Senator White fulfilled his commitment to his constituents by voting against and not accepting the proposed mid term pay raise.
Senator White considers serving the constituents he represents as job number one and continues to maintain 3 full-time district offices in Indiana, Kittanning and Murrysville as well as satellite offices in Curwensville, Ligonier and Saxonburg.
Senator White has held numerous town meetings and senior expos, visits schools and conducts workshops in an effort to stay in touch with the constituents of the 41st District.
Senator White serves as Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee,
Senator White also serves as a member of the Environmental Resources and Energy, Labor and Industry, Community, Economic and Recreational Development and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.
