Dinniman Named 'Humane Senator of the Year'

He was honored for his successful effort to ban animal gas chambers in PA.

Dinniman Encourages Young Entrepreneurs to Visit Local Expo

The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry is hosting a startup seminar.

Theater Coming to High Street

A local entertainment alliance plans to convert the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory to a theater.

Looks like West Chester will, finally, be getting a permanent home for the arts. On Friday, state Sen. Andy Dinniman and Uptown! Entertainment Alliance president Linda Foster announced the organization had reached an agreement to acquire the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory and convert it into a theater. “The arts have been a pivotal part of West Chester’s redevelopment, and now thanks to the work of the Uptown! Entertainment Alliance and so many others, the arts will have a permanent home right here in downtown West Chester,” Dinniman said from the Armory steps, according to a press release. Foster added that the organization, a non-profit volunteer group of local residents dedicated to creating a permanent theater in the borough, has …

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State Sen. Dinniman Wants Smokeless Tobacco Tax

The rate would be 59.2 percent, the same as cigarrettes.

Pennsylvania is currently the only state in the union that doesn’t tax smokeless tobacco. State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19) wants that to change. Dinniman will propose a bill that would tax chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, and snuff at 59.2 percent of the wholesale price, according to The Mercury. This is the same rate at which the state taxes cigarettes. The lawmaker says the tax could help combat the popularity of smokeless tobacco among Pennsylvania's young people. According to a recent survey, 24 percent of high school seniors in the state have tried smokeless tobacco. This is 7 percent higher than the national average.  Read the full story here.

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Dog Shooting Should Be Curbed, State Sen. Says

Andy Dinniman wants to make it more difficult to legally shoot a dog, and easier for grieving pet owners to sue.

In the aftermath of the shooting of two Chester County dogs, state Senator Andy Dinniman will introduce a pair of bills punishing animal abuse, the senator announced on his website last week. According to the release, Dinniman’s first bill changes the circumstances under which it is legal to shoot a dog. Under Dinniman’s bill, some Pennsylvania residents would be allowed to shoot a dog that entered their property if it was chasing another animal “with apparent intent to harm.” The current law allows residents to shoot dogs that are simply pursuing another animal. The bill would apply only to state counties with populations of over 210,000, of which Chester County is one. The second bill would allow grieving pet owners to sue if their pet …

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No Vanity Plate: Honor the Troops with New Tag

PennDOT has created a new plate celebrating America's armed forced. $15 from each purchase goes to the Veterans Trust Fund.

Looks like Pennsylvanians are getting a new way to honor the troops. According to a release from the legislator's office, state Senator Andy Dinniman recently announced that Pennsylvania vehicle owners can now show their support of veterans through a new decorative license plate. The plate, authorized by Act 194 of 2012, features an image of the American Flag and a Bald Eagle and contains the words “Honoring Our Veterans.” “This is just a small way motorists can show their support for the veterans who served our nation in defense of freedom around the globe,” Dinniman said in the release. “And when you order one of these plates a portion of the payment goes to helping our vets.” The plate is available for passenger cars and light trucks. …

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Defibrillators Should be in All Schools, Senator Urges

State Sen. Andy Dinniman is introducing a bill to place automated external defibrillators in schools.

State Sen. Andy Dinniman recently announced he is pursuing legislation in Harrisburg that would put automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, into all public schools in Pennsylvania. In a press release, Dinniman referred to American Heart Association statistics that indicate more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before they can be taken to a hospital. He cited Villa Maria High School student Blair Allenas a success story and an example of the critical role an AED can play in a school crisis: Dinniman is working with the parents of Aidan Silva, 7, who died from cardiac arrest in September 2010. According to Christy and Steve Silva's tribute blog for their son, Dinniman's bill, known as currently has 13 co-sponsors in …

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Dinniman Named PA Public Official of the Year

The legislator was honored by Pennsylvania Bio, a trade association representing the state's bioscience industry.

Dinniman to Mark 9/11 Anniversary

State Sen. Andy Dinniman will participate in several 9/11 anniversary events throughout Chester County.

The following is a press release from State Sen. Andy Dinniman's office. State Senator Andy Dinniman will mark the 11th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks at several events in Chester County this week. “For our nation and for each of us, there is no forgetting September 11, 2001. On that day and in the years that followed, we showed the world that by sticking together, relying on our courage and by standing up for our way of life, the United States can answer any challenge to freedom,” Dinniman said.  “When we look back on 9/11, we don’t only remember the fallen. We also remember the brave men and women that continue to make America a beacon of hope throughout the world.” Dinniman also thanked those who have served in our military …

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Dinniman Will Speak About Gas Pipeline Tuesday

State Sen. Andy Dinniman, John Johnson of the West Chester Fish, Game and Wildlife Association and Denis Newbold of the Stroud Water Research Center are among those scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing.

The following is a press release from State Senator Andy Dinniman. State Sen. Andy Dinniman, John Johnson of the West Chester Fish, Game and Wildlife Association and Denis Newbold of the Stroud Water Research Center are among those scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearing on the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s (Transco.) plan to install a 42-inch natural-gas pipeline across the east branch of the Brandywine Creek. The DEP hearing, requested by Dinniman, will gather public comment on the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company’s proposal to install the pipeline across the creek using what is known as an open-cut/coffer-dam method. Dinniman said he, Johnson and Newbold were among 13 people …

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