On today’s episode of The Confluence:
Doug Mastriano to be interviewed by the U.S. House Select Committee
(0:00 - 8:27)
State Sen. Doug Mastriano, the GOP nominee for governor of Pennsylvania, has agreed to be interviewed by the U.S. House Committee investigating last year’s Jan. 6 insurrection.
Mastriano has denied participating in violence at the Capitol, but documents show he did charter a bus to Washington, D.C. for “Stop the Steal” protests using campaign funds.
“There is video footage that has called into question his account of events and has perhaps shown him closer to the building than he has previously maintained,” says John Micek, editor-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “He has remained a staunch ally of the former president [Donald Trump] since he left office, [Mastriano] picked up the former president's endorsement just a couple of days ahead of last month's Republican gubernatorial primary.”
Mastriano’s lawyer has maintained that he has “nothing to hide.” The House Select Committee is scheduled to hold hearings starting at 8:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Under new rules, southwestern Pennsylvania congressmen sought $108 million for ‘community funding projects’
(8:31- 17:28)
What do 10 sets of city steps, the Station Square transit stop and the Carrie Blast Furnaces all have in common? All three are the locations of projects submitted by U.S. Representative Mike Doyle for consideration to receive federal funds.
Congress banned the practice of earmarking money for local projects in 2011, citing biases in which programs were funded. But the practice returned with new rules last year. Legislators now have to declare that they or their immediate family are not financially associated with projects. It is also required that the funding only goes towards nonprofits, state or local governments.
“I've talked to some lawmakers who have received hundreds of applications,” says Ashley Murray, D.C. bureau chief for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “All of these three lawmakers that I reported on this past week, they talk about how this process allows requests for taxpayer dollars to come directly from the communities.”
So far, only three Pittsburgh-area lawmakers have announced the projects being considered to receive this funding: Reps. Mike Doyle, Connor Lamb, and Mike Kelly. Senator Bob Casey’s office told Murray the projects it chose for consideration will be announced by the end of summer.
New county rules limit the amount of pollution Mon Valley facilities can create
(17:33- 22:30)
A new rule in Allegheny County requires industrial facilities in the Mon Valley to reduce emissions on the heaviest pollution days. WESA’s Oliver Morrison reports from Clairton where residents say the change is long overdue.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
