The proposed expansion of Medicaid in Pennsylvania is getting another hearing — this time in Pittsburgh.

And state Sen. Sean Wiley, of Millcreek, D-49th Dist., is joining the Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee for the public hearing — though he isn’t a member of the panel.

Sean Wiley/ETN file photo

The hearing is scheduled to last until noon at the Wyndham University Center in Pittsburgh.

It will be streaming live at www.pasenate.com.

Among those scheduled to testify is Shona Eakin, executive director of Voices for Independence. The Erie nonprofit advocates for the disabled.

Gov. Tom Corbett is awaiting more answers from the federal government before he decides whether to accept the expansion of Medicaid in Pennsylvania. The expansion is a component of the Affordable Care Act.

The House Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing Thursday in Erie on the same subject.

– John Guerriero

The Erie County legislative delegation has vowed to meet monthly to discuss issues in their respective districts and to take turns hosting the sessions.

On Monday,  state Rep. Greg Lucas, of Edinboro, R-5th Dist., had the honors as the group met at Crossroads Dinor in Edinboro.

State Rep. Greg Lucas, of Edinboro, R-5th Dist.

The word of the meeting comes from state Rep. Patrick Harkins, of Erie, D-1st Dist.

The informal meetings also serve as a chance to get to know one another’s districts better. And it’s a bipartisan approach to taking on the issues in Harrisburg. The delegation has vowed to work together, Harkins said.

State Sen. Sean Wiley, of Millcreek, D-49th Dist., hosted the previous session.

– John Guerriero

Sean Wiley will make one of many trips to Harrisburg next week.

Sean Wiley/ETN file photo

The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Campaign Committee will host a breakfast reception for Senator-elect Wiley and two other Democrats who won Senate seats Tuesday.

That reception for Wiley, Senator-elect Matt Smith of Allegheny County and Senator-elect Rob Teplitz, who will represent most of Dauphin and part of York counties, will be held Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers.

Republicans still hold a majority in the state Senate, but it’s not as great as the previous 30-20 margin. It will be 27-23 in the Senate.

– John Guerriero

The two candidates for state Senate in the 49th District are touting their endorsements with just days left before Erie County voters head to the polls.

Candidates Sean Wiley and Janet Anderson/Contributed

Janet Anderson, the Republican candidate, announced her business endorsements from the Pennsylvania Chamber, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Pennsylvania Business Council and the Northwest Pennsylvania Food Council.

Sean Wiley, the Democratic candidate, announced endorsements from eight organized labor groups.

They include the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees District Council 85 (AFSCME), Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Service Employees International Union Local 668 (SEIU).

Also, the Service Employees International Pennsylvania State Council, Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, Teamsters Local 397, United Electrical & Radio Machine Workers of America Local 506, and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66.

Anderson also got the endorsement from Iron Workers Local Union 3.

– John Guerriero

With just eight days until Election Day, expect the final round of endorsements to roll in.

Here’s another one.

Sean Wiley, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 49th District, has picked up an endorsement from the Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and Universities. The 49th District takes in most of Erie County.

The union represents 6,000 faculty members and coaches of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities, including Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Wiley and the Republican nominee for the seat, Janet  Anderson, are scheduled to participate in a forum today at 5 p.m. in Blasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium, 160 E. Front St.

Candidates Sean Wiley and Janet Anderson/Contributed

The forum is sponsored by Erie Vital Signs, a project that tracks trends and data in several of the Erie’s region’s critical areas.

Liz Allen, public editor for the Erie Times-News, will moderate.

– John  Guerriero

News about Janet Anderson in the 49th District’s Senate race can be found on a free app on your smart phone.

The campaign for Anderson, the Republican candidate, announced that the app is now available on both Droid and iPhone and can be downloaded at the App Store.

The app will update smartphone users on news, events, issues and more regarding Anderson’s race against Democrat Sean Wiley.

In case you were wondering, yes, the news release said, “There’s an app for that!”

– John Guerriero

Sean Wiley, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 49th District, has released another internal poll that shows he’s ahead in his race against Republican Janet Anderson.

Candidates Sean Wiley and Janet Anderson/Contributed

Thirty-Ninth Street Strategies polled 400 residents of the district in Erie County from Sept. 19-22. The poll showed Wiley with 53 percent, Anderson with 37 percent and 10 undecided.

The polling company said in a statement released by the campaign that “Wiley is in a good position to win.”

Wiley is trying to put the seat back in the Democratic column after Republican Jane Earll won four terms. She is not seeking re-election.

“I am so grateful for the support that I have received from my fellow residents of the 49th District,” Wiley said in a statement. “There is still a lot of work to be done to get the message of bringing Erie values to Harrisburg.”

Wiley previously released the results of another internal poll that showed him with the lead, too.

The race is being watched closely across Pennsylvania.

– John Guerriero

Sean Wiley, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 49th District, has released the results of an internal poll showing him with an 18-point lead over Republican Janet Anderson.

Candidates Sean Wiley and Janet Anderson/Contributed

The poll, conducted by Thirty-Ninth Street Strategies in Washington, D.C., showed Wiley with 51 percent, Anderson with 33 percent, and another 16 percent undecided.

The company polled 400 residents of the 49th District, which is in Erie County, from July 30-Aug. 2.

Anderson, of course, could release an internal poll of her own showing different results.

And much can happen before the Nov. 6 election.

Still, Wiley said in a statement, “I am deeply humbled by the support that I have received from my fellow residents of the 49th District. There is still a lot of work to be done to get the message of bringing Erie values to Harrisburg.”

– John Guerriero

Sean Wiley, the Democratic candidate for state Senate in the 49th District, will tour The Brothers Wood Potato Chip Co. on Saturday.

Wiley and his campaign staff will participate in the tour, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at 1524 Enterprise Road, Corry. It’s in an incubator building.

Wiley is running against Republican Janet Anderson in the Nov. 6 election.

The 49th District encompasses most of Erie County.

– John Guerriero

State Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-7th Dist., will campaign Friday in Erie on behalf of Democrat Sean Wiley, of Erie, who’s running for state Senate in the 49th District.

The district takes in most of Erie County. Hughes, Democratic chairman of the state Appropriations Committee, represents parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties.

Hughes is also expected to comment on the recently passed state budget, said Wiley’s campaign manager, Scott McLean.

Wiley’s campaign committee also will hold a rockin’ fundraiser Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m., with the M-80s and opening act, Good Weather for Ducks.

The $20 admission will include hot dogs, soda and popcorn, McLean said.

Wiley is running against Republican Janet Anderson in the Nov. 6 election.

– John Guerriero