Watch CBS News

Corbett Hands Out More Dollars As Election Day Looms

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It seems Gov. Tom Corbett hardly ever comes to town with an empty hand.

Last week, he gave out $10 million to a Hazelwood project on the old LTV/J&L site.

Earlier, he touted his bridge repair funding program and gave state dollars to the airport's World Trade Center and to keep U.S. Steel in town.

On Wednesday morning, the lucky recipient of tax dollars was Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.

"I am pleased to announce a $2.5 million economic growth initiative grant to transform the way Children's Hospital treats its patients," Corbett told a large crowd.

It's designed to expand the hospital's ability to treat more young patients -- especially in the intensive care units -- where newborn Anthony, who had surgery shortly after birth, is alive today, says his mother, thanks to Children's Hospital.

It's hard to believe that this brand new Children's Hospital is already in need of expanding, but when it comes to certain services, local hospital officials say families and their children are in need of more.

"Over the past five years, we have seen a 40 percent increase in newborn activity at the Children's Hospital, so with the funding from the governor we will be able to use that to expand our bed capacity," Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer Diane Hupp told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.

However needed the money is, it is tax dollars.

Delano: "Governor, you've handed out a lot of money over the last few weeks. Is there any money left?"

Corbett: "I don't know. I have to go back and ask the staff. I know we have some more grants across the state to hand out."

Which means with Election Day less than two weeks away, some lucky organizations are about to get a visit from the governor.

You May Also Be Interested In These Latest News Stories

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.