Free Veterans Assistance Hours to Resume Oct. 18 in Sayre, Pickett Says

Oct. 08, 2021 /

SAYRE -- In her continuing effort to address any questions or concerns of veterans and their dependents, Rep. Tina Pickett’s (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) district office in Sayre will resume hosting veterans assistance hours on the third Monday of each month, starting Oct. 18. This free in-person service will be provided by the VFW, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., by appointment only.

Grove: Voting Rights Protection Act Would Prevent Ballot Harvesting

Oct. 08, 2021 /

DOVER – In light of a news report of a man recorded on video dumping multiple mail-in ballots into a drop box in Lackawanna County a day before the May 18 Primary Election, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) said his Voting Rights Protection Act would have prevented such an incident from happening if Gov. Tom Wolf hadn’t vetoed the bill.

Heffley Supports Bill Seeking Greater Transparency from the PA Department of Health

Oct. 08, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) this week joined a majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives in supporting legislation that would provide public transparency to data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the Disease Control and Prevention Law by making such information subject to the Right to Know Law.

Bonner to Participate in Panel to Review and Discuss UPMC’s Human/Rodent Chimeras and Fetal Organ Harvesting

Oct. 08, 2021 /

WHAT: Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Mercer/Butler) will participate in a live panel discussion, featuring experts in law, ethics, fetal research and science, to consider the most recent revelations from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. These include the fetal experimentation, genetic engineering and transfer of harvested organs from aborted babies. UPMC receives federal and state funding for its research, but with restrictions against the sale of fetal organs and genetic engineering that mixes human and non-human DNA. This event is a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Coalition and People Concerned for the Unborn Child.

Statement Regarding Rep. Matt Dowling

Oct. 07, 2021 /

“Sometime last evening, Oct. 6, Rep. Dowling was in a single vehicle accident while on his way to a caucus event in Lancaster County. He was taken to Lancaster General Hospital and was treated for significant trauma. Currently, he is in serious but stable condition, and our thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Dowling, his wife and two young sons as he and they deal with his injuries.”

Local Share Accounts: Where Do the Funds Come From?

Oct. 07, 2021 /

In an editorial released last week titled “Local Share Accounts: What Are They and Why Should You Care?”, I detailed how Act 71 of 2004 (Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act) allowed a small portion of the revenue brought in by casino gaming to be placed into Local Share Accounts (LSA).

Mustello to Recognize Local Veterans at Luncheon Nov. 3

Oct. 07, 2021 /

LYNDORA - Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) today announced that she will be hosting a luncheon for Butler County Veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lyndora American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane in Butler.

Culver, Millard Legislation Offers Hope for Families of Lost Loved Ones

Oct. 06, 2021 /

While the majority of missing persons cases get resolved rather quickly, Pennsylvania currently has approximately 400 such cases where investigators are still looking for answers. Legislation authored by state Reps. Lynda Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder) and David Millard (R-Columbia) would provide another tool to help law enforcement reduce that number.

PA House Democrats Oppose Another Public Transparency Measure

Oct. 06, 2021 /

HARRISBURG – For the second time this week, Pennsylvania House Democrats unanimously opposed a public transparency measure, this time uniformly voting against House Bill 1332, legislation by Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin) that would further public transparency and accountability by requiring school districts to put curriculums online.

Schmitt Offers Free ‘Shredding with Schmitt’ Paper Shredding Event

Oct. 06, 2021 /

ALTOONA – Rep. Lou Schmitt (R-Blair) invites residents to his Shredding with Schmitt event to have their important documents shredded for free. The event will be held at People’s Natural Gas Field (Curve Stadium), located at 1000 Park Ave., Altoona, on Wednesday, Oct.13, from 4-7 p.m.

Struzzi to Rename Cambria County Bridge

Oct. 06, 2021 /

WHAT: State Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) will host a ceremony to officially rename the State Route 271 (also referred to as 24th St.) bridge that crosses the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Northern Cambria Borough as the Sergeant William Stock Memorial Bridge. Struzzi authored the original legislation, House Bill 56, which was signed into law in June as Act 17 of 2021.

House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee to Hold Voting Meeting

Oct. 05, 2021 /

WHAT: Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, will be holding a voting meeting on House Bills 397, 1451 and 1612; and Senate Bills 248 and 550. These bills focus on assisting and honoring veterans, first responders and their families through property tax credit measures, expansion to the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act and group life insurance to members of the PA National Guard, when activated for 30 or more days.