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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Roseann R. Cadau |
State Rep. Tim Mahoney |
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TO: Editors
FROM: State Rep. Tim Mahoney
RE: Column - legislative accomplishments
Since the people of the 51st Legislative District entrusted me to represent them in November, I have been working hard to reform state government and move forward on the concerns my constituents have told me are most important to them.
Shortly after being sworn in to office, I introduced legislation that would, for the first time, presume all state and local records to be open to the public instead of forcing residents to prove they should have access to them.
Recently, the House Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform, of which I am a member, unanimously recommended the public records reforms that were contained in my bill. The legislation would give residents more access to officials’ public records than ever before, and create a new state agency to help the public access those records. I am hopeful that by September, the legislature will consider and vote on the reform recommendations I introduced and the commission has made.
In my continuing effort to open all state records to the public, I have also introduced legislation that would allow the public to review all work records of companies under state contract. The bill would also protect “whistleblowers” from retaliation when they report fraud or other problems involving state-contracted work. That bill is currently being considered in the House Labor Relations Committee.
I also supported and voted for legislation, recently signed into law that would exempt low-income workers from the $52 Emergency and Municipal Services tax, now called the Local Services Tax. The new law also requires local governments to collect the tax in increments over the course of the year, not in one lump sum as before.
I was also proud to vote for legislation that passed the House that would prohibit Pennsylvania hospitals and health-care facilities from forcing nurses and other health-care workers to stay on the job beyond their regular shifts. That bill, an important part of making health-care in Pennsylvania safer, more accessible and less expensive, is in the Senate.
In addition, I voted for a new law that continues the state’s Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service Grant program through the year 2012. The program provides $25 million a year in grant funding to our volunteer fire and ambulance companies, which save residents billions of dollars each year in local taxes and insurance costs.
As a freshman legislator, I was able to secure a $135,000 First Industries loan for the expansion Highwaters Grill BBQ, near Ohiopyle State Park. The First Industries Fund is a state grant and loan program designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s agriculture and tourism industries. This project will definitely enhance tourism in Fayette County.
In the first six months of my legislative term, I have been able to secure close to a quarter of a million dollars in state environmental funding for Fayette County.
Because of my deep appreciation for law enforcement officials, I introduced, and the House of Representatives adopted, a resolution designating the May as Law Enforcement Appreciation Month in the Commonwealth. My resolution recognizes that law enforcement officials risk their lives every day to defend and protects the residents of Pennsylvania.
As your state representative, I will continue to advance these and other legislative priorities, including property tax elimination, transportation funding and health-care accessibility for all Pennsylvanians.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
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