HARRISBURG, Jan. 23 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, today issued the following statement in response to Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale’s call for the state Senate to act on legislation increasing transparency and oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. “I applaud the auditor general for once again bringing this issue to light. He has been steadfast in his protection of taxpayers who subsidize these PBMs and in his support of patients who rely on local pharmacies. “In the House, my House Bill 941 and several other pieces of legislation to remedy this situation were passed in November. They’ve been sitting in the Senate for months. I join in his call for action.” House Bill 941 , which passed the House unanimously on Nov. 20, would bring transparency to the pricing practices of PBMs in the state’s Medicaid program. Third-party PBMs are responsible for deciding which drugs are covered by managed care plans and how much to reimburse the pharmacies that fill those prescriptions. Matzie, who is House Democratic chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Community Pharmacy Caucus, has been urging action to increase oversight of PBMs based on reports that they are operating in bad faith, overcharging patients and forcing local pharmacies to close their doors. Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – A bill the House passed unanimously this week would keep Pennsylvania’s Historical and Museum Commission operating with maximum efficiency by consolidating the regulations governing its work in one statutory source, according to the bill’s prime co-sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. Matzie, who serves on the commission, said he introduced H.B. 1981 with Rep. Parke Wentling, R-Mercer/Crawford/Erie/Lawrence, to make sure the provisions governing the PHMC are centralized. “The Pennsylvania’s Historical and Museum Commission is the keeper of our state’s history,” Matzie said. “The work it does preserves Pennsylvania’s unique heritage and keeps it alive for future generations. Because it plays such an important role, we need to keep it operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. “Currently, the regulations governing the commission are not centralized. Most are in the History Code, but other important provisions – including those prohibiting compensation of commission members and establishing the volunteer program – are still in the Administrative Code of 1929. My bill would consolidate all of the provisions in the History Code, where they belong.” The PHMC was established in 1945, through an act that amended the Administrative Code. Among other things, the commission oversees the State Museum of Read more

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 21 – Thirteen area fire and EMS companies will receive $159,685 in grants to help foot the cost of training, equipment and other essential resources, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. “Securing this funding is critical for our local fire and EMS companies, which must continually stretch dollars to meet training, building and equipment needs,” Matzie said. “Our rescue workers step up without hesitation to combat any kind of emergency that threatens our community. It’s up to us to make sure they’re going out into the field with the training and resources they need to stay safe. These grants are going to help us accomplish that.” The following grants were awarded to companies in the 16th Legislative District: Aliquippa Bureau of Fire – Fire Company, $13,152 Ambridge Borough Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,194 Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $13,015 Baden Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $14,111 Conway Volunteer Fire Department – Fire Company, $12,878 Economy Volunteer Ambulance Service – EMS, $9,192 Economy Volunteer Firemen’s Association – Fire Company, $13,700 Freedom Volunteer Fire Department -- Fire Company, $11,509 Harmony Township Volunteer Firemen Inc. – Fire Company, $13,563 Hopewell Read more

Grants can be used for equipment, training or other needs Read more

Grants will be used to expand computer science programs Read more

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 17 – Computer science will play an expanded role in the curriculum for Beaver County students, thanks to $70,000 in state funding under the PAsmart Initiative, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said Ambridge Area School District and Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit 27 will each receive $35,000 PAsmart targeted grants from the state Department of Education. “Computer science teaches students essential problem-solving skills and a provides a fluency with technology that is relevant in nearly any work setting,” Matzie said. “Even if a student isn’t planning to work in a traditional computer-based field such as data management or software design, the computing and logic skills they learn will be needed in a wide range other fields, particularly in today’s digital world, where everything is tech-driven. “Securing this funding ensures that our students will keep pace with modern workplace demands and that our business and industry has a tech-savvy pool of new workers.” The grants – a component of Gov. Wolf’s PAsmart Initiative – are part of a $5.7 million package providing $35,000 a piece to 162 school districts, charter schools and intermediate units statewide. The funding is designed to help schools introduce and expand computer science programming and to provide teacher training in computer science. The awardees Read more

Grants will help expand computer science programs, teacher training Read more

Today nearly $1 million in state grants were awarded to combat campus sexual assault at 36 colleges and universities. Read more

Program helps train students to lessen impact of overdose crisis Read more

Grant awards can range from $5,000 to $150,000 Read more