HARRISBURG, Dec. 5 – The western Pennsylvania craft beer industry was the recipient of over $335,000 in state funding to support awareness, outreach and expansion of malt brewing in the greater Allegheny area, announced state Rep. Dan Deasy. Deasy, Democratic chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, said the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board approved the funding to increase the production of Pennsylvania-made malt and brewed beverages under the PA Malt and Brewed Beverages Industry Promotion Board. “Western Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this crucial funding and reap the benefits of enhancing locally and statewide brewing initiatives,” Deasy said. “I’m confident the entities awarded this funding will greatly contribute to support Pennsylvania’s growing craft beer industry.“ Deasy said the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild was allotted $75,000 of the total funding to be used for the expansion of its 30-plus members’ foundation and increase industry awareness and beer tourism across the Pittsburgh region by updating the Pittsburgh Brewery Guide and website and relaunching Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week. Visit Pittsburgh was awarded $75,000 , which will fund its Allegheny County Craft Brewery Tourism Campaign. The public relations and marketing campaign will seek to increase awareness of Pittsburgh’s craft brewery scene in out-of-market audiences and attract new Read more

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 4 – A $35,000 state grant will bolster marketing of Old Economy Village, allowing promotion of the local historic settlement to a larger number of potential tourists, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding – awarded by the state Department of Community and Economic Development – will build on a successful marketing initiative already underway. “Over the past two years, marketing efforts through the ‘Bringing History Alive’ program have increased visitors to Old Economy Village by nearly 30%, drawing tourists from 40 states and several foreign countries,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will allow us to expand on those efforts by marketing to a larger geographic area. “Based on the success of efforts to date, I’m optimistic that expanding promotion of the village’s unique historical and educational attractions will spur even greater tourism, and with it, increased revenue and jobs.” Site administrator Michael S. Knecht echoed those sentiments, saying, “Old Economy Village and the Friends of Old Economy Village are delighted to receive this significant grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to enhance our marketing program. “Old Economy Village, a National Historic Landmark, provides visitors with the opportunity to explore 19th century Read more

Rep. Dan Miller, D-Mt. Lebanon, chair of the House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation, was recently named “Legislator of the Year” by the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association Read more

ALIQUIPPA, Nov. 25 – A $26,500 grant will allow the City of Aliquippa to undertake a new, comprehensive plan to replace its current, outdated plan, which has not been updated for more than 20 years, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the new plan will allow the city to exit its Act 47 financially distressed designation and properly prepare for its fiscal future. Additionally, the city intends to update its Zoning Ordinance and its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. “Securing this funding, as with previous grants, has occurred only as a result of the city administration, the mayor, council members and other key players working together to prioritize and determine what direction they want to take regarding the city’s identity,” Matzie said. “It’s a solid investment by the commonwealth when there is a big-picture team approach across many fronts that includes improving transportation, addressing blight, bolstering workforce development, strengthening infrastructure improvements and improving education.” Funding for the grant comes from the Municipal Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development. MAP provides technical resources and assistance for municipalities, consolidation and regional efforts, as well as serving as a resource for local government officials, developers and citizens interested in planning Read more

Says department should move quickly, decisively to determine cause and seek answers Read more

ALIQUIPPA, Nov. 22 – A $160,000 state grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development will help fund the groundwork for two development projects in the City of Aliquippa, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding will allow the city to contract with a professional residential and commercial development specialist, who will work with the city and its partners to complete the projects. “Funding for this grant will allow for essential planning and preparation of two major projects: a market-rate residential project at the Bricks site and a commercial redevelopment project at the Franklin Avenue Redevelopment site,” Matzie said. “Both will help address Aliquippa’s need for affordable housing and modern commercial space to attract local businesses. I’m happy to help both projects take shape.” The funding for the grant comes from the Municipal Financial Recovery Act. Administered by DCED, Act 47 is designed to help cities designated as financially distressed improve their finances and operations. Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – Pennsylvania is one step closer to ensuring fair drug-pricing practices in the state’s Medicaid program after the House today unanimously passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. House Bill 941 – which Matzie introduced earlier this year with state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon – would bring transparency to the pricing practices of pharmacy benefit managers in the state’s Medicaid program. Those 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. “ Today we had a chance to fix a problem that has long been in need of fixing,” Matzie said. “As the House Democratic Chair of the bi-cameral, bi-partisan Community Pharmacy Caucus, I’ve come to know this issue well. “I’ve heard example, after example of PBMs operating in bad faith. Overcharging patients. Wasting untold millions of taxpayer dollars. And worst of all, squeezing local pharmacies out of business. “In Beaver County, local pharmacies are a literal lifeline to their communities and are critical to their patients. And they’re being put out of business. Today, we took the first step in stopping that. “We’re trying to ensure that these PBMs operate as intended – to the benefit, Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Flanked by other PA House Democrats and allies in the state Senate, state Rep. Dan Miller, chairman of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation, introduced a legislative bill package at a Tuesday news conference that would strengthen workers’ rights in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Workers’ Bill of Rights legislative bill package includes 13 House bills geared toward bettering or supporting workers’ rights. Each bill was discussed by the bill’s sponsor; Miller is prime or co-prime sponsor of six of the bills. “Pennsylvanians work hard, whether it’s in a factory, farm or on a college field. At the end of the day, they give their all. However, not only are they not getting credit where it’s due – they’re not getting due compensation,” Miller said. “The host of bills presented today would work to eradicate this, branding the Commonwealth as a state that puts the people above profits, which is an issue that should have been tackled some time ago.” The bills include: H.B. 1863 – Improving employees’ voices in the workplace. H.B. 1864 – Valuing employers who value Pennsylvania workers. H.B. 1865 – UC eligibility for striking workers. H.B. 1866 – Farm laborers collective bargaining act. H.B. 567 – JSGC resolutions to study economic and workforce transition. H.B. Read more

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Keeping the fight against pancreatic cancer foremost in the public’s mind is the aim of a resolution the House adopted unanimously today, according to the author, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. Matzie said he introduced H.R. 566, designating November 2019 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, to keep the spotlight on a deadly disease for which successful treatment has proven elusive. “Every year, I introduce a resolution to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer because every year, the statistics on this insidious killer are still moving in the wrong direction,” Matzie said. “This year alone, it’s estimated that more than 45,750 people in the U.S. will die of the disease. That’s a 2% increase over last year. “There are glimmers of hope, however. Scientists are making new discoveries about the disease and its risk factors, and are developing new screening methods. Advances like this are critical, but they’re possible only through ongoing research. That’s why our advocacy is so important – we need to keep the focus on pancreatic cancer until survival is the rule, not the exception.” Matzie noted that the disease is a silent killer, often causing no symptoms in its earliest stages and only vague symptoms after that. At the same time, the disease can spread rapidly so that by the time it is Read more

Bill would add ‘bullying’ to Crimes Code, give law enforcement tools to combat crisis Read more