Burns promoted to Democratic Chair of House Professional Licensure Committee

Will use leadership position to promote economic growth

Rep. Frank Burns    January 27, 2022 | 9:56 AM

EBENSBURG, Jan. 26 – Building on his experience and seniority within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today was named chair of the influential House Professional Licensure Committee, an important leadership position within the Capitol.

In the House, the Professional Licensure Committee reviews bills related to the state’s diverse professional and occupational licensing boards located administratively in the Department of State. The scope includes businesses as diverse as funeral homes, doctors, vehicle sales and crane operators to auctioneers, pharmacists and beauticians.

“The Professional Licensure Committee is tied directly into the function of many jobs and businesses in our communities,” Burns said. “I’ve always made economic development a priority, and I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to promote the commonsense legislation this state needs to move forward.”

Burns most recently served as the chair of the House Democratic Caucus’ Northwest Delegation, where he used his influence to push for legislation that would invest in local communities, promote economic development to attract businesses and industry to the state, help volunteer firefighters and EMS companies during the pandemic, and make commonsense changes to cut bureaucratic red tape to keep Pennsylvania moving forward.

“One of my great strengths as a legislator is my ability to see the issues outside of a partisan lens,” said Burns, who has probably cast more bipartisan votes than any other legislator during his tenure. “I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter where the idea comes from, if it’s a good one, then we need to work together to get it across the goal line, and as a committee chairman, I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to make that happen.”