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HARRISBURG, Jan. 27 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that commemorates the anniversary of Old Economy Village being awarded to the commonwealth. House Resolution 653 recognizes the 100th anniversary of the awarding of Old Economy to the commonwealth. In 1916, six acres of Economy and associated buildings became the property of Pennsylvania due to the decline of the Harmonist, the religious group that originally founded the community in 1824. “The story of Old Economy Village is a familiar one in this country. A group of German immigrants were looking for a land that was founded on the principle of religious tolerance and was free from oppression,” Matzie said. “After much strife, they made it to what we now know as Ambridge and established a community that they named Economy.” In 1919, the Harmony Society Historical Association entered into a contract with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which took over the property and officially opened it to the public on May 26, 1921 to an audience of nearly 5,000 people. Old Economy Village is also designated as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “The historical significance of Old Economy Village is clear and the hard working men and women who are dedicated to preserving it for another 100 years should be applauded for their effort,” Matzie said. “It remains a favorite des Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie speaks on the H.R. 653, a resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the awarding of Old Economy village to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie is pleased that the House Transportation Committee passed a resolution he cosponsored that would urge the federal government to carefully review any plans submitted to acquire Norfolk Southern Corporation. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he was encouraged by constructive conversations at today’s House Gaming Oversight Committee hearing, which focused on a resolution he authored that would urge the federal government to lift the ban on sports betting. House Resolution 619 would urge Congress to repeal the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, which prohibits sports betting in every state except Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware. "In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act has created more than 16,000 living wage jobs and produced more than $9 billion in revenues. It has been, undeniably, an overwhelming success," Matzie said. "It has demonstrated our ability to proficiently and responsibly oversee gaming in our Commonwealth. The time has come for the federal government to allow the state’s to make their own decisions on sports betting." Currently, estimates of sports betting in the United States exceed $400 billion annually, with only 1 percent of those bets taking place in legal form. "In this age of budget deficits and impasses, I don’t think we can afford to turn our head at any idea that can provide the state with sustainable revenue," Matzie said. "Congress lifting the ban wouldn’t force any state into allowing something they have no interest in, but it would give states an option to consider and explore. Until that ban is lifted though, the states that were not grandfathered into Read more
Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives millions of dollars of unclaimed property. It is estimated that roughly one in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property. Read more
In Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity – also known as your electric supplier. This means that you have the power to switch to a competing supplier who can offer the lowest price, or provide a specific service you want, such as “green” or renewable energy. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 16 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, today at a House Transportation Committee meeting emphasized the importance of Conway Yard as a vital part of the Norfolk Southern Railway. Norfolk Southern who owns the Conway railyard, is the target of a hostile takeover by the Canadian Pacific Railroad. If the takeover goes through, Conway Yard’s current status may change. “Conway is a vital economic engine to Beaver County,” Matzie said. “There are hundreds of employees and families that would be directly affected if Conway Yard’s status changes in any way.” In addition to the uncertainty of Conway, Matzie said he was concerned about the state’s ability to maintain rail access to major ports and short lines without Norfolk Southern. “Conway Yard has been a vital component of the regional economy, including the energy industry in Southwestern Pennsylvania. It is a major part of the Norfolk Southern line that connects our region to the rest of the country and globe. In fact, at one point it was the largest switching station in the world,” Matzie said. “I have been following updates about this situation closely, and I will continue to do just that.” Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie speaks out against a potential hostile takeover of the Norfolk Southern Railroad by the Canadian Pacific Railroad that could potentially close the Conway Yards and lead to thousands of lost jobs in Pennsylvania. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced that he introduced legislation today that would urge Congress to grant states the authority to decide whether to legalize sports betting. Matzie’s legislation, H.R. 619, would urge Congress to lift the federal ban on sports betting, which has been in place since 1992. “It has been over 20 years since the federal government instituted their ban on sports betting. In the same time, gaming has significantly expanded throughout many states,” Matzie said. “It is arbitrary to pick this one type of gambling and treat it so differently. If Pennsylvania was entrusted with the responsibility to decide if slot machines are right for our state, shouldn’t that be the same with whether we allow betting on a football game?” If the federal government lifts the ban, any state with authorized, license and regulated casino gaming would have the authority to legalize sports betting at its licensed facilities. “If Congress lifted the ban against sports betting on the federal level, it wouldn’t force states uninterested in gambling to participate, but it would allow those states interested to better explore that option,” Matzie said. “States are entrusted with the authority to authorize and regulate casino gaming in their borders and I believe it is well past time for the federal government to allow them to make their own decision on sports betting.” It is estimated that sports betting in the United States tota Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, today joined fellow Pennsylvania House Democrats in the Capitol to call on House Speaker Mike Turzai to immediately return the House to session in order to finalize work on a state budget. “Pennsylvania has now been operating for over 160 days without a budget, but for some reason the Speaker adjourned the House unexpectedly yesterday. I was looking forward to working with my colleagues today in an attempt to find compromise to end this impasse; instead Speaker Turzai gave us the day off,” Matzie said. “This is despite that fact that municipalities, schools and individuals who rely on human service providers suffer every day the impasse continues. “This is unacceptable, but particularly confounding, as the House could have potentially voted on a budget bill and multiple code bills today to move the process along. Instead, we stand here and wait.” Senate Bill 1073, a General Appropriations bill that contains the spending framework agreed to by Gov. Tom Wolf, House Democrats, Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans, passed the Senate in a bipartisan vote on Monday and was received in the House Tuesday. No action has been taken on the bill since then. “In the 164 days since the budget should have been passed, the House has only been in session for 34 days,” Matzie said. “The people of this commonwealth expect and deserve better, which is why I am calling on Speaker Turzai to call the House back into session an Read more
Pa. state Rep. Jaret Gibbons says that he and his House Democratic colleagues are in the State Capitol ready to pass a budget and calls upon the House Speaker to bring the House back into session to work until the budget process is complete. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 10 – As part of 44 Penn State Endowment grants, state Rep. Rob Matize, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced the approval of a grant to help local victims of child sex abuse. A grant, administered through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, for $62,218 was awarded to the Women’s Center of Beaver County to provide treatment to area child sex-abuse victims. “I am glad this investment will be going to help enhance the already terrific work that the Women’s Center of Beaver County does throughout the area,” Matzie said. The funding will be used to partially fund a full-time children’s therapist, supervision of the new therapist, music therapy and therapy supplies. “The Women’s Center of Beaver County should be applauded for their commitment to ensuring that sex abuse victims have the necessary resources in their time of need,” Matzie said. “The center is a vital part of our community that provides therapeutic services and a safe environment, and this grant will allow them to continue their critical mission.” In 2013, Matzie supported legislation, now known as The Endowment Act, that gave PCCD the authority to disperse the monetary penalty imposed on Pennsylvania State University in 2012 by the National Collegiate Athletic Conference to aid the victims of child sexual abuse in the state. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that designates November 2015 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in the state. "I am pleased to offer House Resolution 545 today, not because it is a happy topic, but because it is a necessary one," Matzie remarked in the House chamber. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. And because symptoms often don’t appear until the advanced stage, it is among the most deadly cancers and tends to have a low survival rate. When symptoms of pancreatic cancer appear – such as jaundice, weight loss and digestive problem – it is often too late for an optimistic prognosis. Even when detected early, there is no cure. "My passion for raising awareness of this baffling disease arises from personal experience. Last year, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She endured chemotherapy and surgery, and we were very lucky that she survived," said Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. "I am pleased to stand here today and announce that my mom is doing well. She has made a full recovery, thank God. But everyone in my family knows that we are among the lucky few, given the grim prognosis that usually accompanies a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.” He added, "My mom is a living testament to the fact that pancreatic cancer can be beaten – especially if you don’t ignore symptoms and it’s caught early enough." The Ameri Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie relates his mother's experience as a survivor of Pancreatic Cancer in thanking the House of Representatives for unanimous approval of his resolution making November 2015 Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie updates the House of Representatives on the condition of Police Officer Alan Loskoch who was shot in Harmony Township in Beaver County earlier that day. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today unanimously adopted a resolution authored by state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, that highlights the important role credit unions play in the state’s economic landscape. House Resolution 506 designates the week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 19 as “Credit Union Week” in Pennsylvania. “Rather than focusing on the bottom line, credit unions are unique in that their primary focus is to provide invaluable financial services to their members,” Matzie said. “The credit unions in our state should be credited for providing individuals and families alike the tools they need for the various stages of their lives and for serving as an economic catalyst for growth by supporting the needs of businesses of all sizes.” Credit unions, which are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that are owned by their members, help unite like-minded individuals to achieve a better financial and economic outcome for all parties involved. The state has 470 credit unions, which service the financial needs of 3.8 million members associated through local, state, regional and international organizations. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – After today's vote by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on a legislative proposal that would have increased revenue for the state budget, state Rep. Rob Matzie issued the following regarding his "no" vote: "There were many good aspects to the governor’s proposal, but I did not feel that I could support a measure with no chance of passage. The Republican majority in the House made it clear that they were lockstep against it. With the budget nearly 100 days overdue, there is no time left for what amounted to a symbolic vote. I wasn’t elected to cast symbolic votes - I was elected to represent the best interests of the residents of the 16th Legislative District. "In addition, as the elected chairman of the Southwestern Democratic Delegation, I also had to take into consideration the views of the members of my delegation and the impact to our region as a whole. "While I still support the core of the governor’s agenda – increased education funding and the reduction of property taxes – the reality is that large Republican majorities in both the House and Senate have to be on board with what is ultimately doable. We are, unfortunately, not there yet." Read more
Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie recognizes the retirement of Edwin D. Hill, International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Read more
HARRISBURG -- State Rep. Rob Matzie has introduced legislation that would establish regulations and create a standard of identity for honey in Pennsylvania. In a statement released Monday, Matzie, D-16, Ambridge, said he has introduced House Bill 1266 to address shortcomings in current law. Matzie said domestic grades of quality for honey products are displayed on containers, but that is done on a voluntary basis. Matzie said the voluntary nature of the grading results in products being labeled as “pure honey” when they could actually contain sweeteners or antibiotics. “Consumers have a right to know what they are buying,” Matzie said in the statement. “But this legislation is also important for the industry. Honey producers that take the time and effort to produce pure honey should have the right to market their product as such, and this bill will ensure that right is protected.” Read more
HARRISBURG, June 15 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today he is sponsoring two pieces of legislation intended to strengthen and create awareness of the Pennsylvania honey industry. Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously adopted Matzie's H.R. 364, which designates the week of June 15 to June 21 as “Pollinator Week” in Pennsylvania. "The bee population has been declining rapidly, which is alarming because these pollinators serve an indispensable role in the world of agriculture," Matzie said. "Without bees and professional beekeepers, we would only be able to produce a fraction of the food we do now, so it is my hope that this resolution draws attention to this issue." Matzie has also introduced H.B. 1266, which would establish regulations and a standard of identity for honey in the state. Currently, Matzie explained, official U.S. grades are displayed on honey products to designate the quality of the product, but the system is strictly voluntary. This results in many products on the market labeled as "pure honey" while in reality they are adulterated with sweeteners or antibiotics. "Consumers have a right to know what they are buying," Matzie said. "But this legislation is also important for the industry. Honey producers that take the time and effort to produce pure honey should have the right to market their product as such, and this bill will ensure that right is protected." Read more
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