HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – To address the growing shortage of affordable housing, state Rep. Scott Conklin today introduced legislation that would require the state to reserve a portion of any former state prison land it plans to sell and offer that land to the host county for affordable housing. Conklin said his bill, H.B. 2180 , would give the county in which a former state correctional institution is located the option to receive a transfer of up to 2% of the property. “Nearly half of Pennsylvania renter households are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and a significant number are severely cost-burdened, spending more than 50%,” Conklin said. “One of the primary drivers of this crisis is the lack of affordable housing. My bill would help ease that shortage by ensuring that whenever the state sells former prison land, a portion is set aside and offered to the county for affordable housing use.” Under the proposal, counties would not be required to accept the land. However, if they do, they would be required to use it for affordable housing and to meet certain requirements and timelines to ensure that housing becomes available. House Bill 2180 is the second measure Conklin has announced following the state’s decision to close SCI-Rockview. Earlier this year, he and state Rep. Dallas Kephart introduced legislation (H.B. 1951) to promote fairness and Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 — The state House today unanimously passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Scott Conklin that would allow Pennsylvania’s pension systems for state and public education employees to operate more efficiently by implementing a deadline change requested by the administering agencies. Conklin’s H.B. 1304 would adjust the deadlines for the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System to complete and submit the results of required annual financial testing so that the deadlines better align with the agencies’ fiscal year. “State law requires SERS and PSERS to conduct annual financial stress testing to assess the financial health of their pension funds and the plans’ ability to withstand adverse market conditions,” Conklin said. “The law also sets deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit the test results to state officials and for the Independent Fiscal Office to compile the results into a summary report. “The agencies have told us the current deadlines are not workable and have asked that they be adjusted to provide more time,” Conklin said. “My bill would move the testing and reporting deadlines back by three months to better align with the agencies’ fiscal year and actuarial practices.” Conklin said SERS – which already conducts more rigorous testing than Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 21 – New funding of $16.8 million from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority will fund a sanitary sewer extension project in Rush Township, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the funding – which includes a 30-year, low-interest loan of $9.2 million and grant funding of nearly $7.6 million – will support work to replace on-lot sewer systems that Rush Township has identified as malfunctioning. “A sanitary survey by the township showed that some on-lot sewer systems are failing and allowing untreated or improperly treated sewage into surface water and groundwater,” Conklin said. “I’m glad we were able to secure the new funding and grateful to Pennvest for providing needed resources to tackle this important public health project.” Conklin said the project includes installation of approximately 11 miles of sewer line and three pump stations to connect and serve approximately 245 residential equivalent dwelling units and three commercial equivalent dwelling units that are currently using on-lot sewer systems. Pumps at the plant will also be upgraded to handle the additional waste from the new connections. This existing system currently serves 1,046 households in Rush Township in Centre County and Decatur Township and Osceola Mills Borough in Clearfield County with median household income levels below the state median. Once the project is Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Jan. 20 – Transportation, water, and wastewater improvements are coming to the 77 th Legislative District thanks to $1.9 million in grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the funding includes $1.35 million under the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program for pedestrian, cyclist, and roadway improvements and $553,600 under the PA Small Water and Sewer Program for water and wastewater improvements. “The new funding will help our townships and boroughs tackle multiple projects across the district to address paving needs and strengthen water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure,” Conklin said. “The funding will also support improvements to Calder Way in State College, to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety.” Conklin said the funding under the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program includes: $425,202 to State College Borough to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along Calder Way. $400,000 to Taylor Township for roadway improvements to two sections of South Mountain Road. $350,000 to Worth Township for road paving and other upgrades to rehabilitate East Mountain Road. $174,150 to Patton Township for the Douglas Drive Drainage Improvement project, involving rehabilitation of a stormwater pipe along North Oak Lane and Douglas Drive in the Park Forest Village area. Funding under the PA Small Water and Sewer Read more
Leveraging his seniority and experience in the state grant process, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced $1 million in new state grants for projects aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety between First Summit Arena and the Convention Center, as well as revitalizing streetscapes in Lower Yoder Township. Read more
After a dementia patient wandered away from a local care facility this week, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is reminding municipal officials about a program designed to help first responders locate people who are prone to wandering. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 30 – Centre County has secured $200,000 in Emergency Solutions Grant funding and will share an additional $350,000 for a 12-county project aimed at helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the grants, approved through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will fund critical services to help local families access emergency housing and prevent eviction. “No family should ever have to face life’s challenges without a safe, secure place to call home,” Conklin said. “By expanding access to emergency housing resources and eviction counseling, this new funding will provide a lifeline to more families.” The funding for Centre County will enable Housing Transitions to provide emergency shelter services and case management for local households. Meanwhile, the grant awarded to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence will support a 12-county initiative to provide emergency shelter services, aiming to assist 1,107 households. Statewide, more than $5.3 million in ESG grants were approved to combat homelessness and increase access to affordable housing across Pennsylvania. The Emergency Solutions Grant program is authorized under the federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 23 – New funding of $255,500 is coming to the 77 th Legislative District to support repairs to a heavily traveled Patton Township road, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said the grant approved through the state Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Fund will support pavement rehabilitation of 0.16 miles of Vairo Boulevard. “The funding will allow the township to continue repairing road defects that have frustrated commuters along this busy route,” Conklin said. “I’m grateful to PennDOT and our local partners for helping to bring this funding home to get travel flowing more smoothly.” The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grant funding to municipalities, councils of governments, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets and enhance communities. The projects support the safety and accessibility of Pennsylvania’s infrastructure. Applications for the next round of MTF grants will open on Jan. 5, 2026, at 8 a.m. and will be due by Feb. 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. Grant recipients are expected to be announced in summer 2026. More information about the program and funded projects is available at the PennDOT website . Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Scott Conklin announced today that more than $859,000 in new grants will fund a range of public safety, transportation and community improvement projects in Legislative District 77. Conklin, who serves as majority chairman of the PA House Commerce Committee, said the new funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will help local municipalities carry out essential repairs and upgrades to improve services in the district. “These new funds will support projects to bring safer pedestrian travel, more efficient police and public safety services and improved amenities in our downtown,” Conklin said. “I am grateful to the CFA and our community partners for helping to secure this funding, which will improve safety and quality of life for residents.” Conkling said the funding, awarded under the Local Share Account, includes: $300,000 to Philipsburg Borough to replace damaged sidewalk sections in the downtown business area, including sidewalks on Front Street and the block of Laurel, Sixth, Seventh, and Pine streets. $133,110 to State College Borough to replace 70 trash and recycling receptacles throughout the downtown area. $125,000 to Ferguson Township for pedestrian crossing improvements to the Science Park-Circleville crossing, including additional lighting, signage, a pedestrian refuge island, a pedestrian-activated warning light and various crosswalk Read more
Gov. Josh Shapiro today ceremoniously signed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, designed to help Pennsylvania attract world-class sporting events by streamlining the process for teams bringing traveling physicians to their games. Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Dec. 11 – Grant funding of $2 million is coming back to Centre County to fund an important juvenile justice initiative, combat opioid addiction and bolster resources for domestic and child abuse survivors, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin said the funding includes nearly $1.2 million to the Pennsylvania State University to continue its work with the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol – a data-driven system that allows the state to assess which evidence-based programs are most effective at serving juveniles in the justice system and preventing recidivism. “PSU has been a unique partner with the state in its efforts to improve the quality of juvenile justice services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will allow them to continue those efforts.” Conklin said that a $500,000 grant to the Centre County Commissioners will enhance the Centre County Correctional Facility’s medication-assisted treatment program to fight opioid addiction. “The program has been working to reduce addiction and opioid-related deaths through an approach that combines medication, therapy and access to post-release services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will make the program even more effective by adding educational components and intensive, post-release case coordination services to help people transitioning back to the community.” A $125,000 grant Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Pennsylvania’s self-storage business owners are poised to gain greater protections against defaulting customers after state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill to bring these small businesses stronger enforcement powers today heads for the governor’s desk. Conklin, who is majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee, said he introduced H.B. 1359 to help small self-storage business owners avoid significant business losses that can result when a customer fails to sign or pay their rental agreement. “Pennsylvania has more than 1,500 self-storage facilities, and most are small businesses,” said Conklin, D-Centre. “Yet our law fails to adequately protect these businesses when a customer fails to sign or pay their rental agreement. Without a timeframe in which the unsigned or unpaid agreement can be enforced, the storage unit sits occupied and unrentable, costing the business valuable income. “It’s not fair to punish these small businesses for a customer’s failure to uphold their end of the bargain. My bill would fix the issue by allowing for the electronic delivery of a rental agreement. This would make the agreement enforceable within 30 days of the document’s delivery – the same as if it had been signed. If the occupant failed to sign the agreement within 30 days, their rent payment or continued use of the unit would be deemed an acceptance of the Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 18 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Reps. Scott Conklin and Ed Neilson that would make it easier for businesses to install high-tech electrified security systems. House Bill 1871 would eliminate the ambiguity and red tape that often prevents businesses from installing these systems by establishing guidelines for their use. “A good commercial security system can be essential for businesses, and some of the best systems available today use state-of-the-art electrified components that are installed inside barrier fences or walls,” said Conklin, who is majority chairman of the House Commerce Committee. “Unfortunately, many businesses attempting to install and use these systems face regulatory red tape that slows or even prevents their use. “My bill would establish parameters for using these systems, to give Pennsylvania businesses quick, simple access to the technology most effective at protecting employees and safeguarding property. Over 30 other states have already enacted similar legislation to ease use of these systems. It’s time to give our own workers the same level of protection and our businesses the security they need to remain competitive.” Neilson, who is the bill’s co-prime sponsor, said: “Businesses are vulnerable to theft or vandalism, and employees can face violence when they lack adequate protective Read more
STATE COLLEGE, Nov. 13 – State Rep. Scott Conklin today unveiled a proposal that would address a major quality-of-life issue for Pennsylvanians by requiring the state to reserve a portion of any former correctional facility land it plans to sell and make that portion available to the county for affordable housing. Speaking at a news conference at his State College district office, Conklin said his soon-to-be-introduced bill would give the county where a former SCI is located the option to receive a transfer of up to 2% of the land. “Safe, affordable housing is a major factor in quality of life, but shortages here at home and statewide are driving up housing costs and increasing the burden on lower-income families,” Conklin said. “My bill would help ease the shortage by ensuring that any time the state decides to sell former prison land, a small portion of that land is set aside and offered to the county for affordable housing use.” Under Conklin’s proposal, counties would not be required to accept the land, but if they did, they would be required to use it for affordable housing and to take certain steps within certain timeframes to ensure availability of that housing. Conklin is currently in the process of gathering co-sponsors for the proposal, which will then be introduced in the state House. This is the second measure Conklin has announced in the wake of the state’s decision to close Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Scott Conklin cast a “yes” vote for the state’s $50.1 billion spending plan, which has cleared the General Assembly and is on its way to the governor’s desk. “Although my House colleagues and I were frustrated by the Senate’s failure to come to the table and vote on the budget bills we sent earlier this year, I am encouraged that we are finally moving forward with a solid agreement. The new budget delivers for our students, funds essential programs and services for residents, and will get critical dollars flowing to our schools, counties and municipalities – all without raising taxes.” Conklin said the new spending plan includes a $105 million increase for Basic Education and a nearly $40 million increase for Special Education statewide. District 77 schools will see the following increases in Basic and Special Education funding: Bald Eagle Area School District: $80,273 increase (0.8%) in Basic Education funding and $35,789 increase (2.2%) in Special Education funding. Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District: $136,556 increase (1.0%) in Basic Education funding and $59,289 increase (3.2%) in Special Education funding. State College Area School District: $249,978 increase (1.8%) in Basic Education funding and $59,409 increase (1.6%) in Special Education funding. Tyrone Area School District: $49,539 increase (0.5%) in Basic Education Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 6 — As part of his career-long efforts to support American workers and uphold American values, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has introduced bipartisan legislation to require that all American flags purchased and displayed by the commonwealth be made in America. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 29 –The Pennsylvania House Children and Youth Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would address the shortage of baby diaper changing stations in men’s restrooms. Conklin’s H.B. 1558 , which would establish the Baby Diaper Changing Station Accessibility Program, would require changing stations in new and totally renovated public restrooms. “Child rearing is much more of a shared responsibility today, with diaper duty now performed by many dads, grandfathers, uncles and other male caregivers,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, our public restrooms around the state don’t reflect that, with most changing stations still found exclusively in women’s restrooms. My bill would help address the lack of diaper-changing stations in men’s public restrooms so that gender is not an obstacle to this important resource.” Conklin said the federal government has passed legislation requiring baby diaper changing stations in all public restrooms located in federal buildings, and nine states have passed laws requiring changing stations in both men and women’s restrooms. The bill exempts industrial buildings, nightclubs and bars, fitness centers and spas, public lodging rooms and single-patient restrooms in health care facilities, and it contains exceptions for situations in which the installation would not be feasible, would interfere with accessible design Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 –The House State Government Committee today unanimously approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would improve operations for Pennsylvania’s public employee retirement plans by providing more feasible deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit the results of required annual financial testing. Conklin, D-Centre, said he introduced H.B. 1304 in response to a request from the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System and its sister agency, the Public School Employees’ Retirement System, to adjust the deadlines so they better align with the agencies’ annual fiscal year. “Government runs more efficiently when timetables and deadlines are based on real-world logistics,” Conklin said. “Currently, state law requires SERS and PSERS to perform annual stress testing to assess the financial health and resiliency of their pension funds based on different scenarios. The law also sets deadlines for the agencies to complete and submit those tests to state officials, and a deadline for the Independent Fiscal Office to summarize the results into a report. “The problem is that the state-mandated testing and reporting deadlines are not workable. For example, SERS already conducts more rigorous testing than required by state law and has advised that it cannot deliver its comprehensive report by the required July 1 deadline. Both SERS and the IFO have stated Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – Pennsylvania businesses are a step closer to accessing high-tech perimeter security systems more easily after the Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee yesterday approved committee Chairman Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill to cut the red tape associated with these systems. Conklin said he introduced H.B. 1871 after becoming aware that regulatory red tape often slows or stops businesses from installing electrified security systems. “Security is critical to successful business operations, and there are highly effective, state-of-the-art electrified security systems that can be installed inside a business’s existing fences and walls,” Conklin said. “Unfortunately, red tape prevents many Pennsylvania businesses from accessing the technology. “My legislation would cut the red tape and make it simpler for businesses to install and use these systems. Twenty-nine other states have already enacted similar legislation, and it’s time for the commonwealth to join them, to ensure our businesses remain as competitive as possible. I’m glad we moved a step closer to that today.” The bill is currently being considered by the full House. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 22 – The main highway corridor to the West Hills region – D Street in Lower Yoder Township – is receiving a major upgrade due to $101,268 in funding supervisors attribute to the efforts of state Rep. Frank Burns. Supervisor chairman William “Bill” Heim said an Elk Run culvert that runs for two blocks that was “totally wiped out in the 1977 flood” had been redone by the Army Corps of Engineers decades ago, but it has deteriorated over the years to the point where PennDOT wanted it rehabilitated as part of a complete redo of D Street. “We called and asked Frank for his help before we even started the project. And (now) you know the rest,” Heim said. “Frank helped us secure the funds to do our part of the D Street Project.” Supervisor vice chairman Al Grandinetti echoed that sentiment, crediting Burns with playing a major role in securing D Street project funding for the 2,500-population township. “I would like to start by expressing gratitude for state Rep. Frank Burns and his collaboration and communication with the small townships surrounding the city of Johnstown. His partnership is most important to all of us here in the West Hills Region,” Grandinetti said. “We feel that this grant, and the entire D Street renovation, is an investment in our community and the entire West Hills region.” Read more
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