HARRISBURG, May 6 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney announced today his legislation to improve access to mental health services and modernize professional licensing for social workers, has been unanimously approved by the House Professional Licensure Committee. The bill now advances to the full House of Representatives for further consideration. House Bill 554 would authorize Pennsylvania to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that allows licensed social workers to practice across state lines with greater ease. This compact would reduce administrative burdens for qualified professionals and increase the availability of critical mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the Commonwealth. “As the only degree-holding social worker serving in the Pennsylvania legislature, I understand firsthand the challenges facing both providers and the people who rely on mental health services,” Abney said. “This bill is a practical, bipartisan solution that will strengthen our workforce, expand care options for Pennsylvanians, and bring us one step closer to meeting the growing demand for mental health support across our state.” In addition to improving access to care, the legislation is expected to have a positive economic impact by reducing barriers to employment for social workers and making Pennsylvania a more attractive place for qualified professionals to live and Read more

HARRISBURG, March 17 — In a pivotal moment for health insurance reform, the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee, chaired by state Rep. Perry Warren, D-Bucks, reported out of committee four significant bills that safeguard health insurance in Pennsylvania in the event the federal government repeals protections of the Affordable Care Act. House Bill 404 , sponsored by Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, would allow parents to keep adult children on their health insurance plans until they turn 26. Before the Affordable Care Act became law, many kids turned 18 and were dropped from their parent’s insurance plan. Losing health insurance coverage led to many young health individuals leaving the health insurance market entirely. Because of the lack of healthy individuals to balance out the high-need policyholders, insurance premiums became unaffordable for many young people. “Ensuring young Pennsylvanians can stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until 26 will provide them with stability and peace of mind should the Republican Congressional majority repeal the Affordable Care Act,” Pashinski said. “That stability means they can begin pursuing their careers and building their lives without worrying about having the insurance needed to stay healthy and help in an emergency at a critical time in their lives.” House Bill 618 , sponsored by Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna/Luzerne, would Read more

AMBRIDGE, Feb. 24 – New transportation infrastructure is coming to parts of Beaver County thanks to $651,200 in new grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said $300,000 was secured under the CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund to support construction of rail infrastructure that will serve the city of Aliquippa waterfront industrial site. The site is targeted for a $219 million advanced steelmaking facility. “The funding will support construction of a freight railroad connection to the state-of-the-art steel manufacturing plant the company plans to construct at the historic Aliquippa Works site,” Matzie said. “Having that transportation infrastructure in place is a critical step in development of the entire site.” Matzie said another $351,222 is headed for Hopewell Township for a project to install sidewalk extensions. “The township requested assistance to construct sidewalk extensions along Brodhead Road, Laird Avenue and Circle Drive,” Matzie said. “The extensions will improve pedestrian safety – including students walking to and from school – reduce crossing distances and add additional room for waiting space.” Matzie said two other projects outside his legislative district in Beaver County located in Midland Borough and South Beaver Township received funding of $200,000 and Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – With Pennsylvania’s 344 th birthday approaching, the House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to mark that anniversary and remind Pennsylvanians of the special significance of the charter that serves as its birth certificate. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus and sits on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, said he introduced H.R. 35 – designating March 9, 2025, as “Charter Day” in Pennsylvania – to highlight the meaning underlying the 344-year-old document. “The charter symbolizes freedom,” Matzie said. “Williams Penn’s goal in petitioning King Charles II for a land grant was to create a colony where people could worship freely, without the threat of religious persecution. The charter is the result of that effort and an important reminder that Pennsylvania’s birth is rooted in ideals of freedom and tolerance.” Matzie said Charter Day also celebrates the early “Frame of Government” Penn drafted for the new colony, which incorporated democratic concepts such as freedom of worship, balance of powers and a check on the abuse of authority and would go on to inspire the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Written on parchment using iron gall ink, the charter is stored in a high-security vault, where it is preserved under special conditions. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – With Pennsylvania’s 344 th birthday approaching, the House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to mark that anniversary and remind Pennsylvanians of the special significance of the charter that serves as its birth certificate. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus and sits on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, said he introduced H.R. 35 – designating March 9, 2025, as “Charter Day” in Pennsylvania – to highlight the meaning underlying the 344-year-old document. “The charter symbolizes freedom,” Matzie said. “Williams Penn’s goal in petitioning King Charles II for a land grant was to create a colony where people could worship freely, without the threat of religious persecution. The charter is the result of that effort and an important reminder that Pennsylvania’s birth is rooted in ideals of freedom and tolerance.” Matzie said Charter Day also celebrates the early “Frame of Government” Penn drafted for the new colony, which incorporated democratic concepts such as freedom of worship, balance of powers and a check on the abuse of authority and would go on to inspire the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Written on parchment using iron gall ink, the charter is stored in a high-security vault, where it is preserved under special conditions. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House today adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie to increase public awareness about the dangers of rheumatoid arthritis and the disease’s link to heart and vascular disease. Matzie said he introduced H.R. 16 – designating Feb. 2, 2025, as “Rheumatoid Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania – to make people aware of the disease’s far-reaching impacts on the body and of the importance of early detection. “About one and a half million Americans live with RA, and the potential risks go far beyond joint pain and stiffness to include damage to the heart, lungs, eyes and other organs,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “It’s estimated that people with RA have a 50% to 70% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. This is an issue that’s personal to me because my father lived with RA. “Fortunately, there is some good news. Recent medical advances in immunotherapy are leading to promising new treatments. But, as with any disease, early detection is key. We need to spread the word that folks should not ignore the symptoms and should visit their doctor.” Matzie said typical symptoms of RA include tender, warm, swollen joints; joint stiffness that is usually worse in the morning and after inactivity; pain and stiffness in the same joints on both sides of the body; Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – As Beaver County residents continue to live with health and safety concerns two years after the East Palestine freight train derailment that spread toxic fumes throughout the region, state Rep. Rob Matzie is renewing his push to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety for Pennsylvanians. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he plans to introduce a new version of his rail safety bill that won strong bipartisan support in the House last session before stalling in the state Senate. “We have freight trains hauling toxic chemicals through our back yard at a time when we’re still seeing close to 1,000 derailments a year nationwide,” Matzie said. “We have folks still dealing with the East Palestine derailment and wondering if they will face long-term health consequences. “We can’t continue gambling that another incident won’t happen, and we can’t afford to rely on Washington, D.C. – especially at a time when we’re seeing some protections being dismantled at the federal level. We need to put stronger safety standards in place ourselves, at the state level, and we need to do it soon to prevent a repeat of East Palestine.” Mazie’s Safer Rails, Safer Community Act passed the state House 141-62 in June 2023 but the Senate failed to bring it up for consideration. Among other Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie today introduced legislation to prevent the deceptive practice of “speculative ticketing” – in which ticket sellers relist event tickets for sale before they have them in hand. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said H.B. 463 would prohibit resellers from listing tickets unless they actually have possession of them and would allow consumers and venues to sue for violations. “Consumers who pay for an item have the right to assume the seller actually has that item in hand to sell – and the same goes for tickets,” Matzie said. “Unfortunately, many sellers engage in speculative ticketing – relisting tickets they don’t have and betting that they can obtain them later. If that falls through, the disappointed consumer – at best – may get a refund. At worst, they lose their ticket money and any other expenses, like travel and lodging, they may have laid out. “Consumers aren’t the only ones who feel the impact. The venue loses credibility in the eyes of the public, while area restaurants, parking garages and other local businesses lose expected revenue. It’s a practice that’s bad for consumers and bad for business.” Matzie introduced an earlier version the bill last session, while he was majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection Read more

ALIQUIPPA, Jan. 28 – New grants totaling more than $325,100 will help expand recreational greenspaces and fund playground improvements in Aliquippa, Hopewell and Rochester Borough, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said four separate grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund revitalization projects to open new recreational spaces for residents. “Some of the funds will be used to transform abandoned lots in Aliquippa and Rochester Borough into recreational greenspaces,” Matzie said. “Other funds will support playground improvements in Hopewell. All the projects are going to give residents new outdoor spaces to enjoy.” Matzie said the funding includes: $100,000 to Primary Health Network to transform a one-acre section of blighted land along Virginia Avenue in Rochester Borough into a recreational greenspace with a pergola, community gardens, a central water feature, walking trails, sidewalks and ADA-accessible playground equipment. $90,872 to Hopewell Township for playground improvements at Woodlawn Park, including removal of an abandoned building and purchase and installation of new playground equipment and surfacing. $86,730 to Hopewell Township to remove aging playground equipment at the Sharon Grange Park in Aliquippa and install new equipment. $47,500 to hydroponic farming company GetBlok Farms LLC to transform two abandoned lots into a Read more

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 14 – Beaver County Career and Technical Center has secured $85,000 in grant funding for new training resources, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the new funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Competitive Equipment Grant program will help the center continue providing cutting-edge training. “BCCTC has been preparing students to enter the skilled trades for nearly 50 years, and the strength of those programs ensures that our regional employers have a continuing pool of top-notch applicants ready to hit the ground running,” Matzie said. “By funding new, state-of-the-art training resources, this grant will help ensure that trend continues.” More about the funding is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/newsroom/shapiro-administration-awards-more-than-4-5-million-for-career-and-technical-education-to-help-students-chart-their-own-course-and-succeed.html . Read more