OLYPHANT, April 2 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today announced that he has relocated his district office to a new location in Olyphant. Mullins’ new office, located at 520 Burke Bypass, Suite 1, in Olyphant, will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The new office will replace his former office space, which was located at the Dunmore Community Center. “It was important to me to identify a central, convenient location for our new district office to ensure we are accessible to all residents of the 112th District,” Mullins said. “My staff and I look forward to continuing to serve our constituents and to help them navigate the many state programs and services available. From this new location, we are able to expand that reach." Mullins also plans to host outreach hours at community centers and municipal buildings throughout the district each month to ensure constituents can meet with his staff and receive the assistance they need. These dates and locations will be posted on his Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/RepKyleMullins ) and Twitter (@RepKyleMullins ) as they become available. In addition to his Olyphant office, Mullins also has an office in Harrisburg, located at 116B East Wing of the state Capitol Building. For more information on Mullins and the services provided at his district office, visit www.pahouse.com/Mullins or call 570-383-9795. Read more

As a graduate of West Chester University, Pa. state Rep. Kyle Mullins understands the value of a State System degree, but also knows firsthand how student loan debts can burden students as they enter the workforce. Mullins says as we work through the budget process it will be his mission to keep college affordable so our students can have the best chance for success after they graduate. Read more

HARRISBURG, March 26 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today joined state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, and state Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne, to support a bicameral and bipartisan effort to raise the minimum educator salary in Pennsylvania, as proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf in his annual budget address. “We face an alarming teacher shortage in Pennsylvania, and low wages are a major contributing factor,” Mullins said. “If we don’t attract and retain quality educators, we are jeopardizing critical and foundational experiences for our schoolchildren. We can’t risk that, and we can’t wait any longer to take action. The state must take action.” The current minimum salary for educators is $18,500 and was set more than 30 years ago in 1988. The proposal would increase the minimum starting salary to $45,000 and would benefit 3,100 educators in 216 school districts, intermediate units and career and technical centers across the commonwealth. “This is our chance to show just how much we value our educators,” Mullins said. “I am proud to join lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to make sure teachers are doing better than living paycheck to paycheck.” Mullins said this initiative would be fully funded through the state budget and would not necessitate an increase in local property taxes. Wolf’s proposed state budget would provide an estimated $13.8 million in basic Read more

HARRISBURG, March 20 – House Democratic lawmakers, in response to widespread concerns about patients and clients in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and long-term care homes not getting the quality care they deserve, announced a comprehensive package of bills to protect seniors and give family members the vital information they need to make the right choice for their grandparents and parents. As pension plans increasingly become a thing of the past and families become smaller and unable to care for elderly relatives in their own homes, House Democrats believe people need to know the long-term care options for their loved ones are the best possible – because, someday, we’ll all need a place to call home. While most facilities do a good job caring for patients and clients, as well as providing a stable place of employment for healthcare professionals, seniors, families and potential employees need the facts and protections these bills would deliver. The Promise of Care package includes: Making a Home truly a Home (Sponsored by Rep. Angel Cruz): A long-term care home shouldn’t feel like a hospital ward. This bill creates a voluntary Culture & Quality of Life Certification Program that would reward homes that go the extra mile to offer a rich, life-affirming program that treats residents like the individual people they are. Reporting Requirements when a Resident Passes (Two bills sponsored by Rep. Frank Burns): People Read more

Materials from House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Kyle Mullins. Read more

DUNMORE, Feb. 27 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today hosted his first House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on state and local transportation issues at the Dunmore Community Center. Mullins was joined by state legislators from across the state including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. “Improving our roads and public safety are paramount. Today’s discussion brought local and state officials together to discuss how working jointly to mend our roadways and bridges can give our economy a boost while making our community safer,” Mullins said. Sturla added: “I agree with Representative Mullins that this is a public safety and economic issue. As we work to find transportation dollars to fund these projects, it’s important that we find efficiencies in government. Money earmarked for transportation projects should be used for just that.” The committee heard testimony from Richard Roman, bureau director for Maintenance and Operations/interim District 4 executive, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; John Pocius, member of Coordinating Committee and Steve Pitoniak, chairman of Technical Committee, both from the Lackawanna/Luzerne Metropolitan Planning Organization; Bob Fiume, executive director, County of Lackawanna Transit System; Carl Beardsley, executive director, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport; Charlene Wagner Doyle, director of administration, Pennsylvania Northeast Read more

DUNMORE, Feb. 22 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on state and local transportation issues. The public hearing roundtable will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Dunmore Community Center, 1414 Monroe Ave., Dunmore 18509. The media and public are invited to attend. Mullins will be joined by state legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The current agenda is: 2 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks 2:10 p.m. Richard Roman, Burea Director for Maintenance and Operations/interim District 4 Executive, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2:40 p.m. Panel from Lackawanna/Luzerne Metropolitan Planning Organization: John Pocius , member of Coordinating Committee Steve Pitoniak , chairman of Technical Committee 3:10 p.m. Panel from local transportation systems: Bob Fiume , executive director, County of Lackawanna Transit System Carl Beardsley , executive director, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Charlene Wagner Doyle , director of administration, Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority 3:50 p.m. Panel from local unions: Thomas Calpin , business agent, Ironworkers Local 404 Ronald Tomasetti , business manager, Heavy and Highway Construction Workers’ Local 158 Dave Horn , business development representative, Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Read more

"I have been following the recent developments in the Scranton School District with great interest and concern. The financial and managerial deficiencies that have come to light during the recent audits conducted by Auditor General Eugene DePasquale – along with ongoing criminal investigations – have been alarming, to say the least. These failures have forced school administrators to cut programs such as the Accelerated Reader, library, health and fitness, and instrumental music programs, to name a few. We should be expanding – not eliminating – educational programming to give our children the best possible education. I applaud the recent decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to put the Scranton School District in Financial Recovery Status. By doing this and appointing a c hief r ecovery o fficer, we will be taking a crucial first step toward correcting the many issues facing the Scranton School District. The Department of Education recently conducted interviews with several qualified candidates resulting in the appointment of Dr. Candis Finan as Chief Recovery Officer. Finan brings a tremendous amount of expertise as both an educator and an administrator, and I believe she will bring relevant experience and objectivity to the many challenges facing the Scranton School District," Mullins said. Read more

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins offered the following observations about the 2019-20 budget proposal presented today by Gov. Tom Wolf. Read more

HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Kyle Mullins, D-Lackawanna, today announced he was appointed to serve on three House committees for the 2019-20 legislative session: Transportation, Game and Fisheries and Professional Licensure. “I am excited to serve on these critical committees as a first-term state representative,” Mullins said. “My appointment to these committees will allow me to serve as a voice for Lackawanna County residents in the important policy areas they will consider.” Mullins said committees are the starting block for all legislative proposals, allowing members to fine-tune those bills before moving them to consideration by the full House. “I look forward to working with members of both parties to make sure commonsense and well-vetted bills are advanced for a vote,” he said. “My assignments will allow me to work on important issues, such as roadway improvements and rail service; navigating the licensing process for a host of occupations; and representing the outdoor community.” Mullins represents the 112 th Legislative District. He encourages residents to visit his website ( www.pahouse.com/Mullins ) for information on services that his office can provide. His office is located at 1414 Monroe Ave. in Dunmore and can be reached at 570-342-2710 . Read more