HARRISBURG, June 20 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, is pleased that the House passed H.B. 2121 , the 2018-19 state spending plan. Led by increases in state funding that benefit area school districts and higher education, Hanna released the following statement on the new budget: “I’m happy we were able to increase funding for basic, special and early education by $140 million and in higher education by $15 million,” said Hanna, the House Democratic Whip. “We need to start relieving our students and families of some of the highest higher education tuition rates in the nation, and the crushing debt burden that too many young people face as they leave school and begin their families and careers. “Having a budget pass on time shows a bipartisan effort to tackle the demands of the needs throughout the commonwealth. What’s equally important is that this budget has no tax increases. “With the opioid crisis hitting the commonwealth hard, I’m happy to see more funding to fight that epidemic, along with maintaining funding for seniors through the Lottery Fund, and an increase to fix and manage our roads. “The commitment to putting more money into the Rainy Day Fund is also something we can be proud of. We haven’t had the additional money available to do that for over a decade, but it is something that is needed should the economy take a downturn.” Hanna added, “More and more of our Read more

HARRISBURG, June 20 – House Democratic leaders said the 2018-19 state budget passed by the House reflects many of the values Pennsylvanians have been talking about this year. "People across Pennsylvania want good schools in their neighborhoods that are safe for their kids, good jobs that support families, and communities that are healthy and safe to live and work in," Democratic Leader Frank Dermody said. "They want a budget that supports these values and opens opportunities for success for everyone. That's the direction this budget begins to point Pennsylvania." The general appropriation bill passed today makes new investments in lifelong learning, from pre-kindergarten to college, and beyond. Schools will receive a $100 million basic education increase in the ongoing effort to help them recover from the historic cuts made by Republicans in 2011. There are also new investments in special education and early learning. Legislators expect to pass related measures in the coming days that will also provide funding to make schools safer for students and staff. The budget includes a boost for the colleges that many Pennsylvania students attend, including increases for four state-related universities, the 14 state-system universities and 14 community colleges. "We need to start relieving our students and families of some of the highest tuition rates in the nation, and the crushing debt burden that too many young people face as they Read more

HARRISBURG, June 19 – Local registrars would gain the ability to issue death certificate copies after 90 days, eliminating the time-consuming process of obtaining them from the state, under an amendment inserted into a bill by state Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton-Centre. Hanna’s amendment to H.B. 84 , which the House overwhelmingly approved Monday, would get rid of the cutoff date that forces families to go through the Pennsylvania Department of Health to obtain copies of death certificates. “For too long, grieving families and executors have to deal with a bureaucratic mess to get additional copies of death certificates after 90 days,” Hanna said. “I was proud that my amendment was adopted unanimously and we are on a path to common-sense changes in Harrisburg.” Currently, local registrars can issue death certificate copies within 90 days, a convenience for many that would be extended beyond 90 days under the Hanna amendment. Many have complained about the necessity of – and frustration with – getting additional copies from Harrisburg, Hanna said. “I am pleased that we are on the verge of making it more convenient and faster for everyone to obtain copies of death certificates, reducing what can become a major headache for families during a very trying time,” Hanna said. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. Read more

HARRISBURG, May 29 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, today announced that Centre County’s University Park Airport was awarded $2.2 million in state funds through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s aviation portion of the Act 89 Multimodal Fund. The University Park Airport is Pennsylvania’s sixth-busiest airport and will use the state funding for a much-needed access road. This infrastructure improvement will enhance airport operations and will allow the airport to handle greater capacity in the future, Hanna said. “Airports are imperative to our transportation infrastructure and are an economic engine for local communities striving to bring more business and tourism dollars into our commonwealth,” Hanna said. “These funds will ensure continued growth and development of the commonwealth’s airport system.” According to PennDOT’s Bureau of Aviation, the Aviation Transportation Assistance Program is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds. The program complements the state’s Multimodal Fund. That fund was created by Act 89, a far-reaching transportation funding program that clears the way for significant investments in all transportation modes. A total of 14 airports across the state will use the funding from this program to expand operation opportunities, Hanna said. Read more

HARRISBURG, May 23 – The House unanimously passed legislation Tuesday that would designate portions of Monument Orviston and Kato Orviston roads in Beech Creek borough and township, Liberty Township and Curtin Township as the Cpl. Milford H. Wensel Memorial Highway, state Rep. Mike Hanna announced. Hanna’s legislation, H.B. 2264 , honors the life and legacy of Wensel, a Vietnam veteran who was killed in action in 1969. “Residents of Clinton and Centre counties wished to honor Corporal Wensel’s life and commitment to our great country,” said Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre. “So it’s only fitting that we remember this hero with a lasting tribute for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. I am happy to be able to contribute in this way.” Wensel was born on Dec. 2, 1948, and graduated from Lock Haven High School in 1966. In 1969, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he served with the 3 rd Squadron, 4 th Calvary, 25 th Infantry Division, as a half-track operator. Wensel was killed on June 5, 1969. He was 20 years old. Following his death, Wensel was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his valor. If signed into law, the state Transportation Department will be required to erect and maintain appropriate signs indicating the designation to traffic, Hanna said. House Bill 2264 now goes to the state Senate for consideration. Read more

HARRISBURG, May 14 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to not lower the water levels at Foster Joseph Sayers Dam and Reservoir. “I am pleased to hear that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agrees with the people of Centre County and will not change the water levels at Foster Sayers,” Hanna said. “Foster Sayers Lake and the surrounding Bald Eagle State Park must remain the recreational gem it is today. This decision ensures continued economic success and outdoor entertainment opportunities for the entire community.” Currently, the reservoir is drawn down about 20 feet in late fall and winter and returned to normal pool level by late spring. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a study was being conducted to investigate the reservoir’s potential to sustain aquatic habitat during these low-flow months – July through November – by exploring options that modify amounts and times of water releases when triggered. The decision to discontinue the study is due to mixed results and community outcry, Hanna said. A Corps’ analysis reports that while environmental benefits could occur through alternatives to control and modify water release times, the benefits are marginal and potentially could have required physical modifications to structures like marinas and beaches. In addition, feedback gathered at last year’s public workshop , as Read more

HARRISBURG, May 10 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, announced today that the Central County Workforce Development Board was awarded a $100,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. “This award is expected to allow our workforce development board the ability to connect local businesses with school districts to promote job opportunities and career readiness,” Hanna said. “Students can learn about the technical skills needed for immediate employment in our 21 st Century economy.” This grant is part of $2 million in funding for Gov. Tom Wolf’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Combined State Plan. The Central County Workforce Development Board consists of nine counties and a population of 630,000 residents, including Clinton and Centre counties. For Pennsylvania to succeed, there is a need to further invest in workforce development, Hanna said. Governor Wolf has proposed over $50 million through his new Pasmart Workforce Development proposal. This initiative includes $7 million to promote apprenticeships and over $35 million for STEM opportunities. Hanna said he looks forward to advocating for this program during the state budget debate next month. Read more

HARRISBURG, May 9 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, today announced that three Clinton County projects received funding through the state Transportation Department's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program. The TA Set-Aside provides funding for projects and activities defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community activities, environmental mitigation, trails that serve a purpose, and safe routes to school projects. Hanna said nearly $66.8 million was distributed throughout the state, with Clinton County receiving over $2 million itself. "These projects will improve our communities and offer a higher quality of life for our residents. Tourism and economic development opportunities created by these state investments make Clinton County more attractive for future investments," he said. "These projects were spearheaded by community leaders at the county and local levels, and I commend everyone involved for making our applications so attractive. Our applications were all accepted by PennDOT, and I am thankful for this opportunity given to us," Hanna said. Clinton County is receiving $1.08 million to build a critical phase of the 11-mile Clinton County Rail Trail that connects five Clinton County municipalities to the Lycoming County border, and ultimately to Read more

HARRISBURG, May 9 – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, today announced that three Clinton County projects received funding through the state Transportation Department's Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program. The TA Set-Aside provides funding for projects and activities defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community activities, environmental mitigation, trails that serve a purpose, and safe routes to school projects. Hanna said nearly $66.8 million was distributed throughout the state, with Clinton County receiving over $2 million itself. "These projects will improve our communities and offer a higher quality of life for our residents. Tourism and economic development opportunities created by these state investments make Clinton County more attractive for future investments," he said. "These projects were spearheaded by community leaders at the county and local levels, and I commend everyone involved for making our applications so attractive. Our applications were all accepted by PennDOT, and I am thankful for this opportunity given to us," Hanna said. Clinton County is receiving $1.08 million to build a critical phase of the 11-mile Clinton County Rail Trail that connects five Clinton County municipalities to the Lycoming County border, and ultimately to Read more

HARRISBURG, May 8 – State Reps. Michael Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, and Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, have introduced a resolution calling for a comprehensive review on the safety and security of staff and corrections officers in the commonwealth’s state prisons. “It’s necessary that we take the proper steps to prevent inmate-on-staff assaults,” Hanna said. “In order to accomplish this, we need to require multiple stakeholders, members of the General Assembly and the Joint State Government Committee to review standards and procedures while determining better safety protocols and best practices related to the staffing and safety of corrections officers.” Snyder said, “The staff and officers at our state prison facilities take it upon themselves to service our state in some of the harshest environments. They ask for little in return. The least we can do is review the safety protocols in hopes of providing them with the safety they deserve and need.” The measure, H.R. 906 , comes on the heels of the tragic, fatal assault of Sgt. Mark J. Baserman, who died of his injuries following an unprovoked attack earlier this year at the hands of an inmate currently serving a life sentence at the State Correctional Institute at Somerset. Corrections officers must remain alert at all times while on the job, Hanna said, pointing to the escalated risks officers face while conducting cell searches and transporting inmates. Read more