PITTSBURGH, Dec. 17 – The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics has been awarded a $50,000 grant to upgrade equipment used to train students pursuing aviation careers, state Rep.-elect Nick Pisciottano announced. Pisciottano, D-Allegheny, said the Keystone Communities Program grant process began under his predecessor, former state Rep. Bill Kortz, and he was able to complete Kortz’s efforts and secure the grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. PIA will use the grant to replace its 1200Y3 transponder bench unit test with a more updated version, which will provide students the ability to accurately test transponders and equipment used for air traffic control reporting, he added. “This Keystone Communities Program grant will help to ensure that PIA graduates remain at the top of the hiring list for aviation employers all across the industry for years to come,” Pisciottano said. “As young people realize careers in the technical trades are just as financially rewarding and professionally gratifying as those obtained with a four-year college degree, we hope more people will see schools like PIA – a prestigious, nationally top-ranked program – as an excellent option toward a great career, right here in our backyard.” “PIA is grateful to work with the Keystone Communities Program to ensure that this grant is put to practical use in a way that will enhance the career prospects of our Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 9 – Grants totaling nearly $4.53 million will bolster programs to assist law enforcement, deter crime, protect domestic crime victims and offer supports and services for women and children victims of abuse, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding comes from grants administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, acting on recommendations by various advisory committees. “Funding from PCCD goes toward programs that make our communities safer by improving crime detection and prevention and enhancing services and support for victims. They help our law enforcement and social service workers do their jobs better and help crime victims recover and thrive. Essentially, they are investments in peace and safety for our region.” Matzie said grants approved by these committees will fund the following services: County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee – improve probation services Allegheny County Improvement of Adult Probation Services – $1.33 million. Beaver County Improvement of Adult Probation Services – $282,501. Criminal Justice Advisory Committee – purchase body-worn law enforcement cameras Borough of Ambridge Law Enforcement and Corrections – $23,209. Beaver County Commissioners BWC Program Expansion – $2,892 . Criminal Justice Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 8 – More area residents and business owners will have the benefit of high-speed broadband access thanks to nearly $2 million in funding from the Federal Communications Commission awarded today to five area broadband companies, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the funding is welcome after years of work to bring faster connections to area neighborhoods. “As Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, expanding access for residents and businesses has been a top priority,” Matzie said. “I’m glad to see the federal government make this much-needed investment to help remove the digital divide that unfortunately exits based on Zip code. “So many day-to-day tasks and interactions depend on reliable, quick internet access, and the need is even greater now, as more people are working, shopping and socializing from home. Internet access has become similar to other essential services, such as water, electric and gas utility – with a level of expectation by the consumer that there is access and speed.” Matzie said the funding, which will provide access to 1,731 homes and businesses in the district, includes the following: $716,028 to Windstream Services LLC, to 259 Beaver County customers and another $180,474 for 114 Allegheny County customers. $593,551 to Space Exploration Technologies Corp. for 575 Beaver County customers and an additional Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 7 – Tax credits totaling $400,000 will help rehabilitate blighted areas of Beaver County, revitalize parts of the business district and provide residents with food, rent and job training assistance, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the tax credits awarded to Aliquippa Economic Development Corp., which were approved under the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, will create investments that transform the landscape while improving residents’ lives. “I am pleased that the funding for this crucial community project continues the vision of our team of stakeholders led by Mayor Dwan Walker, council members Walker, Mottes, Piroli and Milliner, and community leaders,” Matzie said. “The public-private partnership with the commonwealth and BNY Mellon has paid big dividends in a variety of ways thus far, and the continuation of cleaning up blighted properties and rebuilding crucial infrastructure is the next step in improving the quality of life for city residents.” Matzie said that among other things, the tax credits will fund the following: Acquire 7 blighted houses in the West End Franklin Avenue Corridor and acquire and rehab 1 house in this neighborhood. Provide match funding for the house acquisition/rehabilitation projects, replace 800 feet of sidewalk and ADA ramps, and install signage and landscaping at the Gateway Read more
AMBRIDGE, Dec. 2 – State grant funding of $209,833 will help boost operations for museums and historical societies in Beaver and Allegheny counties as they work to preserve and showcase the region’s unique past, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie, who serves on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, voted today to approve the grants as part of a package of nearly $2 million to 155 museums and county historical societies statewide. “Our region has an incredibly rich culture and history, and our museums and historical societies are the bridges that keep us connected to that rich past through colorful displays and events,” Matzie said. Many have been hit hard during the pandemic, as restrictions on events and gatherings have drained resources. Securing this funding is going to help ensure they are around to keep telling our history to future generations.” Matzie said the regional grants include the following: Allegheny County Braddock’s Battlefield History Center - $4,000 Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Carnegie Science Center - $40,000 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh - $40,000 Frick Art & Historical Center - $40,000 Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania - $40,000 The Holocaust Center of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh - $8,462 Read more
Lawmaker says Pennsylvanians need tangible relief, not rhetoric this holiday season Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 30 – Grant funding of $1.308 million will help ensure residents in Beaver and Allegheny counties do not have to face the harsh realities of winter and a pandemic without a safe place to call home, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the grant funding under the CARES Act includes $85,000 to The Cornerstone of Beaver County and an additional $1.22 million in combined grants to three additional relief entities in Allegheny County. “Life during the pandemic has been especially harsh, but the hardship and risk are tenfold for Pennsylvanians facing life without the promise of a warm, secure place to call home,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help ensure those who are homeless or are facing the prospect of homelessness will not have to face the triple threat of winter, flu season and COVID-19 without a safe secure place to go.” In addition to The Cornerstone, Matzie said Allegheny County shelter providers ACTION Housing/Team PSBG, Community Human Services and Pittsburgh Mercy will share in approximately $1.22 million. Pennsylvania received a second allocation of nearly $20 million in Emergency Solution Grant CARES Act funding allocated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of that amount, the state Department of Community and Economic Development prioritized the use of nearly $3 million to address emergency winter shelter and temporary Read more
"Pennsylvanians deserve better from their leaders" Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – Pennsylvania’s drug consumers and taxpayers are on the verge of a major victory after final passage of state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill to hold pharmacy benefit managers accountable for predatory practices that are gouging patients, wasting taxpayer dollars and driving mom-and-pop pharmacies out of business. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he introduced H.B. 941 together with state Rep. Doyle Heffley, D-Carbon, to bring transparency to questionable PBM pricing practices in the state’s Medicaid program and that the bill — which passed the state House in November – is now headed to the governor’s desk. “This bill is a big victory for Pennsylvania’s taxpayers, local pharmacies and anyone who takes prescription medicine,” said Matzie, who is House Democratic chair of the bicameral, bipartisan Community Pharmacy Caucus. “With the power to decide which drugs are covered by insurance and how much to reimburse the pharmacies that fill those prescriptions, PBMs wield a huge amount of power, but for years, they have operated below the radar, with little or no scrutiny. All that is about to change. “My bill would shed light on how PBMs are making key decisions, including how they determine price spreads – the difference between how much the state pays them for a drug and how much they reimburse the pharmacies that fill those prescriptions – and how they select which drugs Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 19 – Better protections are on the horizon for Pennsylvania consumers after the Pa. Senate today unanimously passed state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill to update and improve the commonwealth’s law prohibiting pyramid schemes. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said his H.B. 1534 will both update the current antiquated law and clarify the distinction between legitimate direct-sale companies and fly-by-night schemes designed to scam consumers. “We can’t protect consumers with outdated laws, and our anti-pyramid law is so old it still refers to chain letters,” said Matzie, who is Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. “My bill would bring the law up to date so that it reflects the complexity of today’s criminal fraud and has the necessary teeth to be an effective enforcement tool. “The bill would also clarify what constitutes acceptable business practices to help guide legitimate direct selling companies, while helping enforcement officers target the bad actors. The Senate’s move today means Pennsylvania consumers are one step closer to better protection.” Matzie said the law will encourage direct-sale companies to adopt the following two provisions that have been successful in other states: An anti-inventory loading provision that would discourage companies from saddling individual direct sellers with more products or services then they can sell or use. A Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 18 – Two grants totaling $52,107 from the state Department of Education will fund training equipment for area career and technical schools, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding includes $2,407 to Beaver County Career and Technology Center and $49,700 to Parkway West Career and Technology Center. “State-of-the-art equipment is essential to prepare career and technical school students for real-world work environments,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding means area students will have the benefit of training with the latest technology so they can step into high-tech jobs and meet employer expectations with a shorter learning curve. Less down time for on-the-job training means greater productivity for area business and industry and quicker economic returns.” The competitive grants are part of a statewide package of nearly $1.2 million to 32 career and technical centers and area vocational technical education schools and two school districts. The maximum grant under the program is $50,000, and each must be matched dollar-for-dollar from a local source such as local school funds or contributions from business and industry partners. More information on the grants is available here . Read more
AMBRIDGE, Nov. 16 – Schools in Beaver and Allegheny counties are receiving $515,977 in grant funding to ensure students and staff enjoy the safety possible environment, state Rep, Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the competitive 2020-21 Safe Schools Targeted Grants from the state Department of Education will ensure schools have all the resources they need to implement safety plans for the year ahead. “Safety is the first order of business when it comes to our schools, and that’s true whether we’re protecting students and staff them from health risks from COVID or ensuring basic security is in place,” Matzie said. “Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, our school officials do an excellent job of assessing specific needs and ensuring every potential issue is addressed before it becomes a problem. “But security comes at a price, and the cost burden often falls on taxpayers. Securing this funding will allow officials to cover all bases and ensure schools have the resources they need – including a mix of personnel, programs and equipment – while easing the tax burden on residents.” Matzie said the funding includes the following grants: Aliquippa School District – $25,000 for security equipment. Ambridge Area School District – $24,960 for security equipment and $60,000 for a school resource officer. Read more
Urges General Assembly to act against rise in hate crimes Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – The House last week unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer – a disease that kills approximately 47,000 Americans each year. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he introduced H.R. 1045 , designating November 2020 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, to draw attention to a disease that often evades detection until it is too advanced to treat. “I introduce this resolution every year because we need to keep talking about pancreatic cancer until survival is the rule, not the exception,” Matzie said. “My connection to this disease is deeply personal – my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about six years ago. After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, she survived. Sadly, her story is not typical for most of the 57,000 Americans diagnosed every year. “There is cause for hope, however. Although we have yet to see a breakthrough, the statistics on survival are slowly climbing. Between 2014 and 2020, the five-year survival rate increased from 6% to 10%. The progress happens because of research. As more clinical trials take place, the number of survivor stories grows, and so do the people who live to tell them. “What can we do now? We can learn the symptoms and risk factors for pancreatic cancer and make sure family and friends know them. We can volunteer, support research efforts, and Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The PA House on Tuesday unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution designating October as “Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month” in Pennsylvania. Matzie said he introduced H.R. 1046 to highlight the major contributions made by Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry, which traces its history all the way back to William Penn. “With nearly 300 wineries and hundreds of grape growers farming more than 14,000 acres, Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industry plays a vital role in our economy,” Matzie said. “It’s estimated that each year, the industry produces more than 2 million gallons of wine, generates more than $1.4 billion annually and creates nearly 10,000 jobs paying more than $390 million. “Pennsylvania also has a fascinating historical connection to wine production – William Penn planted the first vineyard here more than 330 years ago. Today, the industry is not only thriving but provides a major source of tourism revenue, as our wineries, vineyards and trails draw more than 2 million visitors annually. “The commonwealth’s rich, fertile soil plays an essential role in the success of the industry, but ultimately, it is the proud efforts of the men and women who work in our vineyards and wineries that make this industry the vital, economic driver that it is and supply Pennsylvanians a taste of a product Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 19 – The House today unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution highlighting the special benefits provided by Pennsylvania’s credit unions. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said he introduced H.R. 1020 – designating Oct. 11-17 as Credit Union Week in Pennsylvania – to emphasize the ways these financial collaboratives empower consumers and differ from banks. “Credit unions are unique because they exist to serve their members,” Matzie said. “Shareholder profits are not part of the equation. Instead, credit unions are owned and operated by their members, and any gains realized go back to members in the form of lower fees, lower-than-average bank card rates, low-interest loans and higher interest rates on deposits. “Beyond those benefits, credit unions also offer financial education, consumer outreach and support for members’ community work. They are guided by a common motto – ‘Not for profit, not for charity, but for service’ – and they operate in a way that truly empowers the consumers they serve. “It’s a model that has been working for more than 100 years in this country and an alternative that consumers should be aware of when it comes to their personal finances.” Matzie said the credit union movement began in Germany in the mid-1800s, and the first U.S. credit union opened its doors in Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 16 – On Thursday, state Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, along with other House Democrats, sent a letter to the Wolf administration , asking that they seriously consider waiving filing, surcharge and license fees paid by restaurants for the coming year. Deasy’s statement on the request is as follows: “The Wolf administration took on a daunting task this year – tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a job not many could accomplish, but one of which I personally can say has been handled adequately, Deasy said. “There’s no easy answer or solution to meeting all Pennsylvanians’ needs during this trying time, but our governor has made it his personal goal to help as many people as possible. For that, I commend him and his administration. “However, as Democratic chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, it’s my duty to ask that we do more for our restaurants, specifically our ‘Mom and Pop’ establishments. The Wolf administration has loosened restrictions as of late, allowing these private, family-owned businesses to receive much-needed relief. But more needs to be done at the state and federal level as the winter months approach. “Due to this, I’m asking the Wolf administration to consider waiving filing, surcharge and license fees paid by bars and restaurants for the coming year. This will alleviate much of the financial hardships Read more
Urges House, Senate leadership to enact hate crime legislation Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 9 – State Rep. Rob Matzie announced that 11 fire companies in his district will receive $261,012 in state grants for operational expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the grants awarded by the Office of State Fire Commissioner are needed to offset the additional financial burdens created by the pandemic. “Even under the best of times, our fire and rescue workers are forced to operate on shoestring budgets, but the pandemic has complicated things a hundred-fold,” Matzie said. “Rescue operations involve a higher degree of risk, and first responders are facing situations requiring additional protective equipment and other resources. At the same time, restrictions on social gatherings have dried up sources of fundraising. “Securing these grants should help ease the burden on these frontline heroes so they can continue their lifesaving work while staying safe themselves.” Matzie said the following fire companies will receive the following amounts: Allegheny County Leetsdale Fire Department - $23,151. Beaver County Aliquippa Bureau of Fire - $24,247. Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department - $24,110. Baden Volunteer Fire Department - $25,205. Conway Volunteer Fire Department - $23,973. Economy Volunteer Fireman’s Association - Read more
News of lawmaker’s positive test comes amid contentious committee hearing Read more
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