Burns invites governor to join group of legislators on Friday, Nov. 17 tour of Ebensburg State Center
Rep. Frank Burns November 13, 2017 | 10:53 AM
EBENSBURG, Nov. 13 – Remaining concerned about the facility’s future, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has invited Gov. Tom Wolf to join a group of legislators on a tour of the Ebensburg State Center arranged by the Department of Human Services for 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17.
Several weeks ago, Burns made note of his prior visit to the facility when he vowed to fight proposed legislation that would close the center, which serves nearly 225 mentally and physically disabled adults and employs more than 700 caregivers.
Burns said he was invited to participate in the Nov. 17 tour, which was arranged at the request of other legislators, since the facility is located in Burns’ 72nd Legislative District. Burns said he plans to attend but thought it wise to invite the governor as well.
Burns said he took this course of action because, “As I have recently discovered that legislation may not be required in order to close the Ebensburg State Center or other facilities like it, the last thing we want is to wake up one morning and be blindsided with news that it’s a done deal.”
In his letter to Wolf, Burns said, “I believe this tour would provide you with valuable insights as to the special challenges faced by some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents and their families … and I can assure you that getting a firsthand look at the needs of its residents and the dedication of its staff is a fundamental step any elected official should take before supporting, sanctioning or ordering its closure.”
If the governor is unable to make the Nov. 17 tour, Burns added that he is open to meeting with him in Harrisburg to discuss the matter, although it would remain “most advantageous” for such a meeting to occur at the Ebensburg State Center.