Those interested in donating non-perishable food items may drop off their items at either of Burns’ offices: 535 Fairfield Ave. in Johnstown and 123 W. High St. in Ebensburg during regular business hours. Read more
EBENSBURG, Aug. 23 – Convinced that the heinous and pervasive sexual abuse of children now documented in all eight Pennsylvania dioceses is not unique, state Rep. Frank Burns wants the U.S. attorney general to launch a nationwide investigation of the Roman Catholic Church. Burns, D-Cambria, plans to introduce a House resolution to that effect, largely because a frequent theme in the Pennsylvania grand jury reports was complicity of local elected officials in keeping such matters under wraps, due to church influence or selfish political concerns. “We cannot trust that attorneys general in other states will have the political will or legal wherewithal to undertake an investigation of this magnitude on their own,” Burns said. “Federal prosecutors are best equipped to scrutinize this venerated institution that violated its members’ trust by allowing abusive behavior to go unchecked for decades.” Burns said the issue strikes home with him, as a graduate of Bishop McCort High School in Cambria County, where a grand jury investigating the Johnstown-Altoona Diocese documented sexual abuse of students that victimized some of his friends and classmates. “Parishioners, especially children, are taught to trust and revere priests, but we cannot allow anyone or any institution to be above the law,” Burns said. Separately, Burns also plans to introduce a bill that would make clear that non-disclosure agreements do not prevent Read more
Please sign this petition urging CamTran and the Cambria County commissioners to restore seniors' bus service to popular destinations. Read more
EBENSBURG, Aug. 22 – Responding to senior constituents’ outrage over the loss of CamTran bus service to some of their favorite destinations, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is mounting a petition drive in his Ebensburg, Portage, Patton and Lower Yoder Township offices to restore the cut routes. Burns, who took up the cause on these impassioned seniors’ behalf since they began peppering his offices with complaints several weeks ago, recently met with a dozen of them to hear firsthand how upset they are over the public transit agency’s recent decision. “These taxpayers, now in their golden years, have been victimized by their transit agency’s decision to cut 3,700 rides per year – and they’re not happy about it,” Burns said. “As an elected official, I’m proud to stand with them and launch a petition to restore their bus service.” Burns said his calls to PennDOT pinpointed that CamTran – the acronym for the Cambria County Transit Authority – made the decision to cut Shared-Ride Program bus service to destinations in Somerset, Bedford, Indiana and Westmoreland counties. Because this was a county-level decision, Burns intends to deliver the petitions, which constituents can sign regardless of whether they are a senior citizen, to CamTran and to the Cambria County commissioners. The petition says, “We, the undersigned residents of Cambria County, request that CamTran and the Read more
CRESSON, Aug. 17 – Surrounded by the sisters, nephews and nieces of a Vietnam War hero killed in action while loading injured fellow Marines onto a medical helicopter, state Rep. Frank Burns presided over dedication of the Cpl. Robert J. Sherwood Jr. Memorial Bridge this morning at Cresson American Legion Post 238. Burns noted that Sherwood, who was born in Altoona but resided in Cresson when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, died at 19 after being mortally wounded in the 1967 skirmish in Quang Tin province. “Corporal Sherwood embodied the highest American ideals, that being love of country and a willingness to sacrifice his own life in an attempt to aid members of his unit after they came under enemy attack while on patrol,” Burns said. “He did not duck and cover; instead, he threw himself in harm’s way, a noble decision that cost him his own life. We should all have such a dedicated friend.” The renaming of the bridge in Sherwood’s honor was legislatively initiated by Burns as H.B. 1251 and became law with passage of Act 9 of 2018. The bridge is located on a portion of Pennsylvania Route 53 over U.S. Route 22 in Cresson Township. Sherwood’s sisters Nora Sherwood, Ella Conigy and Donna Sherwood are among the family members who attended the ceremony. Nieces Eunice Wilkins, Regina Hill and Jessica Link were also on hand, along with nephews Gregory Gaida and Steve Gaida Jr. Burns noted that Sherwood is honored on Read more
EBENSBURG, Aug. 14 – In response to state Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s release today of a statewide grand jury report on child sexual abuse and related cover-ups in an additional six Roman Catholic Church dioceses in Pennsylvania, state Rep. Frank Burns issued the following statement: “After a separate grand jury report in 2016 that detailed widespread but equally appalling conduct in the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese, I became a staunch advocate for lengthening the statute of limitations for such crimes – and now I am even more angry and determined to see that the law is changed so victims can get the closure they deserve. “For more than two years I’ve stood with allies, such as state Representative Mark Rozzi of Berks County – himself a victim of sex abuse at the hands of a priest – and my longtime friend Shaun Dougherty, who was similarly abused starting at age 10, to keep this issue front and center in the body politic. “Now that this type of heinous and damaging behavior has been documented in the rest of Pennsylvania, perhaps we’ll have the critical mass needed in the legislature to advance the changes that Representative Rozzi, my good friend Shaun, I and many others know are needed to help victims find closure. “We now know that these abuses were not confined to one region, but took place in six additional dioceses that cover 54 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. And in each one Read more
Fighting to restore popular bus service destinations for seniors and a reminder to attend my Sept. 14 Senior Fair in Ebensburg are two highlights of this newsletter devoted to senior issues. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 7 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is hosting a complimentary spaghetti lunch for veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 at the Cresson Volunteer Fire Co., 223 Ashcroft Ave., Cresson 16630. Guests are welcome, but only veterans with a military ID qualify for the free lunch. Guests can eat for $5. To RSVP by Friday, Aug. 17, please call Burns’ Portage office at 814-736-7339. Burns has hosted the free meal for veterans in the past, as a way of showing appreciation for the sacrifices veterans have made in service to the country. “My staff and I love hosting this event for our veterans,” Burns said. “It’s the least we can do to honor their service and thank them for dedicating their lives to our safety.” Veterans will also have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about state programs and services. Read more
My success in getting the state to confiscate Timberland work boots from prisoners, after that footwear was used in the beating and kicking death of a corrections officer, is detailed in this newsletter. Read more
An invitation for veterans to attend my free spaghetti luncheon on Aug. 26 and my bridge namings in honor of three veterans and one state policeman are featured in my latest Veterans Newsletter. Read more
My continued support of child sex abuse victims and my call for welfare reform highlight my Summer 2018 newsletter. Read more
Bringing an additional $15 million to the 72nd Legislative District and welcoming Attorney General Josh Shapiro to our "Push Out the Pusher" campaign are highlights of my 2017 Year in Review newsletter. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 26 – Peppered with complaints from seniors upset that shared ride bus routes were cut to several popular spots July 1, state Rep. Frank Burns has moved front and center to lobby for restoration of those services. Burns, D-Cambria, has written the Cambria County Transportation Authority, which made the decision, and the Cambria County commissioners, urging reversal of the locally made decision. “It has come to my attention that CamTran has drastically cut bus services for seniors by limiting the shared ride program’s destinations. I am requesting that CamTran fully restore these bus services for seniors immediately,” Burns wrote in both letters. “By eliminating travel to and from several very popular locations that seniors have enjoyed visiting – such as the Flight 93 National Memorial – you are hampering the quality of life for seniors in Cambria County.” Burns also penned an open letter to his 72 nd Legislative District constituents, explaining the situation and advising them to direct their complaints to the local decision-makers, CamTran at 814-471-6601 or the county commissioners at 814-472-1600. “Please be advised that neither my office nor the state Department of Transportation was involved in this decision,” Burns wrote. “Although CamTran receives state funding to defray the cost of this shared ride program, my office confirmed with PennDOT that CamTran made the decision on its Read more
Neither my office nor PennDOT had anything to do with CamTran cutting bus service for seniors to several popular destinations. I've written these letters to explain the situation and urge decision-makers to restore those routes. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 24 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is urging 72 nd Legislative District entities to apply for grant funding available to farmers and small businesses for pollution prevention, energy efficiency and natural resource protection projects through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Small Business Advantage program. “Everyone who thinks they may be eligible should consider applying, and should contact my offices for help or clarification if they need it,” Burns said. “Brittany Blackham in my office is able to act as an on-staff grant writer for those who need assistance.” Examples of eligible projects are HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery and waste recycling systems, and auxiliary power units deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks. Last year, 150 small businesses were awarded more than $953,000 in grants for these types of projects. Pennsylvania-based small-business owners with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution-related expenses. Businesses can apply for 50-percent matching funds of up to $9,500 to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Only costs incurred between July 20, 2018 and June 30, 2019 are eligible. Applications will be considered on a first-come basis, and will be accepted until Read more
EBENSBURG, June 7 – Noting that the program has resulted in almost 500 arrests since its inception four years ago, state Rep. Frank Burns is offering free “Push out the Pusher” yard signs at each of his district offices. Burns, D-Cambria, said the campaign to eradicate illegal drugs – notably heroin and other opioids – is driven by the ability to remain anonymous by calling a toll-free tip line and the possibility of a reward of up to $8,000. “If you’re fed up with drug dealers pushing their poison on kids, then get involved in the fight by displaying a yard sign and reporting what you see to police,” said Burns of the program that also involves Cambria County Crime Stoppers. “We need the public’s help to combat this opioid crisis, so let’s all band together, fight back and let these drug dealers know the 72 nd Legislative District is not an easy place to set up shop.” Burns, who has stood with law enforcement agency representatives and the Cambria County district attorney at prior “Push out the Pusher” events, said the actual reward amounts are determined by police and the county’s drug task force. Burns said citizens can report illegal drug activity by calling 1-800-548-7500, or by calling their local police department. “"The program’s been effective in helping get heroin and other dangerous illegal drugs off our streets,” Burns said, noting that at Read more
EBENSBURG, May 30 – As a longstanding partner with Cambria County Crime Stoppers in its “Push out the Pusher” campaign, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, said numerous Youth Fairs featuring an anti-drug use message are scheduled throughout the 72 nd Legislative District this summer. The Cambria County Courts and judges, and the county’s Drug Task Force, are important partners in these Youth Fairs, and Burns’ office is also on hand to talk about state programs to deter kids and young adults from drug use. “This is an important message to reinforce, so I encourage parents to consider having their children attend these events, all of which run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Burns said. “We’re having 14 of them throughout the district, so there’s bound to be one close by.” The 2018 Youth Fair schedule is: June 8 – Patton Park June 13 – Chest Springs Baseball Field June 15 – Revloc Park June 19 -- Veterans Park, Cresson June 20 – The Mound Playground, Westmont June 22 – American Legion Park, Carrolltown June 26 – Summerhill Fire Hall June 27 – Franklin Street Baseball Field, Gallitzin June 29 – Crichton McCormick Park, Portage July 3 – Inside Campground/Beach, Prince Gallitzin July 11 – War Memorial Field, Lilly July 13 – Memorial Field, Ebensburg July 17 – VFW Baseball Field, Sankertown July 27 – Colver Park Read more
EBENSBURG, May 17 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is accepting applications from June 1 through 20 at his Ebensburg office for the third annual Charlie Vizzini Volunteerism Award, which will honor an outstanding volunteer in the 72 nd Legislative District. Burns presented the annual award last year to co-recipients Tiffany A. Jones of Jackson Township and Conner C. Hagins of Upper Yoder Township. Burns started the award in 2016 in honor of its initial recipient Charlie Vizzini, who has amassed more than 9,200 hours by volunteering in Burns’ legislative office – fielding more than 1,400 constituent service matters and saving taxpayers an estimated $95,000. “This is a wonderful opportunity to honor someone from the district who gives and volunteers to make our community a better place,” Burns said. “Please consider submitting a nomination if you are – or know someone who is – one of those people who should be celebrated for their efforts in improve the lives of others in our community.” To be eligible, one must: Be a resident living within Burns’ 72 nd Legislative District; Regularly volunteer to make the community a better place to live; and Be able to verify any stated volunteerism. Written nominations should include: The name and contact information of the person making the nomination, and the name and contact information for the person being nominated. An essay of no Read more
RSVP by June 11 for my June 19 bus trip to the Capitol. Read more
EBENSBURG, May 11 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced the award of a $4,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to the Cambria County Historical Society. Burns said the Cultural and Historical Support Grant comes from a program designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museum community, by supporting general operations of eligible museums and official county historical societies not supported by other state agency funding programs. “These state funds will assist with the operation of the county’s historical society, which is a fixture in the fabric of our community,” Burns said. “I’m pleased to see them receiving a share of the monies earmarked statewide for this important purpose.” Award amounts are determined using an equation based on a percentage of the eligible museum’s previous year’s operating budget, and the maximum any museum could receive is $50,000, Burns said. Statewide, the PHMC awarded almost $2 million in grants to 142 eligible museums and official county historical societies from 55 counties. Read more
EBENSBURG, May 8 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced a $666,026 state grant to Mount Aloysius College to construct a sidewalk from its premises to the Cresson Business District, a high-priority project in the Admiral Peary Corridor as defined by the Cambria County Planning Commission. “This important project is one of 82 statewide selected for funding as a means to improve transportation alternatives, and to enhance mobility and public access,” Burns said. “As state representative for the 72 nd Legislative District, I’ve made a priority of encouraging eligible entities to apply for state grants, and have hired a legislative assistant with a grant writing background, so these success stories come as no surprise.” This project was awarded funding by the state Department of Transportation through the Surface Transportation Block Grant program Set-Aside or Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside. The transportation alternatives program provides funding for such projects as community improvement activities, safe routes to school and trails that serve a transportation purpose. Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Frank Burns.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
535 Fairfield Ave.Johnstown (Lower Yoder Twp.), PA 15906-1803
P*: (814) 536-8400
F*: (814) 533-2368
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
123 West High StreetEbensburg, PA 15931-1538
P*: (814) 472-8021
F*: (814) 472-1965
332 Main CapitolPO Box 202072Harrisburg, PA 17120-2072
P*: (717) 772-8056