News Center

Burns Stands Against Tax Hikes

(Jul 13, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Pa. state Rep. Frank Burns says he was putting Cambria County working families first by opposing a $1.3 billion tax increase that passed the House today to fund the state’s annual budget. Read more

 

Burns introduces bill to make assault on police a hate crime

(Jul 12, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, July 12 – Buoyed by its swift netting of 11 co-sponsors in one day, state Rep. Frank Burns has introduced his Blue Lives Matter legislation to elevate assault on police, corrections, probation and parole officers to hate-crime status. In the works weeks before the tragic Dallas sniper attack that killed five police officers and wounded seven others, H.B. 2261 would fulfill Burns’ vision of creating added deterrence. It would put employment as a law enforcement officer on par with race, color, religion and national origin as covered classes under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law. The legislation would make an attack against one of the listed law enforcement officers an offense one degree higher than it currently is; for example, a second-degree misdemeanor would become a first-degree misdemeanor. “I’ve already heard from a few outside of my district who aren’t happy with this legislation, but I believe it’s necessary to send a clear, unwavering signal of support for those who risk their lives to protect us,” Burns said. “Their job is dangerous enough as it is. If we expect police to go to work every day with an intentional target on their back, then it won’t be long before no one will want to be a police officer.” As there is nothing partisan about the goal of H.B. 2261, Burns said the bill has strong bipartisan support and deserves to move swiftly through the legislative committee approval Read more

 

Burns: Blue Lives Matter

(Jul 08, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

After the tragic attacks on police in Texas, Pennsylvania state Rep. Frank Burns is introducing legislation to sharply increase penalties on anyone willfully choosing to commit a crime against a Law Enforcement Officer, treating such crimes as a Hate Crime under state law. Burns also plans to include Correctional Officers under his legislation. Burns says that we cannot have a civilized society without the “thin blue line” of law enforcement protecting citizens, and those officers deserve extra protection. Read more

 

Dedication of Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge

(Jul 08, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Rep. Burns organized and participated in a July 8 ceremony dedicating the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, honoring a fallen state trooper. Burns' legislation was responsible for the bridge naming. Read more

 

‘Blue Lives Matter’ legislation coming from Burns within days

(Jul 08, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, July 8 – The sniper-induced deaths of five Dallas police officers underscore why state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, will soon unveil “Blue Lives Matter” legislation designed to put attacks on police and corrections officers on par with ethnic hate crimes. Burns, whose legislation was already in the production pipeline, plans to introduce his bill and seek House co-sponsors as early as Monday. “I respect the difficult job police and corrections officers perform keeping us safe from criminals and I’m appalled that all too often, officers themselves are targeted for assault, ambush or – as we found out in Dallas – death,” Burns said. “If ever there was a group in need of being a protected class, it’s those who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe from the criminal element.” Burns said cowardly acts like those perpetrated in Dallas against unsuspecting police officers warrant stiff punishment and a clear message needs to be sent that such targeting will not be legally tolerated. Burns’ bill seeks to give law enforcement officers of the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, as well as corrections officers at state or county institutions, protected status under the state’s ethnic intimidation law. As such, the legislation would give them the same treatment as race, color, religion or national origin when it comes to crimes motivated by Read more

 

House Archives paid internship program accepting applications through July 31st

(Jul 06, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Undergraduate seniors and juniors and graduate students interested in working alongside professional archivists and research staff should apply by July 31 st for the fall 2016 semester internship program of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. This competitive, paid, 13-week internship offers a chance to work on special projects and programs – including, but not limited to, arranging, describing, preserving and making records available for research, as well as performing routine genealogical and legislative research. For additional information, list of requirements and a copy of the application, visit the House Archives’ website and click on the internship tab. Questions can be directed to Jesse Teitelbaum, associate archivist, at 717-783-3866 or jteitelbaum@pabmc.net . You may also contact my 72 nd Legislative District offices for help regarding this or any other state-related matter. Read more

 

Burns says ‘no’ vote on state budget based on revenue concerns

(Jul 01, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Frank Burns, one of nine House Democrats to oppose a 2016-17 state budget bill Thursday night, said its unraveling in the Senate today over how to raise more than $1 billion validates his position. Burns, D-Cambria, said he had grave concerns that the budget was heavily laden with back-door taxes on working families, levies that would take more money from those who heat with natural gas and who use smokeless tobacco. “It’s ludicrous that we would ask those folks to dig deeper into their wallets, while refusing to close the Delaware loophole that gives big corporations a huge tax break,” Burns said. “It also makes no sense to me to tax people who heat with natural gas, while Pennsylvania remains the only major gas-producing state without a severance tax. Talk about backward priorities.” Burns said he had deep reservations that the budget agreement was not based on any firm revenue footing and thus was susceptible to falling apart. “My suspicions appear to have been justified,” Burns said. “I sincerely hope that we can build something more solid in the days to come.” Read more

 

Burns announces $219,000 grant for Rock Run Recreation Area

(Jul 01, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is announcing the award of $219,000 to Rock Run Recreation Inc. of Patton to build a new tar-and-chip access road and 38 primitive campsites at its Chest Township property. Burns said the campsites will be sized to accommodate vehicles with ATV trailers, and other improvements include a shower house building with ADA-accessible parking, sanitary sewer infrastructure for recreational vehicles and an improved composting toilet restroom facility. “This state money will help speed along a big development project with a total price tag of $800,000,” Burns said. “Rock Run is a major outdoor attraction in the Patton area, and its further development will greatly aid the area’s tourism industry.” These projects were all funded via grants applied for by the local community agencies and disbursed via the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development focused on fostering economic growth. Read more

 

Fallen state police trooper to be honored by Burns at July 8 ceremony

(Jun 30, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 30 – In a July 8 ceremony organized by state Rep. Frank Burns, the family of a state police trooper killed in the line of duty in February 1982 will be recognized at a dedication for the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, which spans U.S. Route 219 on Tower Road in Croyle Township. The ceremony will take place 11 a.m. Friday, July 8 at New Germany Grove Hall, 1635 New Germany Road, Summerhill. Burns’ H.B. 1371, signed into law in June, was responsible for naming the bridge in honor of Wirfel, who was patrolling U.S. Route 22 in Cambria County when an unidentified vehicle ran through the radar zone at 72 mph. During a pursuit waged in unfavorable weather and road conditions, Wirfel’s vehicle struck a snow drift partially covering the passing lane and skidded off the highway into a frozen snow bank. The 20-year state police veteran was pronounced dead at the scene at age 45, leaving a wife and seven children. The national anthem will be sung by Bridget Anne Wirfel; speakers will include Allan Wirfel, state Sen. John Wozniak and state police Trooper Scott Urban; and a musical tribute will be performed by retired U.S. Navy musician Matthew Wirfel. The Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit will be on hand to present colors. Read more

 

Burns helps position SCI-Cresson property for redevelopment

(Jun 28, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, June 28 – A 3.3-acre right-of-way needed to spur development of 425 acres of dormant SCI-Cresson property unanimously cleared the state House Monday, prompting state Rep. Frank Burns to urge quick signage into law by the governor. Senate Bill 1182, sponsored by state Sen. John Wozniak with Burns’ full support, would most immediately aid development of 93 acres to accommodate a natural gas-fueled power plant. It would also help transform the remaining 325 acres, which Burns wants to bestow with Keystone Opportunity Zone status to make more attractive. "With yesterday’s House vote, Senator Wozniak and I have done our parts to position the property for meaningful repurposing," Burns said. "Now it’s up to private developers, working with the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority, to carry the ball across the finish line." Burns was at the closed SCI-Cresson site back in May, when the state Department of General Services transferred 93 acres to the redevelopment authority for $1 to aid the electricity generation project developer. "I said at that time that this was the first step toward restoring the 500 good-paying jobs lost when the Corbett administration unceremoniously and without warning closed the prison in 2013," Burns said. "Since then, we’ve taken several more necessary steps to put this project on the path to fruition." With swift Senate and House approvals, the right-of-way Read more

 

Burns’ bridge-naming bills become law

(Jun 20, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, June 20 – Bills naming separate Cambria County bridges after a World War II soldier killed in action and a state trooper who died in the line of duty became law today, said state Rep. Frank Burns, their prime sponsor. Burns, D-Cambria, had introduced H.B. 1260 to rename a bridge on a portion of Cooney Road spanning Route 22 in Munster Township as the PFC Thomas A. Cooney Memorial Bridge. He also had introduced H.B. 1371 to rename a bridge spanning U.S. 219 on Tower Road in Croyle Township as the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, to honor a Pennsylvania state trooper who lost his life Feb. 7, 1982 while on duty. Burns said the House bills were amended into a Senate bill (S.B. 1153) – a relatively common procedural occurrence – and was signed into law as Act 46 of 2016. "It’s gratifying to see that these two Cambria County heroes will be forever recognized for their selfless and heroic acts," Burns said. "We can do no better than to honor those who died so we can remain free and safe." Cooney was born April 28, 1917, and he and his three brothers were raised on a farm outside Lilly. While serving in the European Theater of Operation on Oct. 20, 1944, Thomas Cooney volunteered for a mine removal mission and continued in the face of enemy observation and direct hostile fire. He and his fellow engineers encountered heavy sniper and machine gun fire as they cleared mines along a strategically important Read more

 

June 2016 Newsletter

(Jun 15, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

"No pay for legislators unless state budget passes" and "Burns votes against saddling taxpayers with $1.29 billion in additional state debt" lead off Rep. Burns' June 2016 newsletter. Read more

 

Burns: DEP to hold June 21 public hearing on natural gas-fired power plant

(Jun 14, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 14 – Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is reminding residents that a public hearing on the air quality plan for a proposed natural gas-fueled power plant in Jackson Township will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at the Jackson Township Fire Hall, 176 Adams Ave., Mineral Point. The public hearing will be preceded by a 6 p.m. question-and-answer session. Both events are under the auspices of the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is overseeing the proposal by CPV Fairview, LLC to construct a combined cycle natural gas-fired power station with an approximate generating capacity of 1,040 megawatts. Burns said anyone wishing to make comments should register with DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister by emailing jpoister@pa.gov or calling (412) 442-4203 by noon on June 21. Commenters may also register at the door on the evening of the hearing. Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments to Devin Tomko, Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Persons unable to attend the conference and hearing may submit three copies of a written statement and exhibits within 10 days thereafter to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222. Each written statement must contain the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the statement and identification of the proposed plan approval Read more

 

Property tax rebate deadline extended; my offices offer free application help

(Jun 13, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

The deadline to file a 2015 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2016 and my offices are here to help! The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The maximum standard rebate is $650. My offices can help with the applications . Please don’t assume you are not eligible. Half of Social Security income is discounted, and claimants are not disqualified from rebates solely because of Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The official deadline for applying is always June 30, but, like this year, it is almost always extended through the end of the calendar year. Please be aware that the House last year passed legislation, House Bill 406, which would permanently extend the application deadline to Dec. 31 each year. It also would double the death benefit exemption to $10,000 when calculating income eligibility for the program. Read more

 

Burns announces $4,000 grant to Cambria County Historial Society

(Jun 08, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Rep. Burns wrote this letter notifying the Cambria County Historical Society that it's getting a $4,000 state grant to aid with its continued operation. Read more

 

Time to hike income eligibility for PACENET prescription drug program

(Jun 07, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

It’s been 14 years since the PACENET income eligibility limits have increased, so I’m proud to have supported legislation Monday that would raise them so an additional 32,000 Pennsylvanians could get prescription drug coverage. House Bill 2069 would increase the annual maximum income limits in the PACENET program to $31,000 for a single person and to $41,000 for a married couple, up from $23,500 for a single person and $31,500 for a married couple. Using Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds, the PACE and PACENET programs currently provide low-cost prescription drugs to nearly 282,000 Pennsylvanians 65 or older. I think it’s wise to update the income requirements, so we can ensure access to affordable prescription drugs and help thousands of our friends and family members remain healthy. I hope the state Senate, which is now considering the bill, feels the same way. Read more

 

Youth fairs featuring anti-drug message to be held in area this summer

(Jun 03, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Here's WJAC-TV news coverage of the upcoming list of anti-drug Youth Fairs in Cambria County, which I am promoting through my affiliation with the Cambria County Crime Stoppers' "Push out the Pusher" campaign. Read more

 

Burns reminds municipalities to apply for traffic safety grant funding

(Jun 02, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 2 – Municipalities in the 72 nd Legislative District are reminded by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, to apply by June 30 to be eligible for 2016 Automated Red Light Enforcement grants for traffic safety projects. Burns said fines from red light violations in Philadelphia supply the funding, which an eight-member committee then distributes statewide for relatively low-cost projects that improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion. “These can be improvements to traffic signals, roadways at intersections with traffic signals, or school zones – or such things as guiderails or roadside safety enhancements,” Burns said. “I want to make sure our municipalities are aware of this grant opportunity, and offer them application assistance by contacting any of my constituent service offices.” However, it’s a competitive selection process, with Burns noting $5.5 million was awarded to 18 municipalities for 23 projects in the last round of funding, which garnered 194 applications seeking $41.5 million. More information is available by visiting the traffic signals page under “Travel In PA” at www.penndot.gov , or emailing RA-PDSIGNALFUNDING@pa.gov Online applications can be filled out at: https://www.dot34.state.pa.us/ARLE/Module/PADOT/BOMO_Default.aspx Read more

 

Youth Fairs with anti-drug message scheduled throughout summer

(Jun 01, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

As a longstanding partner with Cambria County Crimestoppers in its “Push out the Pusher” campaign, I want to inform you that 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 my office is represented 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. The schedule is: June Friday the 10 th , Summerhill Fire Hall Tuesday the 14 th , Sankertown, VFW Baseball Field Wednesday the 15 th , Chest Springs Baseball Field Friday the 17 th , Ebensburg, Memorial Field Tuesday the 21 st , Lilly, War Memorial Field Friday the 24 th , Gallitzin, Franklin Street Baseball Field Wednesday the 29 th , Cresson, Veterans Park July Friday the 1 st , Ehrenfeld Park Tuesday the 5 th , Colver Park Pavilion Wednesday the 6 th , Prince Gallitizin State Park, inside the campground/beach Tuesday the 12 th , Patton Park Wednesday the 13 th , Carrolltown, American Legion Park Friday the 15 th , Portage, Crichton McCormick Park August Tuesday the 2 nd , Mundys Corner, Leidy Lane Park Read more

 

'It smells like something died in my shower': Patton residents steamed over water woes

(May 27, 2016) Rep. Frank Burns

Here's more news coverage of my May 26 meeting with Patton Borough residents over their drinking water concerns. It includes the DEP response to my letter asking for confirmation that the water is safe to drink. Read more

 

Burns Stands Against Tax Hikes
Jul 13, 2016

Burns introduces bill to make assault on police a hate crime
Jul 12, 2016

Burns: Blue Lives Matter
Jul 08, 2016

Dedication of Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge
Jul 08, 2016

‘Blue Lives Matter’ legislation coming from Burns within days
Jul 08, 2016

House Archives paid internship program accepting applications through July 31st
Jul 06, 2016

Burns says ‘no’ vote on state budget based on revenue concerns
Jul 01, 2016

Burns announces $219,000 grant for Rock Run Recreation Area
Jul 01, 2016

Fallen state police trooper to be honored by Burns at July 8 ceremony
Jun 30, 2016

Burns helps position SCI-Cresson property for redevelopment
Jun 28, 2016

Burns’ bridge-naming bills become law
Jun 20, 2016

June 2016 Newsletter
Jun 15, 2016

Burns: DEP to hold June 21 public hearing on natural gas-fired power plant
Jun 14, 2016

Property tax rebate deadline extended; my offices offer free application help
Jun 13, 2016

Burns announces $4,000 grant to Cambria County Historial Society
Jun 08, 2016

Time to hike income eligibility for PACENET prescription drug program
Jun 07, 2016

Youth fairs featuring anti-drug message to be held in area this summer
Jun 03, 2016

Burns reminds municipalities to apply for traffic safety grant funding
Jun 02, 2016

Youth Fairs with anti-drug message scheduled throughout summer
Jun 01, 2016

'It smells like something died in my shower': Patton residents steamed over water woes
May 27, 2016