Matzie: Nearly $205,000 secured for Beaver County affordable housing, home modifications

(Jun 14, 2024)

“Safe, affordable housing means a more secure life, greater access to community services and a better chance at finding a good job,” Matzie said. “Today’s funding is going to help ensure more folks in our district have those opportunities to put down roots and stay rooted in our community. The funds are also going to help residents with mobility issues get home modifications and repairs they need to stay safe.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie’s ‘Pollinator Week’ resolution

(Jun 12, 2024)

“It’s estimated that by pollinating most crops and wildflowers, bees are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat – from fruits and vegetables to chocolate, coffee and nuts,” Matzie said. “They also play an essential role in maintaining the health of our environment – including our forests, grasslands and local ecosystems – by promoting floral growth that creates habitats for animals and insects. Beekeepers play an essential role in all of this by ensuring that bee colonies remain healthy and disease-free.” Read more

 

Consumer Protection Committee approves bills to improve fee transparency, help data breach victims, boost energy & aviation fuel production

(Jun 11, 2024)

“Today’s meeting was an important one,” Matzie said. “We moved several bills to protect consumers and other bills that would boost the state’s energy production, including my bill that would jumpstart Pennsylvania’s production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. I’m looking forward to seeing these bills shepherded through the House.” Read more

 

Fiedler bill to modernize Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority unanimously approved by committee

(Jun 11, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 11 — Today, H.B. 2338 , introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila. , was approved unanimously by the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee. The bill would update the duties and powers of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, which was chartered in 1982 with the purpose of financing energy and energy-related projects. If enacted, H.B. 2338 would enable PEDA to apply for and leverage billions of federal dollars available through the Inflation Reduction Act to incentivize investments in Pennsylvania clean-energy projects. With the federal government now implementing the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the $783 billion Inflation Reduction Act, Fiedler said she believes this presents an incredible opportunity for Pennsylvania. “These federal investments can jumpstart energy production in Pennsylvania, create good local jobs, and reduce energy costs for consumers, but only if we have the right vehicle to seize the funds,” Fiedler said. “PEDA, our state’s public energy financing authority, is well-suited to play this role, but first we must modernize PEDA to ensure it can maximize its role as an energy accelerator and job creator.” The legislation’s co-prime sponsor, state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, placed the legislation within the context of the state’s long history of energy production. Read more

 

Matzie lauds passage of ‘Max Manufacturing Initiative Act’ to boost industry through public-private partnerships

(Jun 05, 2024)

“In southwestern Pennsylvania, the regional impact will be significant,” Matzie said. “The potential for the University of Pittsburgh, the city of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Airport and private businesses to partner with each other in building the next wave of new manufacturing and technologies is limitless.    “For our county, it means jobs, jobs, jobs. Good, stable, family-sustaining jobs that we often talk about but rarely have the opportunity to legislate. This is one of those opportunities.” Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on bill to accelerate state’s energy production

(Jun 03, 2024)

“This is about jobs, jobs and jobs,” Matzie said. “We have talked for a long time about the importance of having a diverse, all-in energy portfolio and the job creation and energy independence that brings. This bill moves us closer to that goal by positioning us to take advantage of hundreds of billions in federal funding coming to the states.“We need to act sooner, rather than later. Fortunately, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel – Pennsylvania already has a mechanism in place with PEDA. Now, we just need to make sure the agency is ready to hit the ground running and seize every bit of our share.” Read more

 

Matzie: $50,000 secured for Conway-based food program

(May 24, 2024)

“This program has been a lifeline to families needing access to nutritious foods,” Matzie said. “The new funding will help them continue their vital work on behalf of the community.” Read more

 

Matzie lauds grant of preliminary injunction to keep Quips in Class 4A

(May 23, 2024)

“Today’s ruling is a temporary victory not just for Aliquippa football, but for all student athletes across our commonwealth. The court clearly identified player safety as the primary factor in its determination. This is the core issue that I, and many others, have cited as the overriding reason for the Quips to remain in 4A.“In addition, the court found that Aliquippa ‘has established a likelihood of success on the merits’ of their case, which further speaks to the need for an overhaul of the PIAA competition classification formula. In that light, I will continue to work – through the legislative process if necessary – toward a more fair and equitable method of classifying our schools for athletic competition.” Read more

 

Matzie: $50,000 secured for Ambridge business district improvements

(May 23, 2024)

“We’re seeing more and more investment in this core downtown Ambridge area, and those projects – façade work, streetscaping, and other improvements – are gradually changing the face of the business district in ways that draw more pedestrians, stimulate more business activity, and rekindle interest by new businesses and investors,” Matzie said. “This latest grant will allow the borough to continue transforming the landscape in the best possible ways.” Read more

 

Consumer Protection Committee approves bill to set energy efficiency and water conservation standards for appliances sold in Pa.

(May 01, 2024)

“This is a good, commonsense bill that will benefit consumers,” Matzie said. “Nobody has to replace anything, nobody has to buy anything, nothing is banned. Appliances meeting these standards are already on the market and competitively priced. Implementing the standards for new appliances sold here in Pennsylvania could save consumers nearly $250 million annually on their utility bills by 2030.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $140,000 secured for District 16 school food service equipment upgrades

(Apr 29, 2024)

“School food service upgrades like these allow our school cafeterias to ensure that food is stored, prepared and served quickly and at optimal temperatures,” Matzie said. “That means kids get the freshest, most appetizing meals possible; school food service workers are able to serve large numbers of students quickly; and taxpayers benefit from savings achieved by modern, energy-efficient equipment. It’s an excellent investment all around.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $1.2 million secured for area school security and mental health resources

(Apr 26, 2024)

“Our kids deserve to spend their school days learning, developing confidence and discovering their abilities, and this new funding of nearly $1.2 million will ensure they do so in the safest, most secure environments possible," Matzie said. “We have worked hard to help keep these grant programs well-funded because we know these dollars are going to support one of our most important priorities – ensuring students and school staff are safe and free to focus on the business of learning and teaching.” Read more

 

Matzie urges local governments, nonprofits and service providers to participate in broadband survey

(Apr 25, 2024)

“With major broadband infrastructure in place and new funding of more than $1 billion on the way, PA is finally poised to bring essential high-speed internet connections to the unserved and underserved areas that so desperately need them,” Matzie said. “But it’s critical to ensure that the funding goes to the areas where it’s most needed. We have to get this right.“I’m urging local governments, nonprofits and service providers to complete the BEAD Challenge to ensure those dollars are put to the best use.” Read more

 

Matzie: $2.5 million awarded to strengthen District 16 broadband connections

(Apr 18, 2024)

“Speedy, reliable internet isn’t a luxury in today’s world – it’s the gateway to essential life connections, from jobs, education and career training to telemedicine, online shopping and other important services. But those connections are still lacking for residents in some parts of our region – including residents in rural areas who need them most. “We worked hard to launch the Broadband Development Authority and get the infrastructure in place to bring those connections to residents and small business owners. Securing this funding is the next step on the way to making those connections happen.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

(Apr 17, 2024)

“State law requires anyone planning to do digging – whether they are a homeowner, a contractor, or an excavator – to dial 8-1-1 at least three days before starting the work,” Matzie said. “Making the free call alerts utilities so they can mark underground pipes and cables before excavation begins. It’s a quick, simple step that protects workers, prevents underground utility damage, minimizes service interruptions and can even save lives.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie ‘Limb Loss Awareness’ resolution

(Apr 16, 2024)

“I introduced this resolution to honor the courage and achievements of all Pennsylvanians living without a limb – whether the limb loss resulted from congenital causes, trauma or disease. But I’m also offering this resolution to raise awareness that the No. 1 cause of surgical amputations – vascular diseases such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease – is at least partially within our power to control." Read more

 

Matzie: $700K secured for major Aliquippa building project

(Apr 11, 2024)

“As Aliquippa embraces its new independence and forges a path to a stronger, more resilient future, a key part of those efforts will include securing state investments that help revitalize and rebuild the downtown into more productive spaces,” Matzie said. “This new funding from PHFA is going to help fuel that change by supporting a major project that will add jobs; expand affordable housing; and transform the landscape in ways that invite new businesses; stimulate pedestrian traffic; and restore the kind of healthy, vital activity that goes along with building a stronger local economy." Read more

 

Consumer Protection Committee approves Matzie bills to add safeguards and protect ratepayers in municipal water/wastewater system sales

(Apr 09, 2024)

“When public works like municipal water and wastewater systems are sold to private companies, ratepayers can end up bearing the burden of inflated sales prices through increased rates,” Matzie said. “Our legislation would help prevent that by adding greater transparency to these transactions, ensuring that PUC has sufficient time to review proposed sales, and easing the burden on consumers by limiting the purchase price of healthy systems and spreading out any future rate increases. “It’s inevitable that these sales are going to happen. When they do, we need the proper safeguards in place to ensure consumer interests remain a central part of the equation.” Read more

 

U.S. Dept. of Transportation takes lead from Safer Rails Act, improves public safety by requiring larger train crews

(Apr 02, 2024)

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, said today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to require major freight railroads to maintain at least a two-person crew is a step in the right direction, and mirrors the actions recommended in the House’s Safer Rails, Safer Communities Act Matzie introduced, which passed the House in June 2023. Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves bills on mechanical insulation, AI content disclosure

(Mar 27, 2024)

“The use of artificial intelligence is becoming more and more of a consumer protection issue because it can impact the reliability of information folks receive,” Matzie said. “The bill we advanced today would let people know that the content they’re reading on their phone or computer was generated by AI, so they can make more informed decisions and avoid being misled.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $205,000 secured for Beaver County affordable housing, home modifications
Jun 14, 2024

House adopts Matzie’s ‘Pollinator Week’ resolution
Jun 12, 2024

Consumer Protection Committee approves bills to improve fee transparency, help data breach victims, boost energy & aviation fuel production
Jun 11, 2024

Fiedler bill to modernize Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority unanimously approved by committee
Jun 11, 2024

Matzie lauds passage of ‘Max Manufacturing Initiative Act’ to boost industry through public-private partnerships
Jun 05, 2024

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on bill to accelerate state’s energy production
Jun 03, 2024

Matzie: $50,000 secured for Conway-based food program
May 24, 2024

Matzie lauds grant of preliminary injunction to keep Quips in Class 4A
May 23, 2024

Matzie: $50,000 secured for Ambridge business district improvements
May 23, 2024

Consumer Protection Committee approves bill to set energy efficiency and water conservation standards for appliances sold in Pa.
May 01, 2024

Matzie: Nearly $140,000 secured for District 16 school food service equipment upgrades
Apr 29, 2024

Matzie: Nearly $1.2 million secured for area school security and mental health resources
Apr 26, 2024

Matzie urges local governments, nonprofits and service providers to participate in broadband survey
Apr 25, 2024

Matzie: $2.5 million awarded to strengthen District 16 broadband connections
Apr 18, 2024

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution
Apr 17, 2024

House adopts Matzie ‘Limb Loss Awareness’ resolution
Apr 16, 2024

Matzie: $700K secured for major Aliquippa building project
Apr 11, 2024

Consumer Protection Committee approves Matzie bills to add safeguards and protect ratepayers in municipal water/wastewater system sales
Apr 09, 2024

U.S. Dept. of Transportation takes lead from Safer Rails Act, improves public safety by requiring larger train crews
Apr 02, 2024

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves bills on mechanical insulation, AI content disclosure
Mar 27, 2024