HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, released the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2019-20 budget address today: “The governor’s budget proposal is just that, a proposal. It highlights his priorities moving forward for the next fiscal year. The end product can sometimes look much different than what is presented today. There are several items the governor mentioned that I support, and some that will require further discussion. “I fully support the governor’s proposal for an increase in funding for our schools. America is about opportunity. The only way we ensure equal opportunity for all is by providing our students with a quality education. That starts with adequate funding. “The same is true for our workers. In Beaver County and Southwestern Pennsylvania, they are second to none. But they need the tools to succeed. We have an exciting future for labor taking shape right now in Beaver County. Funding for career and technical training is vital for our workers to meet that future. “I also fully support the governor’s efforts on continuing to fight the opioid crisis. “There’s obviously much work ahead, as this is the first step in a long process. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in ultimately finding the compromise that best serves Beaver County and the residents of my district.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – A resolution to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis and its effects on the heart won unanimous support in the House today, according to the resolution’s sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. House Resolution 42, naming Feb. 2, 2019, as “Rheumatoid Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania, is aimed at raising awareness about RA’s effects, its connection with cardiovascular disease and the importance of early detection and treatment. The resolution also honors approximately 1.3 million Americans, including Matzie’s father, who are currently living with an RA diagnosis. “I think most people understand that RA can cause joint pain and stiffness, but fewer people are aware of its connection to heart disease,” Matzie said. “Rheumatoid arthritis can impact a person’s heart well before the disease is ever diagnosed. That’s why early detection and treatment are so critical.” Matzie noted that Rheumatoid Awareness Day is planned to coincide with the start of American Heart Month to emphasize the link to heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with RA have a 50-percent higher risk of heart attacks, twice the risk of heart failure and an increase in peripheral vascular disease compared to people without the disease. Moreover, patients are twice as likely to experience silent heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths. Matzie urged people to visit their doctor if Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – State Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver/Allegheny) today announced the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority has approved funding to modify a sewage treatment plant in Beaver County to eliminate sewage overflows during wet weather. The Rochester Area Joint Sewer Authority will receive a $35.4 million loan and a $1.59 million grant to upgrade its Center Street, West Madison and Freedom pump stations and also add a new detention tank for residents in Rochester, East Rochester and Freedom boroughs and in Rochester and New Sewickley townships. “These needed upgrades and improvements have been discussed for some time in the community, and I’m pleased that Pennvest funding has been secured to move ahead on this vital project,” said Matzie. “It will ensure clean water for our residents and better protect our waterways from system failures and overflows.” An additional $1.2 million investment in local funds will be used to pay for architectural and engineering costs associated with the project, which is slated to begin in mid-June and is expected to be completed by December 2020. Pennvest offers low-cost loans and grants to communities throughout Pennsylvania to fund sewer, storm water and drinking water maintenance and improvement projects. More information is available at www.pennvest.state.pa.us . Read more
Are you eligible to participate in the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program ? If so, applications are now available to claim rebates on rent or property taxes you paid in 2018. Our office can also provide an application, and we can help you apply for free! The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians 65 or older; widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older. The income limit to be eligible is $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. When calculating income, half of Social Security is excluded. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may also file for a rebate on behalf a claimant who lived at least one day in 2018 and met all the other eligibility criteria. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2019, and rebates will be distributed beginning July 1. The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. Since the program began in 1971, eligible participants have received more than $6.9 billion in property tax and rent relief. The program is supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery and also receives funding from slots gaming. Call or stop by if you have questions or need help applying! Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 23 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today that he has been appointed Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. Matzie has been serving on the committee since 2009. “It’s an honor to be named Democratic chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. I thank Democratic Leader Frank Dermody for his trust and faith in naming me to lead one of the most important committees in the House of Representatives. “I’ve served on the Consumer Affairs Committee for 10 years, including eight years as a subcommittee chairman, so I’m well versed on the issues we’ll need to address and the challenges we’ll face. “My past committee work, including protecting Pennsylvanians from identity theft and saving tax dollars on bad state contracts, ensures that a watchdog for taxpayers will now be in a leadership position. “The Consumer Affairs Committee has consistently operated to find consensus when possible and I have every intention of preserving that working relationship. My goal is to find solutions to whatever problems arise. It’s about people, not politics. “It’s a great responsibility to protect consumers with oversight in such areas as utilities, cable and telecommunications, and transportation services like Lyft and Uber – and it’s a responsibility that I take very seriously. “Although I’ll have to look at any issue in Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 17 – Sixteen education entities in Allegheny County today were awarded a total $560,000 in targeted grants provided through Gov. Tom Wolf’s PAsmart initiative, announced state Rep. Dan Miller, chairman of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation. The grants will fund training and equipment needed to prepare teachers and students for the expansion of computer science programs. Miller said each recipient will receive $35,000 through PAsmart, which has made Pennsylvania No. 2 in the nation for investing in K-12 STEM and computer science education. “The delegation is happy to announce this funding,” Miller said. “In the coming years, most jobs will require workers to use computers and advanced technology in an ever-changing workforce and economy. By providing this funding, we’re helping to ensure students and teachers will be adequately prepared to succeed in their line of work, and do so with confidence.” School districts and charter/intermediate unit schools awarded funding through PAsmart include: Baldwin-Whitehall School District (Reps. Harry Readshaw, Bill Kortz and Dan Miller) Carlynton School District (Reps. Anita Kulik and Dan Deasy) Chartiers Valley School District (Kulik and Miller) City Charter High School (Reps. Dan Frankel, Jake Wheatley, Adam Ravenstahl, Readshaw, Miller, Sara Innamorato, Deasy, Summer Lee and Ed Gainey) Deer Lakes School District (Rep. Frank Dermody) Duquesne Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 10 – An $115,641 business education partnership grant will provide Allegheny County students with hands-on exposure to careers in the building and construction industry, announced state Rep. Dan Miller, chairman of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation. “This grant money will have a positive impact on students from all House districts encompassed within the delegation,” Miller said. “The delegation is happy to announce this funding, as we all understand the importance of providing students with a means-to-an-end when it comes to choosing their prospective career paths. “Students looking to get involved in the building and construction industry will find the programs created by this funding to be not only rewarding, but also extremely informational and influential as they look to solidify their futures in the workforce.” Miller said the Three Rivers Workforce Development Board will join forces with PARTNER4WORK, a Pittsburgh-based workforce development organization, to carry out the three-pronged project. The first phase will include bringing together 14 building and construction unions, local colleges, businesses, students and others at the March 29 Building On … Careers in the Building and Construction Industry conference in Pittsburgh. The second phase involves the creation of the Summer in Trades internship program, which will provide students with hands-on experience and insight into the Read more
State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, took the oath of office today to begin his sixth term representing the 16th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Read more
“These funds will go a long way in helping our kids learn and achieve." Read more
'We have entrusted these companies with an enormous responsibility and an enormous amount of taxpayer dollars, but it’s become clear that they are abusing that trust. ' Read more
Check out my 2019 Capitol Scenes Calendar Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 12 – More than $600,000 in state grants will support recycling and leaf collection efforts in Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. Matzie said the funding – which includes a $350,000 grant to Beaver County, a $198,000 grant to Monaca Borough and a $53,700 grant to Aliquippa City – will help the county and municipalities expand recycling and leaf collection and composting services, along with related programs. The funding comes from the state Department of Environmental Protection. “These types of ‘green’ projects are important on many levels – for residents, for the local economy and for the environment,” Matzie said. “Simply put, recycling makes our communities cleaner and helps to keep the cost of trash collection in line. Any time I can be supportive of the state taking some of that burden off of local taxpayers, I am.” Matzie said Allegheny County also is receiving a $198,000 grant to fund the same kinds of services. The grants are part of a package of $37 million in Recycling Development and Implementation Grants to nearly 200 county and municipal governments. Eligible projects include operating leaf compost facilities, expanding recycling processing facilities, continuing and creating curbside recycling programs and developing educational materials and web-based programs to encourage recycling. Municipalities and counties in Pennsylvania are Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 10 – The House today unanimously adopted a resolution designating the week of Oct. 14-20 as Credit Union Week in Pennsylvania, according to the resolution’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. House Resolution 1128 recognizes the contributions made by Pennsylvania’s more than 390 credit unions, which serve the needs of about 4 million members statewide. “Credit unions are a unique breed,” Matzie said. “These not-for-profit organizations fulfill the same traditional functions as banks but are owned by their individual member account holders. That means that their main priority is serving members’ financial needs, as opposed to maximizing profits for shareholders. Any profits made generally go back to members in the form of lower fees, lower interest rates or higher yield savings accounts.” Matzie said because credit unions are controlled and operated by their membership, they act as financial democracies, affording a vote to each and every member. “These organizations are a perfect example of how common interests can unite to produce the best possible results,” Matzie said. “Because members share a common connection, they can work together to adapt to the needs of specific communities. This, together with their support for members’ charitable work, gives them the local, community-oriented feel their members love.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – The House today unanimously adopted H.R. 1127, designating November 2018 as “Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, according to the resolution’s sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. “Pancreatic cancer is currently the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States,” Matzie said. “By 2020, it’s expected to become the second-leading cause. We have to find a way to reverse that trend. “I’ve always said that this fight is personal to me because my mother is a pancreatic cancer survivor,” Matzie said. “Earlier this year, the fight became personal for all of us here in the Capitol when it claimed the life of our beloved colleague, state Representative Flo Fabrizio. Flo never gave up in the face of difficult odds, and neither will we. I plan to keep raising public awareness about this disease and keep fighting for greater funding for medical research so that one day, we’ll find a cure for this insidious killer. In the meantime, we can hope to save lives by increasing public awareness about the importance of early detection.” Matzie said the disease is difficult to diagnose early because tumors can’t be seen or felt during routine exams. Additionally, patients may not experience symptoms until the cancer has already spread to their lymph nodes or other organs. At that point, surgery often is not possible, which accounts for Read more
Stand up and be heard! TODAY is the deadline to register to vote before the November election! Sign up here, check your status or find your polling place. www.votespa.com Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – Beaver and Allegheny County school districts have been awarded $297,664 in school safety grants, according to state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. Matzie said the districts will use the grants for various resources, including implementing safety programs and hiring school resource or police officers. “No kid should be afraid to go to school. We need to do all we can to make our schools safer. This money is a good start,” Matzie said. “There are steps we can take – trained officers we can put in place, programs we can implement – that we know work. But there is a financial cost. This state funding takes some of that burden off of local taxpayers. Most importantly, it puts us on the right track to making our schools, and our kids, as safe as possible.” Matzie said the funding includes the following: A $20,000 2018-19 program grant to Hopewell Area School District. A $60,000 2018-19 school resource officer grant and a $30,000 2017-18 school resource officer grant to Central Valley School District. A $60,000 2018-19 school resource officer grant to Hopewell Area School District. A $47,664 2018-19 school resource officer grant to New Sewickley Township Police Department. A $60,000 2018-19 school resource officer grant to Rochester Area School District. A $20,000 2017-18 school police officer grant to Quaker Valley School District. The grants are awarded through the Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – The House of Representatives today unanimously adopted H.R. 1075, designating October 2018 as “Agent Orange Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania, according to the resolution’s sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. Matzie said the resolution is intended to serve as a reminder of the courage and sacrifices of thousands of Pennsylvanians who fought in the Vietnam War, as well as the devastating consequences so many suffered as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. “Of the more than 170,000 Pennsylvanians who served directly in the Vietnam War, more than 3,000 were killed in action, and many more were listed as missing in action,’’ Matzie said. “Tragically, there was a second, insidious enemy that was invisible to troops but just as deadly – Agent Orange and similar herbicides that were used to clear foliage that provided enemy cover. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians died from exposure to Agent Orange, while thousands more still live with cancers and other health effects. Worse still, many veterans live with the knowledge that genetic damage resulting from exposure to Agent Orange may be handed down through generations.” Matzie said the federal government has acknowledged that certain diseases are linked to Agent Orange and federal law provides a presumption that certain diseases are a direct result of exposure to the chemical and similar herbicides used during the Vietnam War. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 25 – The state House of Representatives today unanimously adopted H.R. 1074, designating October as Wine, Wineries and Grapes Month in Pennsylvania, according to the resolution’s sponsor, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny. “This resolution recognizes the tremendous positive impact on our state’s economy by Pennsylvania’s more than 270 licensed wineries and 280 wine grape growers who farm about 14,000 acres of land,” Matzie said. “These industries have added billions in economic value and created thousands of jobs. They also stimulate tourism, with wineries attracting more than 1 million visitors and generating more than $400 million in tourism-related spending annually.” Matzie cited the results of a recent study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Winery Association showing that the commonwealth’s wine, grape and related industries have a total economic value to the state of $2.5 billion. The study also showed that wine, grapes and related industries have created more than 27,000 jobs, with a total payroll of $673 million. "Beyond the economic impact, our state’s vineyards and wineries help preserve and maintain the commonwealth’s farmland, contribute to our rich agricultural history and enhance our quality of life,” Matzie said. “We’re so fortunate to have these vibrant industries that contribute so much to the commonwealth.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – A resolution designating the week of Sept. 23-29 as “Rail Safety Week” in Pennsylvania was unanimously adopted today, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced. “It’s a sobering fact that a U.S. motorist or pedestrian is struck by a train about once every three hours,” Matzie said. “Not only that, Pennsylvania makes the ‘top 15 states list’ in two categories – annual number of highway-rail crossing collisions and annual number of pedestrian trespassing casualties. The best way we can reverse the trend is by continuing to raise public awareness about the need for vigilance at crossings and the deadly dangers of trespassing near tracks.” With regard to train-vehicle collisions, Matzie noted that although annual highway-rail collisions and casualties nationwide have dropped sharply since 1981, which saw nearly 10,000 such incidents, the number has leveled off over the past decade, remaining in the vicinity of 2,000. “That’s still far too many incidents,” Matzie said. “No number is acceptable when you consider that a motorist struck by a train is 20 times more likely to die in a crash than a motorist struck by another vehicle.” Matzie added that trespassing by pedestrians poses an especially deadly problem, with deaths and injuries topping 1,000 nationally in 2016. “People may not realize that it can take a mile or more to stop a Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – A $70,595 state grant will help fund a new Conway playground with equipment that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, announced today. The grant, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, will allow the borough to replace the deteriorating, 20-year-old playground equipment at the former Conway Elementary School with new equipment that includes two ADA-accessible swings and a new wood-fiber surface and border. As part of the project – estimated to cost $83,053 – the borough will lease space to a learning center that offers therapeutic and educational programs for children with developmental disabilities. Matzie applauded the CFA board for approving the funding, which he said will allow the community to improve recreational facilities and make them more inclusive. “All kids should have a chance to play on a playground,” Matzie said. “This funding helps us achieve that. It’s important for us, as a community, to provide a safe environment for kids to get some exercise and have some fun. This grant helps get us there.” The grant is funded by the state Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Read more
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1240 Merchant St.First FloorAmbridge, PA 15003
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Franklin Center of Beaver County Inc. 524 Franklin Ave. Aliquippa, PA 15001
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121 Irvis Office BuildingPO Box 202016 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2016
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