Sappey delivers town hall update on House legislative efforts
Nuisance fireworks, bipartisan reform also discussed during online Q&A
Rep. Christina Sappey April 30, 2021 | 4:50 PM
KENNETT SQUARE, April 30 – State Rep. Christina Sappey held an online town hall event Thursday to discuss state and local government matters with residents of the 158th Legislative District.
She highlighted several ongoing office efforts, including legislative initiatives and events she has hosted, local and state takeaways from the American Rescue Plan, a House bill she supports to end nuisance fireworks, a reform effort she is helping drive in Harrisburg and the ongoing vaccine rollout.
“We have a lot to learn from what didn’t work during the initial vaccine rollout across southeastern Pennsylvania, but now vaccine is readily available, and we can ensure anyone who wants a vaccination can get it,” said Sappey, D-Chester.
Money from the American Rescue Plan is coming to Pennsylvania, and Sappey discussed several ways those relief funds will impact local businesses, nonprofits, human services, infrastructure and workers. She also gave a rundown of over $1.6 million in separate state funding returned to her district for local projects this year.
In her ongoing effort to bridge the partisan divide in Harrisburg, Sappey updated constituents on her efforts to implement cost-savings measures and rules reform in the House, and to bring the two sides of the aisle closer.
As one of 16 founding members of the PA One Caucus, Sappey said the formation of the caucus is an opportunity to strategically work toward unity.
“In order to fix what’s stuck in Harrisburg, it’s imperative that we work together,” she said. “We’re looking at new rules that would keep bills moving when there is overwhelming bipartisan support for them. We’re also looking at ways to streamline publishing and processing issues – and bring the Capitol in line with modern expectations and accommodations for commonsense ways to save taxpayer money.”
Sappey also said she was pleased to report that a bill that could end nuisance fireworks is moving through the House. House Bill 988 was referred last month to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, on which she serves. She believes it has a real shot at moving to the full House for a vote.
“For those of you following the issue of repealing Act 43 of 2017, the issue of widespread fireworks in our rural and suburban communities is one that I hear so much about. This is a great example of unintended consequences from passing legislation without thorough vetting. We now have a lot of reports of injury to people, pets and livestock because of widespread fireworks use unfortunately. It’s time to go back and address this safety issue,” she said.