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Ahead of Pa.’s 344th birthday, House adopts Matzie’s Charter Day resolution

(Feb 05, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – With Pennsylvania’s 344 th birthday approaching, the House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to mark that anniversary and remind Pennsylvanians of the special significance of the charter that serves as its birth certificate. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus and sits on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, said he introduced H.R. 35 – designating March 9, 2025, as “Charter Day” in Pennsylvania – to highlight the meaning underlying the 344-year-old document. “The charter symbolizes freedom,” Matzie said. “Williams Penn’s goal in petitioning King Charles II for a land grant was to create a colony where people could worship freely, without the threat of religious persecution. The charter is the result of that effort and an important reminder that Pennsylvania’s birth is rooted in ideals of freedom and tolerance.” Matzie said Charter Day also celebrates the early “Frame of Government” Penn drafted for the new colony, which incorporated democratic concepts such as freedom of worship, balance of powers and a check on the abuse of authority and would go on to inspire the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Written on parchment using iron gall ink, the charter is stored in a high-security vault, where it is preserved under special conditions. Read more

Ahead of Pa.’s 344th birthday, House adopts Matzie’s Charter Day resolution

(Feb 05, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – With Pennsylvania’s 344 th birthday approaching, the House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s resolution to mark that anniversary and remind Pennsylvanians of the special significance of the charter that serves as its birth certificate. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus and sits on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, said he introduced H.R. 35 – designating March 9, 2025, as “Charter Day” in Pennsylvania – to highlight the meaning underlying the 344-year-old document. “The charter symbolizes freedom,” Matzie said. “Williams Penn’s goal in petitioning King Charles II for a land grant was to create a colony where people could worship freely, without the threat of religious persecution. The charter is the result of that effort and an important reminder that Pennsylvania’s birth is rooted in ideals of freedom and tolerance.” Matzie said Charter Day also celebrates the early “Frame of Government” Penn drafted for the new colony, which incorporated democratic concepts such as freedom of worship, balance of powers and a check on the abuse of authority and would go on to inspire the framers of the U.S. Constitution. Written on parchment using iron gall ink, the charter is stored in a high-security vault, where it is preserved under special conditions. Read more

House adopts Matzie resolution to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis and link to cardiovascular disease

(Feb 04, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House today adopted a resolution introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie to increase public awareness about the dangers of rheumatoid arthritis and the disease’s link to heart and vascular disease. Matzie said he introduced H.R. 16 – designating Feb. 2, 2025, as “Rheumatoid Awareness Day” in Pennsylvania – to make people aware of the disease’s far-reaching impacts on the body and of the importance of early detection. “About one and a half million Americans live with RA, and the potential risks go far beyond joint pain and stiffness to include damage to the heart, lungs, eyes and other organs,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “It’s estimated that people with RA have a 50% to 70% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. This is an issue that’s personal to me because my father lived with RA. “Fortunately, there is some good news. Recent medical advances in immunotherapy are leading to promising new treatments. But, as with any disease, early detection is key. We need to spread the word that folks should not ignore the symptoms and should visit their doctor.” Matzie said typical symptoms of RA include tender, warm, swollen joints; joint stiffness that is usually worse in the morning and after inactivity; pain and stiffness in the same joints on both sides of the body; Read more

Two years after East Palestine derailment, Matzie renews push for stronger rail safety

(Feb 03, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – As Beaver County residents continue to live with health and safety concerns two years after the East Palestine freight train derailment that spread toxic fumes throughout the region, state Rep. Rob Matzie is renewing his push to pass legislation that would strengthen rail safety for Pennsylvanians. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he plans to introduce a new version of his rail safety bill that won strong bipartisan support in the House last session before stalling in the state Senate. “We have freight trains hauling toxic chemicals through our back yard at a time when we’re still seeing close to 1,000 derailments a year nationwide,” Matzie said. “We have folks still dealing with the East Palestine derailment and wondering if they will face long-term health consequences. “We can’t continue gambling that another incident won’t happen, and we can’t afford to rely on Washington, D.C. – especially at a time when we’re seeing some protections being dismantled at the federal level. We need to put stronger safety standards in place ourselves, at the state level, and we need to do it soon to prevent a repeat of East Palestine.” Mazie’s Safer Rails, Safer Community Act passed the state House 141-62 in June 2023 but the Senate failed to bring it up for consideration. Among other Read more

Matzie introduces bill to protect consumers from ‘speculative ticketing’

(Feb 03, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie today introduced legislation to prevent the deceptive practice of “speculative ticketing” – in which ticket sellers relist event tickets for sale before they have them in hand. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said H.B. 463 would prohibit resellers from listing tickets unless they actually have possession of them and would allow consumers and venues to sue for violations. “Consumers who pay for an item have the right to assume the seller actually has that item in hand to sell – and the same goes for tickets,” Matzie said. “Unfortunately, many sellers engage in speculative ticketing – relisting tickets they don’t have and betting that they can obtain them later. If that falls through, the disappointed consumer – at best – may get a refund. At worst, they lose their ticket money and any other expenses, like travel and lodging, they may have laid out. “Consumers aren’t the only ones who feel the impact. The venue loses credibility in the eyes of the public, while area restaurants, parking garages and other local businesses lose expected revenue. It’s a practice that’s bad for consumers and bad for business.” Matzie introduced an earlier version the bill last session, while he was majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection Read more

Matzie: More than $325,000 secured for new Beaver County greenspaces, playground improvements

(Jan 28, 2025)

ALIQUIPPA, Jan. 28 – New grants totaling more than $325,100 will help expand recreational greenspaces and fund playground improvements in Aliquippa, Hopewell and Rochester Borough, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said four separate grants from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will fund revitalization projects to open new recreational spaces for residents. “Some of the funds will be used to transform abandoned lots in Aliquippa and Rochester Borough into recreational greenspaces,” Matzie said. “Other funds will support playground improvements in Hopewell. All the projects are going to give residents new outdoor spaces to enjoy.” Matzie said the funding includes: $100,000 to Primary Health Network to transform a one-acre section of blighted land along Virginia Avenue in Rochester Borough into a recreational greenspace with a pergola, community gardens, a central water feature, walking trails, sidewalks and ADA-accessible playground equipment. $90,872 to Hopewell Township for playground improvements at Woodlawn Park, including removal of an abandoned building and purchase and installation of new playground equipment and surfacing. $86,730 to Hopewell Township to remove aging playground equipment at the Sharon Grange Park in Aliquippa and install new equipment. $47,500 to hydroponic farming company GetBlok Farms LLC to transform two abandoned lots into a Read more

Matzie: Beaver County Career and Technical Center secures $85,000 grant

(Jan 14, 2025)

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 14 – Beaver County Career and Technical Center has secured $85,000 in grant funding for new training resources, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the new funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Competitive Equipment Grant program will help the center continue providing cutting-edge training. “BCCTC has been preparing students to enter the skilled trades for nearly 50 years, and the strength of those programs ensures that our regional employers have a continuing pool of top-notch applicants ready to hit the ground running,” Matzie said. “By funding new, state-of-the-art training resources, this grant will help ensure that trend continues.” More about the funding is available here: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/newsroom/shapiro-administration-awards-more-than-4-5-million-for-career-and-technical-education-to-help-students-chart-their-own-course-and-succeed.html . Read more

Matzie: Nearly $1.2 million in tax credits awarded to support Beaver County industry expansion projects

(Jan 14, 2025)

AMBRIDGE, Jan. 14 – Several Beaver County companies will be able to move forward with projects to expand their operations thanks to newly awarded tax credits totaling nearly $1.2 million, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the tax credits – awarded under the state’s Enterprise Zone Program – will spur investments in three different commercial renovation projects. “I’m excited to see these tax credits go to work supporting projects to revitalize distressed properties into useful commercial spaces,” Matzie said. “These projects will allow our local employers to expand and create new jobs, strengthen our local industry and spur the economy by bringing more business to the region.” Matzie said the tax credits were awarded for these projects: $500,000 in tax credits to support a project by Avalotis Industrial Services to renovate a deteriorating warehouse in Aliquippa into a modern manufacturing facility so the company can expand its product line, explore robotic technology options and hire additional workers to scale production. $500,000 in tax credits to support a project by Versatex Building Products LLC to repurpose a vacant lot in an Aliquippa industrial park into a modern manufacturing facility that will allow the company to expand its product lines, add office space and hire new employees – including at least 20 new Read more

Matzie takes oath of office to begin ninth term representing Beaver County

(Jan 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 7 – State Rep. Rob Matzie took the oath of office today at the state Capitol to begin his ninth term representing Pennsylvania’s 16 th Legislative District. As he joins his colleagues to begin the 2025-26 legislative term, Matzie said he is looking forward to his new leadership role as chairman of the House Majority Caucus. “I’m ready to start the new term and my new leadership role with the caucus,” Matzie said. “We have important work ahead and real issues that need addressed for everyday folks. “We’ll be focusing on jobs, schools, health care – the priorities that matter to the people of Beaver County. As caucus chair, I will be working to ensure that those issues remain front and center in our legislative efforts. “Most importantly, I will continue to bring state dollars back home to Beaver County, making sure we get our fair share and more.” Last term, Matzie brought tens of millions of dollars in funding back to Beaver County and introduced more than 35 bills and resolutions. Under his leadership as majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, the committee advanced – and the governor signed – multiple consumer protection laws, including a motorcycle Lemon Law, the Solar for PA Schools Act, the Max Manufacturing Act to boost industry, and Matzie’s bill Read more

Matzie: More than $700K secured to bolster Beaver County probation and parole services, programs serving crime survivors, at-risk youth

(Dec 17, 2024)

AMBRIDGE, Dec. 17 – More than $702,000 in new funding will strengthen Beaver County protections for crime survivors and at-risk youth and improve county probation and parole services, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver, said four separate grants awarded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will ensure that there are resources available to continue those essential services. “Beaver County has a strong network of local officials, criminal justice workers and social service professionals committed to protecting the rights of crime survivors and at-risk youth and providing successful probation and parole resources,” Matzie said. “But the programs they administer require a steady flow of resources. The new funding will ensure those supports continue.” Matzie said the funding includes: $266,977 to Beaver County Commissioners to strengthen adult probation and parole services. $250,000 to The Prevention Network to support ongoing delivery of intervention, prevention, education and treatment services for at-risk youth. $138,240 to Beaver County Commissioners to support programs aimed at protecting crime victims’ rights. $47,000 to A Child’s Place to support services involving identification, prevention and prosecution of child abuse. More information about the PCCD funding awarded Read more