Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on bill to set appliance energy efficiency standards

(Nov 15, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 15 – The PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee on Tuesday heard testimony about legislation that would set minimum energy efficiency and water conservation standards for some new consumer appliances sold in the state, Majority Chairman Rob Matzie announced. Matzie, D-Beaver, said proponents of H.B. 1615 testified about how the bill would benefit public health, the environment and consumer pocketbooks. “We heard a lot of positives about this bill, including how it would save PA consumers and businesses hundreds of millions annually, cut hundreds of tons of air pollutants and reduce water use by billions,” Matzie said. “We also heard that other states have implemented similar laws. “While the testimony is certainly promising, the committee will continue reviewing the bill’s potential impact on all stakeholders – including the Public Utility Commission, the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association and others – before moving forward with a vote.” Matzie said the bill – which is co-sponsored by state Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and Thomas Mehaffie, R-Dauphin – would not apply to the sale or purchase of used appliances and would not require consumers to switch from existing appliances they already own. The products listed in Read more

 

Matzie elected vice chair of Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee

(Nov 14, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Rob Matzie was elected vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee as the bicameral, bipartisan committee met yesterday to approve the 2022 annual report of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Matzie, who is the committee’s longest-serving member, said the group’s work in overseeing PIAA-sanctioned sports includes ensuring student athletes have opportunities to participate and thrive in a broad range of competitive settings. “School sports can play such a key role in developing a student’s character and confidence, instilling a sense of fair play and teaching other critical lessons outside the classroom,” Matzie said. “But we need to ensure the system is evolving so it includes new opportunities and reaches more students. “At today’s meeting, I asked the PIAA about progress toward expanding high school sports to include women’s flag football, which is rapidly increasing in popularity and has been designated an Olympic sport. I was satisfied to hear that the board is monitoring the sport’s growth here in the commonwealth with an eye toward seeing it become an established competitive sport.” At the meeting, Matzie also expressed his hope to see increased livestream coverage of student competitions and discussed his concerns regarding Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $50,000 secured for planning and design of Beaver County food hub

(Nov 01, 2023)

“Connecting folks who are struggling to an easily accessible network of fresh food helps us make inroads against food insecurity,” Matzie said. “Securing this new funding will help RiverWise expand that network through the planning and design of a community food hub. Broader outreach to all parts of the community helps ensure that more families have the fresh food they need.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie resolutions calling attention to Agent Orange impact, highlighting wine and grape industries

(Oct 19, 2023)

“Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians served during the Vietnam War era, and an estimated 172,000 directly participated in the war,” Matzie said. “Our troops faced the worst conditions imaginable, but there was another enemy they never anticipated, with deadly consequences that manifested only after the war ended." Read more

 

House passes Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’

(Oct 17, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 17 – The House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would prohibit “speculative ticketing” – a practice that allows ticket resellers to list event tickets for resale even though they have not yet obtained – and may never obtain – those tickets. Matzie, who is majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee, said he introduced H.B. 1658 to eliminate a predatory practice that is hurting consumers and businesses alike. “When a consumer pays for a ticket, they have a right to assume the seller has that ticket in hand,” Matzie said. “That’s not always the case because of speculative ticketing – a deceptive practice that allows resellers to sell tickets they don’t yet have but are ‘betting’ they can obtain. If the reseller fails to obtain the ticket, it’s the consumer who loses out. At best case, they may get a refund. At worst case, they’re out the price of the ticket and any other money they’ve laid out on travel, hotels, and other expenses. “Area businesses lose, too. When the promised ticket fails to materialize, the venue loses credibility in the eyes of the public, and businesses like restaurants, bars and parking garages lose vital income.” Matzie’s bill would deter speculative ticketing by barring resellers from selling tickets unless they actually have them Read more

 

Matzie: $280,400 secured for renovations to P.J. Caul Memorial Park

(Oct 06, 2023)

“The new funding will allow the borough to renovate the plaza, install lighting and utilities, ensure handicap accessibility, and add other site improvements," Matzie said. Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves new bills to ban predatory sales practices, protect ratepayers

(Oct 03, 2023)

“These consumer and ratepayer protections are the result of months of hard, bipartisan work over the summer,” Matzie said. “Our goal was to get these measures up for House consideration as soon as possible, and I was proud that we came together to do that for the good of the state’s consumers.” Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee reviewing bills to safeguard PA consumers, ratepayers

(Sep 15, 2023)

HARRISBURG, Sept. 15 – The House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee is moving swiftly to strengthen safeguards for PA consumers by reviewing bills to ban predatory sales practices and protect utility ratepayers, Majority Chairman Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the committee’s most recent efforts are aimed at banning predatory practices that make it difficult for consumers to afford or obtain concert tickets and other high-demand items. “We’re seeing consumers targeted by increasingly predatory practices,” Matzie said. “From speculative ticketing – in which resellers list tickets before they even have them in hand – to ‘grinch bots’ – which scalpers use to buy up mass quantities of tickets and other high-demand items for resale at inflated prices – consumers are being left out in the cold. The committee is working quickly to keep pace by reviewing bills my colleagues and I have introduced, including my bill to ban speculative ticketing. We can’t afford to wait around as new threats emerge.” Matzie said the committee is also examining bills to help protect utility consumers. “Factors driving utility rates are complex, but that doesn’t mean we can’t examine ways to contain costs and improve conditions for consumers,” Matzie said. “The committee recently reviewed a bill to Read more

 

Matzie: Selectrode Industries secures $688,000 loan funding to expand

(Sep 07, 2023)

“Investments in thriving industries like Selectrode yield great returns for our district and region,” Matzie said. “Securing this new low-interest loan will allow Selectrode to purchase a 17,000-square-foot facility in Aliquippa, and the additional space will allow the company to enhance its metal-drawing operations, improve efficiency and productivity, and grow its base. That’s good for jobs, good for our community, and good for the local economy.” Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’

(Sep 07, 2023)

“Speculative ticketing is not only deceitful, but it is inherently unfair to fans and consumers,” Matzie said. “You should know – without a shadow of a doubt – who you are buying a ticket from and that the ticket is in the possession of the seller. House Bill 1658 addresses a simple question: How can you sell something that you do not have?” Read more

 

Matzie: $90,000 secured to bring greater diversity, inclusion in building trades

(Aug 16, 2023)

“The building and construction trades offer good-paying, family sustaining jobs, but for too long, women, people of color, workers with disabilities and others have lacked access to the apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that provide the best entry into these careers,” Matzie said. “The new funding is going to help change that by providing new opportunities for these underrepresented workers.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $106K secured to bring more fresh produce to Beaver County students

(Aug 15, 2023)

“Having fresh produce available for kids during the school day encourages them to choose healthy snacks over starchy, sugary junk food and helps them stay alert, energized, and ready to learn,” Matzie said. “It directly impacts their classroom performance. Securing this new funding is going to allow our school districts to keep those healthy options going for kids." Read more

 

Matzie: $230,000 secured for East Rochester Borough signal equipment upgrade

(Aug 11, 2023)

“Intersection collisions account for a high number of traffic deaths and injuries,” Matzie said. “We can’t control some factors, like driver inattention, but we can do everything possible to make sure highly traveled areas are equipped with the latest safety devices. Securing this funding gets motorists, pedestrians and bikes those added protections.” Read more

 

Matzie: More than half a million dollars awarded to expand housing for low-income residents

(Jun 09, 2023)

"Securing this funding is going to allow more folks to stay in their homes, find sustainable housing and receive the services they need to become self-sufficient. When that happens, we all win.” Read more

 

House passes Matzie/Marshall bill to boost rail safety

(Jun 05, 2023)

" ... there has been no bigger supporter of freight rail in the legislature during my tenure than me,” said Matzie, who is majority chair of the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. “The intention is not to hurt railroads, but to enhance and strengthen rail safety for the public, the workforce and emergency responders." Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $72,000 secured for improvements to Center at the Mall

(May 17, 2023)

“The center provides a place for thousands of area seniors to connect, engage and stay active,” Matzie said. “It’s hugely popular, but staff have identified some improvements needed to ensure visitors continue enjoying the best possible experience. Securing this new funding will enable those renovations to move forward.” Read more

 

Matzie introduces bill to maintain safeguards for public utility consumers

(Apr 28, 2023)

"My bill seeks to expand the tools that utility companies have to work with their customers who are struggling to pay their bills, in order to avoid having their service turned off," Matzie said. Read more

 

Matzie, Marshall to introduce legislation strengthening PA rail safety

(Mar 22, 2023)

"Our area is one of the most heavily traveled in the country for rail traffic, which means that safety problems create a very real and immediate threat for residents right in our own backyards,” Matzie said. “As the recent East Palestine derailment made clear, we can’t rely on federal safety standards to protect us." Read more

 

Matzie: More than $4 million secured for Beaver County infrastructure projects

(Mar 16, 2023)

“These dollars are funding projects that keep our water clean, our sanitary sewer systems functioning and our buildings safe,” Matzie said. Read more

 

Matzie: Beaver Valley Power Station purchaser is 'good corporate citizen’

(Mar 09, 2023)

AMBRIDGE, March 9 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, issued the following statement today in response to news that Texas energy company Vistra Corp. will acquire the Beaver Valley Power Station nuclear power plant: “Vistra Corp. has a strong track record of success and a demonstrated commitment to Pennsylvania. They have been a good corporate citizen, not just in Beaver County but across our commonwealth. “I look forward to working with them to ensure the continued safe and successful operation of Beaver Valley Power Station for our county and our region.” Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on bill to set appliance energy efficiency standards
Nov 15, 2023

Matzie elected vice chair of Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee
Nov 14, 2023

Matzie: Nearly $50,000 secured for planning and design of Beaver County food hub
Nov 01, 2023

House adopts Matzie resolutions calling attention to Agent Orange impact, highlighting wine and grape industries
Oct 19, 2023

House passes Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’
Oct 17, 2023

Matzie: $280,400 secured for renovations to P.J. Caul Memorial Park
Oct 06, 2023

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves new bills to ban predatory sales practices, protect ratepayers
Oct 03, 2023

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee reviewing bills to safeguard PA consumers, ratepayers
Sep 15, 2023

Matzie: Selectrode Industries secures $688,000 loan funding to expand
Sep 07, 2023

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on Matzie bill to ban ‘speculative ticketing’
Sep 07, 2023

Matzie: $90,000 secured to bring greater diversity, inclusion in building trades
Aug 16, 2023

Matzie: Nearly $106K secured to bring more fresh produce to Beaver County students
Aug 15, 2023

Matzie: $230,000 secured for East Rochester Borough signal equipment upgrade
Aug 11, 2023

Matzie: More than half a million dollars awarded to expand housing for low-income residents
Jun 09, 2023

House passes Matzie/Marshall bill to boost rail safety
Jun 05, 2023

Matzie: Nearly $72,000 secured for improvements to Center at the Mall
May 17, 2023

Matzie introduces bill to maintain safeguards for public utility consumers
Apr 28, 2023

Matzie, Marshall to introduce legislation strengthening PA rail safety
Mar 22, 2023

Matzie: More than $4 million secured for Beaver County infrastructure projects
Mar 16, 2023

Matzie: Beaver Valley Power Station purchaser is 'good corporate citizen’
Mar 09, 2023