EBENSBURG, May 10 – Continuing his strong commitment to law enforcement, state Rep. Frank Burns today announced that May 14 through 20 will be “National Police Week” in Pennsylvania, per his resolution unanimously approved by the House. Burns’ H.R. 16 also designates May 15 as “Police Officers Memorial Day” in the commonwealth. “It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices that law enforcement personnel face every day,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “On a daily basis, they serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent from deception and the weak from oppression.” Burns said that in 1962 President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and that week in which that date fell as “Police Week.” Since then, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world participate each year in numerous events to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Beginning in 1982, Burns said, a memorial service began in Senate Park, Washington, D.C., during what is now called “National Police Week.” Burns is the founder of the legislative House Blue Lives Matter Caucus. He is also the prime sponsor of H.B. 158 , the Blue Lives Matter bill that would make Read more
HARRISBURG, May 8 – Hoping to weaken the link between prescription drugs and opioid addiction , state Rep. Frank Burns today announced progress on his resolution seeking to pressure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reverse its decision to allow OxyContin to be prescribed for 11- to 16-year-olds. Burns’ H.R. 17 cleared the House Human Services Committee unanimously and now heads to the full House for consideration. Burns noted that despite its status as an extended-release version of the opioid oxydocone, OxyContin was approved by the FDA in 2015 for prescribing to children as a pain management medication. “In recent years, we’ve all become aware that the highly addictive nature of opioids means that many adults are ‘hooked’ on legally prescribed medicines, then turn to illicit and more dangerous drugs like heroin to maintain their habits,” Burns said. “Given what we know, I ask you: Does it make sense to prescribe opioids to an 11-year-old?” While the state legislature has no direct say in the decisions of a federal government agency, Burns said his goal is to use the legislature’s bully pulpit to help convince federal rule-makers that they should reverse course. “Four out of five new heroin users started out misusing prescription pain medication, which resulted in heroin overdose deaths nearly quadrupling from 2000 to 2013 – and it’s only gotten worse since then,” Burns Read more
EBENSBURG, May 1 – A competitive grant program that provides federal funds to establish community learning centers that provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families is now accepting applications, according to state Rep. Frank Burns. Burns, D-Cambria, said opportunities offered through the 21 st Century Community Learning Centers Grant must occur during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session, to help students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects. Burns also said the centers must also offer students a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs, to offer literacy and other educational services to their families. “I encourage all education-related entities in the 72 nd Legislative District to look into this program and, if interested, to apply,” Burns said. The 21 st CCLC Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition to academics, grantees may also use the funds to carry out a broad array of activities that advance student academic achievement and support student success, including before- and after-school, summer, Saturdays and holiday programming. A minimum of 50 percent of daily programming must directly target reading, math and science enrichment, with the balance of activities occurring on a rotational basis. More information can be Read more
EBENSBURG, April 26 – In what’s become an annual tradition , state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, and his staff will deliver donations from their 2017 Pet Food Drive to the Humane Society of Cambria County, 743 Galleria Drive Extension, Johnstown, PA 15904, at 2 p.m. Monday, May 1. Throughout the month of April, Burns collects the donations at his constituent service offices in Ebensburg, Portage, Patton and Lower Yoder Township, and at participating schools throughout the 72 nd Legislative District. Donations are traditionally generous, particularly from the schools, and a truckload or more is usually delivered to the Humane Society. Media coverage is invited. Read more
As I said in this Tribune-Democrat story, I welcome this new employer to Lower Yoder Township and believe they'll find an eager, qualified work force. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Frank Burns, who has made economic development a top priority, hailed an announcement that 251 full-time jobs are coming to Lower Yoder Township this summer. Read more
EBENSBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, who has made economic development in the 72 nd Legislative District a top priority, hailed today’s announcement that 251 full-time jobs are coming to Lower Yoder Township starting this summer. Burns said the decision by Convergys Corp., a global customer management service provider, to invest $2.7 million and lease a nearly 27,000-square-foot facility, falls in line with the goals laid out at the House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on economic development he hosted in Ebensburg in October. “I chose economic development to focus on for a reason – and that reason was to bring new jobs to our area,” Burns said. “This is the second major jobs-related announcement we’ve had in the past two months, so we’re obviously on the move and getting attention from outside employers. Let’s hope that trend continues.” In February, Burns announced a $1.9 million state grant to help create a Business Aviation Management Degree Program at Saint Francis University, in a cooperative venture with John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. “I welcome Convergys Corp. to Lower Yoder Township and am confident they’ll find an eager, qualified work force that will justify the firm’s multi-million-dollar investment,” Burns said. Read more
PATTON, April 24 – The Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship Act proposed by state Rep. Frank Burns to help boost sagging membership in the unpaid emergency services field took center stage during a noon news conference yesterday at the Cambria County Fire School. Before suiting up to engage in scheduled afternoon training sessions with firefighters, Burns, D-Cambria, outlined the merits of his H.B. 48 , which would provide state scholarships to fire company, ambulance service and rescue squad volunteers. Burns said he drafted the bill with a two-fold mission: as a means to allow emergency services to attract and retain volunteers, and as a way to help young people defray the cost of higher education while introducing them to important community service. “We are all aware of the serious manpower shortages facing, in particular, the volunteer fire departments that have served our communities so well for so long,” Burns said. “The situation is reaching crisis proportions, and I believe that offering Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency scholarships to volunteers is one way to think outside the box to solve this problem.” Under Burns’ bill, recipients would be required to be a member of a volunteer organization for at least six months and maintain active volunteer status, have graduated from high school or have received a high school equivalency diploma. They would also have to enroll in a degree-producing curriculum Read more
Local VFD members to offer support during break in day-long training exercises EBENSBURG, April 19 – Amid those who would be directly impacted, state Rep. Frank Burns will discuss his Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship Act during a noon to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23 news conference during training exercises at the Cambria County Fire School, 262 Ott Road, Patton. Burns’ H.B. 48 seeks to offer Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency scholarships as a recruitment tool for volunteer fire companies, ambulance services and rescue squads. The Cambria County Democrat introduced the bill as a means to help struggling emergency service providers, which have suffered a stark decline in volunteers, maintain their ranks in what has become an urgent situation. Initial response to Burns’ intent was extremely positive , and Sunday’s news conference – where he will join in training drills that include bus, vehicle and firefighter rescues – offers an excellent opportunity for interviews with those who would benefit. Burns’ bill currently awaits action by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 4 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, said his H.R. 15 designating April as “Occupational Therapy Month” in Pennsylvania was adopted unanimously by the House today. “The health and productivity of the citizens of Pennsylvania depend on the effective use of health care resources, including the important services of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants,” Burns said. “Their work helps people overcome the effects of illnesses, injuries and any other conditions that keep them from living life to its fullest.” Burns said both the American Occupational Therapy Association and Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association have also declared the month of April 2017 as “Occupational Therapy Month,” in honor of these dedicated professionals. “Occupational therapy practitioners help citizens achieve participation in their favored everyday activities and occupations, through the use of client-centered evaluation and intervention strategies,” Burns said. “The services of occupational therapy are available to citizens of Pennsylvania through hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies, schools, clinics, psychiatric facilities, community-based service centers and nursing homes.” Read more
EBENSBURG, March 29 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced a $400,000 state grant to the Jackson East Taylor Sewer Authority to replace sewer lines at Leisure Village Mobile Home Park in Jackson Township. Burns said the project includes installing 3,300 linear feet of 8-inch sewer main, 72 service laterals with 5,700 feet of 4-inch sewer pipe and 11 manholes, at a total project cost of $500,000. “The existing lines are undersized and have poor alignment, which results in inflow and infiltration problems,” Burns said. “I’m very happy to inform my constituents that state funding will cover four-fifths of the cost of this vital infrastructure improvement project.” The state grant arrives through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s PA Small Water and Sewer grant program, which funds activities to assist with construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sanitary sewer system. Eligible projects must have a total project cost between $30,000 and $500,000, and funding is available for municipalities and municipal authorities. Read more
EBENSBURG, March 24 – Seizing the opportunity to remind folks that he favors stiffer animal abuse penalties, state Rep. Frank Burns will host his annual Pet Food Drive from April 1 through 30 at his four offices and in participating 72 nd Legislative District schools. Burns, D-Cambria, noted that April is an opportune time to start the drive, as it is “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” month. He is asking residents to donate non-perishable pet food items, either in the classrooms of participating schools or at one of his four constituent service offices: 535 Fairfield Ave., Lower Yoder Township, Johnstown, 15906; 119 S. Center St., Ebensburg, 15931; 112-A Munster Road, Portage, 15946; or Patton Senior Center, 405 Park Ave., 16668 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays). In addition to schools, Burns is coordinating this drive with a local animal protection organization. As in years past, Burns will arrange for school pickup and delivery of the items to that county organization. “Residents of the 72 nd Legislative District have always shown great support for this effort – we literally get truckloads of donated pet food items from the schools – and I’m confident that they’ll do so again,” Burns said. “This cause is something that’s near and dear to all of our hearts.” Burns also noted he has been a staunch advocate of toughening the commonwealth’s animal abuse penalties, Read more
HARRISBURG, March 23 – Siding with the belief that their premature release could spur vigilante-style behavior and unfairly tarnish reputations, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, voted this week to temporarily delay divulging police officer names in shooting or serious injury cases . Burns voted in favor of H.B. 27 , which would create a 30-day cooling off period before the names of any law enforcement officers involved in a firearm-discharge or use-of-force incident while on duty could be publicly released. However, under the legislation supported by Burns, the names could be released sooner, provided the official investigation into such an incident is concluded. “In these inflammatory times, we’ve seen one too many cases where a partial video, lying witnesses or incomplete information prompt a social media rush to judgement, which is disproven once all the facts are in,” Burns said. “If our legal motto is that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, that right must extend to members of law enforcement.” Burns last year voted in favor of an identical bill (H.B. 1538), which passed the House 151-32 and also passed the Senate, only to be vetoed by the governor. This time around, he co-sponsored H.B. 27 even though it was introduced by a Republican, and the measure passed the House with even more support, 157-39. “It’s no secret that opposition to this bill is coming mostly from big-city legislators,” Burns Read more
EBENSBURG, March 21 – U.S. jobs should go to U.S. workers, which is why state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is again backing a measure to require construction industry contractors to verify that their employees are legal citizens. Burns previously sponsored H.B. 1881 and plans to do so when it’s reintroduced for the current legislative session, stating, “This bill is about saving Pennsylvania jobs, by penalizing unscrupulous contactors who hire illegals for personal gain.” Under the bill, private construction contractors would have to have their employees approved by the E-Verify system run by the Department of Homeland Security. Construction firms that hire illegal workers would face penalties affecting their licensing and would risk debarment for willful violations. Burns believes this legislation would level the playing field for contractors who do the right thing and hire legal workers. “If we are serious about stopping illegal immigration, then we must stop companies from hiring and exploiting illegal workers for profit,” Burns said. “Currently, there are 35,000 illegals working in the construction industry. These are jobs Pennsylvanians should have.” Burns acknowledges that for generations, immigrants have come to the United States in search of a job; however, he is also aware that illegal immigration is a constant drain on our country’s resources. “It’s time we hold corporate America Read more
WJAC did this story on my release of information that the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mines Reclamation will build a plant in Cresson to process and clean acid mine drainage Read more
EBENSBURG, March 9 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced that the state Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mines Reclamation will build a plant in Cresson to process and clean acid mine drainage. "This plant will create between 40 and 50 construction jobs, plus several permanent plant operator positions upon its completion," said Burns, who has made economic development a top priority. “The plant will help restore 20 miles of streams, while also repurposing a coal refuse pile in Cresson Township, which takes advantage of otherwise useless land." The plant will process underground mine pools from three abandoned mines, Cresson No. 9, Gallitzin Shaft and Argyle Stone Bridge. The three mine pools drain into Trapp Run, Bradley Run and Sugar Run. When operational, the plant will be able to process more than 6 million gallons of acid water per day, and will discharge the cleaned water into Trapp Run, which feeds Clearfield Creek. DEP is accepting bids on the project through April 6 and construction is expected to take about 18 months to complete. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 28 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is seeking applicants from the 72 nd District for the Pennsylvania Legislative Appointment Initiative (LAI), which allows each state legislator to appoint a student from his district as a commonwealth scholar for admission to Valley Forge Military College. Any high school senior residing in the 72 nd District with a minimum high school GPA of 2.50 and a combined verbal and math SAT score of 1000 (or an ACT Score of 17) is eligible to apply. Interested students should contact Burns’ offices for an application. The deadline to apply this year is April 1. A student awarded the LAI Scholarship may receive the award for up to two years. The maximum amount awarded is $12,000 per year. “I encourage any eligible high school seniors to apply for the LAI through my office. The Valley Forge Military College uniquely prepares their cadets to be responsible citizens and leaders,” Burns said. “This is also a valuable opportunity to showcase our talented high school seniors throughout the district.” Interested students can check with their school guidance counselor for an application. Applications are also available in Burns’ district offices . Read more
EBENSBURG, Feb. 23 – Slightly more than four months after he hosted a public hearing in Ebensburg on innovative job creation, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is announcing a $1.9 million state grant to develop a Business Aviation Management Degree Program at Saint Francis University. Burns said the funding, awarded to the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, will upgrade and enhance an existing airport facility; purchase a flight simulator for the degree; assist with the first five students' tuition and room and board; and market the new program . Burns, who brought the House Democratic Policy Committee to the Ebensburg Borough Municipal Building in October, said the testimony on employer needs and employee training using an innovative approach came to fruition with this grant. “Our testifiers – including Barry Surma, director of the St. Francis University Small Business Development Center, and RaNell Fenchak, director of the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport – made a convincing case for thinking outside the box and being attuned to employer needs with job training efforts,” Burns said. “This grant is one manifestation of a new way of thinking when it comes to economic development in Cambria County.” Other testifiers at the October hearing were Augie Didiano, president, Johnstown Building and Construction Trades Council; Don Arena, business agent, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 354; and Read more
EBENSBURG, Feb. 10 – A 2017-18 state budget proposal that achieves $2 billion in cuts and savings is conceptually preferable to one that relies on sales and income tax hikes, said state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, who has consistently opposed new taxes. Burns said he believes that Gov. Tom Wolf, who introduced his latest budget this week, has grasped a well-documented reality in the 72 nd Legislative District that also applies to wide swaths of Pennsylvania. “The working people of my district have made it known time and again – to me and anyone else who will listen – that they don’t want higher taxes, period,” Burns said. “The reality is, they are working and they are tired of carrying people who aren’t working. That’s why I refused to support the governor’s prior attempts to raise the sales and income taxes.” Two years ago, Burns was one of 13 House Democrats who broke party ranks to end a nine-month state budget impasse between Democrat Wolf and Republicans who control the state House and state Senate. That dispute centered on Wolf’s desire to raise the sales or income tax, or a combination thereof, to close a $1.2 billion shortfall. “The irony is, if the governor had promoted this $2 billion in cost savings and spending cuts two years ago, instead of holding out for higher taxes, we could have avoided a big fiasco – and the state would have had an $800 million surplus each of Read more
EBENSBURG, Feb. 8 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has announced the award of $248,975 in state grants to 19 fire and ambulance companies in the 72nd Legislative District. The grants are made possible by the Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, and can be used toward repairing, building or renovating facilities. The money also can be applied toward purchase of new equipment, training and certification of staff, or it may go to repay debt related to equipment purchases or facility building and maintenance. “Our fire departments and EMS providers perform vital work in our communities,” Burns said. “It’s also hard and dangerous work, as I found out when suiting up for a Cambria County Fire School training session. As someone who’s stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them for a taste of what they go through, I am proud to announce this funding to aid their continued operations.” Burns noted that recipients still need to complete and return original signed copies of their grant agreements by May 31 in order to receive their money. He urged any department that needs help with this requirement to contact his nearest district office. The grant list – by department and entity – is as follows. Ashville Fire Company – Fire Company, $14,159. Cambria Township Volunteer Fire Company – Fire Company, $14,417. Carrolltown Fire Company – Fire Company, $12,101. Cresson Area Read more
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