HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House yesterday adopted Rep. Rob Matzie’s H.R. 318 , which directs the state Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a comprehensive study of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Matzie, who is the vice chairman and longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee, said a thorough study of PIAA’s decision-making processes and operations is needed because of concerns that the association – and particularly the way it classifies schools for competition – puts student athletes in harm’s way and forces them to compete against wealthier schools with bigger budgets and larger rosters. “For too long, we have been hearing from parents and student athletes across the state that the PIAA’s policies are jeopardizing student health and creating a dangerous and uneven playing field,” Matzie said. “We have taken those concerns to the PIAA, but they have gone unanswered. It’s time to move the ball on this issue, and we start by taking a closer look at the association, its structure and its decision-making.” Matzie’s resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to perform a comprehensive study and make recommendations regarding: PIAA’s competition classification formula and transfer policy. Read more

AMBRIDGE, Oct. 22 – New grants totaling $2.86 million will fund roof replacement projects for three schools in the 16 th Legislative District, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the grants – awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program – will address drainage issues and leaks creating potential hazards. “Several of our school districts have identified serious roof issues that have caused deterioration, drainage problems, leaks, and the buildup of mold and mildew,” Matzie said. “The new funding will ensure that repair and replacement projects move forward so that students, teachers and school staff have the safe surroundings and healthy environments they deserve.” Matzie said the funding includes: $1.15 million to Hopewell Area School District for Phase I of a project to replace more than half the roof area on the Hopewell Area Senior High School to resolve leaks, remediate mold and mildew and improve energy efficiency. $1 million to Aliquippa School District for a roof repair project at Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School that will include removing the existing roof system down to the decking; addressing drainage issues and leaks that pose a threat to the infrastructure; and performance of restoration/replacement work. $713,777 to Rochester Read more

AMBRIDGE, Oct. 22 – New grant funding of $2.73 million will support projects to bring smoother travel, stronger wastewater infrastructure and expanded recreational spaces to District 16 residents, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the grants – awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Statewide Local Share Account funding – will support projects ranging from repairs to new construction. “These are investments in common-sense projects that will keep essential services flowing, improve road safety and meet the need for folks to have safe, modern recreational facilities,” Matzie said. “It’s good to see this funding coming home to enhance quality of life in the district.” Matzie said the funding includes: $750,000 to Harmony Township for road resurfacing projects to rehabilitate four deteriorated roads. $500,000 to the Aliquippa Municipal Water Authority to replace two clarifiers at the city’s wastewater plant, with the goal of reducing maintenance costs and improving reliability. $500,000 to Center Township to support construction of a four seasons lodge in a township municipal park. $423,382 to Hopewell Township to acquire and clear three brownfield parcels next to an existing sports facility for future development of the Todd Road Recreational Complex. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 10 – New funding of $250,975 approved by the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority will support repairs and upgrades to the B.F. Jones Memorial Library in Aliquippa, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is a commissioner on the PBDA, said the funding will support needed maintenance and upgrades to maintain the building’s structural integrity. “The B.F. Jones Library has been serving our community for nearly a century, and its role has only expanded over the years,” Matzie said. “Today, the library provides a wealth of programs as well as critical connections, from high-speed internet to helping residents find jobs and access social services. “The new funding is going to support a wide range of renovations and repairs to this historic building – from painting and resealing windows to fencing, security, and site- and roof-related work – to maintain the building’s structural integrity and ensure visitors remain safe and comfortable.” The funding was awarded through the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program. More information about the funding is available here: https://dced.pa.gov/covid-19-arpa-pennsylvania-multi-purpose-community-facilities-program-grant-approvals?wpdmdl=125147 , and more information about the program is available here: Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 7 – The PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee today advanced two Senate bills that match or closely track previously approved House bills, moving the proposed laws closer to the governor’s desk, Majority Chair Rob Matzie announced. Matzie said he was encouraged by the alignment of the House and Senate bills – which deal with reauthorizing PA’s One Call safe digging law and establishing Lemon Law protections for motorcycle consumers – because that meeting of the minds promises speedy enactment of both measures. “We’re always glad when we can successfully negotiate both across the aisle and across chambers with our colleagues in the state Senate,” Matzie said. “Today, our committee advanced two important pieces of legislation – one that closely mirrors my bill the House recently passed to reauthorize PA One Call and a second that is identical to my House colleague’s bill to establish a motorcycle Lemon Law in PA. “It’s great to have that meeting of the minds, because it allows us to get important legislation across the finish line quickly, where it can go to work protecting folks.” The bills are S.B. 1237 and H.B. 2189 (reauthorizing PA One Call) and S.B. 155 and H.B. 360 (amending the state Lemon Law Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Rob Matzie has been awarded the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award for his legislative efforts to strengthen protections for ratepayers and municipal water authorities. Matzie – who has introduced legislation to protect the interests of consumers when private companies seek to purchase municipal water and wastewater systems – said he was honored to work with PMAA to safeguard ratepayers and bring greater fairness to these transactions. “Municipal water authorities and their workers provide safe and reliable water to millions of Pennsylvanians, including those in my legislative district,” said Matzie, who is majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee. “I appreciate PMAA’s work to support and strengthen those authorities. “I’m honored and humbled to receive this award, and I continue to advocate for Act 12 reform in Harrisburg to protect ratepayers and ensure an even playing field between municipal authorities and private water companies.” “Representative Matzie has been instrumental in raising awareness about Act 12 reform and the impact of so-called ‘fair market value’ on the ratepayer,” said PMAA President Bill Ross. “He is also the prime sponsor of House Bills 1862, 1863, 1864 Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – The Pennsylvania House today passed two bills by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would reauthorize soon-to-expire laws protecting utility customers and safeguarding workers and underground utilities from excavation damage. Matzie’s H.B. 1077 would reauthorize Chapter 14 utility shutoff protections. “Our laws need to reflect people’s real-world needs, especially when they involve essential services,” said Matzie, who is majority chairman of the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee. “Our utility shutoff law does this by providing customers with a range of payment plans, but the law is set to expire by the end of the year. My bill would reauthorize the law and strengthen it, so it provides more options to help folks keep the power on.” The House also passed Matzie’s H.B. 2189 , which would reauthorize the soon-to-expire PA One Call law that safeguards workers and prevents major damage to underground utility lines. “PA One Call – which requires anyone planning to do any digging to call 8-1-1 beforehand – has been keeping workers safe and preventing damage to underground lines for 50 years,” Matzie said. “The law is about to expire in a few short months, and we can’t afford to let these critical protections lapse. I was glad to see a strong, bipartisan majority pass my bill, and hope we can get Read more

HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – In a voting meeting on multiple bills today, the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approved measures to protect consumers from unfair sales and marketing tactics and reauthorize soon-to-expire protections for ratepayers and utility workers, Majority Chairman Rob Matzie announced. “We moved some common-sense bills today that address real-world problems, from the need for greater flexibility in utility payment plans to protecting consumers from unfair solicitation and subscription tactics,” Matzie said. “We also advanced bills to reauthorize some important laws that are expiring, including the PA One Call safe digging law. I’m looking forward to getting all these measures up for a full House vote and across the finish line.” The specific bills advanced include: H.B. 1077 (Matzie) , which would re-authorize and update Pennsylvania’s utility shutoff protection law to provide more flexibility to consumers. H.B. 2189 (Matzie) , which would re-authorize the soon-to-expire PA One Call law that safeguards workers and prevents major damage to underground utility lines. H.B. 116 (Ciresi) , which would give consumers signed up for recurring subscriptions a simple, one-click option to cancel. H.B. 2557 (Borowski) , which would bring greater transparency and consumer Read more

MONACA, Sept. 27 – State Rep. Rob Matzie joined Lt. Gov. Austin Davis Thursday at Beaver County Career & Technology Center to highlight how funding in the new state budget will strengthen workforce development for Beaver County. Matzie, who recently announced more than $1 million in new funding to expand area apprenticeships, said investments in the 2024-25 state budget will ensure those opportunities continue for area grads. “We’re fortunate here in Beaver County to have excellent schools like BCCTC, whose programs turn out talented, motivated grads,” Matzie said. “We worked hard to pass a budget that will fortify those programs by providing a $30 million increase for career and technical education and equipment. “These are dollars that ensure our schools can continue providing state-of-the-art tools and training, so our next generation of young workers have paths to success – in the skilled trades, in teaching, in nursing – in wherever their interests and talents and dreams take them.” On Monday, Matzie announced nearly $1.2 million in new funding to expand apprenticeships in the skilled trade and early childhood education fields. Read more

AMBRIDGE, Sept. 24 – A grant of $8,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will support the operations of Beaver County’s official historical society, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is a PHMC commissioner, said the funding to Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation will allow the foundation to continue its work researching and archiving local documents and artifacts, marking landmarks and hosting programs and events. “We have all seen the markers and plaques around the county that remind us of how much history unfolded right here in our region,” Matzie said. “We can thank the foundation for many of those and for the family-friendly events they host that make our history come alive in educational and engaging ways. This new funding will help ensure they have the resources to continue that work.” Matzie said that in addition to the funding to the foundation, the commission approved more than $450,000 in grants to museums and historical societies in Allegheny County. More information about PHMC funding statewide is available here: https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/phmc/newsroom/phmc-awards-nearly--4-million-in-grants-to-museums--historical-o.html . Read more