EBENSBURG, Aug. 11 – State Rep. Frank Burns is hosting a “Heroes” Kids Fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Patton Park, Beech and 1 st avenues, Patton 16668. Police officers, firefighters and EMTs will be on hand to be recognized for their service, and event highlights will include a landing by the MedStar emergency medical helicopter from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. The free event will also feature games, activities, prizes and healthy snacks for children – and valuable information for adults from state, county and private agencies. Burns and his staff will also be on hand to answer questions and provide help concerning any state-related program. “We encourage everyone with children to come out and enjoy the festivities, and to bring along any inquiries and feedback they may have,” Burns said. “It’s a fun and action-packed time for all.” Call Burns’ Ebensburg office at 814-472-8021 for more information. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 27 – The 40,000-strong Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police has thrown its support behind state Rep. Frank Burns’ bill that would make assaulting law enforcement officers a hate crime, an endorsement Burns hopes will help propel the legislation to swift passage. In a letter to Burns, Joseph Regan, legislative committee chairman of the FOP’s Pennsylvania State Lodge, wrote, “Law enforcement officers risk their lives daily so the people of this commonwealth can enjoy peace and security. They deserve the highest level of protection from targeted acts of violence the law can provide.” In addition to voicing appreciation for Burns’ H.B. 2261, Regan noted, “The legislation will give law enforcement officers, as well as corrections officers at state or county institutions, additional protections under the state’s ‘hate crimes’ statute by raising the penalties for such heinous crimes.” Burns said he welcomes the unequivocal backing of the state FOP, a respected and bipartisan organization whose members deserve to have their employment status treated the same as ethnic intimidation. “This FOP support is a major boost for my bill, which is currently before the House Judiciary Committee,” Burns said. “We need to send a clear signal that assaults or attacks on law enforcement officers will draw the highest of penalties in Pennsylvania, and I’m Read more
The 40,000-strong Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has authored this letter of support for my Blue Lives Matter bill (H.B. 2261), which would make assault on a police officer a hate crime. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 20 – Approximately 1,000 customers of the Glendale Valley Municipal Authority will receive new water meters thanks to a $2.75 million Pennvest loan announced today by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria. Burns said the low-interest, 20-year loan will enable the authority to install the meters at the 1,000-acre Glendale Yearound resort community. The project will also entail splitting shared connections into discreet services, each with a shut-off, service connection and backflow preventer. “In addition to enabling the authority to ensure customer billing equity, this will also promote water conservation at the community, which adjoins Prince Gallitzin State Park,” Burns said. “The work is expected to begin late this year and end in December 2017.” Burns said the multi-million-dollar state investment will benefit a water customer service population area of 1,500, which is great news for the 72 nd Legislative District. “I’d like to thank the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority board for choosing to fund this project, which will have long-term benefits to the Glendale Yearound area,” Burns said. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 18 – After another mass shooting of police officers – this time Sunday’s attack in Baton Rouge, La., that killed three and wounded three more – Rep. Frank Burns has renewed his call for swift passage of H.B. 2261, his bill to add assaults to law enforcement officers to Pennsylvania’s list of hate crimes. Burns said the spate of police officer shootings in other states reinforce the need to send a strong signal that the commonwealth will deal harshly with anyone who carries out any type of assault on police, corrections, probation or parole officers. "Like all Americans, I am again horrified and heartbroken at the news of yet another targeted attack on our police officers – this time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana – and I ask everyone to join me in holding the fallen officers, the wounded and their families in our thoughts and prayers,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “But, thoughts and prayers alone are not enough. I'm urging everyone to contact their local lawmakers and ask for immediate consideration and passage of my Blue Lives Matter law, House Bill 2261, and start treating these attacks as the hate crimes they are." Burns added that despite some pressure from outside his 72 nd Legislative District to stop referring to his legislation as a Blue Lives Matter bill, he will not drop that nomenclature. “The people who want me do to that should stop wasting their breath. This Read more
Thanks to the Altoona Mirror for this editorial voicing support for my Blue Lived Matter bill, and for pointing out that, "Burns' proposed legislation shouldn't become tied up in political partisanship, the fate of so many other issues in Harrisburg." Read more
HARRISBURG, July 13 – Faulting its heavy use of back-door tax hikes on the likes of tobacco products, income tax on lottery winnings and downloaded internet data including apps to raise more than $1 billion, state Rep. Frank Burns voted "no" on today’s revenue bill. Burns, D-Cambria, issued the following statement explaining his position: "As a fiscally conservative Democrat, I cannot in good conscience vote ‘yes’ on a bill that amounts to a billion-dollar tax hike on certain groups like roll-your-own smokers, users of smokeless tobacco and those who download books, apps, music or movies from the internet. "Likewise, I have strong reservations about borrowing $200 million from other state funds in order to help balance the 2016-17 state budget. That’s a smoke-and-mirrors tactic, because sooner or later, the state’s going to have to repay that money. And it’s very likely another tax or taxes will be raised in order to do that. "Finally, imposing the state’s personal income tax on lottery winnings over $600 was something that never came up in any big way prior to approval of the new spending plan June 30. It’s just further proof that Pennsylvania has become a ‘spend first, tax later’ state, which is not sound budgeting and does a huge disservice to our residents. "We’ve got to stop playing ‘spin the wheel and see where it lands’ to come up with revenue Read more
Pa. state Rep. Frank Burns says he was putting Cambria County working families first by opposing a $1.3 billion tax increase that passed the House today to fund the state’s annual budget. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 12 – Buoyed by its swift netting of 11 co-sponsors in one day, state Rep. Frank Burns has introduced his Blue Lives Matter legislation to elevate assault on police, corrections, probation and parole officers to hate-crime status. In the works weeks before the tragic Dallas sniper attack that killed five police officers and wounded seven others, H.B. 2261 would fulfill Burns’ vision of creating added deterrence. It would put employment as a law enforcement officer on par with race, color, religion and national origin as covered classes under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law. The legislation would make an attack against one of the listed law enforcement officers an offense one degree higher than it currently is; for example, a second-degree misdemeanor would become a first-degree misdemeanor. “I’ve already heard from a few outside of my district who aren’t happy with this legislation, but I believe it’s necessary to send a clear, unwavering signal of support for those who risk their lives to protect us,” Burns said. “Their job is dangerous enough as it is. If we expect police to go to work every day with an intentional target on their back, then it won’t be long before no one will want to be a police officer.” As there is nothing partisan about the goal of H.B. 2261, Burns said the bill has strong bipartisan support and deserves to move swiftly through the legislative committee approval Read more
After the tragic attacks on police in Texas, Pennsylvania state Rep. Frank Burns is introducing legislation to sharply increase penalties on anyone willfully choosing to commit a crime against a Law Enforcement Officer, treating such crimes as a Hate Crime under state law. Burns also plans to include Correctional Officers under his legislation. Burns says that we cannot have a civilized society without the “thin blue line” of law enforcement protecting citizens, and those officers deserve extra protection. Read more
Rep. Burns organized and participated in a July 8 ceremony dedicating the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, honoring a fallen state trooper. Burns' legislation was responsible for the bridge naming. Read more
EBENSBURG, July 8 – The sniper-induced deaths of five Dallas police officers underscore why state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, will soon unveil “Blue Lives Matter” legislation designed to put attacks on police and corrections officers on par with ethnic hate crimes. Burns, whose legislation was already in the production pipeline, plans to introduce his bill and seek House co-sponsors as early as Monday. “I respect the difficult job police and corrections officers perform keeping us safe from criminals and I’m appalled that all too often, officers themselves are targeted for assault, ambush or – as we found out in Dallas – death,” Burns said. “If ever there was a group in need of being a protected class, it’s those who put their lives on the line every day to keep the rest of us safe from the criminal element.” Burns said cowardly acts like those perpetrated in Dallas against unsuspecting police officers warrant stiff punishment and a clear message needs to be sent that such targeting will not be legally tolerated. Burns’ bill seeks to give law enforcement officers of the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, as well as corrections officers at state or county institutions, protected status under the state’s ethnic intimidation law. As such, the legislation would give them the same treatment as race, color, religion or national origin when it comes to crimes motivated by Read more
Undergraduate seniors and juniors and graduate students interested in working alongside professional archivists and research staff should apply by July 31 st for the fall 2016 semester internship program of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. This competitive, paid, 13-week internship offers a chance to work on special projects and programs – including, but not limited to, arranging, describing, preserving and making records available for research, as well as performing routine genealogical and legislative research. For additional information, list of requirements and a copy of the application, visit the House Archives’ website and click on the internship tab. Questions can be directed to Jesse Teitelbaum, associate archivist, at 717-783-3866 or jteitelbaum@pabmc.net . You may also contact my 72 nd Legislative District offices for help regarding this or any other state-related matter. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Frank Burns, one of nine House Democrats to oppose a 2016-17 state budget bill Thursday night, said its unraveling in the Senate today over how to raise more than $1 billion validates his position. Burns, D-Cambria, said he had grave concerns that the budget was heavily laden with back-door taxes on working families, levies that would take more money from those who heat with natural gas and who use smokeless tobacco. “It’s ludicrous that we would ask those folks to dig deeper into their wallets, while refusing to close the Delaware loophole that gives big corporations a huge tax break,” Burns said. “It also makes no sense to me to tax people who heat with natural gas, while Pennsylvania remains the only major gas-producing state without a severance tax. Talk about backward priorities.” Burns said he had deep reservations that the budget agreement was not based on any firm revenue footing and thus was susceptible to falling apart. “My suspicions appear to have been justified,” Burns said. “I sincerely hope that we can build something more solid in the days to come.” Read more
HARRISBURG, July 1 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is announcing the award of $219,000 to Rock Run Recreation Inc. of Patton to build a new tar-and-chip access road and 38 primitive campsites at its Chest Township property. Burns said the campsites will be sized to accommodate vehicles with ATV trailers, and other improvements include a shower house building with ADA-accessible parking, sanitary sewer infrastructure for recreational vehicles and an improved composting toilet restroom facility. “This state money will help speed along a big development project with a total price tag of $800,000,” Burns said. “Rock Run is a major outdoor attraction in the Patton area, and its further development will greatly aid the area’s tourism industry.” These projects were all funded via grants applied for by the local community agencies and disbursed via the Commonwealth Financing Authority, an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development focused on fostering economic growth. Read more
EBENSBURG, June 30 – In a July 8 ceremony organized by state Rep. Frank Burns, the family of a state police trooper killed in the line of duty in February 1982 will be recognized at a dedication for the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, which spans U.S. Route 219 on Tower Road in Croyle Township. The ceremony will take place 11 a.m. Friday, July 8 at New Germany Grove Hall, 1635 New Germany Road, Summerhill. Burns’ H.B. 1371, signed into law in June, was responsible for naming the bridge in honor of Wirfel, who was patrolling U.S. Route 22 in Cambria County when an unidentified vehicle ran through the radar zone at 72 mph. During a pursuit waged in unfavorable weather and road conditions, Wirfel’s vehicle struck a snow drift partially covering the passing lane and skidded off the highway into a frozen snow bank. The 20-year state police veteran was pronounced dead at the scene at age 45, leaving a wife and seven children. The national anthem will be sung by Bridget Anne Wirfel; speakers will include Allan Wirfel, state Sen. John Wozniak and state police Trooper Scott Urban; and a musical tribute will be performed by retired U.S. Navy musician Matthew Wirfel. The Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit will be on hand to present colors. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 28 – A 3.3-acre right-of-way needed to spur development of 425 acres of dormant SCI-Cresson property unanimously cleared the state House Monday, prompting state Rep. Frank Burns to urge quick signage into law by the governor. Senate Bill 1182, sponsored by state Sen. John Wozniak with Burns’ full support, would most immediately aid development of 93 acres to accommodate a natural gas-fueled power plant. It would also help transform the remaining 325 acres, which Burns wants to bestow with Keystone Opportunity Zone status to make more attractive. "With yesterday’s House vote, Senator Wozniak and I have done our parts to position the property for meaningful repurposing," Burns said. "Now it’s up to private developers, working with the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority, to carry the ball across the finish line." Burns was at the closed SCI-Cresson site back in May, when the state Department of General Services transferred 93 acres to the redevelopment authority for $1 to aid the electricity generation project developer. "I said at that time that this was the first step toward restoring the 500 good-paying jobs lost when the Corbett administration unceremoniously and without warning closed the prison in 2013," Burns said. "Since then, we’ve taken several more necessary steps to put this project on the path to fruition." With swift Senate and House approvals, the right-of-way Read more
HARRISBURG, June 20 – Bills naming separate Cambria County bridges after a World War II soldier killed in action and a state trooper who died in the line of duty became law today, said state Rep. Frank Burns, their prime sponsor. Burns, D-Cambria, had introduced H.B. 1260 to rename a bridge on a portion of Cooney Road spanning Route 22 in Munster Township as the PFC Thomas A. Cooney Memorial Bridge. He also had introduced H.B. 1371 to rename a bridge spanning U.S. 219 on Tower Road in Croyle Township as the Trooper Herbert A. Wirfel Memorial Bridge, to honor a Pennsylvania state trooper who lost his life Feb. 7, 1982 while on duty. Burns said the House bills were amended into a Senate bill (S.B. 1153) – a relatively common procedural occurrence – and was signed into law as Act 46 of 2016. "It’s gratifying to see that these two Cambria County heroes will be forever recognized for their selfless and heroic acts," Burns said. "We can do no better than to honor those who died so we can remain free and safe." Cooney was born April 28, 1917, and he and his three brothers were raised on a farm outside Lilly. While serving in the European Theater of Operation on Oct. 20, 1944, Thomas Cooney volunteered for a mine removal mission and continued in the face of enemy observation and direct hostile fire. He and his fellow engineers encountered heavy sniper and machine gun fire as they cleared mines along a strategically important Read more
"No pay for legislators unless state budget passes" and "Burns votes against saddling taxpayers with $1.29 billion in additional state debt" lead off Rep. Burns' June 2016 newsletter. Read more
EBENSBURG, June 14 – Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is reminding residents that a public hearing on the air quality plan for a proposed natural gas-fueled power plant in Jackson Township will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at the Jackson Township Fire Hall, 176 Adams Ave., Mineral Point. The public hearing will be preceded by a 6 p.m. question-and-answer session. Both events are under the auspices of the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is overseeing the proposal by CPV Fairview, LLC to construct a combined cycle natural gas-fired power station with an approximate generating capacity of 1,040 megawatts. Burns said anyone wishing to make comments should register with DEP Community Relations Coordinator John Poister by emailing jpoister@pa.gov or calling (412) 442-4203 by noon on June 21. Commenters may also register at the door on the evening of the hearing. Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments to Devin Tomko, Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Persons unable to attend the conference and hearing may submit three copies of a written statement and exhibits within 10 days thereafter to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222. Each written statement must contain the name, address, and telephone number of the person submitting the statement and identification of the proposed plan approval Read more
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