“Sustainability has been an important focus of the new school’s building plan, and a solar array has been a proposed part of the project,” said Conklin, who co-sponsored legislation to establish the Solar for Schools Program. “Securing this grant means that proposal can become a reality. “In addition to slashing carbon emissions, the array will save taxpayer dollars and reduce energy costs, leaving more money for classroom programs and curricula. It’s going to be exciting seeing the new technology go up and begin delivering on those benefits.” Read more
“The current system isn’t just putting public school athletes at a disadvantage, it’s endangering their health and safety,” Conklin said. “It’s forcing students from public schools, which must recruit from within district boundaries, to compete against students from private schools, which can recruit from anywhere and amass teams that are larger and stronger. “The system is also depriving public school students of scholarship and recruitment opportunities and teaching them the wrong lessons. K-12 sports are supposed to be about building confidence and reinforcing concepts of fair play and good sportsmanship. We can’t be doing that with a system that puts some students on an unlevel playing field before they even walk out onto the field.” Read more
“With technology creating new forms of virtual currencies such as cryptocurrency, our laws need to keep pace with those changes to protect Pennsylvanians,” Conklin said. “Consumers deserve to know that the transactions they conduct using digital currencies are as safe and secure as those involving traditional forms of money.“Under current state law, virtual currency is not subject to the state’s Money Transmission Licensing Law, which regulates businesses that transmit money or credit. My bill would expand the law so that it covers virtual currency and requires that it be treated similarly to money transmissions under the act.” Read more
“Work is already underway on the first phase of construction, which involves creating six apartments,” Conklin said. “The new funding will build on that progress by supporting work to rehabilitate a first-floor commercial space and convert the building’s rear, third-floor garage into four affordable housing units. Read more
“The Office of State Inspector General is a government watchdog agency that roots out fraud and other misconduct in state programs, and their agents are out there every day fighting bad actors, just like other law enforcement officers,” Conklin said. “Unlike other law enforcement, though, OSIG agents are not authorized to carry a weapon. They are investigating crimes and serving warrants – often facing dangerous situations – without the ability to protect themselves. It’s time to fix the law and ensure these officers have the same ability to defend themselves as their colleagues in other agencies.” Read more
Read Rep. Scott Conklin's 2025 Winter Newsletter online! Read more
“The funding is great news for Patton Township, which has identified needed pedestrian and roadway improvements to Valley Vista Drive and North Oak Lane,” Conklin said. “Funding for the Valley Vista Drive project will support milling work, removal and replacement of deteriorating pavement and the addition of curb and sidewalk improvements to ensure accessibility at crossings. “Funding for the North Oak Lane project will support work to repair and rehabilitate aging roadway and stormwater infrastructure in Park Forest Village. Both projects will bring safer, smoother travel for residents.” Read more
“Our firefighters and EMS workers answer the call 24/7, even as their companies face constant challenges from tight budgets, equipment and facility needs and recruitment and retention issues,” Conklin said. “The new funding will help defray some of those expenses to help these frontline heroes continue their lifesaving work.” Read more
“The governor’s budget proposals would deliver some powerful investments, and ones I believe we need to keep us moving in the right direction,” Conklin said. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – A strong bipartisan majority of the state House Judiciary Committee today approved state Rep. Scott Conklin’s bill that would permit agents working for the Office of State Inspector General to arm themselves on the job. Conklin said he introduced H.B. 36 to provide greater protection for OSIG agents, whose law enforcement duties often expose them to the risk of danger. “As members of a government watchdog agency, OSIG agents investigate fraud and other misconduct in government programs and operations,” Conklin said. “Like other law enforcement officers, they have the power to issue subpoenas and search warrants and to file criminal complaints. Unlike other officers, however, OSIG agents are not permitted to carry a weapon – even though their work often places them in dangerous situations. “These agents deserve the same protections as their counterparts in other law enforcement agencies to help them stay safe on the job. I’m pleased the committee has advanced my bill, and I’ll be urging my colleagues in the legislature to pass it quickly.” The committed approved the bill by a 25-1 vote. It now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more
“There are no drawbacks for school districts, which only stand to benefit,” said Conklin, who co-sponsored legislation to establish Solar for Schools. “The program provides up to half the costs related to the purchase and installation of solar panels, while federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act allows schools to recoup 30% to 50% of project costs. That means schools can realize substantially lower energy costs – some of the largest expenses they face – with a minimal outlay.“These projects save taxpayer dollars, they bring cleaner air and they create jobs for the community. It’s a win all around. I’m encouraging all public schools in our district to apply now, before the Jan. 31 deadline.” Read more
Conklin said he is looking forward to starting work in the 2025-26 legislative session and will continue to focus on strengthening the district’s public schools, keeping resources flowing to first responders, bringing new dollars home to fund district projects, and passing measures to address domestic violence. Read more
Rep. Scott Conklin's 2025 Capitol Scenes Calendar Read more
“A lot of hard work and vigilance goes into protecting the rights of crime victims, supporting at-risk youth, and providing effective probation and parole services,” Conklin said. “The new funding will help keep essential programs in place so that our county’s dedicated judicial, law enforcement, medical and social service professionals can continue delivering the best possible services.” Read more
“The new funding is terrific news for APP and our entire region,” Conklin said. “The 2023 fire to the Rush Township facility caused extensive damage, interrupted production, affected jobs and resulted in heavy losses. The new funding will allow them to build a new 29,000-square-foot production facility at their Enterprise Drive location and purchase new precision machinery, robotics and other automated equipment. “It’s going to be exciting seeing this dynamic manufacturer rebuild to former capacity – and seeing those jobs and economic benefits flowing back to our region.” Read more
“A lot goes into maintaining a strong school security plan, from policies and protocols like reporting and safety drills to resources like personnel, equipment and building modifications, to programs and supports addressing mental health,” Conklin said. “Thanks to this new funding, our schools will have the resources needed to ensure students and staff have the safety, peace of mind and supportive environment they deserve.” Read more
“Easy access to transportation is essential for quality of life, but many of our older facilities, including State College Borough’s 50-year-old transit stop, are not as accessible and user friendly as they could be for seniors and residents with disabilities,” Conklin said. “The new funding will allow the borough to study the station’s current design and determine what upgrades and improvements can be made, with an eye toward making this essential transportation hub larger, more traffic-friendly and more inclusive for all riders.” Read more
“Solar can be a great money-saver for our schools,” Conklin said. “Converting or partially converting school buildings to solar power helps the bottom line by lowering energy costs – which are among the largest expenses school districts face – and making those costs more predictable. Other schools that have installed solar technology are already saving money, which they’re able to invest back into the classroom.“Beyond cutting costs and saving energy, solar power increases our production of renewable energy and brings cleaner air and other environmental benefits by cutting carbon emissions. These projects also create family sustaining jobs and offer new learning opportunities for students. It’s a winning proposition all around. Now that the program is open and accepting applications, I strongly urge our school districts to apply.” Read more
“Sports tourism provides tremendous benefits for our region by attracting visitors to patronize our local shops, restaurants and hotels,” Conklin said. “The 2024 Ironman Triathlon this summer was no exception, drawing more than 1,500 athletes alone and injecting an estimated $4.7 million into the economy. The new funding will help ensure that our tourism bureau has the resources needed to continue successfully promoting these events into the years ahead.” Read more
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