“Most of us rarely think about the extensive network of utilities, pipes and cables buried beneath our feet, but we do need to remember them any time we are planning a project involving digging – from the smallest backyard projects to major excavations,” Matzie said. “State law requires everyone – homeowners and contractors alike – to dial 8-1-1 at least three days before doing any digging so that utilities can mark underground structures beforehand.“It’s a free call that keeps workers safe, protects underground structures from costly damage and prevents service interruptions.” Read more
“There are more than 2 million Americans of all ages, races and genders who navigate the world courageously and successfully without a limb,” Matzie said. “We see many of them working, playing, providing for their families and giving back to their community. What we don’t always see are the many physical, psychological and logistical challenges they face and overcome every day.“I introduced this resolution to celebrate them and the example of courage and strength they provide for all of us.” Read more
“Water infrastructure in parts of Baden and Monaca is very old, with mains and service lines that frequently leak and break, causing service interruptions and affecting flow to fire hydrants,” Matzie said. “The new funding will allow both boroughs to install new water mains and replace deteriorating service lines, which will mean more reliable service with fewer service interruptions, adequate flow to hydrants and a more efficient system that saves taxpayer dollars.” Read more
“Technology is constantly changing the way we do our jobs, and workforce training needs to keep pace with those developments,” Matzie said. “The new funding will support state-of-the-art apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that train Beaver County job seekers how to work with the latest technology – both in data analysis and farming practices – so they can earn while they learn and develop the skills needed to step into good-paying jobs.” Read more
“This latest investment builds on prior improvements to Merchant Street and will continue shaping Ambridge’s key business corridor into a more appealing downtown,” Matzie said. “That means safer, more welcoming public spaces for residents, an environment that draws more foot traffic for area businesses and a more inviting commercial landscape that attracts new businesses and investment. Best of all, it means the prospect of new jobs and new opportunities for our community.” Read more
“Electric tilt skillets are an excellent investment for school cafeterias because they allow workers to cook large batches of food more efficiently,” Matzie said. “That lowers school utility bills, saves taxpayer dollars and helps staff serve students more quickly. It’s good to see these dollars coming back to Aliquippa schools for a practical food service upgrade.” Read more
“Harmony Township’s volunteer firefighter facility is aging, and the station’s decades-old doors and garage doors are driving up heating bills,” said Matzie. “The funding will allow the department to replace the doors with energy-efficient ones that will keep the station warmer in winter and save taxpayer dollars. Other funding will allow the department to repair and replace the surrounding concrete apron and drive, which is cracked and poses a safety hazard.” Read more
“Sounds to me like we’ve got a crisis. It’s that simple,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Rob Matzie said. Read more
“Natural gas utility workers are first responders, technicians, heavy equipment operators, construction workers, safety investigators and troubleshooters all rolled into one,” Matzie said. “They go out in all hours and all weather – often to work amidst noise, fumes and other hazardous conditions – to safely maintain our vast natural gas infrastructure." Read more
“This issue is personal to me because my father lived with MS,” Matzie said. “Early diagnosis is critical, even though we don’t yet have a cure, because timely treatment can delay the progression of the disease and improve long-term outcomes.” Read more
“The funding will support construction of a freight railroad connection to the state-of-the-art steel manufacturing plant the company plans to construct at the historic Aliquippa Works site,” Matzie said. “Having that transportation infrastructure in place is a critical step in development of the entire site.” Read more
BEAVER COUNTY, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, announced that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner awarded more than $221,000 in funding to fire companies in Beaver County. “This funding helps provide the brave men and women of our local fire companies with the tools they need to save lives and protect themselves on the job,” Matzie said. “They and our other emergency services are the backbone of community safety and must be supported as much as possible. I’m committed to securing future dollars for these heroes who put their lives on the line for fellow residents every day.” The grants awarded are: Ambridge Borough Fire Department Fire Ambridge $13,309.52 Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department Fire Ambridge $14,600.59 Baden Volunteer Fire Department Fire Baden $16,322.02 Center Township Fire House No. 2 Fire Monaca $13,309.52 Center Township Volunteer Fire Department Co. No. 1 Fire Aliquippa $14,385.41 Center Township Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 Fire Monaca $12,879.17 City of Aliquippa DBA Aliquippa Bureau of Fire Fire Aliquippa $14,815.77 Conway Volunteer Fire Department Fire Conway $14,385.41 Read more
“The charter symbolizes freedom,” Matzie said. “Williams Penn’s goal in petitioning King Charles II for a land grant was to create a colony where people could worship freely, without the threat of religious persecution. The charter is the result of that effort and an important reminder that Pennsylvania’s birth is rooted in ideals of freedom and tolerance.” Read more
“About one and a half million Americans live with RA, and the potential risks go far beyond joint pain and stiffness to include damage to the heart, lungs, eyes and other organs,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “It’s estimated that people with RA have a 50% to 70% higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. This is an issue that’s personal to me because my father lived with RA.“Fortunately, there is some good news. Recent medical advances in immunotherapy are leading to promising new treatments. But, as with any disease, early detection is key. We need to spread the word that folks should not ignore the symptoms and should visit their doctor.” Read more
“We have freight trains hauling toxic chemicals through our back yard at a time when we’re still seeing close to 1,000 derailments a year nationwide,” Matzie said. “We have folks still dealing with the East Palestine derailment and wondering if they will face long-term health consequences.“We can’t continue gambling that another incident won’t happen, and we can’t afford to rely on Washington, D.C. – especially at a time when we’re seeing some protections being dismantled at the federal level. We need to put stronger safety standards in place ourselves, at the state level, and we need to do it soon to prevent a repeat of East Palestine.” Read more
“Consumers who pay for an item have the right to assume the seller actually has that item in hand to sell – and the same goes for tickets,” Matzie said. “Unfortunately, many sellers engage in speculative ticketing – relisting tickets they don’t have and betting that they can obtain them later. If that falls through, the disappointed consumer – at best – may get a refund. At worst, they lose their ticket money and any other expenses, like travel and lodging, they may have laid out. “Consumers aren’t the only ones who feel the impact. The venue loses credibility in the eyes of the public, while area restaurants, parking garages and other local businesses lose expected revenue. It’s a practice that’s bad for consumers and bad for business.” Read more
“Some of the funds will be used to transform abandoned lots in Aliquippa and Rochester Borough into recreational greenspaces,” Matzie said. “Other funds will support playground improvements in Hopewell. All the projects are going to give residents new outdoor spaces to enjoy.” Read more
“BCCTC has been preparing students to enter the skilled trades for nearly 50 years, and the strength of those programs ensures that our regional employers have a continuing pool of top-notch applicants ready to hit the ground running,” Matzie said. “By funding new, state-of-the-art training resources, this grant will help ensure that trend continues.” Read more
“I’m excited to see these tax credits go to work supporting projects to revitalize distressed properties into useful commercial spaces,” Matzie said. “These projects will allow our local employers to expand and create new jobs, strengthen our local industry and spur the economy by bringing more business to the region.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 14 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Rob Matzie and Tom Mehaffie have introduced legislation that would ban entities from assessing an additional fee to customers who request a print version of a financial statement. Such fees are as high as $5 per month, and H.B. 81 would also specify that any person or entity would still be allowed to create incentives for a consumer to select an alternative to a paper statement. “In effect, penalizing consumers for a peace of mind measure such as a paper statement runs contrary to keeping a readily accessible means to one’s financial data for a variety of necessary purposes,” said Venkat, D-Allegheny. “Our bill would help keep more dollars in the pockets of Pennsylvanians and reward entities for pursuing options more beneficial to the health and livelihood of the environment.” “No consumer should ever have to pay for a print copy of their bank or credit card statement. Tacking on fees for paper statements takes a simple business expense easily borne by the financial institution and shifts it unfairly onto consumers, where it can take a toll on those who are elderly, low-income, or simple lacking the needed access to technology,” said Matzie, D-Beaver. “By prohibiting these fees, our bill would ensure that any expenses remain with the party best able to bear them – the business that maintains the records.” “Charging fees for consumers who want Read more
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