Matzie: $2.5 million awarded to strengthen District 16 broadband connections

(5 hours ago)

“Speedy, reliable internet isn’t a luxury in today’s world – it’s the gateway to essential life connections, from jobs, education and career training to telemedicine, online shopping and other important services. But those connections are still lacking for residents in some parts of our region – including residents in rural areas who need them most. “We worked hard to launch the Broadband Development Authority and get the infrastructure in place to bring those connections to residents and small business owners. Securing this funding is the next step on the way to making those connections happen.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution

(1 day ago)

“State law requires anyone planning to do digging – whether they are a homeowner, a contractor, or an excavator – to dial 8-1-1 at least three days before starting the work,” Matzie said. “Making the free call alerts utilities so they can mark underground pipes and cables before excavation begins. It’s a quick, simple step that protects workers, prevents underground utility damage, minimizes service interruptions and can even save lives.” Read more

 

House adopts Matzie ‘Limb Loss Awareness’ resolution

(Apr 16, 2024)

“I introduced this resolution to honor the courage and achievements of all Pennsylvanians living without a limb – whether the limb loss resulted from congenital causes, trauma or disease. But I’m also offering this resolution to raise awareness that the No. 1 cause of surgical amputations – vascular diseases such as diabetes and peripheral artery disease – is at least partially within our power to control." Read more

 

Matzie: $700K secured for major Aliquippa building project

(Apr 11, 2024)

“As Aliquippa embraces its new independence and forges a path to a stronger, more resilient future, a key part of those efforts will include securing state investments that help revitalize and rebuild the downtown into more productive spaces,” Matzie said. “This new funding from PHFA is going to help fuel that change by supporting a major project that will add jobs; expand affordable housing; and transform the landscape in ways that invite new businesses; stimulate pedestrian traffic; and restore the kind of healthy, vital activity that goes along with building a stronger local economy." Read more

 

Consumer Protection Committee approves Matzie bills to add safeguards and protect ratepayers in municipal water/wastewater system sales

(Apr 09, 2024)

“When public works like municipal water and wastewater systems are sold to private companies, ratepayers can end up bearing the burden of inflated sales prices through increased rates,” Matzie said. “Our legislation would help prevent that by adding greater transparency to these transactions, ensuring that PUC has sufficient time to review proposed sales, and easing the burden on consumers by limiting the purchase price of healthy systems and spreading out any future rate increases. “It’s inevitable that these sales are going to happen. When they do, we need the proper safeguards in place to ensure consumer interests remain a central part of the equation.” Read more

 

U.S. Dept. of Transportation takes lead from Safer Rails Act, improves public safety by requiring larger train crews

(Apr 02, 2024)

State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver, said today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation to require major freight railroads to maintain at least a two-person crew is a step in the right direction, and mirrors the actions recommended in the House’s Safer Rails, Safer Communities Act Matzie introduced, which passed the House in June 2023. Read more

 

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves bills on mechanical insulation, AI content disclosure

(Mar 27, 2024)

“The use of artificial intelligence is becoming more and more of a consumer protection issue because it can impact the reliability of information folks receive,” Matzie said. “The bill we advanced today would let people know that the content they’re reading on their phone or computer was generated by AI, so they can make more informed decisions and avoid being misled.” Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee unanimously approves community solar bill

(Mar 19, 2024)

“We introduced community solar to bring home the many benefits – new jobs, new energy savings for residents, new economic opportunities for farmers and other landowners – while broadening the state’s energy portfolio,” Matzie said. “But we also drafted this legislation with an eye toward protecting consumers and ratepayers who don’t participate. I’m excited that the bill is headed for a House vote.” Read more

 

Matzie: Ambridge Area School District awarded more than $583,000 to promote safe, healthy learning environment

(Mar 15, 2024)

“We know a safe, supportive environment is essential for learning, but it takes resources and planning to create and maintain the kind of healthy, inclusive settings that give students and staff the peace of mind they need to focus and thrive. The new funding is going to allow school administrators to engage with families and the community and shape policies and programs that promote that kind of healthy environment.” Read more

 

Matzie: Aliquippa awarded $148,500 for planning support in transition from Act 47 status

(Mar 14, 2024)

“It took decades of work and collaboration and faith in our city, but together with support from the commonwealth and city leadership led by Mayor Dwan Walker, we had the resolve to do it, and we built back,” Matzie said. “The city strengthened infrastructure, paid off debt and shored up finances to get to a position where they can chart their own future. The project funding from DCED will help us develop long-range plans for the future and keep the city moving on a new, independent path.” Read more

 

Matzie touts governor’s new energy proposal

(Mar 13, 2024)

“The governor’s announcement highlights policies we have been promoting for some time, the key being an ‘all of the above’ approach when it comes to our energy mix. For me, the inclusion of emerging nuclear and fusion technology in the plan is essential and has been a key initiative I have long supported. " Read more

 

Matzie: Center Township, Rochester Borough awarded $33,000 to aid in police recruitment and training

(Mar 12, 2024)

“The funding is going to give our local departments more resources for officer recruitment and retention,” Matzie said. “More police on the beat means safer streets and communities, keeps individual officers safer and helps ease workload and burnout. It’s a smart investment that also benefits taxpayers.” Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee holds informational hearing on electric vehicle infrastructure

(Mar 08, 2024)

“Electric vehicle infrastructure is a hot topic, with federal money pouring in to help expand that infrastructure,” Matzie said. “Today, we heard from stakeholders regarding what kind of legislative guidance is needed and how things are progressing. " Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on mechanical insulation bill

(Mar 07, 2024)

“Mechanical insulation is a key component when you’re talking about energy conservation,” Matzie said. “This is a fairly simple bill that would create an opportunity to expand the use of mechanical insulation, and we think we’re finally in a position to get it across the finish line.”  Read more

 

Matzie to introduce legislation that would add lawmakers, education secretary as permanent voting members of PIAA executive board

(Feb 27, 2024)

“This legislation has been in the works for some time, but I felt the time was now – based on recent correspondence the PIAA sent on the premise of defending their indefensible competition formula," Matzie said. "In reality, the correspondence was a hit job on one school, my school, Aliquippa. It’s abundantly clear that the PIAA would prefer to double down rather than work toward a better system. Their current system is not working, and their evaluation process is, frankly, lazy.” Read more

 

Matzie Looks at Community Solar for Pennsylvania

(Feb 26, 2024)

Pa. state Rep. Rob Matzie, Chair of the House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee, held a public hearing to discuss Community Solar and its potential impact on residents, businesses and the environment as the state looks to expand its energy portfolio with more renewable energy. Read more

 

Matzie issues statement on DEP’s approval of PennEnergy permit to withdraw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking operations

(Feb 16, 2024)

“This has been an ongoing area of concern for my constituents, and a personal issue for me, going back many years," Matzie said. "This creek is a vital natural resource for fresh water in the area, is stocked with trout, supports a variety of wildlife nearby, and in some years, parts of the creek dry up during hot summer months. I understand that the department has regulations and guidelines to follow, but after speaking with hundreds of constituents who feel the same way, I am baffled by this decision.” Read more

 

Matzie announces nearly $234,000 in fire, EMS grants

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Our fire and EMS companies continue to struggle with tight budgets, demanding operating expenses and constant recruitment and retention issues,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding will help our departments ensure that the first responders who perform such critical work for our community have the equipment, training and facilities they need to stay safe.” Read more

 

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 awarded to bolster workforce training in Beaver County, region

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Securing this new funding will allow our region’s workforce training partners to attract more students to in-demand fields like advanced manufacturing and to provide more concentrated training in fields like electrical, mechanical maintenance and health care," Matzie said. Read more

 

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill

(Feb 15, 2024)

“Having an all-energy portfolio that isn’t reliant on a single source is important for PA’s energy independence and for ensuring that we continue to export energy now and in the decades to come," Matzie said. "But, as with all legislation we review, our committee is going to act deliberately and carefully, getting a dialogue moving and ensuring that any legislation we advance is crafted to protect PA consumers.” Read more

 

Matzie: $2.5 million awarded to strengthen District 16 broadband connections
5 hours ago

House adopts Matzie ‘Safe Digging Month’ resolution
1 day ago

House adopts Matzie ‘Limb Loss Awareness’ resolution
Apr 16, 2024

Matzie: $700K secured for major Aliquippa building project
Apr 11, 2024

Consumer Protection Committee approves Matzie bills to add safeguards and protect ratepayers in municipal water/wastewater system sales
Apr 09, 2024

U.S. Dept. of Transportation takes lead from Safer Rails Act, improves public safety by requiring larger train crews
Apr 02, 2024

Matzie: House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee approves bills on mechanical insulation, AI content disclosure
Mar 27, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee unanimously approves community solar bill
Mar 19, 2024

Matzie: Ambridge Area School District awarded more than $583,000 to promote safe, healthy learning environment
Mar 15, 2024

Matzie: Aliquippa awarded $148,500 for planning support in transition from Act 47 status
Mar 14, 2024

Matzie touts governor’s new energy proposal
Mar 13, 2024

Matzie: Center Township, Rochester Borough awarded $33,000 to aid in police recruitment and training
Mar 12, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee holds informational hearing on electric vehicle infrastructure
Mar 08, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on mechanical insulation bill
Mar 07, 2024

Matzie to introduce legislation that would add lawmakers, education secretary as permanent voting members of PIAA executive board
Feb 27, 2024

Matzie Looks at Community Solar for Pennsylvania
Feb 26, 2024

Matzie issues statement on DEP’s approval of PennEnergy permit to withdraw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking operations
Feb 16, 2024

Matzie announces nearly $234,000 in fire, EMS grants
Feb 15, 2024

Matzie: Nearly $750,000 awarded to bolster workforce training in Beaver County, region
Feb 15, 2024

House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hears testimony on community solar bill
Feb 15, 2024