pennsylvania

This Is Not “The Right Way” on Marcellus Shale

November 26, 2011

Tweet  Last week, two bills advanced through their respective chambers in the Legislature. Don’t let anyone tell you these bills, Senate Bill 1100 and House Bill 1950, were “the best we could do” on the issue of Marcellus Shale. When you consider all the time spent on the studies, hearings and commissions—coupled with the immense [...]

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Speaking Out for Local Communities on Marcellus Shale

November 15, 2011

TweetEarlier this evening, I spoke on the House floor in opposition to an amendment to HB 1950, which would strip local communities of their right to enact reasonable ordinances on natural gas operations. Here is my speech: Tweet

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The 46th Curveball

November 2, 2011

Tweet Although the work of governing is rarely a game, the comparisons between politics and sports are difficult to avoid. Elections and the political process lend themselves well to sports metaphors—sometimes the comparisons are forced, but often they are spot-on accurate. Earlier this week, I was subjected to my first taste of the legislative redistricting process, [...]

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Marcellus Youth Jobs Forum a Success

October 25, 2011

TweetLast week, I joined with my colleague Rep. Brandon Neuman to host a Marcellus Shale Youth Jobs Forum at the Western Area Career and Technology Center in Chartiers Township. The purpose of the forum was to let local guidance counselors learn about skills and requirements kids coming out of high school may need to be [...]

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Making Sense of the Senseless

September 8, 2011

Tweet Like many elected officials across America, I have been asked to speak at a local event this weekend commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. I will be speaking at the Veterans’ Memorial in Eldersville, Jefferson Township, at 2 PM this Sunday. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m willing [...]

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Big Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

August 31, 2011

Tweet Pennsylvania was not spared from the destruction of Hurricane Irene, with 11 counties encountering heavy flooding and severe damage to property costing untold millions of dollars. Five people tragically lost their lives in the storm. As people began digging out and assessing the damage, Gov. Tom Corbett joined governors from the affected states in [...]

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Let’s Make a “Local Impact” on PA’s Marcellus Shale Policy

August 18, 2011

TweetMMC Public Hearing Set for Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 PM at Canon McMillan High School; Public Participation Encouraged As the Legislature prepares to return to session next month, there is no shortage of hot-button issues waiting to be dealt with. Controversial proposals to privatize the state liquor stores and implement experimental school vouchers are [...]

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A Local Solution to Marcellus Shale Wastewater Concerns?

August 16, 2011

Tweet Nice article in today’s Observer-Reporter by Michael Bradwell about a new mobile water treatment system that can be taken on-site to process waste water from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. The technology and process we saw yesterday was being developed by Aquatech, a local company with 30 years experience in the water treatment industry. [...]

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Who Exactly Are They Pledging Allegiance To?

August 10, 2011

Tweet As if it wasn’t already difficult enough to cross party lines and actually work together to accomplish anything, lawmakers at both the state and federal level now have to deal with a new variable which can bring the gears of government to a grinding halt. I am referring to pledge-mania, the phenomenon of requiring [...]

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White introduces local impact fee bill on natural gas extraction

July 18, 2011

TweetHB 1748 would maintain local control while providing funding for infrastructure, environmental and education concerns HARRISBURG, July 18 – State Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, has introduced HB 1748, legislation that would establish a local impact fee on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania. Under White’s legislation, an annual base fee of $20,000 would be assessed and [...]

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