HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced he was assigned to serve on the House Aging and Older Adult Services, Finance, Health, and Game and Fisheries committees during the 2017-18 legislative session.
The committees provide legislative oversight and help shape the language in bills that fall under their areas of responsibility.
“Committee work is one of my major responsibilities as a lawmaker,” Bernstine said. “I am looking forward to crafting legislation that will benefit the people of the 10th District, as well as attempting to stop any legislation that may have harmful or unintended consequences for our citizens.”
The Aging and Older Adult Services Committee considers legislation and issues affecting Pennsylvania’s elderly population, including programs and services supported by the state lottery, long-term care, adult day care, elder abuse and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
“The Aging and Older Adult Services Committee’s work will affect – either now or in the future – the majority of Pennsylvanians,” Bernstine said. “It’s vital that we continue to look for ways to meet the needs of our growing senior population and focus on policies that will improve their quality of life.”
The Finance Committee oversees matters relating to taxation and fiscal policy, investment of the Commonwealth’s money and regulations of the Department of Revenue.
“My position on the House Finance Committee will provide me with opportunities to fight against tax increases and excessive government spending and ensure state government lives within its means, just like Pennsylvania families must do,” Bernstine said.
The House Health Committee deals with legislation regarding pharmaceutical issues, nursing home licensure, health savings accounts, telemedicine and many health problems.
The Game and Fisheries Committee reviews legislation that deals with laws, licensing and other matters related to hunting, trapping, fishing and boating throughout the Commonwealth.
“Committee assignments play a vital role in our work at the Capitol,” Bernstine said. “Committees review all legislation and determine which bills are sent to the House floor for consideration. I consider it a privilege to serve on these four influential committees over the next two years.”
Within the last couple years, state Senator Elder Vogel was instrumental in granting $3.5 million to the restoration of the Kaufman House in Zelienople. Vogel was also responsible for a $300,000 grant to improvements at the Zelienople Community Park. Most recently, Rep. Bernstein is pushing for a $21 million grant to the reconstruction of Hereford Manor Lake. Again, in the Zelienople area. I consider this a waste of money. What’s wrong with the fishermen using Moraine? Bernstein is claiming the new Hereford Manor will bring auxiliary business. This might be true but it would be for the Zelienople area. Where’s the facts that this would bring business to Ellwood? Where are the statistics that Moraine brought business to the Butler area? The $21 million is pandering to a select group with no proof of an economic impact to Ellwood. What Bernstein and Vogel should be doing is developing plans for a four lane highway between Ellwood and the turnpike in Koppel or between Ellwood and I-79 in Harmony. So far Zelienople is $3.8 million ahead of Ellwood in special interest grants. This has to change.
Moraine is a decent place to fish keep in mind you need a boat. Hereford Manor is made for fishing on the bank. The problem is Hereford didn’t get a grant to save it. It is no longer a place to fish. As a resident of Ellwood I would go to Hereford more than I would Moraine due to the fact of three reasons:
1) You don’t need a boat.
2) it is closer to home. Takes about 10 minutes to get there from Ellwood where it takes 20 to 25 minutes to get to Moraine.
3) they stock it with trout and no they do not do that a Moraine.
This is the place where old and young can fish. I remember it was a pay lake. It is a beautiful asset to the area.
Good luck in getting a four lane highway between the two destination points and you better tell PennDOT to please don’t any work on the Koppel Bridge it is starting on January 30th. Just to let you know it cost $26 million for the new bridge to be built. It would cost hundreds of millions to build a four lane in either direction. And a lot of people would lose there home. Not a good idea. I am happy they are making Hereford a place to fish again.
It would cost hundreds of millions to build a four lane in either direction.
• So? If we don’t get it, someone else would.
• Route 19 in Cranberry used to be a two lane road. Without a four lane (and in some areas six), Cranberry would not be the successful commercial area that it is today.
And a lot of people would lose there (sic their) home. Not a good idea.
• A lot of people and businesses lost their property with the development in Cranberry. It’s called progress and eminent domain. You should ask the residents of Cranberry if they would prefer to eliminate the four (and in some areas six) lanes. It’s a silly question but definitely valid.
• If you’re so opposed to a Cranberry connector, then a four lane to the turnpike through Koppel should be seriously considered.
• Again, Zelienople is $3.8 million ahead of Ellwood in grant money. There is absolutely no proof that Ellwood’s economy would benefit by a $21 million lake for a small select group of people.
• You fail to address the failure of Vogel and Bernstein getting grant money for our new electric department building.
When Shell proposed their facility near the Beaver Valley mall, did they ask for a fishing lake?
Nope, they worked with Harrisburg for infrastructure items such as roads, ramps, power and sewers. These are things that attract business. Yes, we the people built that. Shell paid nothing for the infrastructure improvements.
Wasting $21 million for a small select group with absolutely no proof of economic impact to Ellwood is irresponsible.
You complain about travelling an additional 15-20 minutes to Moraine but you have no problem travelling 45 minutes to Heinz Field or PNC Park. Or perhaps Heinz Field and PNC Park should be relocated to Zelienople?
Rather than waste $21 million on a new lake for a small select few, it would be more economical to stock Moraine. All options should be considered and I don’t see that being done.
My first fishing trip was to Herford Manor, I would like to take my son
I live in Monaca and can be there in 15 min
It was stupid people like you that drained it