state rep aaron bernstine

Bernstine to Host Concealed Carry Seminar On May 10

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) is inviting area residents to a Concealed Carry Seminar as a way to further understand their rights with respect to the state’s firearms laws and protections. The seminar will take place on Wednesday, May 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Penn Township Municipal Building located at 157 East Airport Road in Butler. “Attending this Concealed Carry Seminar will provide important information for anyone who does or wants to carry a concealed firearm,” said Bernstine. “This event will ensure that you understand the laws and regulations surrounding concealed carry.” Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger…


Bernstine Proposes Bill to Classify Drag Shows as ‘Adult Business’

HARRISBURG – Following several PA events where drag performances appealing to children have been held, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Lawrence/Butler) has proposed legislation in the state House to reclassify drag performances as “adult-oriented business.” The legislation intends to protect children by banning drag shows on public property or in areas that can be seen by minors. “Parents should have peace of mind that their children won’t be exposed to minor-marketed or sexually suggestive drag shows without their consent,” Bernstine said. “In no world should we be allowing these types of shows to occur in public libraries, schools or other public property…


Bernstine Announces Safe Schools Grant for Area School Districts

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) has announced that school districts in the 8th Legislative Districts have been awarded funding totaling $266,616 from the Safe Schools Targeted Grant programs. “Each school’s needs are different, and these grant programs allow schools flexibility to address their own unique security requirements,” said Bernstine. “Protecting our students is a point of emphasis for me, and I am grateful that our local schools will soon see the benefits of this grant program.” The following school districts were awarded an Equipment and/or Program Grant award: Lawrence County Career and Technical Center – $49,791. Mohawk Area School District –…


Bernstine Announces Grants to First Responders in 8th District

HARRISBURG – Grant funding will be coming to several first responder companies in the 8th District under a program administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) within the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), according to Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence). Every emergency service organization that completes the application process receives funding. Projects eligible for funding include: construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training, or reduction of existing debt. “First responders are heroes because they put their own lives on the line to protect people and property,” said Bernstine. “Our…


Bernstine’s New Butler Office Location Open for Business

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his district office in Butler is open to ensure continuity of constituent services. The office is located at 790 Pittsburgh Road, Butler. Office hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the telephone number is 724-847-5291. The new Butler office is part of Bernstine’s ongoing effort to improve efficiencies, while maintaining the highest level of constituent service for residents of the 8th Legislative District. “My door is always open,” said Bernstine. “My staff and I are ready to assist constituents with a number of state-related matters,…


Bernstine Says House Fails to Override Governor’s Markie’s Law Veto

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives failed today to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s September veto of House Bill 146, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders in the wake of the 2019 murder of a child in Lawrence County. The measure needed a two-thirds majority (134 votes) to override the veto; 132 “yes” votes were cast. Every Republican House member voted “yes” to override the veto; however, some Democrats who originally voted in the affirmative, flipped their vote to support releasing violent criminals back onto our streets. Markie’s Law was named…


Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Legislation Vetoed by Governor

HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) that would focus on the parole process for violent offenders was vetoed today by Gov. Tom Wolf. “I am upset, disappointed and disgusted with the governor’s decision to veto this important, commonsense legislation,” said Bernstine. “This bill would have kept the most dangerous inmates from a premature release in order to protect our Commonwealth residents and would have saved Markie’s life.” House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Markie Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of…


Bernstine’s Markie’s Law Legislation Awaiting Governor’s Signature

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that his legislation, which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders, is on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. House Bill 146, or Markie’s Law, was named after Markie Mason, an 8-year-old boy who was brutally stabbed to death by a man who was paroled at the end of his minimum sentence for homicide, even after committing two separate assaults of other inmates while in prison. “Markie’s Law must get over the finish line and signed into law by the governor,” said Bernstine. “This bill would keep the most dangerous…


Bernstine Introduces Legislation to Enhance Classroom Safety

HARRISBURG – After the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, where children and educators were killed at an elementary school, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler, Lawrence) has introduced legislation to enhance the safety of children and staff while on school property. “Mass murderers are often attracted to “soft targets” where they know victims are not armed,” said Bernstine. “According to the Crime Prevention Resource Center, there has not been a single mass shooting in a school where staff were clearly allowed to carry a firearm.” House Bill 2771 would allow school employees who possess a valid Pennsylvania concealed carry permit to be…


Bernstine to Host Free Shredding Event On Saturday in Scott Township

ELLWOOD CITY – State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Beaver/Lawrence) is offering residents the opportunity to have documents containing personal or sensitive information shredded in order to help protect them against identity theft. The free Shredding Event will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at Scott Township Fire Department, 3712 Harlansburg Road, in New Castle. “I am pleased to be able to provide the community with a secure way to shred large amounts of personal documents and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft,” said Bernstine. “It is imperative to protect our private information…