state rep aaron bernstine

Senate Approves Bernstine Legislation to Repeal State’s Asset Tax Law

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) legislation to repeal a provision in state law that could be used as a gateway to implement a state wealth tax on personal property passed the Senate unanimously today. House Bill 1085 would repeal a law originally enacted in 1935, which aims to eliminate outdated laws and upgrade to a more efficient government. “I want to thank Senators Elder Vogel (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) and Scott Hutchinson (R-Butler, Clarion, Forest, Venango, Warren) for their partnership in getting this legislation passed by the state Senate,” said Bernstine. “This bill will help ensure that taxpayers are protected against additional…


Bernstine Responds to News Article on Burley Parole

ELLWOOD CITY – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) has issued the following statement in response to a recent article published by the New Castle News: “Clearly there are inconsistencies in the way the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole communicates with district attorney offices when reviewing the cases of violent inmates. I am thankful to Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa for his partnership on addressing these failures by the Parole Board that have harmed communities across Pennsylvania. I was hopeful Board Chairman Theodore Johnson would take responsibility for these failures instead of fighting to maintain the Harrisburg status quo. I…


Bernstine Says $682,923 in State Grants Approved for Beaver, Lawrence Counties

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) awarded a total of $682,923 for regional development projects in Beaver and Lawrence counties. In Beaver County, Mycelia Development, LLC was awarded a $448,953 grant to construct a 16,670-square-foot cultural life and arts center within the downtown core of Beaver Falls. The three-story building will include a ceramic studio, handmade market, café, art gallery, community room, theatre, and event space and will achieve energy savings through the Green Globes Certification system under the Green Building Initiative (GBI). Ellwood City Borough in Lawrence County received a $190,000…


Bernstine to Announce Legislation on Parole Process for Violent Offenders

ELLWOOD CITY – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that he will be introducing legislation which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders. This in the wake of the recent murder of a child in Lawrence County. Bernstine will participate in a press conference held at the Lawrence County Government Center, on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m. with Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa regarding Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Keith Burley. He is the defendant charged with the murder of a child in Lawrence County. Bernstine’s legislation would postpone consideration of a violent inmate’s parole until an additional 24…


Bernstine Announces Work to Begin to Restore Hereford Manor Lake

FRANKLIN TWP. – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will move forward immediately with the initial geotechnical study to restore Hereford Manor Lake, which was drained in 2012. Bernstine has secured $150,000 for the study, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Hereford Manor consisted of two popular lakes that were formed by dams created from old strip mine materials in the 1950s. These dams were considered high-hazard, unsafe and were eventually removed. Restoration of this facility will require new construction to meet current dam safety standards. “The…


Bernstine Introduces Bill to Eliminate Concealed Carry Permit Requirement in PA

HARRISBURG – Coinciding with a Second Amendment rights rally held today in Harrisburg, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) unveiled “constitutional carry” legislation, which would no longer require law-abiding citizens to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm in Pennsylvania. “If a citizen passes a criminal background check, it is patently unjust and unconstitutional to add layers of bureaucratic regulations on those who are least likely to commit a crime,” said Bernstine, a vocal pro-Second Amendment lawmaker. “The current process is a duplicative abuse of the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.” Bernstine’s bill would make available an optional concealed carry…


Bernstine Announces $225,000 in School Safety Grant Awards for Area Schools

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that $225,000 in funding has been awarded to nine school districts in the 10th Legislative District to help improve student safety through a new grant program established by lawmakers earlier this year. The School Safety and Security Grant Program provides grants to school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private residential rehabilitative institutions for a wide variety of projects to improve school safety. Local grant recipients include Big Beaver Falls Area School District, Blackhawk School District, New Brighton Area School District, Riverside Beaver County School District, Slippery Rock Area…


Bernstine Invites Veterans to Register for His Nov. 9 Veterans Breakfast

ELLWOOD CITY – In an effort to recognize those in the area who have served our country in the armed forces, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) will host a Veterans Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at the North Sewickley Fire Department, located at 887 Mercer Road, Beaver Falls. U.S. veterans and active duty military personnel residing in the 10th District are invited to take part in the event. “With Veterans Day being only a couple weeks away, I am looking forward to hosting this breakfast to meet with area veterans and thank them for their service,”…


Bernstine to Host Concealed Carry Rights and Safety Seminar

ELLWOOD CITY – As a way for local residents to further understand their rights with respect to the state’s firearms laws and protections, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) is holding a free Concealed Carry Rights and Safety Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the North Sewickley Fire Department, located at 887 Mercer Road, Beaver Falls. “If you already have a concealed carry permit, or are thinking about obtaining one, please consider attending this seminar,” Bernstine said.  “This event offers a unique opportunity for both prospective and experienced firearm owners to expand their knowledge of existing gun…


Bernstine Appointed to Bipartisan Budget Watchdog Committee

HARRISBURG – Furthering his opportunities to be involved in shaping some of the most critical fiscal issues facing the Commonwealth, State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) Tuesday was appointed by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to replace outgoing state Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver/Washington) on one of the General Assembly’s most influential watchdog committees. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency tasked with making research-supported recommendations for the elimination of wasteful expenditures and promotion of economic growth, as well as ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of taxpayer dollars. “I’m looking forward to the…