state rep aaron bernstine

House Approves Bernstine Legislation to Prevent Violent Offenders from Early Release

HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today overwhelming passed legislation that would preclude the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole from paroling an inmate at the expiration of his or minimum sentence if the inmate was convicted of a violent offense or an obstruction of justice while incarcerated. House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, authored by Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence), was named after Mark Mason, an 8-year-old from Lawrence County, 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…


Bernstine to Host Job Fair, Toy Drive for Ellwood City Medical Center Employees

ELLWOOD CITY – In his continued efforts to help employees and families impacted by operational problems at Ellwood City Medical Center, Rep. Aaron Bernstine is hosting a health professionals job fair on Friday, December 13 at 2 p.m. in the Ellwood City Municipal Building Auditorium, located at 525 Lawrence Ave, Ellwood City. The job fair, which is open to current and past Ellwood City Medical Center employees, will feature 10 medical facilities and their recruiters: UPMC,  Allegheny Health Network, Lutheran SeniorLife, Advanced and Progressive Home Health,  Brighton Rehabilitation Center, Northview Estates, Rochester Manor and Villa,  Saint John XXIII Home, Western…


Bernstine Announces Committee Passage of Bill to Prevent Violent Offenders from Early Release

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today commended the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin), for passing House Bill 1855 or Markie’s Law, which focuses on the parole process for violent offenders. This is in the wake of the recent murder of an 8-year-old child in Lawrence County. Today, Bernstine and the family of Mark Edward Mason (Markie) also met with Gov. Tom Wolf, House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) and House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) about his legislation that would postpone consideration of a violent inmate’s parole until an addition 24 months following the inmate’s minimum…


Bernstine Invites Veterans in 10th District to Breakfast

HARRISBURG – To show appreciation to veterans in the 10th District for their service to the country, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) is hosting a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 1. The breakfast will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Koppel Fire Hall, 5525 Fifth Ave. in Koppel. Veterans, active military and their spouses are invited to attend. “These men and women deserve to be thanked and appreciated every day,” said Bernstine. “This is our way to say thank you for all that they have done and to remind them that we serve as a local resource.”…


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…