 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
| [[Share On Facebook]] |
| Legislative Report |
| #Listrak\DateStampLong# |
The latest news from the State Capitol |
Lawmakers to Gather Testimony on PA’s Drug Epidemic in Mon Valley
On Monday, Feb. 13, I will be hosting a House Majority Policy Committee public hearing to gather testimony from law enforcement, medical professionals, treatment centers, employers, educators, advocates and citizens about the state’s opioid epidemic and potential solutions to address it.
The hearing will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Donora Municipal Building, 603 McKean Ave. Barring technical difficulties, Monday’s hearing will be streamed live at RepBudCook.com.
Pennsylvania health officials have already labeled the heroin opioid epidemic as the worst health crisis of the last 100 years.
With four out of every five new heroin users starting out by misusing prescription painkillers, we all recognize that this problem has no socio-economic boundaries. People of all ages, races and income levels are fighting addiction to prescription painkillers and heroin.
This is especially true right here in Washington County. It is believed, once all the cases have been properly recorded, that drug overdose deaths in Washington County are expected to top 100 deaths for 2016.
It is my hope that this policy hearing will provide a forum to break through the media silence and explore real-world solutions to finally tackle the drug crisis that continues to plague Mon Valley communities and the rest of Pennsylvania.
|
More Than $286,000 Awarded to Mon Valley Fire and Ambulance Companies
Twenty-two volunteer fire and ambulance companies throughout Washington and Fayette counties have qualified to receive approximately $286,050 from a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Click here for the list of local recipients.
I applaud all of the men and women of our volunteer companies for qualifying for this funding, and most importantly, for their immeasurable service in keeping our communities safe. This funding is the least the state can do to help ensure this essential emergency coverage continues. I am pleased to see this funding returning to our area in a way that benefits and helps to protect every person in the 49th Legislative District.
All funding comes from the proceeds from slot machine gaming, and not General Fund tax revenue. 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.
|
Cook Announces District Office Open House and Ribbon Cutting
Residents of the 49th Legislative District are invited to join me on Tuesday, Feb. 28, for my first-ever open house and ribbon cutting from 4-6 p.m. at my new Bentleyville district office, located at Big Jim Plaza, LLC, 55 Gosai Drive, Suite 112.
This grand opening is an excellent opportunity to meet me, and my highly knowledgeable staff, and learn about the wide range of services that are available through my district office, including assistance with PennDOT paperwork, PACE and PACENET applications for senior citizens, 2016 Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications and many others.
I am looking forward to seeing you there on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Please share with your family, friends and neighbors.
For the latest district event information and state government updates, visit RepBudCook.com and Facebook.com/RepBudCook.
|
Gone Fishin’: Trout Stocking Schedules Available
Trout season is just around the corner, and local anglers are now able to find out when their favorite fishing hole will be stocked with trout by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The guides are available in print, online and on the commission’s FishBoatPA mobile app.
The commission stocks approximately 3.15 million adult trout in more than 720 streams and 120 lakes open to public angling each year. These figures include approximately 2 million rainbow trout; 640,000 brown trout; and 500,000 brook trout. The average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length.
The statewide opening day for trout season is Saturday, April 15.
For more information about fishing licenses or regulations, or to check the online stocking schedule, click here.
|
|
| Office Locations |
| Big Jim Plaza, LLC, 55 Gosai Drive, Suite 112, Bentleyville PA 15314 |
| B-16 Main Capitol, PO Box 202049, Harrisburg PA 17120-2049 | (717) 783-8655 / 3-8655 |
| Email Address: BCook@pahousegop.com |
|
|
