Political Notebook
The House State Government Committee this week approved a package of government reform bills, including legislation written by state Rep.
Jaret Gibbons, D-10th, that would strengthen state law for abusing the influence of a public office.Gibbons said his bill would create the Abuse of Public Office Prohibition and Penalty Act.Under the measure, it would be illegal for a public official, a person appointed to serve on a government body, or elected official to require a public employee to perform an activity not related to the office's official duties.Additionally, it would be illegal to require a public contractor to provide a good or service for the personal benefit of the elected official, public official, or public employee. This practice is commonly referred to as "pay for play."Gibbons said a violation of providing up to $2,000 of goods and services would be a second-degree misdemeanor. More than $2,000 would result in a third-degree felony. Filing a false report or providing false information would be a second-degree misdemeanor.——-—The state Senate this week approved legislation introduced by Sen.
Bob Robbins, R-50th, honoring local veterans.The measure calls for Route 62 in Mercer County to be designated the "Mercer County Veterans Highway" and directs the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain appropriate signs displaying the highway's name to traffic in both directions.The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.———The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee on Monday visited with Western Pennsylvanian farmers to hear firsthand the needs of our region's agricultural community.Rep.
Collin Peterson, D-Minn., the guest of Rep.
Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd, toured grape and dairy farms in Erie County and held an Agriculture Forum in Mercer."By meeting with producers on their farms, in the town market, and in the state's universities, we are hearing directly from them what is working and what is not," Peterson said."Visits like this one are imperative to receiving that feedback. The more often we hear directly from constituents the easier it is to keep our legislative priorities straight."During the day, Peterson and Dahlkemper, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, held a roundtable discussion attended by grape farmers and facilitated by the National Grape Cooperative.The primary issues raised by the grape growers were agricultural jobs and labor, crop insurance for the specialty crops industry and the 2012 Farm Bill.Later, the two lawmakers held a forum at the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mercer. Local farmers raised a variety of issues including dairy pricing, access to workable capital, agricultural regulation.Dahlkemper called the day's events "a wonderful opportunity for our local farmers to make their voices heard and speak directly to one of the most important policymakers in agriculture."——-—State Rep.
Scott Hutchinson, R-64th, is collecting information about local Korean War era veterans so he can honor them at a ceremony next month.The ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. May 8. at the Oil City High School, 10 Lynch Blvd., Oil City.To participate in the ceremony, Korean War-era veterans, their descendants, family or friends should contact Hutchinson's office at 717-783-8188 or toll-free at 1-800-645-0281.Residents can also sign up for the event online at Hutchinson's website, RepHutchinson.com.Respondents should be prepared to provide the following information about the Korean War-era veteran who should be honored: their name, branch of service, home address, phone number and e-mail address if applicable.Even if the Korean War-era veteran or their family are not able to attend the event, Hutchinson would still like to collect his or her information so he or she can be honored."This ceremony is an effort to say 'thank you' on behalf of a grateful commonwealth," Hutchinson said. "Our Korean War-era veterans should know they are appreciated."———The American Traffic Safety Services Association announced last week it recognized U.S. Rep.
Jason Altmire, D-4th, with its Roadway Safety Champion Award.The group, in honoring Altmire, noted his introduction of the Older Driver and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Enhancement Act.That measure would provide $500 million a year from the Highway Trust Fund to states to improve safety at the most dangerous intersections.———District Judge
Wayne Seibel of Evans City was recertified as a member of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System after completing his 2010 continuing legal education work.The weeklong instruction program in Harrisburg by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts is required for district judges.
