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May 2017 Newsletter

(Jul 13, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

My May 2017 Newsletter includes an item on my effort to secure PHEAA scholarships for volunteer firefighters and EMS providers. Read more

 

Burns soliciting nominations for volunteerism award

(Jun 27, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 27 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is accepting applications from July 1 through 20 at his Ebensburg office for the second annual Charlie Vizzini Volunteerism Award, which will honor an outstanding volunteer in the 72 nd Legislative District. Burns presented the inaugural award last year to Charlie Vizzini, who amassed more than 8,000 hours by volunteering in Burns’ legislative office – fielding more than 1,000 constituent service matters and saving taxpayers an estimated $80,000. “The plan then was to make this an annual award, given to someone in the district who has volunteered to make the community a better place,” Burns said. “If you are – or know someone who is – one of those people, please submit a nomination.” To be eligible, one must: Be a resident living within Burns’ 72 nd Legislative District; Regularly volunteer to make the community a better place to live; and Be able to verify any stated volunteerism. Written nominations should include: The name and contact information of the person making the nomination, and the name and contact information for the person being nominated. An essay of no more than 1,000 words explaining why the person deserves the award and what they have done for their community. Nominations should be mailed or delivered to Burns’ Ebensburg office, 119 South Center St., Ebensburg, PA 15931. No nominations Read more

 

Burns: State grants available for alternative fuel transportation

(Jun 21, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 21 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is advising 72 nd Legislative District entities that the state Department of Environmental Protection is accepting grant applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects that produce cleaner advanced alternative transportation within the state. The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program can assist school districts, municipal authorities, nonprofits, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships registered to do business in Pennsylvania by offsetting the costs of implementing alternative fuel-using transportation projects. DEP is offering AFIG grants in the following categories: Vehicle Retrofit or Purchase – To offset the incremental cost of purchasing alternative fuel vehicles or retrofitting existing vehicles to operate on alternative fuels; Alternative Fuel Refueling Infrastructure – To assist in the costs to purchase and install refueling equipment for fleet and workplace, home or intermediary refueling; and Innovative Technology – To support research, training, development, and demonstration of new alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles. DEP will accept AFIG applications throughout 2017, but the first submission period deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, July 14, and the second submission deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. AFIG guidelines and application instructions are available at Read more

 

Pa. joins in nationwide investigation of opioid companies

(Jun 16, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

Glad to gain a valuable ally in the fight against opioid abuse. I served with Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the House and sent him a letter in February asking Pennsylvania to sue Big Pharma. Read more

 

Attorney general’s investigation into opioid marketing and sale falls in line with Burns’ call for lawsuit against ‘Big Pharma’

(Jun 15, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 15 – Encouraged by news that Pennsylvania’s Attorney General has joined a consortium of state top prosecutors investigating drug manufacturers’ role in the opioid crisis, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, is hopeful the findings will spur the lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies that he called for earlier this year. Burns said today’s announcement that Attorney General Josh Shapiro is among those investigating possible unlawful practices in the marketing and sale of opioids falls directly in line with letters Burns sent to Shapiro and Gov. Tom Wolf in February. “I urge you to file a lawsuit against any and all pharmaceutical companies responsible for this crisis because of their negligence in informing consumers of the dangers of these types of drugs and their ruthless promotion of their use,” Burns wrote. “’Big Pharma’ is lining its pockets and the wallets of doctors who prescribe these medications, while the number of people addicted and affected in the commonwealth continues to rise.” Regarding today’s news, Burns said it’s clear that drug manufacturers’ role and potential legal culpability in the opioid plague have gotten the attention of Shapiro, his former Democratic colleague in the House of Representatives. “I commend the attorney general for making this bold move – and if the evidence leads where I think it will, I encourage Mr. Shapiro to file Read more

 

Cambria, Cresson and Jackson townships approved for community development grants

(Jun 13, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

Rep. Frank Burns reports that Cambria, Cresson and Jackson townships have been approved for community development grants totaling almost $272,000. “Improvement initiatives funded with these grants are important to keeping the region up to date," Burns said. Read more

 

PA House bill proposes mandatory drug treatment for overdose victims

(Jun 09, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

My bill that would require drug overdose survivors to seek treatment within 30 days is getting attention across the state. Here's a TV news segment that perfectly encapsulates why I'm doing this. Read more

 

Burns: Upper Yoder Township gets $195,967 grant for traffic signal upgrades

(Jun 09, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

Money comes from red light violations in Philadelphia EBENSBURG, June 9 – Noting that his reminder to apply from a year ago has paid off, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, today announced a $195,967 grant to Upper Yoder Township for signal upgrades at Woodmont Road and Menoher Boulevard (State Route 0271). Burns said the source of funding – PennDOT’s 2016 Automated Red Light Enforcement Program – comes from red light violations in Philadelphia. An eight-member committee then distributes the money statewide for relatively low-cost projects that improve safety, enhance mobility and reduce congestion. “Last year, I wanted to make sure that municipalities in the 72 nd Legislative District were aware of this grant opportunity, so I publicized it and offered them application assistance by contacting any of my constituent service offices,” Burns said. “It’s great to see that Upper Yoder Township is getting nearly $200,000 – and I hope that we have additional successes in next year’s round of funding.” Burns said the grants can be applied for and used for improvements to traffic signals, roadways at intersections with traffic signals, or school zones – and such things as installing guiderails or making roadside safety enhancements. Burns said any municipality interested in applying for 2017 funding should contact one of his offices. Read more

 

Summer jobs for $15 an hour available through DCNR in the Altoona area

(Jun 07, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

If you're interested in earning $15 an hour for summer work as an outdoor crew leader, here are the details. Read more

 

Burns: Require drug overdose survivors to get addiction treatment within 30 days, sue ‘Big Pharma’ for contributing to the crisis

(Jun 07, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 7 – As part of a multi-pronged effort to combat opioid abuse, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, has introduced H.B. 1501 , which would require those who experience a drug overdose event to seek addiction treatment within 30 days. In Burn’s vision, funding for that treatment would come from pharmaceutical companies that have promoted the opioid crisis, as he earlier this year wrote letters to Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro urging a state lawsuit against “Big Pharma” for fostering the problem while lining its own pockets via prescription drugs. “On the one hand, we need to have accountability and responsibility on the part of those who overdose. They should either accept treatment or go to jail, because repeatedly reviving them with naxalone without solving their underlying problem is insane,” Burns said. “On the other hand, taxpayers who had nothing to do with causing this epidemic shouldn’t be asked to foot the bill for treatment. Payment should come from those who profited by promoting the problem.” Burns’ bill is companion legislation to a similar proposal in the state Senate, S.B. 654 , which seeks to toughen existing state law relating to drug overdose response immunity. “While I support the good intention of Act 139, the Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Law, we have learned from first responders that they have been repeatedly called to the same location for the Read more

 

Letters to Gov. Wolf, Attorney General Shapiro urging state opioid lawsuit

(Jun 06, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

I wrote letters to Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shaprio, urging them to consider a state lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies that have promoted the opioid crisis. Read more

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Burns to host bridge dedication Saturday, June 10 honoring Patton veteran killed in action in Vietnam

(Jun 05, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, June 5 – Honoring a Patton native who gave his life for his country at age 20 while serving with the Army in Vietnam, state Rep. Frank Burns will host a dedication ceremony for the Martin Joseph Davis Memorial Bridge at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, formerly the State Route 36 Bridge over Chest Creek. Born on Aug. 25, 1947, Davis graduated from Cambria Heights High School in 1966. He entered the Army on Nov. 14, 1967 and served as a specialist 4 th class with B Company, 3 rd Battalion, 21 st Infantry, 196 th Infantry Brigade. He died during hostile action in Quang Tin province, South Vietnam, on Aug. 2, 1968. The renaming of the State Route 36 bridge over Chest Creek, in Patton Borough, Cambria County, in Davis’ honor was legislatively initiated by Burns and became law with passage of S.B. 1201 last year. Davis’ brothers, Charles and Patrick Davis, are among the family members scheduled to attend the ceremony. Ken Letso of Walter McCoy American Legion Post 614 will give the welcome, and the Rev. Father Joseph Fleming of Saint Catherine Catholic Church in Mount Union will provide the invocation. The honor guard will include representatives from: Fox-Peale American Legion Post 506, Carrolltown. Walter McCoy American Legion Post 614, Patton. John White Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 779, Patton. John Lipple Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4315, Ashville. Patrick D. Riordan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1586, Read more

 

Burns resolution declaring ‘National Police Week’ unanimously passes House

(May 10, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, May 10 – Continuing his strong commitment to law enforcement, state Rep. Frank Burns today announced that May 14 through 20 will be “National Police Week” in Pennsylvania, per his resolution unanimously approved by the House. Burns’ H.R. 16 also designates May 15 as “Police Officers Memorial Day” in the commonwealth. “It is important that all citizens know and understand the duties, responsibilities, hazards and sacrifices that law enforcement personnel face every day,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “On a daily basis, they serve the people by safeguarding life and property, by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent from deception and the weak from oppression.” Burns said that in 1962 President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and that week in which that date fell as “Police Week.” Since then, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world participate each year in numerous events to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Beginning in 1982, Burns said, a memorial service began in Senate Park, Washington, D.C., during what is now called “National Police Week.” Burns is the founder of the legislative House Blue Lives Matter Caucus. He is also the prime sponsor of H.B. 158 , the Blue Lives Matter bill that would make Read more

 

Burns resolution urging elimination of OxyContin prescriptions for teens clears House committee

(May 08, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

HARRISBURG, May 8 – Hoping to weaken the link between prescription drugs and opioid addiction , state Rep. Frank Burns today announced progress on his resolution seeking to pressure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reverse its decision to allow OxyContin to be prescribed for 11- to 16-year-olds. Burns’ H.R. 17 cleared the House Human Services Committee unanimously and now heads to the full House for consideration. Burns noted that despite its status as an extended-release version of the opioid oxydocone, OxyContin was approved by the FDA in 2015 for prescribing to children as a pain management medication. “In recent years, we’ve all become aware that the highly addictive nature of opioids means that many adults are ‘hooked’ on legally prescribed medicines, then turn to illicit and more dangerous drugs like heroin to maintain their habits,” Burns said. “Given what we know, I ask you: Does it make sense to prescribe opioids to an 11-year-old?” While the state legislature has no direct say in the decisions of a federal government agency, Burns said his goal is to use the legislature’s bully pulpit to help convince federal rule-makers that they should reverse course. “Four out of five new heroin users started out misusing prescription pain medication, which resulted in heroin overdose deaths nearly quadrupling from 2000 to 2013 – and it’s only gotten worse since then,” Burns Read more

 

Burns: Community Leaning Center grant opportunity opens

(May 01, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, May 1 – A competitive grant program that provides federal funds to establish community learning centers that provide academic, artistic and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families is now accepting applications, according to state Rep. Frank Burns. Burns, D-Cambria, said opportunities offered through the 21 st Century Community Learning Centers Grant must occur during non-school hours or periods when school is not in session, to help students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools to meet state and local standards in core academic subjects. Burns also said the centers must also offer students a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs, to offer literacy and other educational services to their families. “I encourage all education-related entities in the 72 nd Legislative District to look into this program and, if interested, to apply,” Burns said. The 21 st CCLC Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition to academics, grantees may also use the funds to carry out a broad array of activities that advance student academic achievement and support student success, including before- and after-school, summer, Saturdays and holiday programming. A minimum of 50 percent of daily programming must directly target reading, math and science enrichment, with the balance of activities occurring on a rotational basis. More information can be Read more

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Burns delivering Pet Food Drive donations to Humane Society at 2 p.m. Monday, May 1

(Apr 26, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, April 26 – In what’s become an annual tradition , state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, and his staff will deliver donations from their 2017 Pet Food Drive to the Humane Society of Cambria County, 743 Galleria Drive Extension, Johnstown, PA 15904, at 2 p.m. Monday, May 1. Throughout the month of April, Burns collects the donations at his constituent service offices in Ebensburg, Portage, Patton and Lower Yoder Township, and at participating schools throughout the 72 nd Legislative District. Donations are traditionally generous, particularly from the schools, and a truckload or more is usually delivered to the Humane Society. Media coverage is invited. Read more

 

Technical support center bringing more than 200 jobs to Johnstown region

(Apr 26, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

As I said in this Tribune-Democrat story, I welcome this new employer to Lower Yoder Township and believe they'll find an eager, qualified work force. Read more

 

Burns Applauds Job Creation

(Apr 25, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

Pa. state Rep. Frank Burns, who has made economic development a top priority, hailed an announcement that 251 full-time jobs are coming to Lower Yoder Township this summer. Read more

 

Burns: 251 jobs coming to Lower Yoder Township continues fulfillment of goals laid out at October public hearing

(Apr 25, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

EBENSBURG, April 25 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, who has made economic development in the 72 nd Legislative District a top priority, hailed today’s announcement that 251 full-time jobs are coming to Lower Yoder Township starting this summer. Burns said the decision by Convergys Corp., a global customer management service provider, to invest $2.7 million and lease a nearly 27,000-square-foot facility, falls in line with the goals laid out at the House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on economic development he hosted in Ebensburg in October. “I chose economic development to focus on for a reason – and that reason was to bring new jobs to our area,” Burns said. “This is the second major jobs-related announcement we’ve had in the past two months, so we’re obviously on the move and getting attention from outside employers. Let’s hope that trend continues.” In February, Burns announced a $1.9 million state grant to help create a Business Aviation Management Degree Program at Saint Francis University, in a cooperative venture with John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. “I welcome Convergys Corp. to Lower Yoder Township and am confident they’ll find an eager, qualified work force that will justify the firm’s multi-million-dollar investment,” Burns said. Read more

 

Burns rallies support for PHEAA scholarships for volunteers while participating in Cambria County Fire School

(Apr 24, 2017) Rep. Frank Burns

PATTON, April 24 – The Volunteer Recruitment Service Scholarship Act proposed by state Rep. Frank Burns to help boost sagging membership in the unpaid emergency services field took center stage during a noon news conference yesterday at the Cambria County Fire School. Before suiting up to engage in scheduled afternoon training sessions with firefighters, Burns, D-Cambria, outlined the merits of his H.B. 48 , which would provide state scholarships to fire company, ambulance service and rescue squad volunteers. Burns said he drafted the bill with a two-fold mission: as a means to allow emergency services to attract and retain volunteers, and as a way to help young people defray the cost of higher education while introducing them to important community service. “We are all aware of the serious manpower shortages facing, in particular, the volunteer fire departments that have served our communities so well for so long,” Burns said. “The situation is reaching crisis proportions, and I believe that offering Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency scholarships to volunteers is one way to think outside the box to solve this problem.” Under Burns’ bill, recipients would be required to be a member of a volunteer organization for at least six months and maintain active volunteer status, have graduated from high school or have received a high school equivalency diploma. They would also have to enroll in a degree-producing curriculum Read more

 

May 2017 Newsletter
Jul 13, 2017

Burns soliciting nominations for volunteerism award
Jun 27, 2017

Burns: State grants available for alternative fuel transportation
Jun 21, 2017

Pa. joins in nationwide investigation of opioid companies
Jun 16, 2017

Attorney general’s investigation into opioid marketing and sale falls in line with Burns’ call for lawsuit against ‘Big Pharma’
Jun 15, 2017

Cambria, Cresson and Jackson townships approved for community development grants
Jun 13, 2017

PA House bill proposes mandatory drug treatment for overdose victims
Jun 09, 2017

Burns: Upper Yoder Township gets $195,967 grant for traffic signal upgrades
Jun 09, 2017

Summer jobs for $15 an hour available through DCNR in the Altoona area
Jun 07, 2017

Burns: Require drug overdose survivors to get addiction treatment within 30 days, sue ‘Big Pharma’ for contributing to the crisis
Jun 07, 2017

Letters to Gov. Wolf, Attorney General Shapiro urging state opioid lawsuit
Jun 06, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY: Burns to host bridge dedication Saturday, June 10 honoring Patton veteran killed in action in Vietnam
Jun 05, 2017

Burns resolution declaring ‘National Police Week’ unanimously passes House
May 10, 2017

Burns resolution urging elimination of OxyContin prescriptions for teens clears House committee
May 08, 2017

Burns: Community Leaning Center grant opportunity opens
May 01, 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY: Burns delivering Pet Food Drive donations to Humane Society at 2 p.m. Monday, May 1
Apr 26, 2017

Technical support center bringing more than 200 jobs to Johnstown region
Apr 26, 2017

Burns Applauds Job Creation
Apr 25, 2017

Burns: 251 jobs coming to Lower Yoder Township continues fulfillment of goals laid out at October public hearing
Apr 25, 2017

Burns rallies support for PHEAA scholarships for volunteers while participating in Cambria County Fire School
Apr 24, 2017