Help on the Way for Key Development Project

     Volunteer Groups Benefit from Small Games Bill

       Good news for local volunteer organizations: The House has passed a bill that will help them earn more revenue from small games of chance.
           Some of these outfits have been having a hard time making ends meet and this bill makes some common-sense changes to help them raise more money for the good work they do. The House concurred on the Senate version of House Bill 169.
            The measure is largely the same as a bill that I introduced in the House two years ago, and it now goes to the governor’s desk.
           I’ve been trying to get this done for a long time, but anytime you allow more money to move around you have to make sure that the right controls are in place. The bill will increase the prize limits for Local Option Small Games of Chance and tighten regulations on small games licensees.   For more information on the new provisions, click here.

    Bill Will Build Infrastructure, Protect Consumers

            With my support, the Senate passed legislation that will help replace aging utility infrastructure while protecting consumers from costly rate hikes.
           Under current law, utilities have the authority to recover costs for necessary construction work through expensive and time-consuming general rate cases. House Bill 1294 will allow utilities to instead gradually recover infrastructure investment costs through a capped Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC).
           Ultimately, it’s the consumer that pays for the expensive bureaucracy involved in a rate case, in addition to the costs of infrastructure repair and replacement.  This bill will cut those costs, thereby easing the impact on consumers.
           The bill requires utility companies to submit to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) their long- term plans for infrastructure replacement when petitioning for a DSIC. The idea is that the ability to recover costs more quickly through a DSIC will encourage utilities to accelerate infrastructure upgrades.
           For more information, click here.

           Students Support Military, Receive Special Flag

           Congratulations to the students at Wylandville and Borland Manor Elementary Schools for their Christmas card student outreach program. 
           American flags were proudly flown on Christmas Day by the 577 Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and presented to the schools by Master Sergeant David Sweitzer of the United States Air Force.
          You can read more on this story at the Canon-McMillan Patch website.

Carroll Township to Get Grant, Loan for Sewer Repairs
           The Carroll Township Authority has been approved for a grant and a low-interest loan to make repairs to aging sewer lines. More than 18,000 feet of sewer line will be upgraded during the $1 million project.
           Keeping up with infrastructure improvements has been difficult during the economic downturn. State investment in local communities will preserve the environment and give a needed economic boost.
           The Carroll Township Authority collection system serves 2,000 residential customers and hundreds of businesses, including Monongahela Valley Hospital.   For more information, click here.