Jan. 24, 2017
HARRISBURG – As the General Assembly met this week to begin the 2017-18 legislative session, Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) has been appointed to serve on four state House committees.
Cook, a self-employed business owner and a proven team builder who has created jobs and successfully met a budget/payroll across several different businesses for more than 30 years, has been named to the House Game and Fisheries, Gaming Oversight, Human Services and Tourism and Recreational Development committees.
“I am very excited with my appointment to each of these highly active and extremely important standing committees and how well these fit with our vision and goals for the 49th Legislative District,” said Cook. “There is a lot of heavy lifting that needs to be done at the legislative level to ensure that our state and local economies thrive, the Mon Valley’s ever-increasing drug epidemic is addressed, our regional travel and tourism are revitalized, and all levels of government are held accountable.”
Reviewing all legislation regulating hunters, anglers and boaters, balancing the interests of residents and the importance of wildlife to the state in matters such as Sunday hunting, and determining fees and costs for licensing are just some of the major areas considered by the House Game and Fisheries Committee. In early February, both the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission will come before the committee to issue and discuss annual reports and legislation impacting both commissions.
“Washington and Fayette counties have an abundance of natural resources and potential activities for our students and residents,” said Cook. “We must invest in our creeks, streams, rivers and abandoned rail lines and fully maximize the potential of outdoor recreation to create family-sustaining jobs, support healthy communities and foster a higher quality life.”
The House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee considers issues including travel and tourism promotion; the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; scenic roadways; snowmobile and trail-related initiatives; amusement parks, fairs, carnivals and folk festivals; agritourism; hotel and lodging issues; recreational use of land and water; PA Wilds and many others.
“Again, it’s no secret that recreation and tourism is one of the largest money makers across the nation, yet the Mon Valley remains statistically at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to capitalizing on outdoor recreational activities in Pennsylvania, which currently generates no less than $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue,” said Cook. “One of the priorities I pledged to tackle immediately are concerns regarding the Washington County Comprehensive and Greenways Plans not being followed adequately throughout the 49th District. Quality of life, lack of investment, blight removal, business development along the river and rail lines to promote industrial bulk shipping are just a few of the major challenges that need to be overcome to help our region to flourish once more.”
The House Human Services Committee has oversight of issues within the Department of Human Services and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Among the issues it has dealt with included legislation to address the heroin and opioid overdose crisis by trying to prevent these powerful drugs from getting into the wrong hands. The committee will continue to convene hearings regarding the delivery of human services throughout the Commonwealth and the challenges faced by individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, along with those needing mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment.
“The 49th Legislative District alone has a ridiculous and absolutely unacceptable drug overdose death rate,” said Cook. “Moving forward, we must do everything possible to open the lines of communication between law enforcement, community leaders and state government, and implement solutions that will actually prevent addiction, improve substance abuse treatment, increase drug monitoring programs, expand available resources to our emergency responders, strengthen families and, ultimately, save lives.”
Cook’s fourth and final committee assignment for the 2017-18 legislative session is the Gaming Oversight Committee that maintains legislative oversight on matters involving the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Pennsylvania’s casinos and gambling industry.
“My job on this committee is to ensure that any type of legalized gaming taking place in our region or across the Commonwealth becomes a model of public trust and integrity, rather than being treated as above the law or a safe haven for organized crime and corruption,” said Cook.
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Representative Bud Cook
49th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepBudCook.com /
Facebook.com/RepBudCook