Jan. 22, 2015
HARRISBURG – Earlier this week, Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Centre/Huntingdon/Mifflin) was named to four standing committees within the House of Representatives. They are the Local Government, State Government, Aging and Older Adult Services, and Labor and Industry committees.
“I am excited to get started and appreciate the variety of the committees to which I have been assigned,” said Irvin. “Now that the committee assignments have been decided, we can get hit the ground running and I can get to the work the people of the 81st Legislative District elected me to do.”
Within the legislative process, the committees are where all bills are first sent and reviewed. During the committee process, amendments can be offered, discussions on the bills take place and sometimes public or informational hearings are held to gather more information on a legislative issue before a vote is taken on whether or not to advance a bill for a vote before the full House.
The House Local Government Committee, which deals with local taxation, planning and zoning, municipal pensions, municipal codes and the powers and duties of local officials, will capitalize on Irvin’s experience working as Huntingdon County treasurer.
“During my 18 years as county treasurer, I worked with and got to know many of our local elected officials and the many issues they deal with on a daily basis,” said Irvin. “This gives me a good insight into what our local governments need in order to be more effective and fulfill their obligations.”
The State Government Committee focuses on matters including the Election Code, Right-to-Know Law, the Sunshine Act, Lobbying Disclosure Act, Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, and the conveyance or leasing of state-owned land.
“With Pennsylvania having the fourth largest population of senior citizens, the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee impacts a large majority of Pennsylvanians with issues ranging from elder abuse and older adult protective services, adult day care, long-term care, and state programs directed to seniors, such as the PACE and PACENET programs, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and senior transportation programs,” said Irvin. “It will be gratifying to work on legislation that can help improve the quality of life for some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens.”
The Labor and Industry Committee will provide Irvin with the opportunity to work on legislation impacting jobs across the state. Issues the committee handles include unemployment compensation, job training, child labor laws, workers’ compensation and the Prevailing Wage Act.
“Providing good, family-sustaining jobs is a top priority, and this committee will put me on the ground floor of shaping legislation vital to Pennsylvania workers,” said Irvin.
For more legislative information or to connect with Irvin, check out his website at
www.RepIrvin.com or “like” him on Facebook at
www.Facebook.com/RepIrvin.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepIrvin.com /
Facebook.com/RepIrvin