State Representative

ROB MERCURIServing PA’s 28th Legislative District

It’s My Honor to Serve Residents of the 28th DistrictWith a grateful heart and a positive outlook for what we might accomplish together, I was honored to be sworn into

Pennsylvania’s General Assembly on Jan. 5. We have much work to do in the coming legislative session, and I look forward to working hard for the people of District 28 to help ensure we come back stronger from a difficult pandemic to forge a future for the citizens and families of Pennsylvania of which we can all be proud.

During the 2021-22 Legislative Session, I was assigned to serve on five standing House committees: Education, Finance, Liquor Control, Urban Affairs and Commerce. The committees provide legislative oversight and help shape the language in bills that fall under their areas of responsibility. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on these committees and look forward to working with the committee chairs and other committee members from both political parties.

Regarding the Education Committee, the last year has had an incredible impact on the education of our children, and there is work to be done to improve their experiences. As a father of three school-aged children, I look forward to representing the perspectives of both parents and students themselves as we address legislation.

The Education Committee focuses on education issues, legislation, policy developments and constituent requests across the entire educational spectrum, both public and private, encompassing K-12 basic education, as well as post-secondary education.

Being assigned to serve on the Commerce and Finance committees, I look forward to using my experience as a small business owner, working for two major accounting firms in Pittsburgh and New York City, and as a financial risk manager and senior vice president at PNC Bank.

The Commerce Committee works with the departments of Community and Economic Development, and Banking and Securities. It covers topics like state economic development, eligibility for mortgage assistance and consumer complaints regarding loans and credit cards.

The Finance Committee handles state and local tax legislation, state lottery law and the fiscal code by working cooperatively with the departments of Revenue, Treasury, and Community and Economic Development.

I also hope to continue the work of former Speaker Mike Turzai on the Liquor Control Committee by moving to privatize the state’s liquor sales. The Liquor Control Committee drafts legislation affecting the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and works with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

The Urban Affairs Committee considers legislation affecting cities of all sizes, including housing, urban redevelopment, economic development, land use planning and zoning, growth management, infrastructure financing, and city services such as police, fire, sewage and water.

Being appointed to these committees brings the opportunity to play a part in affecting change across a diverse set of issues during this consequential time. I’m excited to represent the people of this district and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Get My Updates From Harrisburg Every week, I send email updates about important legislation, events in the district, traffic updates and other information

you will find helpful. It’s simple to receive these updates directly. Just visit my website at www.RepRobMercuri.com to subscribe to my email list. Without signing up, you will not receive this important communication.

Before Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) took the oath of office for the 2021-22 Legislative Session, he was joined by his family: wife, Kelsey; son, Kieran; and daughters Delaney and Mackenzie.

Be Prepared to Vote on Ballot Questions at the May 18 Primary

For more than a year, Pennsylvania has been operating under two long-term disaster emergency declarations imposed by Gov. Tom Wolf. One declaration is related to the opioid epidemic and has been in place for more than three years, while the other was ordered in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic. The governor renewed the COVID-19 declaration for a fourth time in February.

When Pennsylvania voters head to the polls during the May 18 primary election, they will find three questions on the ballot regarding amendments to the state Constitution and one referendum. The first two constitutional questions deal with disaster emergency declarations while the third addresses racial equality. The ballot referendum asks about allowing municipal fire and EMS companies to share access to the existing Fire and Emergency Services Loan Fund with volunteer companies.

Voters will decide if:

• The General Assembly may terminate a disaster emergency declaration, like the ones for the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid crisis that have been in place for more than one year and three years, respectively.

• A disaster emergency declaration should be limited to 21 days unless the General Assembly votes to extend it.

• The state Constitution should specifically prohibit the denial or limitation of a person’s rights based on race or ethnicity. Individuals should not have their equal rights restricted or denied because of their race or ethnicity.

• Municipal fire departments should have access to low interest loans through an expansion of the Emergency Services Loan Assistance Fund.

For more information or to read all four ballot questions, please visit pahousegop.com/voiceofthepeople.

Who May Vote on These Ballot Questions?

All voters will have the opportunity to be heard on these issues at the May 18 primary election. If you are registered as an Independent or other third party not typically eligible to vote in the primary election, you are entitled and encouraged to vote on these questions.

Congratulations to Local ScoutsThese young men and women have been dedicated Scouts, earning the pinnacle

rank achieved by very few Scouts. They have proven themselves as positive changemakers with the drive to help their communities, and I am immeasurably proud. Their achievements will forever differentiate them and should always be a source of pride. Congratulations on your success, and thank you for serving your communities!

Girl Scout Gold Awards Recipients:Anna Elise BetlerAnna BordeianuHolly EbnerAva Farrell

Eagle Scouts:Timothy ComptonNathan Thomas CottrellChristopher John FisherJoshua James Horan

Charlotte MenkeAlexandra MorrisonTaylor RechenmacherShivali Saxena

Launching North Hills Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force

To raise awareness and find solutions to issues plaguing the Commonwealth, I recently created the North Hills Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force. It is comprised of local and regional health and human services experts.

In the midst of the global pandemic, we’ve seen the number of overdoses and cases of mental illness rise dramatically. Not to mention, Pennsylvania falls within the top 10 states with the highest number of overdoses, so there’s certainly great needs to be addressed. The task force will present innovative solutions to combat the social and financial costs of drug addiction and mental illness.

Representatives have agreed to serve a two-year term that will end on Nov. 30, 2022. Participating organizations include Jade Wellness, North Hills Community Outreach, Spenser’s Voice, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, iRise, The Open Door, Gateway Rehabilitation, Greenbriar Treatment Center, University of PITT (PERU), UPMC and Franklin Park Police Department.

The idea to launch the North Hills Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force was born out of a successful virtual event I hosted in March, A Pathway to Hope. The discussion was informative, but I wanted to do more to help those who are struggling and their families.

A Pathway to Hope: A Discussion on Mental Health and Substance Abuse can be viewed online at www.RepRobMercuri.com/video/latestvideo. Speakers included Dr. Julie D’Alo, executive director of Gateway Rehab; Tina Flowers, founder of Spenser’s Voice; and Tom Baker, executive director of North Hills Community Outreach.

Eagle Scouts:Timothy ComptonNathan Thomas CottrellChristopher John FisherJoshua James Horan

Creating the Wexford Business Roundtable

I recently established and invited local businesses to join the Wexford Business Roundtable, which will serve a vital role in helping to develop pro-small business policies.

The roundtable will also provide a forum for local businesses to come together to help identify opportunities for building a healthier, stronger and more innovative business climate.

On the heels of a pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, I know this group of experienced businesspeople will provide cross-functional expertise and guidance to increase jobs, reduce red tape, better steward state resources and increase economic recovery. I’m honored to be part of such an exciting opportunity for our area.

Representatives of The Oven, Burn Boot Camp, Holsinger, Keller Williams, Jerry’s Car Wash, ATI, Giant

Eagle, Pittsburgh North Chamber of Commerce, Soergel’s Orchard, PGT Trucking, Accipter Systems, RDIC and Walnut Group have agreed to serve on the board of directors of the Wexford Business Roundtable. Their two-year terms will end on Nov. 30, 2022.

It is my hope that this group will collectively represent many facets of the western Pennsylvania economy and bring local and important business perspectives together so that I may best represent our business community, as well as all residents of the 28th District.

Hearings Aim to Restore Faith in PA Elections

Nothing is more important to the stability of our Commonwealth and our country than ensuring voters have faith in the process by which we elect our leaders.

Sadly, many Pennsylvanians have lost faith in our elections, and as elected officials, we in the General Assembly – and frankly, in the governor’s office – have a responsibility to hear the concerns of our constituents and act to restore their faith not only in our elections but in our government as well.

As a member of the State House, I have been participating in a series of hearings designed to dive deeper into our election laws and every facet of the process, from voter registration to casting ballots and counting ballots. We’ve taken testimony from now-former Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, as well as other Department of State officials, county election officials and election administrators from other states.

Thus far, we’ve pushed for answers on the Wolf administration’s issuing late and often confusing guidance leading up to the November general election; taken feedback from county election officials who are the boots on the ground when it comes to administering our elections; discussed various types of audits to ensure our election integrity; and reviewed the process and verification of registering voters.

Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our Commonwealth. This should not be a partisan issue. I hope we can work together across party lines to restore the public’s faith in our electoral process. To view video of completed hearings, as well as a schedule of upcoming hearings, visit www.pahousegop.com/electionlawhearings.

I am proud to support the Commonwealth’s COVID Comeback, a pro-jobs, pro-growth initiative.

• Reshore to Restore, House Bill 600 sponsored by Rep. Josh Kail, would bring manufacturing to Pennsylvania. Made in Pennsylvania: Reshore to Restore Recovery Zone Program to incentivize manufacturers to build in Pennsylvania.

• Job Creator Recovery and Reinvestment, House Bill 198 sponsored by Rep. George Dunbar, would allow a net operating loss (NOL) deduction up to 100% of income to allow job creators a chance to recover and reinvest in PA. The additional 60% deduction can only be from losses that occurred in 2020 and does not apply to losses carried forward from prior tax years.

• Prioritizing Workforce Development, House Bill 602 sponsored by Rep. Clint Owlett, would encourage companies and employers to invest in workforce development and skilled training programs.

• Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Taxes (CNIT), House Bill 603 sponsored by Rep. Natalie Mihalek, would provide tax relief to low-income families and foster a climate aimed to assist struggling businesses and attract new business into the Commonwealth by adjusting the special poverty provisions tax exemption thresholds and reducing the CNIT over a period of years.

• DEP Permit Predictability, House Bill 604 sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Fritz, would establish a permitting framework at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure that decisions on permits are rendered reliably and in a timely manner.

• COVID Immunity, House Bill 605 sponsored by Rep. Torren Ecker, would help provide for the expedited and efficient resolution of lawsuits arising out of exposure to COVID-19.

• Jobs of the Future Study, House Resolution 60 sponsored by Rep. Tim O’Neal, would establish a select committee to review opportunities for the development of new industries in the Commonwealth, including advanced manufacturing.

Congrats to These State Champ Teams!This spring, three North Allegheny High School teams

became state champs, which speaks of the hard work, talent and determination of the student athletes and their coaches.

• The girls’ basketball team won its first PIAA Class 6A championship with an impressive 27-1 record.

• The girls’ swimming and diving team won the PIAA Class AAA Championship for first time in 24 years.

• The boys’ bowling team won its first PA State High School Boys’ Bowling Team Championship.

The Pine Richland Football Team also became the PIAA Class 5A State Championship team in 2020.

Congratulations to all of these teams on their state titles. These young men and women should certainly be proud of their perseverance and talent. They have represented the 28th District well!

State Representative

ROB MERCURIServing PA’s 28th Legislative District

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 432

SPRING 2021

VETERANS OUTREACH HOURS In a partnership with the Pennsylvania American Legion, I

will be offering veterans affairs outreach hours in the district office at 5500 Brooktree Road, Suite 100, Wexford, on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

2021 dates include:June 8 July 13Aug. 10 Sept. 14Oct. 12 Nov. 9Dec. 14

A service officer from the American Legion will be available to assist veterans with a variety of issues, including:

• VA claims for disability compensation.• Disability increase and rating decision appeals.• Veteran or surviving spouse pension.• Burial and death benefits.• Addition of dependents.• Dependency and indemnity compensation.• Other veterans’ benefits.

Veterans do not need to be a member of the American Legion to receive these services. While the service is free, appointments are required and should be made by calling the district office at 412-369-2230.

SAVE THE DATES

RESIDENTIAL SHREDDING EVENTSSaturday, Aug. 28, from 9-11 a.m.

North Allegheny Intermediate High School Parking Lot350 Cumberland Road, Pittsburgh

The free event, which will feature an on-site industrial paper shredder, will provide the opportunity for households to shred up to five packing boxes of materials. The boxes will be returned to residents; the shredding company will not keep nor shred boxes. All shredding takes place on-site.

Paper will not be accepted from businesses or organizations.

For more information, please contact the district office at 412-369-2230.

OPEN HOUSEThursday, May 20, from 4-6 p.m.

District Office5500 Brooktree Road, Suite 100, Wexford

Please reserve your spot for the in-person open house by calling 412-369-2230. You’re also invited to stop by during normal business hours to meet my staff and me. We look forward to serving you!

Capitol OfficeRoom 162B, East Wing

PO Box 202028Harrisburg PA 17120-2028

Phone: 717-782-2932

OFFICE LOCATIONSWexford Office

5500 Brooktree Road, Suite 100Wexford, PA 15090

Phone: 412-369-2230