Area state lawmakers speak at annual luncheon
Amy Fauth | Herald-Standard
Fayette County Commissioner Dave Lohr, standing, speaks to those gathered at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon Friday.
Amy Fauth | Herald-Standard
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, addresses his thoughts on the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Amy Fauth | Herald-Standard
State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, spoke about his pet project — which is a proposed constitutional amendment limiting how taxpayer money is spent.
Amy Fauth | Herald-Standard
State Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown, said there has been progress made to address the opioid crisis, but there is work yet to do.
Area legislators came together Friday to answer questions and address topics like recreational marijuana and buckling down on wasteful government spending at the legislative luncheon sponsored by the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.
Organized by the chamber’s council on government affairs, the purpose of the luncheon is to encourage good communication between the business community and elected officials. Nearly 100 members of the chamber attended, taking part in a new format for the annual event.
In past years, all legislators on the panel were encouraged to weigh in on questions submitted by attendees. This year, however, chamber Executive Director Muriel Nuttall read submitted questions directed to specific lawmakers about legislation they were working on, or committees on which they sit.
State Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, was asked about taxpayer protection reform, which he affectionate referred to as his “baby” because he’s spent so much time on it.
“I think it’s plain and simple. Government spends too much taxpayer money,” said Warner. He said he’s heard a statistic that unnecessary or inappropriate government spending wastes 50 cents of every taxpayer dollar. It’s a troubling but believable thought, he said.
Warner said he’s working on a bill that includes a constitutional amendment placing a cap on overall government spending and instituting yearly spending limits on the General Assembly. Warner said Gov. Tom Wolf won’t have a say on the amendment – but, “You do,” he told attendees.
The legislation would have to pass two consecutive sessions, and then would go to state voters as a referendum on the ballot.
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, chairman of the law and justice committee, was asked about Fayette County’s future in regards to medical marijuana and his stance on the legalization of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.
While he believes his district is in a great position for the future with medical marijuana, Stefano said he needs to hear more information before he can offer a thoughtful opinion as to whether legalizing recreational marijuana makes sense. He said he wants to hear from experts in other states, and in Pennsylvania, about the pros and cons of such a big step.
“We need to educate ourselves and everyone involved. We need to do this process correctly,” he said.
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman recently visited Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties to take public input on the legalization of recreational marijuana. Fetterman is visiting each of the state’s 67 counties to explore what people think about the issue and solicit public input. A majority of Fayette residents who came to the forum on Tuesday said they were in favor of legalization, and Fetterman said he has yet to find a crowd where a majority voices opposition to recreational pot.
State Rep. Matthew Dowling, R-Uniontown, was asked to weigh in on the opioid epidemic that’s plagued not only the area and state, but also the country. While Dowling said there has been some progress, there’s still a long way to go.
“We still have quite an epidemic,” said Dowling. “But we’re chipping away at it.”
Locally, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties all experienced a drop in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2018.
Legislation has been passed that has helped, including laws to provide solutions for the lack of detoxification facilities, clarify consent regulations for parents seeking to get help for their children and updates to school instruction that includes opioids drug information. However, a bill passed by the House and Senate that provides an evidence-based prescription formulary for workers compensation patients was vetoed by the governor. That was disappointing, Dowling said.
“It could’ve made a big change in what’s available in our community,” said Dowling.
State Rep. Bud Cook, R-Coal Center tackled the controversial topic of whether teachers, security guards and other personnel should be permitted to carry guns in schools.
He said he believes in a strong local government because it is the closest to the people it is governing. Therefore, Cook said, he believes the superintendents of public school districts need to have options when it comes to keeping their schools safe.
“It’s more important for us up here to know what we don’t know, than what we do know,” said Cook.
He said giving superintendents the ability to make those decisions is key. The bigger issue for him, Cook said, is in recognizing and treating mental illness in students.
“The time to address it is not after its occurred,” said Cook.
In addition to state legislators, all three Fayette County commissioners participated in the luncheon, offering those present a five-minute address.
Commissioner Dave Lohr told chamber members that turning around Fayette County’s image problem has been a priority, and efforts made by the commissioners to do so are working.
“We’re good. We have great people here. We have great businesses here,” Lohr said.
His goal moving forward is continue helping to create jobs in Fayette County, which will positively impact and help to grow the county’s population as the 2020 Census draws closer.
Commissioner Vincent Vicites said he is focused on continuing his efforts of economic development.
“I think we’re making progress … I feel we are moving on all fronts now,” he said.
Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink said in addition to what her fellow commissioners spoke about, she feels it is important to maintain and improve the great working relationships the county has with its state and federal legislators. She said she would like to see additional infrastructure funding come Fayette County’s way, but with an overhaul and streamlining of the process with the help of the legislators in attendance.
Other topics address included the shifting of non-violent criminals with mental health issues out of jails and into treatment facilities, and a complete expansion of high-speed broadband access across the state and country.