Latest news with #BrendaPugh
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Pugh bill would move mail-in and absentee ballot deadline back
Apr. 30—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Brenda Pugh on Wednesday announced she introduced legislation to move the mail-in and absentee ballot deadline back so voters have enough time to return their ballots to ensure they are counted. "Currently, voters can request a mail-in or absentee ballot up to seven days before the election," said Rep. Pugh, Dallas Township. "In reality, waiting until the deadline makes it nearly impossible for the ballot to be mailed to the voter and returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day. By changing the deadline, voters will have enough time to receive it, fill it out and have it back to their county's board of elections office so it is counted." Rep. Pugh said House Bill 1298 would move Pennsylvania's deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot to 15 days prior to Election Day. The bill has been referred to the House State Government Committee for consideration. In addition, in the near future, Rep. Pugh said she plans to introduce legislation to strengthen mail-in and absentee ballot security by only allowing drop boxes at the permanent office of the county board of elections or county courthouse. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBEW Local 1319 breaks ground on cutting-edge training center in Pringle
Apr. 21—PRINGLE — State legislators on Monday said the new 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art training facility for current and future generations of skilled electrical lineman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 will allow training to happen throughout the year — complete with live simulations mimicking actual weather conditions that the linemen will face in working to restore our utility resources. State and local officials, led by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, Sen. Marty Flynn, D- Scranton, and Rep. Jonathan Fritz, R-Honesdale, gathered in Pringle Borough for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the $9.75 million project that was boosted by a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant, which the legislators were on hand to present. "When powerful storms keep people indoors, linemen must go out to restore lost power," the legislators said in a joint statement. "This work can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken, and if workers are not adequately prepared. The electrical linemen from IBEW 1319 perform a critical and difficult service to keep and maintain the electrical grids that provide utility service across our region." The training facility will include indoor space for climbing, bucket work and grid training, a mezzanine and catwalk for instruction and observation and classrooms for splice training and hands-on work. It is expected that between 30 and 60 apprentices will be trained each year, while ongoing training will be provided for 80 active members. "This is a great asset for our community, not only in the Pringle area, not only Southern Luzerne County, we're talking about the entire region this affects," Flynn said. "People from all over this country, all over North America, are going to come to train at this facility. "It's an investment. It's worth it. It really is worth taking tax dollars and putting it forward here to invest in the people of our area and to bring them a skilled trade in the unions," he said. Robert J. Reilly, IBEW Local 1319 Business Manager and Financial Secretary, said Monday was an historic day for IBEW Local 1319 and its membership. "Our new training center will help to further education and training as we continue developing the most highly skilled journeymen linemen in the country," Reilly said. In 1990, the IBEW's Occupational Safety Health and Education (OSHE) Trust Fund was established to place an emphasis on safety and training for any lineman working in the IBEW Local 1319 jurisdiction, which includes 32 counties along the northern border of Pennsylvania. While the facility was constructed in 2016, the new center will improve training and safety outcomes. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rep. Pugh introduces bill to study 'forever chemical' effects
Apr. 7—HARRISBURG — Rep. Brenda Pugh on Monday said an analysis of data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) estimates that at least 95% of Americans have PFAS chemicals in their bodies. Pugh, R-Dallas Township, introduced legislation that would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a study to better understand the potential risks that certain land-applied biosolid chemicals pose to the environment, food and water supply, and potential mitigation measures to reduce these chemical levels. Pugh said the chemicals are known as PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — and are a large group of nearly 15,000 synthetic chemicals that have seen wide use in consumer products since the 1940s. Pugh said PFAS are generally highly durable and water-resistant, and as a result are referred to as "forever chemicals" that can persist in the environment, water, air, soil and even the human body for long periods of time. "Because of the many kinds of PFAS, and their wide range of uses, they are difficult to study," Pugh said. "However, many studies have found that exposure to certain types of PFAS can have serious impacts on human health, including decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risk of certain cancers, hormone disruption, inhibited immune system responses and more. Pugh added that while federal and state agencies have taken effective steps that already have or are estimated to reduce the levels of PFAS exposure of Americans, there are still many sources of exposure that are not well understood. "Ingesting contaminated food and water is one of the most common avenues of human exposure, which makes it critical that we fully understand how these chemicals enter our food and water supplies," Pugh said. House Bill 1116 has been referred to the Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Committee. Pugh said all residents are encouraged to contact their legislators and encourage their support of this bill. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Pugh to host District Office Open House on Thursday, April 3
Apr. 2—LUZERNE — Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-Dallas Township, will host a District Office Open House on Thursday, April 3. Constituents can stop by the office in Luzerne, at 161 Main St., anytime between 4 and 6 p.m. "My team and I have been moving non-stop since I took the oath of office, and we are excited to have an opportunity to meet the residents of the 120th," Pugh said. "Join us for light refreshments, and learn about the services we offer to help you. I hope to see you there." Anyone with questions about the event can contact Pugh's office at 570-283-1001. — Bill O'Boyle
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Pugh introduces legislation addressing public benefits
Mar. 19—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Brenda Pugh on Wednesday said legislation she is proposing — House Bill 931 — would require individuals obtaining public benefits to show identification or provide a signed affidavit which indicates lawful residency in the Commonwealth. Pugh, R-Dallas Township, said the legislation would address access to public benefits, and it stipulates that Pennsylvania's public benefits are not to be provided to anyone unlawfully present in this country. "We are a nation of laws, and the various public assistance programs established by Pennsylvania are an agreement to support individuals and families who have lawfully joined our communities," Pugh said. "Extending these benefits to illegal immigrants violates the public's trust and cannot be justified, especially with our state facing daunting fiscal challenges." Pugh said any person who attempts to obtain benefits without the proper citizenship verification would be subject to a third-degree felony. "It is time to prioritize the well-being of Pennsylvania residents," Pugh said. "Those who live, work and pay taxes here deserve our support and attention. Let's ensure the benefits we provide go to those who truly need them and are here legally. Together, we can build a stronger Pennsylvania." Pugh said residents are encouraged to follow the following link to see the bills and resolutions Pugh is supporting for the 2025-26 Legislative Session: House Bill 931 was referred to the House Human Services Committee for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
