Latest news with #EddieDayPashinski
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill passes PA House incentivizing buying healthy food with SNAP
A bill incentivizing healthy eating and stretching SNAP dollars has passed in the PA House. House Bill 1096, called Food Bucks, is meant to enhance the SNAP program and is being championed by State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne). City of Erie seeking home rule charter candidates for Nov. election The legislation would establish a statewide program that provides benefit incentives of 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods. Representative Pashinski said a program like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and improve the health of Pennsylvanians. Better bee-lieve it — Buzz at Copperleaf Cafe to host soft opening this weekend 'it is still our tax payer dollars and we have invest the wisely so as people look at this its not only taking care of the health espcially of the children and allowing them to learn to and grow but were also taking care of our agriculture industry the farmers the tranporters anybody and everybody thats involved in processing it and transporting the food to where we have to go,' Pashinski said. The bill now moves to the state senate for further consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski bill providing healthy eating, stretching SNAP dollars passes House
Jun. 3—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski said on Tuesday that the Pennsylvania Food Bucks Program would support PA's agricultural economy while simultaneously increasing access to nutritious food at a time when many Pennsylvanians' budgets are tight. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, celebrated the passage of his legislation establishing a statewide program to provide benefit incentives — called Food Bucks — to SNAP recipients purchasing qualifying fruits and vegetables. Rep. Pashinski said under the Pennsylvania Food Bucks program established by H.B. 1096, a Pennsylvania nonprofit would administer the program, providing benefit incentives of no less than 40 cents for each dollar a SNAP participant spends on certain healthy foods at participating retailers. Rep. Pashinski said that similar programs have been passed and implemented in other states and have been proven to improve diets through increased fruit and vegetable consumption. "SNAP nutrition incentive programs like this can reduce hunger, support local farmers and retailers, and improve the health of Pennsylvanians," Rep. Pashinski said. "I thank my colleagues for ensuring that Pennsylvania families who rely on SNAP have more consistent access to the essential fruits and vegetables needed for balanced nutrition and a healthy life." The incentives — often taking the form of a paper or digital coupon issued when a shopper pays with SNAP/EBT — would allow shoppers to purchase additional fruits and vegetables at participating food retailers. In addition to any state funds allocated, Rep. Pashinski said matching dollars may be available from the federal government to stretch these investments even further. House Bill 1096 is supported by Feeding Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and The Food Trust — a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to delicious, nutritious food for all. "The Pennsylvania Food Bucks program would be a game-changer for our Commonwealth — delivering a triple win for families, farmers and the economy," said Mark Edwards, president and CEO, The Food Trust. "Pennsylvania's farmers stand to gain significantly — as families fill their tables with fresh, local food, farmers expand their customer base, increase revenue and scale up production." "The PA Food Bucks Program is a win for food retailers and families," said Alex Baloga, president and CEO, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. "It drives produce sales, increases SNAP customer traffic, and strengthens relationships between stores and their communities." Julie Bancroft, CEO, Feeding Pennsylvania, said, "Ensuring children, seniors and families have access to adequate nutrition is not a partisan issue. Access to healthy food items like fruits and vegetables is proven to reduce long-term health care costs, increase lifetime earnings, and will make Pennsylvania a healthier, better place to live." House Bill 1096 moves to the state Senate for further consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Recreational weed' passes in Pa. House; Dems and GOP split
State House Democrats voted in favor of a bill that would legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania this week. On Wednesday, H.B. 1200 was passed by the state House of Representatives. The vote advances the bill to the state Senate. All 101 Republicans in the House voted against the bill, which would allow Pennsylvanians age 21 and older to legally purchase and use recreational cannabis in the commonwealth. One-hundred-and-two Democrats argued that five of the six states that border Pennsylvania have legalized recreational cannabis, sending residents to New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and Ohio to shop for it. They hope Pennsylvania will set up a state-monitored chain of stores for cannabis, similar to how state-sanctioned stores currently sell alcohol. * Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, of Scranton, co-sponsored and voted for legislation aimed to legalize recreational cannabis use and purchase in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED) * State Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., supported a bill on Wednesday to move the discussion of legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania forward. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED) * Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski voted yes to support ongoing conversation for the legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania, arguing that surrounding states have legalized cannabis, and now it's time for Pennsylvania to consider the potential benefits. (FILE PHOTO) * Tim Twardzik, R-123, Frackville, voted against H.B. 1200, supporting legalization of recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) * State Rep. Brenda Pugh is concerned that making recreational cannabis legal for adult use in the Commonwealth could hurt children. (Submitted) Show Caption 1 of 5 Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, of Scranton, co-sponsored and voted for legislation aimed to legalize recreational cannabis use and purchase in Pennsylvania. (PA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / SUBMITTED) Expand State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, said sending residents out of state to buy cannabis is costing Pennsylvania in a big way. 'Just like gambling before we got our casinos, Pennsylvania residents took all their money and gave it to New Jersey,' he said. 'They brought in about $6 billion, of which nearly $3 billion comes back to the taxpayer in one form or another.' Pashinski said taxes on cannabis sales could be used for rehabilitation services, child care, to help senior citizens and more. 'There's a lot of good things that you could use those dollars for,' Pashinski said. 'It's not going away. All the states around us have it. Why should people go out of state?' he asked. The bill memo, co-sponsored by state Reps. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, and Maureen Madden D-115, Coolbaugh Twp., says Pennsylvanians are still consuming cannabis, legal or not, and are buying unregulated cannabis and 'hemp loophole products' at gas stations, vape shops or via the 'illicit market.' State Rep. Brenda Pugh, R-120, of Dallas Twp., said she believes the bill will hurt children, and cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's literature on the damage it can cause. 'For me, it's for our children, it's for the THC that's in marijuana,' she said, explaining why she voted 'no' on the bill 'the way it stands' in its current phase, adding that neighboring states that have legalized are no reason for Pennsylvania to follow suit. 'My dad used to say, 'If so and so jumped off the bridge, would you jump off the bridge? Probably not,' Pugh said. 'I don't feel a child's life or health is worth any amount of money.' Pugh added that Pennsylvania should invest in natural gas versus cannabis. State Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., agrees that children should be considered with the legislation, but accentuated that this bill does not suggest child use by any means. 'This is for adult usage,' Kosierowski said, arguing that without the legislation in place, children are actually at greater risk. 'Right now, they're marketing to children in vape stores,' she said, calling the bill a conversation starter aimed at 'safety, regulation and taxation' in the industry. 'As a health care provider, I understand the concerns that people have about legalizing cannabis,' she said. 'But we have to remember that cannabis is being used now in the commonwealth.' Kosierowski said the bill will regulate, make safe and tax cannabis, citing that legal cannabis is projected to bring in more than $1.3 billion in revenue over five years, and calling it 'a big move for the commonwealth.' 'The proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis is about catching up with our neighbors, regulating a market that already exists, and reinvesting in Pennsylvania communities,' Kosierowski said. The bill's memo called cannabis prohibition a 'failed policy,' blaming it for ruining lives over minor cannabis offenses, which disproportionately affect black and brown communities, increased purchases of 'dangerous products,' and a loss of millions in public revenue that communities need. The bill also aims to learn from what sister states have done wrong — namely 'poorly structured cannabis' programs that bring in 'out-of-state corporations.' State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, Frackville, said it's off-base to think about profits that could come from the legislation. 'The promise of money from this project is absolutely wrong,' Twardzik said, calling it 'blood money' and lamenting that it will cost upwards of $350 million to get the system in place in Pennsylvania. Twardzik further called the legislation 'bad policy' and stated that 'law enforcement were never asked' to weigh in on the bill. 'Absolute solid no,' he said, reflecting his vote on the bill. 'I am heartbroken,' he added, lamenting that the bill will 'normalize' cannabis use and that the proposed fine for underage use isn't a big-enough deterrent. 'From a youth standpoint, they decided it'll be a $25 fine if you buy marijuana in a state store, but that doesn't match liquor in a state store,' he said. While the bill isn't perfect, it's 'long overdue,' said Donahue, citing issues relating to criminal justice, equity and revenue, among others. 'I voted to move the conversation forward, see what ideas come out of the Senate. So now it's in their hands,' he said. Donahue added that it's important to get the bill as close to right as possible, and consider arguments arising for Democrats and Republicans alike so that it will pass in both houses. 'I wouldn't expect the Senate to pass it as is, but I'm hoping they send something back so, as we move closer to our budget season, we can come to a compromise,' Donahue said. Gov. Josh Shapiro requested a bill that addressed legal recreational cannabis use in his 2025-2026 budget address. 'Like skill games, there's another issue that's long overdue to regulate and tax — and that is adult-use cannabis,' said Shapiro, adding, 'Letting this business operate in the shadows doesn't make sense.' June 30 is the deadline for the state budget. Donahue explained that while there are many dense issues to bear in mind in regard to the legislation, the time to move ahead is now. 'We've been working on this issue for a long time,' Donahue said, adding that representatives had the benefit of information from six health committee hearings and multiple policy hearings in helping them prepare to vote for or against H.B. 1200. He said that one of his favorite parts of the bill is centered on 'social equity' — making sure that the revenue 'doesn't just go to big corporations.' 'This allows small businesses to get in the game,' Donahue said. 'Pennsylvania agriculture could play a huge part in this industry moving forward, if we set up an infrastructure to help them get in the game.' He stressed that the program needs to be set up safely and responsibly.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski celebrates passage of HB-325 to strengthen Taxpayer Relief Act
Apr. 9—WILKES-BARRE — Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski on Wednesday said the passage of his legislation, HB-325, marks a significant step forward in providing clarity and fairness to taxpayers in Pennsylvania. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, said HB-325 would amend the Taxpayer Relief Act to better clarify the amount and source of school property tax relief on school district tax notices received by taxpayers. "This important piece of legislation — which passed with overwhelming support in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives — would make crucial updates to the law governing how school district tax notices are issued and provide clearer definitions within the Taxpayer Relief Act, ensuring more effective and transparent communication with Pennsylvania taxpayers," Pashinski said. "The changes outlined in House Bill 325 are a direct response to concerns from both taxpayers and school districts about the transparency and effectiveness of property tax notices. By modernizing the language and procedures within the Taxpayer Relief Act, we are ensuring that taxpayers have the information they need to know that their Property Tax reduction check comes from the casino gaming industry." Pashinski expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their bipartisan support of his bill, noting that the unanimous passage is a clear example of the commitment to protecting taxpayers and improving government efficiency. "I am deeply thankful for the collaboration shown by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle," Pashinski said. "This bill is a direct reflection of our collective responsibility to create a fairer, more transparent tax system for the people of Pennsylvania." With the final passage of HB-325 in the House, Pashinski said the bill will now move to the state Senate for further consideration. Pashinski said he remains hopeful that the legislation will continue to receive strong support as it moves through the legislative process. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rep. Pashinski announces food service equipment grant for Cheder Menachem
Apr. 7—WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski on Monday said ensuring that schools have the necessary tools and resources to provide healthy and nutritious meals for students is crucial. Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, announced that Cheder Menachem Inc., of Wilkes Barre, has been awarded a Food Service Equipment Grant in the amount of $26,303. Pashinski said the grant will be used to purchase a new tilting skillet, an essential piece of kitchen equipment that will help improve food service operations for students and staff. "I am proud to support Cheder Menachem in securing this grant, which will help them better serve their students, enhance their food service capabilities and ultimately contribute to the overall well-being of the children they educate," Pashinski said. Pashinski, said he has long been a strong advocate for local education and community services. He highlighted the importance of such investments in supporting the region's educational institutions. Pashinski said the Food Service Equipment Grant — provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Education — is designed to assist schools and intuitions like Cheder Menachem with purchasing equipment that meets modern food safety standards and improves efficiency in meal preparation. Pashinski said he remains committed to advocating for resources that support local schools and the districts' ability to provide a quality educational experience. He encourages other community organizations to explore similar opportunities that can enhance their operations and better serve the residents of the 121st Legislative District.
