Latest news with #ScottConklin
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
PIAA playoff reform bill advances out of Pa. House committee
(Getty Images) The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) may soon be able to create separate playoffs and championships for public schools and non-public schools. A proposal to hand the association that power passed a state House committee on a bipartisan basis Monday. Rep. Scott Conklin (D-Centre), sponsor of House Bill 41, believes his measure would correct what he and other supporters argue is an 'imbalance' in the current system, which pits public schools, which they describe as 'boundary' schools, in the same state playoffs and championship games as non-public schools. They include private, charter and parochial 'non-boundary' schools. Conklin mentioned that a few other states, including neighboring Maryland, currently use this approach. 'It's worked very, very well,' Conklin said. He likened his proposal to Penn State football being able to play an Ivy League team in the regular season and being able to 'beat the tar out of them,' but ultimately the two schools won't be vying for the same championship. Among the reasons Conklin's cited in pushing the measure are that in the past, some high schools were talking about dropping out of the PIAA over the issue. He also highlighted how non-public schools only represent a small percentage of schools in the state, but ultimately win state championships at a larger rate. A Capital-Star report in May 2024 found that at that time, non-public schools comprised 24% of the high schools in the PIAA, but accounted for a disproportionate amount of state champions in most common sports over the past decade. Conklin also made the case that his proposal is not meant to 'harm' those non-public schools in any way. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The PIAA has said that they don't have the authority to make such a change without legislation. A co-sponsorship memo notes it gives the association the power to make changes. However, the proposal is not a mandate for the PIAA, unlike a previous 2019 plan that would have mandated the PIAA to hold separate playoffs for public and non-public schools in certain sports. Several committee members spoke out in support of the bill, including Rep. Jeff Olsommer (R-Pike), who said his brother is a football coach at a public high school in the state. 'I can't tell you how many times he's gone into the state playoffs, faced a charter or a private school that is loaded with talent and just gets mowed down. I hear it from the coaches on the staff and his friends of coaches, that this idea that is in this bill that you're talking about, is widely prevalent and thought of as a great idea amongst the coaches, at least, in my brother's circle,' Olsommer said. The bill passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee by a 20-6 vote and will be referred to the full chamber for consideration.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania bill looks to put diaper changing stations in men's restrooms
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A Central Pennsylvania representative has plans to introduce legislation that would help make diaper changing stations more available. State Representative Scott Conklin released a proposal that would help support those who are raising children in Pennsylvania. According to the memo, American families are diverse and they often share the responsibility of raising children. 'As a result, diaper duty is accomplished increasingly by married dads, single dads, stay-at-home dads, two-dad families, grandfathers, uncles, and even male babysitters. Yet there continues to be a lack of baby diaper changing stations in men's restrooms,' Conklin wrote. 8 Pennsylvania Rite Aid locations identified for first round of closures He goes on to argue that the lack of changing stations negatively impacts men's ability to spend time with their children. In 2016, the Bathroom Accessibility in Every Situation Act was passed, and it required diaper-changing stations in all public restrooms in federal buildings. Similarly, nine states have passed laws that require both men's and women's restrooms to have them. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. 'I plan to introduce legislation that will require, with a few exceptions, baby diaper changing stations in new and totally renovated public restrooms. My legislation will help both men and women to utilize a space for changing baby diapers in public,' Conklin added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ -
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$800k awarded for historic building project in Philipsburg
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — The historic downtown James Stott Building has received new funding which will be used in the next part of its rehabilitation project. State Representative Scott Conklin announced that the work on the Philipsburg building received $800,000 in state funding. The money comes from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's Community Revitalization Fund Program. In total, they awarded over $4 million to seven projects across Pennsylvania. Gov. Shapiro proposes $5M to help people with disabilities find, retain employment It's set to be used on the second phase of a project that will see the building turned into residential and commercial space. 'Work is already underway on the first phase of construction, which involves creating six apartments,' Conklin said. 'The new funding will build on that progress by supporting work to rehabilitate a first-floor commercial space and convert the building's rear, third-floor garage into four affordable housing units. The building is over 100 years old and was originally a Packard dealership before it became the headquarters for the Stott Coal Company. 'Ultimately, the building will offer 14 new residential units, including eight affordable housing units, plus ground-floor commercial space. It's wonderful when we can repurpose the landscape so buildings that started life serving the community in one way come back to life to serving residents and businesses in new, equally productive ways,' Conklin added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
