By MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Eight Republican members of Congress from Pennsylvania say they’ll oppose the state’s electoral votes being cast for President-elect Joe Biden. Those eight will join dozens of other Republicans around the country who President Donald Trump has enlisted to challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in a joint session Wednesday to confirm Biden’s 306-232 win. In statements last week, they complained about election-related policies of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and decisions by the state Supreme Court, generally dealing how mail-in ballots were to be collected and counted. Their complaints, however, are based on outright falsehoods, say state officials, and ignores what courts have repeatedly said, say constitutional law scholars.

Keystone State News Connection

January 6, 2021

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. – After years of weakening environmental regulations, a new report says there’s hope for restoring Chesapeake Bay but Pennsylvania needs to meet its clean-water commitments.

The 2020 State of the Bay report showed that four of 13 key indicators of bay health have declined, but most water-quality measures showed some improvement.

Of the six watershed states, Pennsylvania still is the largest source of sediment and nutrient pollution flowing to the bay. However, according to Shannon Gority, Pennsylvania executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the federal Environmental Protection Agency approved a state plan that is underfunded by $324 million a year and falls far short of pollution-reduction goals.

“We want to see them step up, helping identify funding,” she said, “but also making sure that it’s a priority for the state to make sure that the administration can implement the watershed improvement plan.”

She said the federal government could help by including money for agricultural and environmental infrastructure in COVID relief plans.

Harry Campbell, the foundation’s policy, science and advocacy director, said addressing farm runoff is the most cost-effective way to reduce water pollution.

“These investments in clean water are not only going to advance soil health, keeping soils and nutrients on the land instead of in the water,” he said, “they also are going to restore local rivers and streams and the Chesapeake Bay.”

He called investments in proven methods to reduce farm runoff into rivers and streams a “win-win-win” for Pennsylvania’s economy, environment and way of life.

Gority noted that Pennsylvania farmers are willing to invest their time, land and effort to protect waterways, but they can’t pay for it on their own. She said the state could help by providing a cost-sharing program.

“That would work with the farmers to support them in implementing some of these best management practices,” she said, “like riparian buffers and various types of regenerative agricultural programs.”

State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock, introduced a cost-sharing bill last year, but it didn’t pass. Gority said she hopes he’ll reintroduce it this year.

  HARRISBURG, Jan. 5 – State Rep. Rob Matzie was sworn in today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, taking the oath of office to begin his seventh term representing the people of the 16^th Legislative District.

  As he renewed his commitment to the district, Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the health of residents and the local economy are top priorities.

“My top priority in the months ahead will be continuing to address the COVID pandemic and preparing for the recovery, both on the health front and the economic front.

“As always, I will continue to support strong education funding at all levels, as well as job training and economic development opportunities for our communities.

“Finally, I am proud to have been reappointed Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. My focus will be on expanding broadband access and to fully – and safely –  develop our state’s natural energy resources.”

Matzie said his office – which is operating remotely during the pandemic – can help with a wide variety of state services, including prescription drug assistance, children’s insurance, unemployment compensation, driver and vehicle services, home heating and property tax/rent rebate applications, veterans’ issues and more. Residents should call the office at 724-266-7774 for assistance.

More information is available by visiting www.pahouse.com/Matzie.

Matzie was first elected in 2008 and took office at the start of the 2009-2010 session.

HARRISBURG – Following a confirmation by the majority of members, Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) was reelected Speaker of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives.

In remarks from the rostrum upon his confirmation vote, Cutler told his fellow members, “Let us never forget that in a Republican form of government, the sovereign are always the citizens of our beloved Commonwealth. Each day we should individually and collectively work to improve their lives, promote opportunities for earned success, manage their resources with fidelity, and be building for the next generation of learners, workers and families.

Cutler was first sworn in to represent the 100^th district in Lancaster County in 2007 and was first elected speaker in June 2020.

“Your duty to meet that noble goal and effectively represent and serve the people of your district is a heavy one, which is why being a state representative is such an incredible position of trust. And at this time, in this moment, on our watch, the people of Pennsylvania need us more than ever,” Cutler added.

Cutler previously served as House majority leader and the majority whip. A lawyer and former X-ray technologist, he has made health care reforms a cornerstone of his extensive impacts in Harrisburg. His legislation last session to establish a statewide health care exchange has already proven to save millions of dollars for health care consumers and state agencies.

In his address to the House, Cutler reminded the members that since the founding of the Commonwealth, the House has had to manage through many difficult times. In order to address the challenges currently before the state, Cutler said honest, caring, committed and principled leaders who will seek understanding, listen more than they speak, work in good faith and be willing to challenge their own assumptions are what is needed.  He also noted that long-term success will require fidelity to the Constitution.

“Our Republic’s creation, through the Constitution, can only be sustained if we are faithful to its design,” said the speaker.  “Our Constitution is not just an outdated parchment promise. It is the Peoples’ Law, divinely inspired and masterfully created for all generations, through good and bad times.” The speaker noted that one of the stated purposes of the Constitution is to provide for a more perfect union, which is why the oath of office pledges allegiance to the Constitution. “The architects of this magnificent experiment in representative government knew that our Commonwealth could endure if people – just like you – would keep that singular commitment,” said Cutler.

Tanya Roberts, Bond girl and ‘Sheena’ star, dead at 65
By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Tanya Roberts, who captivated James Bond in “A View to a Kill” and appeared in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” died Monday, several hours after she was mistakenly declared dead by her publicist and her partner. Roberts’ partner Lance O’Brien confirmed her death Tuesday after picking up her personal effects at a Los Angeles hospital. One of Roberts’ highest-profile roles was playing geologist Stacey Sutton opposite Roger Moore in 1985’s “A View to a Kill.” Roberts appeared in the final season of “Charlie’s Angels” and later played Midge Pinciotti in the sitcom “That ’70s Show.”

Pennsylvania legislators to kick off session by taking oath
By MARK SCOLFORO and MARC LEVY Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are returning to the state Capitol to be sworn in for the two-year legislative term. Republicans hold large majorities in both chambers. The state House begins the session Tuesday with 113 Republican seats and 90 Democratic. One of those GOP districts is vacant because of a recent death. Republicans hold at least 28 seats in the 50-member Senate. The House is expected to elect Lancaster County Republican Rep. Bryan Cutler as speaker. The Senate is poised to make Centre County Republican Sen. Jake Corman its presiding officer, president pro tempore.

Cleveland rocked: Browns lose coach to virus for Steelers
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Two days after celebrating their return to the NFL playoffs, the Cleveland Browns have been knocked knocked flat. Coach Kevin Stefanski has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Cleveland’s first playoff game since 2002. Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will be the acting head coach Sunday. Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge also tested positive along with two more assistant coaches. NFL rules state that anyone testing positive must sit out at least 10 days. It’s a major blow to the Browns, who qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 17 seasons on Sunday with a win over Pittsburgh. The league says the status for the game in Pittsburgh has not changed.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano 

(Potter Twp., Pa.) An unidentified worker at the BASF plant in Potter Township fell off of a train injuring his shoulder and sustaining a cut to the head on Monday afternoon. According to a Center Township police  spokesman first responders were dispatched to the scene at 1:45 p.m. The worker was transported to a Pittsburgh hospital by Life Flight. No further details were available about the workers condition.

AAA: Gas Prices Rise in PA; Nation Enters 2021 on a Lower Note at the Pump
The average price of gasoline across Western Pennsylvania is four cents higher this week at $2.518 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

This week’s average prices: Western Pennsylvania Average                  $2.518
Average price during the week of December 28, 2020                              $2.475
Average price during the week of January 6, 2020                                    $2.910

The average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:      

$2.677      Altoona
$2.482      Beaver
$2.671      Bradford
$2.540      Brookville
$2.426      Butler
$2.452      Clarion
$2.531      DuBois
$2.666      Erie
$2.393      Greensburg
$2.659      Indiana
$2.414      Jeannette
$2.571      Kittanning
$2.290      Latrobe
$2.616      Meadville
$2.600      Mercer
$2.241      New Castle
$2.645      New Kensington
$2.643      Oil City
$2.542      Pittsburgh
$2.359      Sharon
$2.533      Uniontown
$2.619      Warren
$2.342      Washington

Trend Analysis:
While the national gas price average ($2.25) is nine cents more than last month, January gas prices are already 33 cents cheaper than this time last year. That is the largest year-over-year difference at the beginning of January since 2015.

Today’s average has remained unchanged for the past 12 days. This pump price stability is credited to consistent crude oil prices in late December, about $47-48/barrel, combined with low demand. U.S. gasoline demand, as recorded by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), was at the lowest level for the last week of December in 23 years (since 1998) – at 8.1 million b/d.

AAA expects demand to dwindle in coming weeks and gas prices to likely be cheaper, especially if crude oil holds at the current price point. How high or low gas prices will go in 2021 will largely depend on crude oil prices, supply and demand. AAA expects that as the Coronavirus vaccine becomes more widely available and if states loosen travel restrictions, Americans will begin to drive more which will lead to an impact at the pump.

Motorists can find current gas prices nationwide, statewide, and countywide at GasPrices.AAA.com.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  News releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.