State Representative ROB MERCURI Serving PA’s 28th Legislative District It’s My Honor to Serve Residents of the 28th District With a grateful heart and a positive outlook for what we might accomplish together, I was honored to be sworn into Pennsylvania’s General Assembly on Jan. 5. We have much work to do in the coming legislative session, and I look forward to working hard for the people of District 28 to help ensure we come back stronger from a difficult pandemic to forge a future for the citizens and families of Pennsylvania of which we can all be proud. During the 2021-22 Legislative Session, I was assigned to serve on five standing House committees: Education, Finance, Liquor Control, Urban Affairs and Commerce. The committees provide legislative oversight and help shape the language in bills that fall under their areas of responsibility. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on these committees and look forward to working with the committee chairs and other committee members from both political parties. Regarding the Education Committee, the last year has had an incredible impact on the education of our children, and there is work to be done to improve their experiences. As a father of three school-aged children, I look forward to representing the perspectives of both parents and students themselves as we address legislation. The Education Committee focuses on education issues, legislation, policy developments and constituent requests across the entire educational spectrum, both public and private, encompassing K-12 basic education, as well as post-secondary education. Being assigned to serve on the Commerce and Finance committees, I look forward to using my experience as a small business owner, working for two major accounting firms in Pittsburgh and New York City, and as a financial risk manager and senior vice president at PNC Bank. The Commerce Committee works with the departments of Community and Economic Development, and Banking and Securities. It covers topics like state economic development, eligibility for mortgage assistance and consumer complaints regarding loans and credit cards. The Finance Committee handles state and local tax legislation, state lottery law and the fiscal code by working cooperatively with the departments of Revenue, Treasury, and Community and Economic Development. I also hope to continue the work of former Speaker Mike Turzai on the Liquor Control Committee by moving to privatize the state’s liquor sales. The Liquor Control Committee drafts legislation affecting the Pennsylvania Liquor Code and works with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The Urban Affairs Committee considers legislation affecting cities of all sizes, including housing, urban redevelopment, economic development, land use planning and zoning, growth management, infrastructure financing, and city services such as police, fire, sewage and water. Being appointed to these committees brings the opportunity to play a part in affecting change across a diverse set of issues during this consequential time. I’m excited to represent the people of this district and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Before Rep. Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) took the oath of office for the 2021-22 Legislative Session, he was joined by his family: wife, Kelsey; son, Kieran; and daughters Delaney and Mackenzie. Get My Updates From Harrisburg Every week, I send email updates about important legislation, events in the district, traffic updates and other information you will find helpful. It’s simple to receive these updates directly. Just visit my website atwww.RepRobMercuri.com to subscribe to my email list. Without signing up, you will not receive this important communication. Be Prepared to Vote on Ballot Questions Launching North Hills Mental Health at the May 18 Primary and Substance Abuse Task Force For more than a year, Pennsylvania has been operating under To raise awareness and find solutions to issues plaguing two long-term disaster emergency declarations imposed the Commonwealth, I recently created the North Hills Mental by Gov. Tom Wolf. One declaration is related to the opioid Health and Substance Abuse Task Force. It is comprised of local epidemic and has been in place for more than three years, and regional health and human services experts. while the other was ordered in March 2020 at the start of the In the midst of the global pandemic, we’ve seen the number pandemic. The governor renewed the COVID-19 declaration of overdoses and cases of mental illness rise dramatically. Not for a fourth time in February. to mention, Pennsylvania falls within the top 10 states with When Pennsylvania voters head to the polls during the the highest number of overdoses, so there’s certainly great May 18 primary election, they will find three questions on needs to be addressed. The task force will present innovative the ballot regarding amendments to the state Constitution solutions to combat the social and financial costs of drug and one referendum. The first two constitutional questions addiction and mental illness. deal with disaster emergency declarations while the third Representatives have agreed to serve a two-year term that addresses racial equality. The ballot referendum asks about will end on Nov. 30, 2022. Participating organizations include allowing municipal fire and EMS companies to share access Jade Wellness, North Hills Community Outreach, Spenser’s to the existing Fire and Emergency Services Loan Fund with Voice, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry, iRise, The Open volunteer companies. Door, Gateway Rehabilitation, Greenbriar Treatment Center, Voters will decide if: University of PITT (PERU), UPMC and Franklin Park Police Department. • The General Assembly may terminate a disaster The idea to launch the North Hills Mental Health and emergency declaration, like the ones for the COVID-19 Substance Abuse Task Force was born out of a successful virtual pandemic and opioid crisis that have been in place for event I hosted in March, A Pathway to Hope. The discussion more than one year and three years, respectively. was informative, but I wanted to do more to help those who • A disaster emergency declaration should be limited to are struggling and their families. 21 days unless the General Assembly votes to extend it. A Pathway to Hope: A Discussion on Mental Health and Substance Abuse can be viewed online at • The state Constitution should specifically prohibit the www.RepRobMercuri.com/video/latestvideo. Speakers denial or limitation of a person’s rights based on race or included Dr. Julie D’Alo, executive director of Gateway Rehab; ethnicity. Individuals should not have their equal rights Tina Flowers, founder of Spenser’s Voice; and Tom Baker, restricted or denied because of their race or ethnicity. executive director of North Hills Community Outreach. • Municipal fire departments should have access to low interest loans through an expansion of the Emergency Services Loan Assistance Fund. For more information or to read all four ballot questions, please visit pahousegop.com/voiceofthepeople. Who May Vote on These Ballot Questions? All voters will have the opportunity to be heard on these issues at the May 18 primary election. If you are registered as an Independent or other third party not typically eligible to vote in the primary election, you are entitled and encouraged to vote on these questions. Congratulations to Local Scouts These young men and women have been dedicated Scouts, earning the pinnacle rank achieved by very few Scouts. They have proven themselves as positive changemakers with the drive to help their communities, and I am immeasurably proud. Their achievements will forever differentiate them and should always be a source of pride. Congratulations on your success, and thank you for serving your communities! Girl Scout Gold Awards Recipients: Eagle Scouts: Anna Elise Betler Charlotte Menke Timothy Compton Anna Bordeianu Alexandra Morrison Nathan Thomas Cottrell Holly Ebner Taylor Rechenmacher Christopher John Fisher Ava Farrell Shivali Saxena Joshua James Horan Creating the Wexford Business Roundtable I recently established and invited local businesses to join the Wexford Business Roundtable, which will serve a vital role in helping to develop pro-small business policies. The roundtable will also provide a forum for local businesses to come together to help identify opportunities for building a I am proud to support the Commonwealth’s COVID healthier, stronger and more innovative business climate. Comeback, a pro-jobs, pro-growth initiative. On the heels of a pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, • Reshore to Restore, House Bill 600 sponsored by Rep. I know this group of experienced Josh Kail, would bring manufacturing to Pennsylvania. businesspeople will provide cross- Made in Pennsylvania: Reshore to Restore Recovery functional expertise and guidance Zone Program to incentivize manufacturers to build to increase jobs, reduce red tape, in Pennsylvania. better steward state resources • Job Creator Recovery and Reinvestment, House Bill and increase economic recovery. 198 sponsored by Rep. George Dunbar, would allow I’m honored to be part of such an a net operating loss (NOL) deduction up to 100% of exciting opportunity for our area. income to allow job creators a chance to recover and Representatives of The Oven, reinvest in PA. The additional 60% deduction can only Burn Boot Camp, Holsinger, Keller be from losses that occurred in 2020 and does not apply Williams, Jerry’s Car Wash, ATI, Giant to losses carried forward from prior tax years. Eagle, Pittsburgh North Chamber of • Prioritizing Workforce Development, House Bill Commerce, Soergel’s Orchard, PGT Trucking, Accipter Systems, 602 sponsored by Rep. Clint Owlett, would encourage RDIC and Walnut Group have agreed to serve on the board of companies and employers to invest in workforce directors of the Wexford Business Roundtable. Their two-year development and skilled training programs. terms will end on Nov. 30, 2022. • Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Taxes (CNIT), It is my hope that this group will collectively represent many House Bill 603 sponsored by Rep.