Jan. 18, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Rigby (R-Cambria/Somerset) was assigned to serve on four standing House committees during the 2019-20 legislative session: Children and Youth, Local Government, Urban Affairs and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness. The committees provide legislative oversight and help shape the language in bills that fall under their areas of responsibility.
“As a lifelong Johnstown resident, I know how much our area needs support of the state as we tackle the ever-growing issue of blight, with more than 1,400 blighted homes in the district. We simply can’t allow this problem to get any worse, so I am eager to begin Urban Affairs Committee work,” Rigby said.
The Children and Youth Committee studies adoption and child protection issues, along with child day care services, infant/child/mother health issues, juvenile delinquency, and adolescent and teen problems. It played an integral role in previous sessions to update the state’s child protection laws and continues to monitor those laws to make any necessary updates.
The Local Government Committee reviews bills that would amend the municipal codes by which local governments operate. This includes legislation related to local government purchases, real estate assessment policies and statewide pensions for municipal police officers. Pennsylvania has more than 2,500 local government units of all sizes.
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.
The Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee focuses on the needs of Pennsylvania’s first responders and veteran community, as well as works to keep all Commonwealth residents safe. A top priority this session will be the recruitment and retention of the state’s emergency responders.
“My background of volunteering as a fireman and serving as a police officer and then chief for 40 years gives me critical insight that I intend to use to lessen the challenges facing both those veins of public service. These men and women, like those who have or are still serving our military, deserve our unending support and gratitude,” Rigby added.
Representative Jim Rigby
71st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
RepJimRigby.com /
Facebook.com/RepRigby