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The Latest News from Your State Representative
Please do not reply to this e-mail, as I am unable to respond to messages sent to this address. You can contact me directly at vgaydos@pahousegop.com or here.
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The state Legislative Reapportionment Commission (LRC) this week approved a preliminary redistricting map for the state House of Representatives and Senate. The vote to accept the preliminary plan for the new state House of Representatives map passed with a 3-2 vote with Chairman Mark Nordenburg, who produced the map himself, breaking the tie. Following the vote, I issued this statement to the media.

“I am disappointed to see so many of our communities in the 44th District, as well as throughout the state, being split up to simply fulfill some artificial and superficial criteria determined by academia. In addition to a lack of transparency and accountability which has plagued the process of creating this preliminary map in the first place, there are two components vital to the state redistricting process in Pennsylvania which seem to be disregarded: the Constitution and communities of interest. The plan put forth by the commission blatantly disregards both and is exactly what our Supreme Court has rejected in the past as offensive to the core principles of democracy.

Nordenberg, former chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh who was appointed LRC chairman by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, unilaterally expanded his role from a supposed non-partisan referee into that of map maker. He drew a map on his own without regard for the tenets of a fair redistricting process even espoused by Fair Districts PA, the League of Women Voters and other good government organizations, and turned people and communities into faceless numbers through a mechanical and emotionless academic exercise.

The commission’s maps may be found here.


Public involvement in the legislative redistricting process from this point forward is critically important. The deadline for exceptions is Jan. 18, 2022. Exceptions can be filed at https://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/commission/article/1086

“It is my hope that through additional process and changes, we can get to a map we all agree is in the best interest of the people and communities of Pennsylvania and not partisan politics.”
  Sincerely,



Valerie Gaydos
 
Gaydos Votes to Restore Faith in Elections, Eliminate Government Intrusions

Rep. Gaydos’ constituents have made it crystal clear that lawmakers must try everything to restore power to the people and provide faith in our elections by eliminating government intrusion into people’s daily lives.

This week, Gaydos voted with a majority in the House to advance proposed constitutional amendments to address these issues by providing the people with the opportunity to exercise their voice in government.

Senate Bill 106 would allow gubernatorial candidates to select their own lieutenant governor running mates. Amendments filed and passed in the House would also do the following:

  •   Require voters to present valid identification prior to voting, regardless of voting method.
  •   Require that the General Assembly pass a law to provide for the auditing of elections, including processes and outcomes by the state’s auditor general
  •   Allow the General Assembly to fully disapprove of a regulation without approval of the governor.

Gaydos says, “We have specific guidelines outlined in our Constitution and each branch of government must abide by those specifications. However, the governor’s administration has overstepped its authority on numerous occasions. It is wrong and must come to an end.”

In order to implement these proposed constitutional amendments, they will need to be passed in identical form in two consecutive legislative sessions. They would then be placed on the ballot for voters to have the final say.
 
 
Gaydos Votes to Reject Third Party Funding for Election Administration

Working to ensure the integrity of the state’s elections, Rep. Gaydos and her House colleagues voted this week to prohibit all county election officials and the secretary of the Commonwealth from accepting private contributions and donations to administer the state’s elections.

House Bill 2044 would specifically prohibit any contribution to counties or the state for the purposes of operating elections, employing staff, equipping polling places or engaging in voter outreach.

Data from the November 2020 election indicates that money from nonprofit entities, such as the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), was granted in a generous manner to only certain counties. For example, Philadelphia County received nearly $9 per registered voter from the CTCL while several other counties received less than $2 per registered voter. Grants to some counties were awarded before others even knew the funding opportunity was available.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
 
 
House Sends Broadband Expansion Measure to Governor’s Desk

The House and Senate approved legislation this week aimed at boosting access to high-speed internet service in rural and other underserved areas of the Commonwealth. Gaydos was a yes vote.

House Bill 2071 would establish the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority to facilitate funds anticipated through a federal infrastructure bill recently approved by Congress. The Commonwealth is expected to receive at least $100 million initially with the potential to obtain more after the authority develops a statewide plan for broadband expansion.

Under the bill, the authority also would serve as a single point of contact for parties interested in developing broadband or having broadband developed, helping to minimize duplication and maximize the use of existing infrastructure. Additionally, the authority would be charged with identifying access to funding sources and helping to coordinate joint efforts for broadband buildout.

The authority would sunset in 10 years or until all federal funds have been exhausted and obligations fulfilled.

The bill is now pending the governor’s signature.
 
 
Gaydos Votes to Reject Administration’s Regulations in RGGI

Fighting to protect hard-working Pennsylvanians, Rep. Gaydos joined a majority which included both Democrats and Republicans in the state House this week to reject proposed regulations by the Wolf administration to enroll the Commonwealth in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Most concerning is when the governor announced his support of RGGI, he had failed to answer one of the most important questions; how much will it affect the average ratepayer.

RGGI was initially created as a means to cap CO2 emissions for power generation plants, but the Commonwealth is already outperforming most states currently enrolled in the initiative to reducing emissions.

Joining RGGI would significantly increase the operating costs for power plants, and those costs will be passed on to consumers who are already struggling with the highest inflation rate in decades. The action would also lead to significant job loss in the energy industry.

Finally, the governor’s unilateral actions to enroll the Commonwealth in RGGI represent yet another overreach of his authority that completely cuts out the voice of the people.

Senate Concurrent Regulatory Review Resolution No. 1 will now go to the governor’s desk.
 
 
Bill Would Ensure Families Easy Access to Students’ Curriculum

The House has passed and sent to the governor’s desk legislation that would require K-12 schools to post their curriculum online in a standardized, user-friendly manner. The goal is to help parents more easily research what their children will be taught in school.

Information to be posted would include a title or link to all textbooks being used, course syllabus or written summary of each instructional course, and the state academic standards for each course. The bill would take effect with the start of the 2022-23 school year.

The bill also stipulates that a school administrator or designee would be required to post the information online, so as not to burden teachers. Also, school entities would have 30 business days to update their websites after approval of updated curricula.
 
 
Final Reminder for 2020 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Applications

Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2020 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my offices is always free. You need not pay a private firm for assistance.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

For additional information and applications, click here, or contact my office at 412-262-3780 for assistance.
 
 
Warmest Holiday Wishes to You and Yours

Click here to view video.

My district office hours may be limited in light of the holidays. Please call ahead at 412-262-3780 to be sure my office in Moon Township is open.

Also, PennDOT Driver License Centers will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 25, for Christmas, and on Saturday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
 
 
Rep. Gaydos Tours McKees Rocks Company

 

Manufacturing is the major source of commercial innovation and is essential for innovation in the service sector. Manufacturing can make a major contribution to reducing the nation's trade deficit.

As a member of the House Manufacturing Caucus, Rep. Gaydos and members of the Southwest Republican caucus took a tour of Ace Wire Spring & Form Co., Inc. (ACE) in McKees Rocks.

This small manufacturer is a family-owned business founded in 1939. Currently, employing about 50 employees, ACE specializes in the manufacturing of custom precision springs and wire forms and is an industry leader in the production of compression springs, extension springs, torsion springs, specialty springs and wire forms. It does prototypes, production, and small and very large runs.

President Linda Froehlich and her husband, Rich, have a special interest in encouraging young people in manufacturing careers.
 
 
Working for You!


Recently, I and my Republican colleagues from the Southwest Region of the Commonwealth gathered for a photo on the House floor. The Southwest Republican caucus is large and dedicated to working on making sure Western PA is strongly represented in the House. I am very fortunate to be working with such a great group of legislators dedicated to standing up for taxpayers. #StandUpForTaxpayers.

 
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Office Locations
District Office:
1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783
Capitol Office:
Room 428, Irvis Office Building, House Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 |
Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com