The House Majority Policy Committee recently held a roundtable policy discussion at the Penn Wells Hotel in Wellsboro, Tioga County which focused on the deployment of rural broadband, highway infrastructure, emergency response funding, and recruitment.
The event featured nearly 50 educators, elected officials, business owners, nonprofit organizations and representatives from various industries.
“Thank you to the entire Tioga County community for welcoming us and talking to us about the issues important to your businesses and organizations,” Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) said. “From rural broadband to emergency response, we understand these issues are crucial to everyone in your area. We will take your concerns and ideas back to Harrisburg so that we can craft good public policy to address your needs.”
Specifically, attendees discussed upgrade of U.S. Route 15 to Interstate 99 from Lycoming County to the New York line, including an updates about current efforts, the need to coordinate efforts and support and how to fund improvements.
“I want to thank the Policy Committee for coming to Tioga County to hear directly from our business owners, organization leaders and elected officials about how policies at the state level can directly translate into stronger rural communities,” Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) said. “We covered a wide range of issues this morning, and I believe our conversation will make a difference when advancing legislation at the state Capitol.”
Other members attending included Reps. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter), Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union), Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria).