ERIE – Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) will host a key senate committee in Erie next week to collaborate with local elected officials and leaders on solutions to Erie and other local community’s blight and revitalization issues.
The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), will hold a roundtable discussion on September 13 at 10 a.m. at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Hamot Campus, 118 East 2nd Street, Erie, PA 16507.
“As part of my jobs effort in the Erie Region, I’m delighted to welcome my Senate Colleagues of the Policy Committee to Erie,” Laughlin said. “I’ve made a pledge to bring Harrisburg to Erie and continue to expand on those efforts. It’s important for my Senate Colleagues to personally see and hear about our opportunities, strengths and struggles as we revitalize our downtown area.”
“This particular event will allow economic development stakeholders to talk with policy makers about the state programs available to replace blighted aremas and add job sustaining infrastructure,” Laughlin added. “We look forward to an engaging and productive discussion.”
Senator Argall, in addition to serving as Majority Policy Chairman in the Senate, also leads a bicameral and bipartisan working group known as the Blight Task Force in Harrisburg. The Task Force consists of other members from the General Assembly, as well as a diverse group of individuals representing organizations and municipalities committed to eradicating urban decay and abandonment. Argall said it is key that the committee goes into the communities impacted by blight to receive feedback, criticism and most importantly new ideas.
“Senator Laughlin’s efforts to combat this problem in the communities he represents should be commended,” Argall said. “The first step to combat blight is to listen from those on the front lines because we won’t win this war with a one-size-fits-all approach. The committee is eager to receive ideas and solutions to continue the dialogue as to how the state and local governments can work together to solve a growing problem in many areas across the state, including Erie County.”
The public is invited to attend.
Contact:
Regina Smith (Laughlin)
814.453.2515
Jon Hopcraft (Argall)
717.787.2637