Past Hearings - 2024

2024 | 2023

Hearing on “Relief is Possible: Combatting the Crisis of Cost” Friday, October 4, 2024 Great Lakes Automation Services, Inc. 8835 Walmer Dr. McKean, PA 16426 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Ken Fisher, Owner, Great Lakes Automation Services, Inc.   •   Logan Therasse, Realtor, Agresti Real Estate   •   Kurt Couchman, Senior Policy Fellow, Fiscal Policy, Americans For Prosperity

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Hearing on “Relief is Possible: Combatting the Crisis of Cost” Thursday, October 3, 2024 South Park Township Community Center 2675 Brownsville Road South Park, PA 15129 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Douglas Pascoe, Chief, Southeast Regional EMS   •   Norm Candelore, Vice President of Vendor Relations, Sarris Candies   •   Patrick Haver, Constituent of the 39th Legislative District   •   Kurt Couchman, Senior Policy Fellow, Fiscal Policy, Americans For Prosperity

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Hearing on “Fighting to Keep the Lights On in PA” Tuesday, October 1, 2024 Republican Caucus Room, 418, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Stephen Bennett, Senior Manager of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, PJM Interconnection

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“Manufacturing Momentum: Assembling PA's Workforce” Friday, September 27, 2024 Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation 275 Emery St. Bethlehem, PA 18015 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Druckenmiller, Vice President, Lehigh Heavy Forge   •   Blair Woodring, Director of Business Development, Precision Custom Components   •   Nancy Dischinat, Executive Director, Workforce Board Lehigh Valley   •   John Rhatigan, Chairman, Marine Machinery Association

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“Pathways to Prosperity: Igniting Growth Through Pro-Family Policies” Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Allenberry 1559 Boiling Springs Rd. Boiling Springs, PA 17007 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   David Samella, Plant Manager, Vitro Glass Industries   •   Ryan Heishman, CEO, Allen Distribution   •   Aaron Riggleman, Manager of Government Affairs, PA Chamber of Business & Industry   •   Dr. Mark Blanchard, Superintendent, Cumberland Valley School District

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Public Hearing on “A State Lost in Addiction: Pennsylvania’s Path to Recovery” Monday, September 23, 2024 Room 418 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Dr. Michael Lynch, Attending Emergency Physician and Medical Toxicologist, UPMC   •   Hon. Steven T. O'Neill, Presiding Judge of Drug Treatment Court, Montgomery County   •   Chris Pawlowski, Chief Probation, Parole & Pretrial Officer, Chester County   •   Jessica Miraglia, Esq., Assistant District Attorney, Luzerne County

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Public Hearing on “Passport to Prosperity: Unleashing Pennsylvania’s Tourism Potential” Friday, September 20, 2024 Woodloch Resort 731 Welcome Lake Rd. Hawley, PA 18428 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   John Kiesendahl, Owner and CEO Emeritus, Woodloch Resort   •   Bradley Kiesendahl, President and CEO, Woodloch Resort   •   Genevieve Reese, First Vice Chair, Pocono Mountain Visitor Bureau   •   Hon. Ronald R. Schmalzle, Vice Chair, Pike County Commissioners

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Public Hearing on “Uncovering Human Trafficking” Thursday, September 19, 2024 Three Springs Ministries, 874 Linck Hill Road, Morris, PA 16938 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Korrin Moon, Founder, Lantern Rescue   •   Scott Henry, President, Northern Tier Law Enforcement Instructors Group   •   Hon. Joseph C. Peters, Esq., District Attorney, Wyoming County   •   Heather Castellino, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Human Trafficking Section, PA Office of Attorney General   •   Gabriel Fabian, Special Agent, Human Trafficking Section, PA Office of Attorney General

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Public hearing on "Opportunity Lost: Bureaucracy's Battle Against Fracking" Tuesday, September 17, 2024 Hempfield Township Municipal Building 1132 Woodward Dr. Greensburg, PA 15601 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Hillebrand, CEO & President, Huntley and Huntley   •   Amy McChesney, Owner, McChesney Farms   •   Randy M. Roadman, Government Relations Director, General Carbide Corporation   •   Jeff Nobers, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Works Together

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The Costs and Benefits of Doing Business in Pennsylvania Tuesday, September 10, 2024 Shippensburg University Stewart Hall 1871 Old Main Dr. Shippensburg, PA 17257 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Andy Williford, Head of People & Culture - Sales Americas & US Country Leader, Volvo Construction Equipment   •   Darren Croxall, Shippensburg Plant Manager, Schreiber Foods   •   Justin Townley, Corporate Engineering Leader, Schreiber Foods   •   Joshua Simmons, Complex General Manager for Biglerville Box & Sheet Plants, International Paper

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Protecting Victims: Solutions to Combat Stalking Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Upper Bucks County Technical School 3115 Ridge Rd Perkasie, PA 18944 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Nicholas Virnelson, Interim Police Chief, Bedminster Township Police Department   •   Matthew Phelan, Ret. Police Chief, Bedminster Township Police Department   •   Hon. Jennifer Schorn, District Attorney, Bucks County   •   Gayle Marinelli, Resident, Bucks County   •   Laurie Hepler, Victim Advocate, Bedminster Township Police Department

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Back to School Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Middle Bucks Institute of Technology 2740 York Road, Jamison, PA 18929 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Roosevelt, Member, Council Rock School Board   •   Dr. Andrew J. Sanko, Superintendent, Council Rock School District   •   Dr. Mark Covelle, Director, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology   •   Bob Hickey, President, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology Executive Council   •   Thomas McCullough, MBIT Graduate & Local Business Owner   •   Carla Zapotek. Executive Vice President, The Home Builders Assoc. of Bucks & Montgomery Counties

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Back to School Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Mechanicsburg Area School District, Administration Building 600 South Norway Street, 2nd Floor Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Dr. Mark K. Leidy, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units   •   Dr. Andrew Bitz, Superintendent, Mechanicsburg Area School District   •   Danielle Eisner, Science Teacher, Cedar Cliff High School   •   Mike Gossert, Member, Cumberland Valley School Board and President, Pennsylvania School Board Association

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Back to School Tuesday, August 6, 2024 The Centennial School 2196 Avenue C Bethlehem, PA 18017 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Dr. Robin Hojnoski, Dean, College of Education, Lehigh University   •   Dr. Julie Fogt, Director, The Centennial School   •   Heather Caricari, Lead Teacher, The Centennial School   •   Dr. Sara Heintzelman, Technology Integration Specialist, The Centennial School   •   Judy Holden, Parent of a Student at The Centennial School   •   Kristi Sadow, Parent of a Student at The Centennial School   •   Melissa Howard Heptner, Parent of a Student at The Centennial Schoo   •   Jim Shields, Parent of a Student at The Centennial School

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Healthcare Options for Small Businesses Thursday, August 1, 2024 Moon Township Municipal Building 1000 Beaver Grade Rd. Moon Township, PA 15108 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Emily Greene, Pennsylvania State Director, Americans for Prosperity   •   Kurt Imhof, Senior Vice President of Policy & Public Affairs, Life Sciences PA   •   Noah Karn, Vice President, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania   •   Robert McCafferty, Operator, North Country Brewing   •   Howison Schroeder, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuro-Innovators   •   Eddie DeCaria, Co-Owner and Pharmacist, Porter’s Prescription Pharmacy

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Brine Spreading Thursday, July 25, 2024 Drake Well Museum & Park 202 Museum Lane Titusville, PA 16354 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Burt Waite, Geologist   •   Hon. Jim Trussell, Chairman, Hamlin Township Board of Supervisors   •   Hon. David McClain, Chairman, Keating Township Board of Supervisors   •   Hon. Steve Goodwill, Chairman, Columbus Township Council

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The Positive Impacts of Coal Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Harvey Mine – Patterson Creek Portal Patterson Creek Rd. Sycamore, PA 15364 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Rachel Gleason, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Coal Alliance   •   Matt Mackowiak, Manager of Government Affairs, Consol Energy, Inc.   •   Jim Barker, President, Rosebud Mining Company   •   Tom Crooks, Vice President, R.G. Johnson Company, Inc.

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Big Elk Creek State Park Tuesday, July 9, 2024 Avon Grove High School, 10 Waltman Way, West Grove, PA 19390 Chester County Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   John Hallas, State Parks Director, DCNR   •   Hon. Andrew Dinniman, Retired State Senator, 19th Senatorial District   •   Hon. David Gerstenhaber, Chairman, Franklin Township Board of Supervisors   •   Hon. Estace Walters, Vice Chairman, Elk Township Board of Supervisors   •   Hon. Eric Roe, Chester County Commissioner   •   Anteia Consorto, Save Big Elk Creek   •   Gary Schroeder, Founder, Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve   •   George Hundt Jr., Executive Director, Safety, Agriculture, Villages, & Environment

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Historic Tax Cuts Friday, June 21, 2024 Schoolhouse Art and History Center 2600 South Park Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Elizabeth Stelle, Director of Policy Analysis, The Commonwealth Foundation   •   Connie Ruhl, Executive Director, Bethel Park Chamber of Commerce   •   Wayne Herrod, Citizen

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Historic Tax Cuts Thursday, June 20, 2024 St. Francis University Schwab Hall, Vista Room 132 Franciscan Way Loretto, PA 15940 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Elizabeth Stelle, Director of Policy Analysis, The Commonwealth Foundation   •   Robert Sloan, Owner, PJ’s Tavern   •   Ray Lenz, Citizen

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The Benefit of Republican Tax Cuts, the Detriment of Democrat Property Tax Hikes Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Lower Salford Township Building 379 Main Street Harleysville, PA 19438 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Andrew Holman, Policy Analyst, The Commonwealth Foundation   •   Dr. Frank Gallagher, Superintendent, Souderton School District   •   Hon. Chris Canavan, President, W.B. Homes & Supervisor, Lower Salford Township   •   Hon. Keith Freed, Tax Collector, Franconia Township

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Historic Tax Cuts Monday, June 17, 2024 Hazle Township Commons 101 W. 27th St. Hazle Township, PA 18202 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Andrew Holman, Policy Analyst, The Commonwealth Foundation   •   Nicarol Soto, Parent   •   Hon. Mary Labert, Councilwoman, McAdoo Borough Council

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“Democrats’ Education Funding Scheme Fails to Fund Students Thursday, June 13, 2024 Crestwood High School 281 S Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top, PA 18707 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   John Macri, President, Crestwood School Board   •   Rick Nardone, Finance Director, Crestwood School Board   •   Danielle Petroski, Parent

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Historic Tax Cuts Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Room 418 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   The Hon. Greg Rothman, Senator, Pennsylvania State Senate   •   Nathan Benefield, Senior Vice President, The Commonwealth Foundation

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Excellence in Government: Preserving Benefit Integrity Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Room 418 Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Nicholas Adolphsen, Director of State Government Affairs, The Foundation for Government Accountability   •   Roy Lenardson, Director of State Government Affairs, The Foundation for Government Accountability

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Excellence in Government: Preserving Benefit Integrity Thursday, May 30, 2024 Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Punxsutawney Campus Room 223 1012 Winslow St. Punxsutawney, PA 15767  Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Sam Adolphsen, Policy Director, The Foundation for Government Accountability   •   Roy Lenardson, Director of State Government Affairs, The Foundation for Government Accountability

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Excellence in Government: Preserving Benefit Integrity Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company 1600 Dewey Ave. Williamsport, PA 17701  Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Sam Adolphsen, Policy Director, The Foundation for Government Accountability   •   Roy Lenardson, Director of State Government Affairs, The Foundation for Government Accountability

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Positive Impacts of Casinos in Pennsylvania Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Republican Caucus Room Room 418, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Testifiers:   •   Eric Hausler, Chief Executive Officer, Greenwood Racing Inc (PARX)   •   Robert W. Green, Chairman, Parx Casino   •   Ioana Douglas, Director of Environmental Services, PARX Casino   •   Jerry Fretz, Director of Security, PARX Casino   •   Rob Bair, President, Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council   •   Jeff Darwak, Executive Director Bucks County Redevelopment Authority   •   Brittany Nugent, Contract Manager, ABC Construction

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Job-Creating Tax Reform Thursday, April 18, 2024 Hearing Hosted by Rep. Tom Jones East Donegal Township Building 190 Rock Point Rd. Marietta, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Neal Lesher, Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry   •   Philip Fullerton, President & Owner, John E. Fullerton, Inc.   •   Eric R. Wenger, CPA, MST, Managing Partner, RKL

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Job-Creating Tax Reform Monday, April 12th, 2024 East Allen Township Building, 5344 Nor-Bath Blvd., Northampton, PA 18067 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Neal Lesher, Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry   •   Melissa Wilbur Morgan, Assistant State Director, NFIB

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Job-Creating Tax Reform Thursday, April 11 Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce 160 W 6th Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Neal Lesher, Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry   •   Chris Berleth, President, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce   •   Carl Marrara, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association   •   Steven Hall, State Tax Manager, Arconic

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Fueling Pennsylvania’s Future: Liquid Natural Gas Monday, April 8th, 2024 Republican Caucus Room Room 418, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Carl A. Marrara, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association   •   John Bane, Director of Government Affairs, EQT Corporation   •   Robert Bair, President, Pennsylvania Building & Construction Trades Council

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Balancing Your Budget & Thermostat: Consumer-Focused Energy Policy Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 Butler County Community College, Ford City Campus 1100 4th Ave. Ford City, PA 16226 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Butler, Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance   •   Scott Waitlevertch, Manager of Government Relations, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania   •   Deb Davis, Manager of Universal Services, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania

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Balancing Your Budget & Thermostat: Consumer-Focused Energy Policy, hosted by Rep. Jim Gregory Tuesday, April 2, 2024 US Hotel Tavern, Liberty Hall, 401 S Juniata St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Butler, Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance   •   Emily Stipe, Senior Manager – Federal & State Advocacy, Vistra Corp.   •   Steven Kratz, President, Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council

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Balancing Your Budget & Thermostat: Consumer-Focused Energy Policy Tuesday, March 28, 2024 Salem Township Municipal Building, 38 Bomboy Lane, Berwick, PA 18603 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Michael Butler, Mid-Atlantic Executive Director, Consumer Energy Alliance   •   Jack Monahon, General Manager of Operations, Caithness Energy   •   Dr. Frank Polidora, Supervisor, Butler Township

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Regulating Skill Games Tuesday, March 26, 2024 Republican Caucus Room Room 418, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Testifiers:   •   Michael Barley, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Pace-O-Matic, Inc.   •   Jim DeLisio, Vice President, Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association   •   Cmdr. Stephen Holmes, Commander, American Legion Post 733

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Safeguarding Our Community From Fraud Friday, March 8, 2024 Neshaminy Activity Center 1842 Brownsville Rd. Feasterville, PA 19053 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Hon. Fred Harran, Sheriff, Bucks County   •   Hon. Jennifer Schorn, District Attorney, Bucks County   •   Hon. Daniel J. McPhillips, Recorder of Deeds, Bucks County   •   Nicolette Brown, Director of Customer Care, PECO Energy   •   Jeane M. Vidoni, President and CEO, Penn Community Bank   •   Rick Cimakasky, Director of Fraud and Security Management, Penn Community Bank

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Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Building Pennsylvania Wednesday, February, 28, 2024 Tamaqua Community Arts Center 125 Pine St. Tamaqua, PA 18252 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Hon. Mike Tobash, Former State Representative and Principal, Tobash Financial Solutions   •   Nick Boyle, Developer   •   Dave Frew, President, Gooseberry Realty   •   James Moore, Manager & Principal Engineer, Lehigh Engineering

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Removing Obstacles to Opportunity: Growing Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Hosted by Rep. Michael Stender Turbotville Community Hall 41 Church St. Turbotville, PA 17772 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   William Fink, Facilities Manager, Country View Family Farms   •   Adam Pritts, Owner, Laurel Hill Trout Farm   •   Grant Gulibon, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau   •   Robert Garrett, President and CEO, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce

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A State Lost in Addiction: Pennsylvania's Path to Recovery Thursday, February, 22, 2024 The Crane Room Grille 3009 Wilmington Rd. New Castle, PA 16105 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Hon. Joshua D. Lamancusa, District Attorney, Lawrence County   •   Hon. Richard M. Johnson, D-ABMDI, Coroner, Lawrence County   •   Coleen Crisci, Certified Recovery Specialist, Unity Recovery   •   Angelo Papa, Esq., Owner, Angelo A. Papa P.C.   •   Dr. Mark Matta, CEO and Medical Director, Psych Med Associates, P.C.

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Removing Obstacles to Opportunity to Save the Cokeburg Dam Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Cokeburg Volunteer Fire Department 171 Lincoln St. Cokeburg, PA 15324 Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Hon. Holly Detts-Dranzo, President, Cokeburg Borough Council   •   Dave Lambert, Chief, Cokeburg Volunteer Fire Department

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Navigating the Future of AI Wednesday, February 7, 2024 Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, UPMC Health Sciences Tower, 222 Chestnut St. Harrisburg, PA Agenda/Testimony Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Charles Palmer, Associate Professor and Program Lead of Interactive Media, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology   •   ChatGPT, Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer, OpenAI   •   Margaret Durkin, Executive Director – Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic Region, TechNet   •   Madison Gooch, Vice President of watsonx, IBM

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Strengthening Our Rural Communities, hosted by Rep. Parke Wentling Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, 3580 Innovation Way, Hermitage, PA 16148 Agenda/Testimony  Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Hon. Rod E. Wilt, Executive Director, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation   •   Jake Rickert, Director of Workforce Development, Penn-Northwest Development Corporation   •   Tracy Mantzell, Realtor, RE/MAX Select Realty   •   Brent Fisher, Director of Operations, Joy Baking Group   •   Michael Walton, CEO, Jamestown Coating Technologies

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Advancing Our Rural Connectivity, hosted by Rep. Rich Irvin Tuesday, January 16, 2024 Huntingdon County’s Bailey Building Bailey Ballroom 233 Penn St. Huntingdon, PA 16652 Agenda/Testimony  Video Press Release Testifiers:   •   Debra Clark-Loner, Executive Director, Huntingdon County Business & Industry   •   David L. Smead, Jr., Fire Chief, Shavers Creek Valley Community Volunteer Fire Co.   •   Rachel Papuga, Poject Manager, Alleghenies Broadband, Inc.   •   Hon. Jeff Thomas, President and Chairman, Alleghenies Broadband, Inc. Board of Directors, and Huntingdon County Commissioner   •   Dwight Rittenhouse, Board Member, Rural Broadband Cooperative   •   Todd L. Eachus, President, Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania   •   Brandon Carson, Executive Director, PA Broadband Development Authority

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