PA State Rep. Jim Rigby

06/25/2026

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently ruled skill games to be illegal and in need of regulation. The justices recognized the severity of their decision and issued a 120-day stay, preventing law enforcement from taking immediate action against skill game owners and operators.

On Wednesday, I attended a rally in Harrisburg in support of social clubs and nonprofits who use these games as a way of returning money back into their community. Their issue is a concern over heavy taxation that would significantly reduce the amount of money they are able to distribute.

The General Assembly must now craft legislation that would regulate the skill games industry, and I’m working on a bill that is the perfect platform. My proposal would require all gambling websites operating in Pennsylvania to employ age verification as it is illegal for minors to gamble in the United States.

Addressing the meteoric rise of teenage gambling is not my only concern. The proliferation of “smoke and skill” shops has resulted in a rash of unregulated gambling where players participate unobserved or supervised, meaning minors can have a field day with no one watching.

We have to start somewhere, and my hope is the Gaming Oversight Committee will use my proposal and act responsibly in advancing legislation that will not cripple these individuals who are simply trying to support their friends and neighbors.

06/23/2026

Your electric bill is a step closer to being reduced after I joined my House colleagues in passing legislation that includes the largest tax cut in Pennsylvania’s history.

House Bill 2224 would eliminate the nearly 6% gross receipts tax on utility bills, cutting taxes on Pennsylvania’s families by $1.7 billion. Addressing affordability is one of my top priorities because Pennsylvanians should keep more of their hard-earned money, not less.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

06/23/2026

The intersection of Route 756 (Elton Road) and Vo-Tech Drive in Richland Township is closed today (Tuesday) to complete waterline relocation.

Traffic will be detoured to Schoolhouse Road and back to Vo-Tech Drive.

Single-lane restrictions are also in place on Route 756 between Vo-Tech Drive and Industrial Park Road, which will cause occasional short delays.

Please be caution in the work zone, drive slowly and stay alert for direction from advanced signage and flaggers.

06/22/2026

If you live in Geistown Borough...

DOOR-TO-DOOR SOLICITATION

The Geistown Borough Police Department has received reports of individuals going door-to-door offering products and services.

Residents are reminded that anyone engaging in door-to-door solicitation within Geistown Borough is required to obtain the appropriate permit/license from the Borough before conducting such activity.

At this time, no solicitation permits/licenses have been issued by the Borough.

If someone comes to your door offering products or services, residents should be aware that the individual are not authorized to solicit within the Borough.

If this activity is occurring , please call 814-472-2100, press #1, and request a Geistown Borough Police officer to respond and identify the individual(s) soliciting in your neighborhood.

As always, if you feel threatened or believe a crime is occurring, call 911 immediately.

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

06/21/2026

I was honored to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of Forest Hills Area EMS, where I presented a citation from the House in recognition of this significant milestone. Notably, Forest Hills EMS was initially established in 1976 through the collaborative efforts of Summerhill Borough, South Fork Borough, Ehrenfeld Borough, and Croyle Township, serving a coverage area of 52 square miles. Today, the organization has expanded to include Adams Township, Summerhill Township, Wilmore Borough, Portage Borough, and Portage Township, increasing its coverage area to 132 square miles. In appreciation of my dedication, support, and commitment to Forest Hills EMS, as well as my advocacy for Emergency Medical Services and the communities they serve, Forest Hills Area EMS presented me with a shadow box.

06/19/2026

The Portage Historical Society commemorated its centennial anniversary at the original Portage Railroad Station, coinciding with the Annual 911 National Memorial Trail Bike Ride, which made an annual stop in Portage, cycling from Washington D.C./Pentagon to Flight 93/Shanksville and Ground Zero in New York, before returning to the Pentagon.

06/19/2026

Today was a great day for the 71st District and Windber Borough as JWF Industries had their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at their new location in Windber Borough. Joined by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, State Representative Carl Metzger, Commissioners from both Cambria and Somerset County and local elected officials. It is great to have JWF Industries back in the 71st District.

06/17/2026

I'm proud to be the co-prime sponsor of House Bill 2443, legislation authored by Rep. Kyle Mullins that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s response to child abuse, exploitation and trauma by creating a dedicated Child Victim Recovery Fund, supported entirely by fees paid by offenders, not taxpayers.

The revenue derived from the fees would bolster the 41 severely underfunded Children's Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania (CACs), including Cambria County's Circle of Support Child Advocacy Center and the Somerset County CAC in Somerset.

They play a key role by providing forensic interviews, medical exams, trauma-informed therapy, victim advocacy, and coordination with law enforcement, prosecutors, child welfare agencies, and medical and mental-health professionals.

Here are my remarks in support of the bill, which just passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. from this week's news conference promoting the legislation.

06/17/2026

Just a few items for your calendar that I hope you'll consider particpating in...

06/16/2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩!

Keystone Boys State is a week-long leadership development program that uses a state government simulation as the vehicle for instilling the principles of civic engagement, democracy, and patriotism in the students who attend.

I had the honor this morning of meeting (from left) Mentor Doug Reighard and four rising seniors - Cooper Bentz from the West Jefferson Hills School District, Gunner Montanero from the Westmont Hilltop School District, Daniel Cali from the Kutztown Area School District and Maximilian Wendekire from the Cambria Heights SD.