PRLA Winter 2019

18  • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Winter 2019 legislator spotlight SEN. MARIO SCAVELLO (R—MONROE) No legislator has fought harder for the hospitality and tourism industry this session. Not only did Sen. Scavello, Chairman of the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee, speak vocally about the importance of statewide tourism funding, he is the primary reason that Act 109 (formerly HB 1511) made it across the finish line. With only a few legislative session days left, Sen. Scavello championed the bill in the Senate, dedicated all of the funds to statewide tourism promotion and moved it out of his committee swiftly to ensure the bill got through the Senate and made it to the House before the end of session. Sen. Scavello even made it a point to come over to the House for the concurrence vote to celebrate the victory with the industry he supports so much. Champions of the Industry SEN. TONY WILLIAMS (D—PHILADELPHIA) In a divisive time where it seems partisanship is the name of the game, Sen. Tony Williams does not let party affiliation define where he stands on an issue. He has been a passionate advocate for the need to stop nuisance bars across the state of Pennsylvania while understanding the importance and vibrancy proper alcohol licensees can bring to the community. He has been a strong voice for the hospitality and food merchant industry as it pertains to the Philadelphia Beverage Tax and continues to support alternate funding for the City that does not target one or two specific industries. He is a middle-ground voice of reason in a time when the legislature needs it the most. REP. BRYAN CUTLER (R—LANCASTER) You name the event, you name the meeting request, you name pretty much anything— and Bryan Cutler will take the time to be there, talk to you, and be honest about your chances of success. Rep. Cutler won’t mince words and will champion your priorities when you need help the most. For years, he has been a great friend of the industry and we are thrilled at his promotion to Majority Leader of the House. He has a tough legislation session ahead of him, but he will be honest and approach it with energy and enthusiasm, informed by his years of experience as a legislative leader in the House. REP. MARK LONGIETTI (D—MERCER) A sign of success that you have a supporter of the industry is when they memorize and regularly speak to your talking points. Mark Longietti, minority chair of the House Tourism & Recreational Development Committee, at any point in time can do a deep dive on the importance of tourism in Pennsylvania, the need for statewide funding, and the impact the lack of funding has. He has been a tireless advocate of increasing the tourism line- item and bringing to light the number of legislative grants that are included in the line- item and never go towards tourism. PRLA’s legislative win this year was as much a victory for Chairman Longietti as it was for PRLA.