Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus reorganizes

Here's the latest news from the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus:

The Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, a bipartisan organization consisting of members of both the state House of Representatives and Senate, has elected its leadership team and created an executive council.

Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, will remain the elected chairman and Rep. Keith Gillespie, R-York, will remain the elected minority chairman. Reps. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, and Karen Boback, R-Columbia/Luzerne/Wyoming, were also reelected to their positions as treasurer and secretary.

During the reorganizational meeting, the members of the PALSC unanimously approved the creation of an executive council to be appointed by the two chairmen.

"The unanimous adoption of the executive council is yet another example of our commitment to a bipartisan and active leadership," Gergely said. "The Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus is aimed toward delivering results for wildlife and habitat conservation, and the advancement of sportsmen's interest in the political arena. We believe the executive council will further that cause."

The newly appointed members of the PALSC that will join Gergely and Gillespie on the Executive Council include Reps. Neal Goodman, D-Schuylkill, Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland, Jeff Pyle, R-Armstrong/Indiana, Dan Moul, Adams/Franklin, and former chairmen Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, and Gary Haluska, D-Cambria.

The PALSC is one of the fastest-growing caucuses in Harrisburg with membership nearing triple digits. Gillespie said such rapid growth provides the caucus a greater say on sportsmen's issues and helps display the importance of those issues statewide.

"I am excited about our increased membership. It shows that sportsmen’s issues are important throughout the state and having a group of nearly 100 members committed to a common cause will give sportsmen a greater voice as we move through this legislative term," Gillespie said.

Pyle and Goodman echoed their chairmen's enthusiasm.

"I am honored to be appointed to the PALSC Executive Council. The executive council provides an opportunity to increase the awareness of sportsmen’s issues in Harrisburg and deliver for our constituents on these important matters whether they hail from Ford City or Pottsville," Pyle said.

"Our caucus has a significant and growing voice," Goodman added. "As a newly appointed member of the executive council, I look forward to using that voice to deliver on issues important to sportsmen as we strive to conserve our land and protect our rights as sportsmen."