Mustio: 911th Mission Renewal 'Huge Victory'

911th Airlift Wing Survives Another Round of Cuts

Thanks once again to the tremendous response and vigilant efforts of concerned District 44 residents, on March 13, the United States Air Force announced that the 911th Airlift Wing will remain open through at least fiscal year 2014.

In late April 2012, my resolution encouraging the President of the United States and U.S. Congress to prohibit the closing of the 911 the Airlift Wing was unanimously approved by the State House and sent to Washington D.C.

Just as we did in 2005, my Southwestern Pennsylvania colleagues in the General Assembly, Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation and a host of state and local officials came together to achieve another huge victory for our military personnel and our local economy.

My purpose for advancing House Resolution 636 could not have been more fundamental. If the proposed closure of the 911th were ever to become reality, Pennsylvania would lose $100 million directly and indirectly from the local economy.

As a frontline participant in the last successful battle to save the 911th from the federal government chopping block, I can personally attest that one of the major reasons this base has now survived three Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) processes is the outstanding level of monetary efficiency when compared to other regional military facilities.

In short, the more than 1,220 members of the 911th and more than 300 family-sustaining civilian jobs this unit provides are too important not to fight for. For the latest legislative updates, visit www.RepMustio.com. 
 

March is national dog license awareness month

March has been designated as “Dog License Awareness Month” in the Commonwealth.

As part of the observance, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is sponsoring a poster contest for students in first through sixth grades, calling on them to create a poster about the importance of dog licensing.

The grand prize winner will receive a $20 cash prize and his or her poster will be featured on the cover of the 2014 Dog Law Enforcement Office Coloring Book. The deadline for submitting a poster is April 30. 

State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed each year. Owners who fail to license their dogs could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed animal.

An annual dog license costs $8.45 and a lifetime license is $51.45. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.45 and the lifetime license is $31.45. Discounts are available to older adults and people with disabilities.

Dog licenses can be purchased from a county treasurer or another licensing agent, including retail stores and veterinarian offices. They can also be purchased online, in some cases.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s dog licensing law or the poster contest, please visit www.licenseyourdogPA.com.