Oct. 16, 2026, 5:13 a.m. ET
State Rep. Pat Harkins continues to advocate for a bill establishing workplace safety standards for public sector employees.If reelected, Harkins also plans to focus on local issues like Presque Isle sand replenishment and education funding.
Pat Harkins keeps pushing for workplace health and safety standards covering public sector employees.
The 62-year-old state representative from Erie has done so for a decade, in response to the 2014 on-the-job death of Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority employee Jake Schwab.
Harkins, D-1st Dist., said he plans to continue the fight if elected to an 11th two-year term in the state House of Representatives. He is running unopposed on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. The 1st District includes Erie’s first, second, third, fourth and sixth wards and Lawrence Park Township.
“Public employees deserve better. That will be my passion, to keep that bill going,” he said.
The proposed legislation, known as the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, would establish workplace safety and health standards covering public sector employees, as they do for those working in the private sector through the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Harkins has said it would also enable the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry secretary to enforce the standards, create a review board to oversee compliance, and impose penalties for violations.
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The bill passed the House the last two times it was brought up, but has died in the state Senate, as some see it as an unfair burden, Harkins said.
“At the end of the day, I think we are making strides each time it passes the House,” he said.
Other top priorities that Harkins said he will tackle if reelected include issues close to home, such as sand replenishment at Presque Isle State Park; and educational issues.
“There is never a lack of issues, and funding always being the primary issue, and making sure the funding is spent wisely and we have accountability,” Harkins said.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@usatodayco.com.