Jeff Pyle

Jeffrey P. "Jeff" Pyle (born August 30, 1964) is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was elected in 2004. He represents the 60th District which includes parts of Armstrong and Indiana counties.

For the American ice hockey coach, see Jeff Pyle (ice hockey).
Jeffrey P. Pyle
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 60th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2005[1]
Preceded byJeff Coleman
Personal details
Born (1964-08-30) August 30, 1964
Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Michele Pyle
ChildrenKatie and Lauren
ResidenceFord City, Pennsylvania
Alma materIndiana University
West Virginia University

Pyle is a 1986 graduate of West Virginia University, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He later earned a bachelor of science in secondary social studies education, graduating cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1991. Pyle went on to teach American history and government at Ford City High School as well as Social Studies at Shannock Valley Jr./Sr. High School. He was recognized for his efforts in and out of the classroom, being named Educator of the Year within his school district in 1999 and Conservation Educator of the Year in 2000.

Pyle ran for the 60th Legislative District seat after popular then-incumbent Jeff Coleman surprised constituents and colleagues alike by announcing that he would not seek another term. Coleman then publicly endorsed Pyle as his successor through a series of campaign ads.

Prior to his election to the house in 2004, Pyle was the Mayor of Ford City, Pennsylvania. In 2004, he took over 61% of the vote in winning his first term. He was re-elected in 2006 with over 70% and again in 2008 running unopposed.

Legislative career

In his first term, Pyle introduced legislation to increase the penalties on drug delivery resulting in death. This passed the house 199-0 but was not considered by the Senate.[2] He also worked on legislation to provide property tax relief by raising the state sales tax by 1%. The amendment failed by a few votes.[3]

In 2007, Representative Pyle was appointed as a Deputy Whip and chairs the Task Force on Drugs and Law Enforcement. His work greatly enabled the decision of Allegheny Technologies Inc to build their hot strip mill in Brackenridge which solidified ATI's western Pennsylvania steel making and those jobs for the next century to come. He also serves on the following committees: Environmental Resources and Energy (chair of the subcommittee on Mining), Labor Relations, Liquor Control and as the Republican Secretary of Transportation (chair of the subcommittee on Aviation). In addition, he serves on the House Republican Policy Committee and is a member of the Firefighters and Sportsmens Caucuses Executive Board and chairs the Coal and Diabetes Caucuses. For the 2009-10 legislative session, Pyle has been appointed to serve on the House Environmental Resources and Energy, Game and Fisheries, Transportation and Liquor Control Committees.

In 2014 there was a chemical spill of MHCM that polluted the drinking water of 300,000 people around Charleston, West Virginia. The MCHM remaining in the damaged tanks was moved from West Virginia to Rosebud Mining's Dutch Run coal preparation plant near Elderton, Pennsylvania, within Pyle's district, in February, 2014. Reacting to news that Washington lawmakers want more oversight of MCMH, Representative Pyle said training of emergency responders makes sense, but requiring federal oversight of something that's been used for fifty years is "capricious".[4]

Personal

Pyle is a survivor of kidney cancer, which was discovered shortly after his election.[5] He underwent surgery and has made a full recovery. Since then, he has remained very active with the American Cancer Society and its Relay for Life over a five county area.[6]

He is an avid outdoorsman and rated A+ by the National Rifle Association. He is also a member of the Firearm Owners Against Crime, the Ford City Lions Club, the Kittanning Elks Club, the Ford City Eagles Club, Pony Farm Trap and Gun Club and the Ford City Sportsmens' Club.

Controversy

In January 2021, Pyle posted a transphobic meme on his personal Facebook account mocking Joe Biden's selection of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health.[7][8][9] The LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives called for Pyle to be reprimanded.[8] In response, Pyle issued an apology.[8][9]

References
  1. "SESSION OF 2005 - 189TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 2005-01-04.
  2. "House Bill 1704 History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2007-04-07.
  3. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_458121.html Archived 2006-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Pittsburgh Tribune Review, House vote seals deal on tax relief
  4. "Casey Call for Federal Oversight of MCHM". WCCS AM 1160. 2014-02-12. Archived from the original on 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  5. Fryer, Mitch (February 15, 2005). "Rep. Pyle to undergo surgery to remove cancerous tumor". TribLIVE. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. "Breakfast kicks off annual Ford City event". TribLIVE. February 13, 2006. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  7. Milton, Josh (22 January 2021). "Republican who shared vile transphobic meme about Dr Levine 'put LGBT+ lives at risk'". PinkNews. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. Vercilla, Nick (23 January 2021). "LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus issues statement on transphobic attack on Dr. Rachel Levine". Leader Times. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  9. "Pa. Lawmaker Shares Transphobic Meme Targeting Ex-Health Secretary Levine". NBC10 Philadelphia. Associated Press. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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