Benninghoff tackles Harrisburg

Leaving the rolling hills of Happy Valley for the high rises of Harrisburg has not been much of an obstacle for former Centre County Coroner Kerry Benninghoff.

Benninghoff recently began his new position in the state General Assembly with ease, ready to tackle issues concerning safety and education.

"I don't feel there has been any difficulty in making the transition from coroner to state Representative," Benninghoff said. "In fact, it has been very exciting."

His new job as state Representative has required him to adjust to "being a part of a team," vs. working as an individual, Benninghoff said.

"Being one of 203 very independently thinking members will be a challenge," he said. "Although it is very interesting to hear the various input and feedback."

But making the transition from providing a public service to holding a public office should be easy for Benninghoff, Centre County Commissioner Sue Mascolo said. The two worked side-by-side while Benninghoff was coroner.

"I think he will work very hard for his district," Mascolo said. "He will make us all proud."

Benninghoff, R-Centre, defeated Centre County Commissioner Keith Bierly in the race to represent the 171st district last November, replacing Ruth Rudy of Centre Hall. The 171st district represents portions of eastern Centre County, including part of East Halls and all of College Township.

Immediately following his swearing-in ceremony in early January, Benninghoff made his first priority in Harrisburg to meet with a liaison from the state Transportation Department. Concerns with the safety of U.S. Route 22-322 "Narrows" in Mifflin and Juniata counties began when Benninghoff investigated a fatal accident on the "Narrows." Making the road safer will not only benefit his district, but everyone who travels to the University, he said.

"If you drive through the 'Narrows' you see all the white crosses representing all the deaths," he said. "This is not just for the residents, there is a lot of volume on football weekends and with the Jordan Center, coming through there."

The "Narrows" is not Benninghoff's only interest. The impact the University has on the local economy and educational issues, are also important to the former coroner.

"I hope to inform the members of the General Assembly the importance of Penn State because I live here," he said. "Penn State doesn't just affect Centre County but the entire Commonwealth."

But it is not education issues that Heather McElwain is concerned with. More specifically, McElwain (senior-health policy administration) said she would like to see the University receive more state funding. Her main concern is that tuition will increase to the point where a degree will be unaffordable for some people.

"More people need higher-education degrees to compete with other countries and to compete with each other," she said.

But before Benninghoff dives too deeply into the issues, Robert O'Connor, associate professor of political science, said he needs to concentrate on learning about public policy. Because he has never held a local or state office, and does not have a political science degree, O'Connor said Benninghoff may be unfamiliar with procedure. However, he did say Benninghoff has the potential to develop into a good policy maker.

Benninghoff, a Republican, is likely to vote according to party lines because he was elected with party support and the House has strong partisan leadership, he said.

Benninghoff has been appointed to three committees: Health and Human Services, Aging and Youth and Intergovernmental Affairs.