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"I don't think I've gotten any hate mail on this one."
In a jovial way, that is how state House Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, described reaction to legislation he co-sponsored to eliminate the emissions test fee for vehicles in Lycoming County.
"Every county in the neighborhood of Lycoming does not have an emissions fee. I am working hard on getting Lycoming to join that group."
The state fee is $16.86 plus sticker $1.57 and tax.
Several other pieces of legislation are on his slate of business to get done including his support for legislation to provide line of duty death benefits for coroners and deputy coroners.
This bill is necessary in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as these professionals are oftentimes the first responders. "It is commonsense and almost nil to the taxpayer to have this legislation enacted."
Flick said he was author of legislation for substitute teachers to have a two-year degree, not a four-year degree.
"We want that knocked down to an associate's degree," he said, admitting there has been pushback from the teachers' union.
As an example of the hindrance caused by limiting substitute teaching to four-year degrees, last year, Montoursville Area School District had 184 incidents (more than once a day in a 180-day year) where it could not find a substitute teacher, he said.
Additionally, despite having taught in Pennsylvania College of Technology as an adjunct professor, Flick said he would not be permitted to be a substitute teacher in public schools.
"We are still hopeful that legislation goes through," he said.
On another matter, Flick said he is supportive of legislation to have county family court judges grant 50/50 custody to parents who are deemed suitable. This bill, known as the Shared Parenting Law with the legislation under H.B. 1684, is being challenged by trial lawyers, he said.
While judges determine whether the parents are fit in custody disputes in court, the legislation is bipartisan with 28 co-sponsors including Flick. "I've met with the Senate Judiciary Committee on this," he said. "I've met with Gov. Shapiro twice," he said.
It is Flick's signature legislation and he remains passionate about.
He said there may be two parents who are getting divorced , which may be hard on the kids who can't see the parents in an equal way.
There are studies that provide evidence that shared custody will give the children a better chance at success in life, Flick said.
In Harrisburg, he said, it is imperative to be able to work with Democrats on legislation and to build relationships that may require a give-and-take approach.
Flick's voting record indicates that he will vote based on what is best for the district.
And after seeing the budget impasse go on for 166 days, he also said there is a need for a two-year budget.
The budget was passed 166 days after the July 1 deadline and suddenly Shapiro is preparing his budget address for the coming year, he said.
"I support a two-year budget and the Ohio format," Flick said.
In Ohio, the budget is done every two years. He thinks that makes better sense for the legislator's use of time and for the state as a whole.
If there are drag-out budget disagreements, why not get things appropriated and prepare the budget every two years for a vote, he asked.
Flick, who graduated from Jersey Shore Area High School in 1979, earned a degree from the Pennsylvania Collection of Technology in 1981.
Flick won the general election on Nov. 8, 2022.