“This is Matt Gabler, calling from the White House. I’ve always wanted to say that.”

On Thursday, the state representative was part of a delegation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives meeting with administration staff.

A White House spokesperson explained the event. “The elected officials will participate in localized policy discussions with members of White House staff, as well as hear individualized presentations from various federal agencies with the intention to improve and build stronger relationships with local governments.”

Gabler, R-DuBois, said he was honored to be part of the delegation.

“The focus of our trip has been an opportunity to build connections and network with folks and agencies in the federal government that we would interact with,” Gabler said.

Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, addressed the group Thursday morning.

“We had an opportunity to discuss the tax plan the administration is working on with Congress,” Gabler said. “It will provide much needed economic relief to the middle class by expanding the amount of money in people’s income by doubling the standard deduction.”

The representative said he disagrees with assertions that the tax plan would benefit the rich and by harmful to everyone else. “When you look at the way the proposal is being crafted, the whole focus on it is to make sure the people we see in small towns are the ones to benefit.”

He added the complicated tax code is one of the biggest problems. “Ninety percent of Americans pay someone to do their taxes,” he said, adding changes must be made to simplify the process.

The delegation also heard from the departments of agriculture, energy and veterans affairs.

“The focus the day has taken on has been how can people from all across the country be able to provide feedback to folks who can make a difference,” Gabler said.

He explained that as an elected official, he is a full-time legislator, but he’s also in the community to hear first-hand from constituents.

“What I hope is to get the opportunity to further extend my ability to speak to and have an impact on the issues constituents reach out to me with,” Gabler said.

“The opportunity to liaison with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House is an opportunity to extend the reach that I have as an elected official,” he added.

Gabler highlighted one issue in particular about which the conversations centered — energy, and an opportunity for Pennsylvania in this sector.

“There’s an initiative the Department of Energy is working on called Rare Earth Elements,” he said, explaining the elements are found in smartphones and most televisions. “Those currently all come out of China. Pennsylvania has a great opportunity there.”

The Trump Administration wants to source them from America instead. And Pennsylvania coal mines are a great place to look, he said.

“We do have some higher concentrations in our area,” Gabler said. “One of the most common places to find them are in layers right next to coal. If we can work with the coal operators to identify them, get them out of the ground and concentrate them… to be able to isolate those, that’s something our American technology is lacking.

“The Department of Energy is taking the lead on trying to rectify that. It’s something we’ve been discussing locally,” Gabler said, adding that Karthaus has been an area of interest.

While the representative said he didn’t know if the day at the White House would mean a chance to meet the president, it was a great opportunity nonetheless.

“The fact that we’ve had the opportunity to speak to senior White House staff, for a small town guy from DuBois, it restores my faith in the American system — of the people, by the people and for the people.”