Lawmakers call to protect survivors, increase accountability for repeat PFA violations Read more
“All this misinformation coming from the White House and federal government has done real damage,” said Rep. Abigail Salisbury, who hosted the hearing, serves as the chair of the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus and is autistic. “We heard directly from medical professionals, who explained how resources and their time is being dominated by combatting this misinformation – instead of devoting their time to research or dealing with the real-life concerns of their patients.” Read more
Legislation establishing Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program heads to Senate Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 — Pennsylvania would conduct a new public awareness campaign to get more fathers involved in prenatal care and the birthing process under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Aerion Abney that passed the House today with strong bipartisan support. House Bill 1212 , dubbed the PA Dads Matter Act, directs the Department of Health to conduct the campaign. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced the bill as part of MOMNIBUS 2.0, a comprehensive legislative package that seeks to improve birthing outcomes and confronts the staggering rate of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania. “I feel very strongly about this bill,” Abney said. “A dad’s involvement can make an enormous difference in a healthy pregnancy and birth. When a dad is engaged, there are lower chances of unhealthy birth weight and lower risks of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders.” Abney, the father of two sons, modeled the bill after bipartisan federal legislation drawn up by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and former Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. “The MOMNIBUS is about more than just moms!” said state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Philadelphia, the bill’s prime co-sponsor. “When dads and partners are engaged in the process, we know that birthing outcomes improve greatly for everyone. The Dads Matter Act highlights the role that fathers play to uplift the health and wellbeing of babies and mothers before, during and after Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 26 – In the wake of last week’s comments by federal officials linking maternal acetaminophen use to an increased risk of autism, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury will host a state legislative hearing featuring medical and scientific experts on autism next week at the state Capitol. Salisbury said the hearing, facilitated at her request by the House Majority Policy Committee, will take place at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30 in Room 205 of the Ryan Office Building. “It’s our responsibility as lawmakers to make sure our policymaking is guided by science, not speculation,” said Salisbury, who chairs the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus and is the first person with autism to hold this position. “I am grateful to the House Majority Policy Committee for convening this hearing, which will feature medical professionals, researchers and experts on the autism spectrum to ensure our policymaking is informed by science and medical evidence—not junk science and speculation.” Salisbury said she believes the hearing will be an important first step and that she looks forward to continuing conversations with experts so that the path forward is guided by science, not fear or confusion. The meeting will be livestreamed at: https://youtube.com/live/-0WdZlhsORs . Media coverage is invited. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 22 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, Chair of the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus, today called upon state legislative leadership to convene official hearings with scientific and medical experts to examine current research into the potential causes of autism. Salisbury's announcement comes in response to today's press conference with President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who announced an association between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and increased neurodevelopmental risks, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Acetaminophen is also known by the brand name Tylenol, and President Trump stated in the press conference, “Don't take Tylenol.” The federal advisory has sparked renewed national discussion about the importance of precautionary guidance, public awareness and evidence-based policymaking surrounding autism and prenatal health. “As Chair of the Pennsylvania Autism Caucus – and as the first person with an autism diagnosis to hold this position – I believe it is our moral and legislative responsibility to seek truth, clarity and scientific guidance wherever the health and well-being of Pennsylvania’s children are concerned,” said Salisbury, D-Allegheny. “Today’s federal announcement underscores how urgently we need expert-informed hearings to understand the full range of environmental, medical and Read more
BRADDOCK, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury today announced a new round of scholarships to help civic-minded residents in District 34’s lower-income communities strengthen their grant writing and nonprofit management skills. Salisbury said her office is working with the Health and Education Alliance and the Community College of Allegheny County to offer the scholarships, which will provide access to CCAC’s Grant Writing & Non-Profit Management course. “Nonprofits can be incredibly powerful agents for change,” said Salisbury, who is co-founder and chair of the Pennsylvania Charitable Nonprofit Caucus. “ But regardless of their mission – whether they’re fighting hunger, strengthening mental health resources or providing housing, afterschool programs or other critical services – nonprofits are only as effective as the staff who run them. “With access to CCAC’s course, last year’s winners learned how to tap into state funding and sharpen their management skills to help their organizations accomplish more for the community. We’re bringing those opportunities back this year with a new round of scholarships. I encourage anyone interested in applying to learn more, find out whether they qualify and apply by the October 15 deadline.” Salisbury said that to qualify for a scholarship, applicants must reside in a low-income census tract. To Read more
State grant programs now accepting applications Read more
“Allegheny County has the infrastructure and sites that corporations like Mainspring need, but testifiers also explained that Pennsylvania risks being left behind by neighboring states when it comes to creating sufficient state incentives and acting quickly to support high-impact projects with large energy demands,” said state Rep. John Inglis, who co-hosted the event and represents portions of Allegheny County. “Mainspring chose Pittsburgh over Columbus to bring about 1,000 jobs to our region, but lawmakers will need to be proactive to ensure our region remains competitive.” Read more
“Food insecurity is more prevalent now than it was during the pandemic, so the federal cuts to SNAP are going to do a tremendous amount of harm to families already struggling to put food on the table, as well as impact our farmers who provide that food,” said Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, and House Chair of the Hunger Caucus. “While the state simply does not have the resources to fill the gap after hundreds of billions of dollars were cut from food programs in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, there are still actions we can take at the state-level to feed a greater number of Pennsylvanians. As we continue to work to finalize our state’s budget, we still have an opportunity to ensure that Pennsylvania is stepping into the gap as much as possible.” Read more
“PSP has not expressed any plans to assist ICE, and in fact the agency has adopted internal policies that would prohibit such an agreement,” Salisbury said. “Policies don’t carry the force of law, however, and they can change over time. With so much at stake, it’s important for us to codify the existing policy, so troopers can focus on their responsibilities to our communities and precious state resources are not diverted to the federal government.” Read more
“We know data centers will continue being built in Pennsylvania, so we gathered numerous voices to hear about the benefits, concerns, questions and economic incentives,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, who co-hosted the event and represents portions of Allegheny County. “Data centers create jobs and economic benefits, but we also heard from energy providers, organized labor, conservationists and the Farm Bureau about the need to be aware of specific issues.” Read more
“We heard directly from stakeholders on the benefit and demand for the Waterfront Tax Credit,” said state Rep. Emily Kinkead, who co-hosted the event and has sponsored legislation to expand waterfront development tax credits. “Right now, the demand for this program has outpaced its availability, and stakeholders detailed how its expansion could help Pennsylvania be a national leader when it comes to delivering economic development along our waterfront properties.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Aug. 20 – Just two hours and 15 minutes before it was scheduled to appear before Allegheny County Council’s storm response committee, power company Duquesne Light canceled its appearance, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced. Salisbury, who serves on the Special Committee on Emergency Preparedness and After-Action Review, said the utility’s canceled appearance — its second failure to attend a storm response meeting — was deeply disappointing. “We are working to develop a stronger, more effective storm response policy that will better protect and assist residents before and after the next storm,” Salisbury said. “That effort requires input from all the key players — from local and state storm officials to the public to our power providers. I’m deeply disappointed by Duquesne Light’s last-minute notice that it would not appear today.” The Special Committee on Emergency Preparedness and After-Action Review was formed to investigate the response to the April 29 storm that left about 400,000 residents without power. Read more
Policymakers and special interests in Harrisburg are discussing policy changes that would undermine Pennsylvania’s competitive power market by allowing monopolies to once again generate electricity – all under the guise of ensuring our commonwealth can meet rising demand. This approach is unnecessary and misguided. It takes away consumer choice and threatens to upend a decades-old system that has ensured reliable electricity for homes and businesses. So, how did we get here? Artificial intelligence and data centers, along with a broader push to electrify everything from transportation to manufacturing, are increasing power demands on the grid. In Pennsylvania’s competitive energy market, power-generating companies are stepping up to meet the challenge. Pennsylvania is part of PJM Interconnection, the largest grid operator in the country, serving all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. To ensure sufficient capacity to meet demand, PJM regularly holds auctions where generators sell their electricity to utility companies. In addition, PJM launched its Reliability Resource Initiative to fast-track the process of quickly adding energy to the grid. PJM selected 51 shovel-ready electricity projects for expedited approval, with 90% expected to be online by 2030. These projects would add 11,793 megawatts to the grid. These shovel-ready resources – including new and advanced nuclear and Read more
State Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications Read more
BRADDOCK, Aug. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury is urging District 34 residents to come to the Allegheny County Courthouse at 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 for a public meeting hosted by Allegheny County Council’s newly formed storm response review committee. Salisbury, who serves on the Special Committee on Emergency Preparedness and After-Action Review, said Duquesne Light has been scheduled to attend the meeting. “I hope to see Duquesne Light attend,” Salisbury said. “We have been working with state and local officials to build a stronger storm response at all levels of government, but developing a comprehensive plan requires everyone at the table. Hearing from Duquesne Light – as well as the local residents and small business owners who were impacted by the storm – will be an important part of the process. I’m encouraging everyone in our community to attend and participate.” Salisbury said the meeting is open to the public and will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at the Allegheny County Courthouse, located at 436 Grant St. in Pittsburgh. Residents unable to attend but who have specific questions should email them to Salisbury in advance of the meeting at RepSalisbury@pahouse.net . The Special Committee on Emergency Preparedness and After-Action Review was formed to investigate the response to the April 29 storm that left approximately 400,000 residents without power. Read more
“This is a critical moment for public transit in Pennsylvania, and this bill will help,” Abney said. “The House realizes transit is a vital public service—it gets people to their jobs, classes, grocery stores, and appointments.” Read more
“Public transit systems like Pittsburgh Regional Transit, Westmoreland Transit, IndiGO in Indiana County, and all our regional transit systems are economic drivers for the region. They are a key part on how our region operates and moves people to their job, to their grocery store and to their doctor’s office," state Rep. Joe McAndrew said. "Our public transit systems are at a breaking point. Without a real funding solution, PRT and agencies across the state are being forced to consider deep service cuts, layoffs, and fare increases. That puts riders, workers, and communities at serious risk." Read more
“I’m thrilled that Magee nurses finally have a date on the calendar to make their voices heard,” said state Rep. Dan Frankel, who chairs the Pennsylvania House Health Committee. “These nurses are the backbone of maternal and newborn care in our region, and they deserve the same rights as any other workers to advocate for safe staffing, better conditions and the resources they need to provide excellent care.” Read more
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