State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, a leading proponent of restricting cell phone use in schools, today celebrated the signing of a bipartisan bill prohibiting cell phone use in Pennsylvania schools so students can learn and grow without harmful digital distractions. Read more
Read my email update from October 23, 2026 Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday unanimously adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 539, designating October 2026 as "Agent Orange Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to raise awareness about the devastating impact of Agent Orange exposure and its continuing effects on some Pennsylvania veterans and their families. "While thousands of our troops were fighting in Vietnam, nearly 20 million gallons of Agent Orange and other herbicides were being sprayed to clear trees and other foliage that provided enemy cover,” Matzie said. “Exposure to Agent Orange was later linked to severe health problems, including heart disease, nervous system disorders like Parkinson's disease, birth defects like spina bifida, and various cancers including prostate, blood, bladder, respiratory and other cancers. Because the effects of exposure can take years to show up, many veterans are still discovering and being diagnosed with these conditions. "I introduced this resolution to make sure we remember and honor the sacrifice of those who died as a result of their exposure to this deadly chemical and those who continue to live with the consequences decades after they've served." Matzie said that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes certain conditions as "presumptive" Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania Senate today passed state Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill to restore newborn testing for Gaucher disease – an inherited genetic disorder that can cause wide-ranging damage in affected children and adults. Salisbury said her H.B. 1652 would give parents the timely information they need for early medical intervention that can alleviate symptoms. “Until recently, Pennsylvania newborns were screened for Gaucher disease, along with a wide array of other diseases, but the condition was dropped from the panel of screened diseases several years ago without good reason,” Salisbury said. “Other states, including neighboring New Jersey, still screen for Gaucher, and it can lead to arbitrary, unfair results for families. For example, a baby born in New Jersey can be diagnosed and taken to Philadelphia for expert treatment, while a baby born right here in the commonwealth would miss that chance for early intervention. “I’m thrilled to know that we’re one step closer to restoring this screening, so parents can have critical information they need as early as possible, and infants born with this condition can get the early treatment they need to give them a better outcome.” Gaucher disease is a genetic condition in which a person is missing an enzyme that breaks down lipids, or fatty compounds, in the body. The disease can cause devastating Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie's H.R. 536, designating the week of Oct. 11-17, 2026, as “Credit Union Week” in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus, said he introduced the resolution to highlight the advantages credit unions can provide for consumers and how these nonprofit organizations differ from traditional banks. “Credit unions are owned and operated by their member account holders,” Matzie said. “They function as financial democracies, with each member having an equal vote, regardless of the size of their account. Because they are not obligated to turn a profit for shareholders, they can return surplus income to members in the form of lower fees and loan rates and higher savings dividends. “As member-owned organizations, they also tend to be community-focused, sponsoring local events and financial seminars and supporting members’ charitable work. For all of these reasons, they can be a good choice for consumers.” According to recent regulatory reports, there are nearly 270 credit unions headquartered in Pennsylvania, including 32 state-chartered credit unions and 236 federally chartered credit unions. State-chartered credit unions are regulated and supervised by the state Department of Banking and Securities, while federally chartered credit unions Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 21 – Grant funding of nearly $620,000 from the state Department of Education will bolster literacy skills for elementary school students in the Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie said the funding – which includes $415,405 to Central Valley School District for the Center Grange Primary and Todd Lane Elementary schools, and $204,160 to the Freedom Area School District for the Freedom Area Elementary School – will give students a stronger start in an essential core curriculum subject. “Few skills are more important to success in life than reading, but it takes a coordinated effort of planning, coaching and the right resources to help students master those skills,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “The new funding to Central Valley and Freedom Area school districts will provide the tools educators need to give students a strong foundation early on.” The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Structured Literacy Grant program, which provides funding to help school districts implement Pennsylvania's structured literacy legislation. Grants may be used for purchasing materials, obtaining screening assessments, developing plans and sustainable literacy systems, and strengthening districtwide collaboration. More information about the funding is available here: Read more
A proposal backed by state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to restrict cellphone use in Pennsylvania schools passed the state Senate today on a bipartisan vote and is headed to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania House today passed S.B. 1328 – companion legislation to state Rep. Rob Matzie’s bill that would mandate the availability of automated external defibrillators at utility and electrical linework job sites in Pennsylvania. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced his companion bill with state Rep. Jason Ortitay to address a major gap in the law and ensure that workers on some of the highest-risk job sites have access to lifesaving medical equipment. “When seconds count, AEDs save lives,” Matzie said. “Using them immediately on site after cardiac arrest dramatically increases survival compared to situations that rely on EMS arrival alone. It’s why we mandate these devices in schools, hotels, health clubs and coal mines. “But there is a critical gap in the law – there’s no similar requirement for AEDs to be available at utility and linework job sites, even though these are some of the most dangerous jobs around. We introduced this legislation in conjunction with the Senate bill passed today to address that gap and ensure that our workers have the protections they need when doing the essential work that keeps our lights on. I was glad to see the bill move forward and will push to ensure it gets to the governor’s desk.” “Line workers routinely work on energized electrical systems, at Read more
Legislation recognizing telecommunicators, expanding access to benefits heads to governor’s desk Read more
BEN AVON HEIGHTS, Oct. 21 – Through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program , Ben Avon Heights will receive $203,200 in grant funding, announced state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, who represents the borough in the state House. The funding will serve for rehabilitation and development of Ben Avon Heights Park, including construction of pedestrian walkways and a parking area, the installation of play equipment, and landscaping and ADA access improvements on site. “These improvements will allow our neighbors in Ben Avon Heights to have better opportunities to enjoy nature,” Venkat said. “I look forward to seeing these developments completed, and I will continue to work with my bipartisan colleagues to advocate for state support of our community.” Venkat worked alongside state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, to secure this funding. The grant came through the C2P2 program, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and serves to build connections between Pennsylvanians and the outdoors by supporting recreational improvements, natural resource conservation, and community revitalization efforts. Read more
Bipartisan legislation for safe and responsible use of e-scooters advances to Senate Read more
AMBRIDGE, Oct. 20 – Nearly $400,000 in newly awarded tax credits will leverage investments to strengthen Beaver County health, nutritional and family resources and support economic development, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, who is chairman of the House Majority Caucus, said that nearly $81,300 in tax credits will leverage community corporate partner investments to support Adagio Health, which provides health, nutrition and family support services for Beaver County and other families in the region. “Adagio Health provides essential services for lower-income families, including supplemental food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and other services to help new moms and infants, as well as other community wellness and outreach programs,” Matzie said. “The new tax credits will leverage additional funding for those programs and services to help more people.” Matzie said that in addition to the tax credits supporting Adagio Health, $285,000 in tax credits were awarded to leverage investments supporting economic development work by the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation, and $26,000 in tax credits were awarded to leverage investments in Neighborhood North Museum of Play projects to expand accessible family and youth spaces in Beaver Falls. The tax credits supporting Adagio Health were awarded under the Charitable Food Program, and the tax credits supporting the Beaver Falls projects Read more
BRADDOCK, Oct. 20 – Tax credits totaling more than $1.48 million will leverage investments in District 34 projects to revitalize downtown areas, support local businesses and strengthen food security, job training and other programs for residents, Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury said the tax credits will play a key role in driving progress on community projects. “The new tax credits will spur investments by our regional business partners into the critical work our nonprofit organizations are doing to fight food insecurity, stabilize families, revitalize distressed areas and improve quality of life in dozens of other ways in our district,” Salisbury said. “It’s a powerful way for businesses to partner with our nonprofit sector, and I’m looking forward to seeing more dollars coming in to keep driving positive change.” Salisbury said the tax credits include: $783,750 to leverage investments in the Wilkinsburg Revitalization Plan, a strategic plan administered by the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corp. to rebuild the business district by attracting investments, supporting local businesses and strengthening neighborhoods. $352,800 to leverage investments in the Enterprise Zone Corp.’s façade improvement grant program for businesses in the Braddock Avenue commercial corridor. $190,000 to leverage investments in the Read more
A proposal championed by state Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, to restrict cellphone use in Pennsylvania schools passed the PA House today on a bipartisan vote, a key step in the process for enacting the legislation in time for the 2027-28 school year. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 19 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, today announced that three projects in the 30th Legislative District will receive funding through the Neighborhood Assistance Program , totaling $135,535. “These funds will support crucial projects in our community that help address housing costs, food insecurity and access to education,” Venkat said. “I am grateful to see these funds come to our community, and I will continue working to ensure that important organizations such as NHCO and Holy Family Institute continue to receive the support they need.” The projects supported in this funding include: $81,000 to North Hills Community Outreach to increase emergency assistance to reflect rising housing costs and connect clients to stability and self-sufficiency supports to reduce eviction, homelessness, and repeat financial crises. NHCO also received $22,035 to expand access to its three food pantries so clients can visit twice a month as opposed to once a month. $32,500 to Holy Family Institute for the purchase of a school bus to eliminate transportation barriers and promote access to educational opportunities. Funding for these projects came through the Neighborhood Assistance Program, a tax-credit program administered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development that encourages businesses to invest in projects that improve distressed areas. Read more
Read my email update from October 16, 2026 Read more
MONACA, Oct. 16 – State Rep. Rob Matzie joined Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll and other state and local officials in Monaca Thursday to highlight $2 million in state dollars supporting major transportation projects in Monaca and Ambridge boroughs. Matzie said that recent investments previously announced from the Multimodal Transportation Fund – including nearly $1.9 million for safety and infrastructure upgrades along the Eighth Street corridor in Ambridge and more than $200,000 to support construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17 th Street in Monaca – are part of a continuing effort to update the county’s infrastructure. “Strong, modern infrastructure means a speedier commute for workers, more reliable transportation for commerce and industry, more business flowing to our downtown and safer travel for everyone,” said Matzie, who is chairman of the House majority caucus. “But the constant demands on our infrastructure mean that securing state investments is never a one-and-done deal. Instead, we need to be vigilant in driving out state dollars whenever we can to support local projects and ease the burden on taxpayers.” In 2018, Matzie worked to help secure $3 million in state funding to launch the Monaca Gateway Project. Now under construction, the project will improve more than 6,000 feet of State Route 18 and replace overhead stop Read more
State grant programs currently accepting applications Read more
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