WEST MIFFLIN, Aug. 8 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, presided over a meeting of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee yesterday at Kennywood that focused on maintaining and promoting public safety. Testimony was provided by West Mifflin Borough Police Department Chief Gregory McCulloch and Flock Safety Director of Sales Rick Lombardo. “We heard from law enforcement and a community organizer on the best way to build neighborhood safety and reduce crime rates,” Gergely said. “These partnerships can be advanced through technology, including plate-reading devices in neighborhoods, but the foundation for all of this remains building relationships between police officers and residents. The community involvement aspect of this issue cannot be overstated.” Nearly one year ago, three individuals were wounded during a shooting that took place inside Kennywood. The park was set to close for an indefinite period of time, until updated and additional safety protocols could be put in place. Thanks to the efforts of Gergely, members of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and others, the needed measures were implemented, and Kennywood opened for its 125th season this year. Read more
“We heard from law enforcement and a community organizer on the best way to build neighborhood safety and reduce crime rates,” state Rep. Matt Gergely said. “These partnerships can be advanced through technology, including plate-reading devices in neighborhoods, but the foundation for all of this remains building relationships between police officers and residents. The community involvement aspect of the issue cannot be overstated.” Read more
The House Majority leadership team and Policy Committee wrapped up the statewide “Save Our Schools” tour Thursday morning with a stop at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh to tour the building, discuss the need for fair funding for public education and rally with education advocates. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 2 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, released the following statement on the Tree of Life synagogue shooter being sentenced to death today: “I’m grateful that the trial is over, so our community can move forward in recovery. I respect the wisdom of a jury who has found this act of hate and violence abhorrent and beyond the bounds of rehabilitation. “This verdict doesn’t restore the lives of the people lost to hate. We will forever mourn them, and the loss is sewn into the fabric of our community, just as the building on the corner of Shady and Wilkins avenues attests to both the tragedy – and hopefully – the path forward in healing and education. “My small part in this is to continue to fight against hate, against hate crimes, and try to compel the full force of our government against this viciousness, this antisemitism, and these attacks against targeted communities.” Today’s sentence comes after a jury found the perpetrator guilty of all 63 counts against him and deemed the death penalty to be an appropriate punishment. Frankel is the co-chair of the PA Jewish Legislative Caucus and has introduced several anti-hate bills in the state House. Read more
Legislators discuss efforts to enhance capabilities of western PA search and rescue. Read more
"I will always stand on the side of working people and am hopeful that UPS will come to the table and negotiate a fair contract with their workers," Pisciottano said. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 20 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would allow employees of licensees in the sales finance industry to work remotely. The legislation, H.B. 1580 , would apply to workers at licensees who qualify under the Consumer Discount Company Act and the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act. “COVID-19 forever changed the landscape and approach that businesses take to maximize their productivity and stay competitive,” Salisbury said. “My bill would foster job retention amongst licensees by offering this flexibility option and allow their employees to deliver the same optimal quality and quantity of service from any offsite location they choose.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, is co-sponsoring Salisbury’s legislation, which does not change any requirements pertaining to licensing, examination or regulation by the Department of Banking and Securities. Read more
PITTSBURGH, July 14 – Pittsburgh area veterans will benefit from new supports and services thanks to $115,000 in funding to three area organizations providing housing, jobs and other critical assistance, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives announced today. The funding from the Veterans’ Trust Fund includes $40,000 to Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard for support services to homeless veterans, $40,000 to Pittsburgh Hires Veterans for employment services, and $35,000 to Operation Troop Appreciation for financial assistance. “Life is not always easy for those returning home from service. Veterans may struggle with post-traumatic stress and face other obstacles that make it hard to reconnect with their community, find work and afford basic life services,” said Delegation Chair state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny. “Today’s funding will help Operation Troop Appreciation do what they do so well – provide critical connections and financial assistance to fellow veterans needing this support. ” “After serving our nation, no veteran should have to feel the anxiety and indignities that go with not having a place to call home,” said state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny. “This new funding won’t solve the problem of veteran homelessness, but it will help support an important program that provides Read more
HARRISBURG, July 7 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding the state budget passing the PA House: “Being a school district business manager for three years, I’m pleased that this year’s fiscal budget provides for school systems in District 35 to see increases in basic and special education funding when compared to last year’s allowances,” Gergely said. “These funds are crucial to keeping enough teachers in classrooms, giving them the tools and resources they need, and helping students to achieve at the highest academic level possible.” District 35 school districts reflecting this growth from the 2022-23 fiscal year to the 2023-24 fiscal year are: Clairton City School District-$950,100 increase (9%). McKeesport Area School District- $3,587,283 increase (9.4%). Duquesne City School District- $1,166,235 increase (8%). Steel Valley School District- $883,682 increase (6.6%). South Allegheny School District- $1,089,983 increase (8.5%). Gergely also praised the $46 million allocation to provide universal free breakfasts to students statewide and allowing all students receiving reduced lunch prices to receive free lunch. Additionally, he commended the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, a measure that would enable an additional 175,000 individuals to be eligible and raise the maximum payment to $1,000. Read more
Highlights education funding, zero tax increases Read more
"No state budget is perfect, especially when negotiating between a divided state legislature like Pennsylvania’s. While we would have liked to see this budget go further in many ways, it still delivers for Pennsylvanians in key areas." Read more
Applauds governor’s promised veto of private school vouchers Read more
Below are several grant programs that are currently open for applications. PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Historical & Museum Commission: Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program Who May Apply: Museums that are in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 (excluding capital and in-kind services) and at least one full-time professional staff person and that are not supported by other state agency funding programs and official County Historical Societies designated as the official historical society for the county. Use: The goal of this program is to strengthen Pennsylvania’s museums and allow applicants to determine how to use funds for operating expenses. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, salaries, benefits, insurance, food service, travel, professional development, marketing, and equipment. Funds: Grant awards range from $2,500 to $65,000. Application Deadline: November 7, 2023 More information: PHMC Website Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) Program Who May Apply: Municipality, Economic Development Organization, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Agencies. For-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for the PA SITES Program. However, an eligible applicant may apply for a site owned and controlled by the Read more
HARRISBURG, June 30 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on 303 Creative Inc. v. Elenis: “In the face of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling negatively impacting the LGBTQIA+ community, we find ourselves deeply disappointed for the second day in a row. It is disheartening to witness the erosion of civil rights and liberties for specific groups of people. Today, on the final day of Pride Month, our LGBTQIA+ friends must endure the reality of a country where businesses have legal protection to discriminate against them. “The Supreme Court, which once stood as a safeguard for existing rights, now appears to be driven by an agenda to strip them away. The court's attempt to conceal exclusivity under the guise of inclusivity only serves to expose the divisive nature of its ideology. This is undeniably a slippery slope that should concern us all, regardless of whether we identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community or not. “The decision made today contributes to the growing uncertainty and chaos surrounding the direction our country is headed. Adversity, however, often presents us with an opportunity for unity and course correction. We now face the task of coming together, rectifying this situation, and ensuring that order prevails over chaos. It is our collective responsibility to foster a society where all individuals are protected, respected and Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would aid communities lacking grant writing capacity passed the Pennsylvania House along party lines today. The legislation ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development . Eligible municipalities would be able to access free grant writing services when seeking state funding and would receive instruction in writing future grant proposals. “Current law only benefits those municipalities with funding in place for grant writing services,” Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said. “My bill is about equity. It's time to level the playing field so that municipalities with extreme need are not kept out of the state grant-making process due to capacity issues." Salisbury developed the bill after receiving feedback from local elected officials in her district that they were struggling to access state funding programs. The legislation now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, issued the following statement regarding today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision against affirmative action programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard University: “I must express that although I am disappointed by the Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down affirmative action, their decision comes as no surprise. The existence of structural and systemic racism in our country is an unfortunate reality that, while not revelatory, has become increasingly evident in the times we live in today. “Affirmative action was established to confront both implicit and explicit biases which prevented individuals from accessing opportunities available to others solely based on their race. It recognized race as one among many factors considered when evaluating an applicant, rather than the sole determining factor. Unfortunately, using a sole determining factor was often used to deny applicants prior to this policy. This policy, however, successfully dismantled barriers that countless people faced and continue to face due to racial discrimination. “Today's ruling serves as another reminder that the system is not broken, and it operates exactly as it was designed to operate. Regardless, we will continue to work with our colleges and universities to help ensure that these institutions reflect the diversity that makes those institutions and our commonwealth a vibrant and Read more
State grant to support formerly incarcerated young adults Read more
HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury’s bill that would reduce severe blight and revitalize community properties passed the PA House yesterday. The legislation ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law to allow municipal governments to make vacant properties that have been severely blighted for five or more years subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Owners of such properties would be granted a set amount of time to make the repairs needed to reverse the designation and could appeal the designation. "In my five years as a borough council member, I saw firsthand how these neglected vacant properties can become safety hazards and sources of frustration for communities,” said Salisbury, D-Allegheny. “Residents begged me to do something about these unused properties and asked if I could force the owners to use them or sell them, but I was powerless to do anything under state law. Now as a state representative, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to amend the current law so that local elected officials are able to respond to these residents with action. “My goal with this legislation is to add another tool to local governments' toolboxes and help put properties back to productive use,” she added. “Today’s passage means that municipalities are that much closer to providing their residents with affordable housing and space for small businesses.” Salisbury said her legislation Read more
Adopts resolution commemorating baseball legend, humanitarian Read more
Would expand foster care tuition waiver program Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.