“As levels of LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination continue to rise, we must also recognize that the fight for full equality is far from over. My colleagues and I in the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community and will continue advocating for policies like the Fairness Act that move us toward a more accepting, loving, and inclusive society.” Read more
Legislation to help community college students advances Read more
Project will stabilize barn, ensure longevity of historic structure Read more
HARRISBURG, June 22 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced a bill today that would deliver additional tax credit funds for communities to implement enhancement projects. The legislation ( H.B. 1429 ) would raise the cap on dollars available through the Neighborhood Assistance Program from $36 million to $72 million. Businesses would also see an increase on the tax credit they could claim, dependent on the kind of project they bring to a community. “As a social worker, I know firsthand that commonwealth communities deserve as much help as possible towards providing sustaining resources for its neighbors,” Abney said. “The monetary increase at the heart of my bill would keep neighborhoods healthy and vibrant for years to come.” Since 2015, the NAP has provided almost $174 million in tax credits and supported 1,128 projects across Pennsylvania. Read more
Legislation to require hotel staff be equipped with panic buttons Read more
“Let us remember that the survivors reopened these wounds for us, for humanity,” Frankel said. “Because there has to be a record. The work to hold back hateful ideologies and violence stands on history.” Read more
Joins 20 school districts in supporting bills to provide free school meals Read more
HARRISBURG, June 13 – A bill introduced by state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, that would reduce blight and revitalize community properties advanced out of the PA House Housing & Community Development Committee today. The legislation ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law to allow communities to make vacant blighted or abandoned properties 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 properties can become safety hazards and sources of frustration for communities,” Salisbury said. “As a council member, however, my ability to help neighbors deal with problem properties was limited by what the law allowed. My goal with this legislation is to add another tool to local governments' toolboxes and help put properties back to productive use. My bill delivers a ‘use it or lose it’ message to urge property owners into action and improve communities' ability to address blight.” Salisbury said her legislation does not require land banks to acquire vacant properties designated as abandoned and/or distressed but, instead, allows them to do so if they wish. House Bill 1163 is Salisbury’s first bill as a state representative. It now heads to the full House for consideration. Read more
Legislation to help restore blighted, abandoned properties Read more
PHMC grants fund restoration, preservation planning Read more
“This bill would simply remove government red tape that hinders progress in boroughs across the commonwealth,” said Pisciottano. “Devoted public servants should not be excluded from running for an elected position just because they work within the borough. In some cases, borough employees may possess the most relevant experience and qualifications for these offices, and they deserve the same opportunity to run as anyone else.” Read more
"As the first out lesbian ever to serve in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and a long-time local and national LGBTQ+ rights activist, it means the world to me to lead this march and parade on the 50th Anniversary of the first Pride in the United States," Mayes said. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 30 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would prohibit lobbyists from running state candidates’ political campaigns and then lobbying those same candidates once they are elected. “Lobbyists have whispered into the ears of political candidates, shaped their agendas and gotten rich while doing so for far too long,” Salisbury said. “My bill would put campaign control back into the hands of candidates and refocus elected officials’ attention on their constituents, not on pleasing lobbyists who also run campaigns.” Salisbury’s legislation ( H.B. 1223 ) also prohibits campaign consultants from lobbying state employees who work in the candidates’ offices. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 25 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation today that would aid communities that lack grant writing capacity. 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 to when seeking state funding and would receive instruction in writing future grant proposals. “The current system perpetuates structural inequalities among communities by favoring those municipalities which already have the funding to pay for grant writing services,” Salisbury said. “My bill provides an escape from the chicken-egg loop wherein local governments literally cannot afford to get money from the state.” Salisbury developed the bill after receiving feedback from local elected officials in her district that they were struggling to access state funding programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 24 – Legislation to expand and strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crimes statutes was approved by the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, marking the first legislative step forward in two decades to address the universally recognized increase in hate-based crimes. Reps. Dan Frankel and Napoleon Nelson, original sponsors of the four-bill package, applauded their committee colleagues' support and vowed to keep advocating for the legislation until it becomes law. “Hate crimes are on the rise, and every day that Pennsylvania’s laws are left unequipped to deal with them is a day that those who would use violence and intimidation to diminish our vulnerable communities are further emboldened,” Frankel said. “Today, the House Judiciary Committee voted for a commonwealth that stands with vulnerable communities and aspires to promote diversity and tolerance.” Frankel noted that once the bills become law, Pennsylvania will join the majority of states that acknowledge the growing scourge of attacks on Americans for who they are, how they look or who they love. Nelson said, “This legislative package is of vital importance. As hate crimes increase across the country, we must protect those who are most vulnerable. I’m happy to have sponsored these pieces of legislation and look forward to doing more to ensure that everyone – regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual Read more
Last summer, my grandmother passed away after years of living with Alzheimer’s disease. If you’ve lost a loved one to this disease or know someone who has, then you’re familiar with the long and cruel journey both the patient and their families have walked. Read more
Focusing on prioritizing people over profit, fighting social inequality Read more
“Today, for the first time in years, Pennsylvania House members were given the opportunity to take a position on legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from gun violence, and I am overjoyed to find that we have bipartisan support for serious, research-backed policy solutions that will save lives,” Frankel said. Read more
Facility will support training for south hills firefighters Read more
State grants fund improvements at four local senior centers Read more
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