“With this grant, we may begin to address environmental issues on a local level and address other issues impacting O’Hara Township and Fox Chapel Borough,” Steele said. “As a commonwealth, we must work together to protect our environment, starting right here in our community.” Read more
“To ensure the safety of residents, I’ve asked the Department of Environmental Protection to thoroughly review the demolition and monitor the area,” Steele said. “In the wake of the first demolition, my office received calls from numerous residents with concerns about health risks from the dust blanketing certain areas. To ensure the safety of residents, water trucks will spray down dust in the area.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that a $10,000 Municipal Assistance Program grant was awarded to the borough of Churchill. The funds will be utilized to update the borough’s zoning ordinances and pave the way for vacant industrial properties to be converted into new homes for local businesses, organizations and more. “These buildings sit around without purpose day after day and are a missed economic and human service opportunity for the Churchill community,” Salisbury said. “This grant will not only help provide a cosmetic facelift for such properties, but new ventures will be able to move into these spaces and serve neighbors in a variety of impactful methods.” Salisbury has introduced two pieces of legislation that seek to assist communities statewide in a similar vein. The first ( H.B. 1163 ) would update current property law and allow communities to make blighted or abandoned properties subject to potential acquisition by land banks. Another ( H.B. 1216 ) would create a Municipal Grant Assistance Program within the Department of Community and Economic Development . The program would provide municipalities with grant writing training and allow for professional grant writers to connect with municipalities to provide their services. Both bills have passed the House and are in the Senate for consideration. The commonwealth in its entirety received nearly $500,000 in MAP Read more
“With gun violence increasing all across the country and this shooting so close to home, we must continuously work to prevent gun violence, address the housing crisis and the effects of gentrification, and allocate mental health resources, so that we may never endure such trauma in our neighborhood, or in our country, ever again,” Mayes said. “Redlining, which creates barriers for people of color to own a home, and gentrification are intertwined in Pittsburgh’s housing crisis. We must address these systemic issues as we continue to support our neighbors in Garfield. That way we may repair the damage caused by this shooting and prevent gun violence.” Read more
“Addressing severe maternal morbidity also addresses issues for Black maternal health as severe maternal morbidity rates increased by 51% for Black, non-Hispanic patients in Pennsylvania,” Mayes said. “As Black women are 3.5 times more likely to die during pregnancy-related complications and more than 10% of Black people report discrimination in health care, we must work to address severe maternal morbidity and more to ensure health care is equitable for all Pennsylvanians.” Read more
“Thanks to this grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the City of Pittsburgh will improve infrastructure for motorists and pedestrians who utilize the Bloomfield Bridge, which connects Bloomfield and Polish Hill,” Mayes said. “Through this project at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and the Bloomfield Bridge, we may ensure safe transportation is accessible for all residents.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 17 – New grant funding of $155,000 will broaden apprenticeship opportunities for women, people of color and other underrepresented workers in the building and construction trades, members of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives announced today. Read more
“Some folks will act like environmental research is bad for business and bad for Pennsylvania’s economy. But, no – it’s pollution that’s bad for business. It’s poor health outcomes that are bad for business,” Frankel said. “Let’s get every ounce of information that we can and use it to protect our constituents.” Read more
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 16 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants, totaling $61,632, were awarded to several schools in Pennsylvania’s 34th Legislative District. District schools receiving FFVP grants are: Propel Braddock Hills Elementary ~ $22,176. Kelly Primary ~ $17,208. Turner Intermediate School ~ $22,248. “Students having access to fresh fruits and vegetables every day provides a source of vital nutrients to helps them succeed at a high academic level and promote overall health,” Salisbury said. “These funds are an investment in their future and the future of our communities.” In total, Allegheny County received nearly $900,000 in FFVP grants, which prioritize schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals. A complete list of grant awardees by county is available here . Read more
WILKINSBURG, Aug. 15 – State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today that two Green Light-Go grants, totaling $486,738, were awarded to the borough of Wilkinsburg. A grant of $212,425 will be used to update traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and North Avenue, while another $274,313 in grant funds will fund the update of traffic signal equipment at the intersection of East Swissvale Avenue and Glenn Avenue/Park Avenue. “I’m grateful that this money will be utilized to keep motorists and pedestrians alike safe during their daily commutes,” Salisbury said. “Not to mention that these dollars are essential to ensuring the smooth and steady flow of people and commerce throughout the community.” Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. For a full list of grant recipients by county, click here . Read more
Venkat will introduce legislation to disclose the use of AI algorithms in health care claim evaluations, define such algorithms to subject them to current laws and regulations related to clinical evidence, and require specialized health care professionals that review claims and rely upon initial AI algorithms to document their review of the records and data prior to their individualized documented decision to deny a claim. Read more
“In the Town of McCandless, more than $1.6 million will make our roads safer for the residents and all those driving through the town,” Venkat said. “These grants will assist with improving signal equipment along the town’s roads.” Read more
“Expanding diversity within the supply chain not only improves economic possibilities, but it also has the ability to enhance the quality of life within our communities,” said Rep. Aerion Abney, who represents a portion of Allegheny County and hosted the hearing. “If we embrace diversity in the supply chain, what we are really embracing is a stronger supply chain less susceptible to disruptions and a more secure economic future.” 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
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
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
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