Bill would require insurance, programs to cover inspections and well visits Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, called for increasing outreach and expanding public food resources at a legislative lunch and learn hosted by the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Coalition at the state Capitol today. “Inflating food prices over the past year, coupled with the end of federal pandemic programs, will be devastating for many low-income families in the Commonwealth,” said Kinkead. “Whether it’s connecting people to community food banks or state programs like the Senior Food Box, we need to do more to ensure food insecure Pennsylvanians can pay their grocery bills and access adequate nutrition.” According to the PHAC, more than 300,000 Pennsylvania seniors are eligible for the existing Pennsylvania Senior Food Box , but only about 35,000 are enrolled to receive it this year. Kinkead said spreading awareness about the underutilized program could be one way to provide relief to the many Pennsylvanians heading toward a “hunger cliff.” Kinkead emphasized more than 1.8 million Pennsylvanians are enrolled in SNAP and that beneficiary households are expected to receive about $180 less per month, expressing concern that existing programs and resources may be overwhelmed by the increased demand. “Hunger doesn’t always look like a person holding a cardboard sign; it often looks like a parent working full-time on minimum wage or a young student becoming disruptive in class because they Read more
New state funding of $750,000 to the Northland Public Library Authority in McCandless will help rehabilitate parts of the structure providing more safety to people who visit, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 24 – A state grant of $750,000 has been awarded to Northland Public Library Authority, which serves residents of the 20th Legislative District, state Rep. Emily Kinkead announced today. “Libraries make knowledge accessible to everyone,” said Kinkead. “Because they are free to access, they grant low-income families in every community entry to a wealth of educational resources, as well as tools to access government programs and apply for jobs. Tax dollars invested in public libraries pay dividends by expanding opportunities for everyone, and I will continue advocating for investments from the state to help our libraries grow so that they can continue to help our communities thrive.” The grants pay up to 50% of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public libraries. Examples of fundable projects include but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, roof improvements, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction. More than $4 million was awarded to 21 public libraries across the state through this round of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Joe McAndrew, D-Allegheny, took the oath of office as PA’s 32 nd Legislative District representative today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “I am excited to be sworn in today to represent my neighbors in the 32 nd Legislative District,” McAndrew said. “Our communities and commonwealth face a lot of challenges, but I am confident that I can work with my fellow legislators to enact policies that not only support our communities but also create the environment we need to build a better Pennsylvania for everyone.” McAndrew previously served as the Allegheny County Democratic Committee’s executive director and worked with Congressman Chris Deluzio. He also brings with him the experience of working in Harrisburg, as he served on former Democratic House Minority Leader Frank Dermody’s team from 2012-14. Key issues McAndrew plans to focus on include public safety, public transportation, raising the minimum wage, supporting strong unions, providing resources for seniors, investing in renewable energy, ending gun violence, protecting women’s reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and fighting for equitable school funding. Photos of today’s swearing-in can be found here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – Abigail Salisbury , D-Allegheny, took the oath of office as PA’s 34 th Legislative District representative today at the state Capitol in Harrisburg. “I want to thank my neighbors for the enormous trust they have placed in me to be their voice in Harrisburg,” Salisbury said. “I feel deeply honored, and I pledge to do my very best to represent our communities in Harrisburg, and to fight for the smart, progressive policies we need to build a better Commonwealth – one that works for all Pennsylvania.” Salisbury has spent her career in legal service. Her background includes: working on human rights and microfinance issues in Kosovo, Senegal and Ethiopia. teaching First Amendment law to undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh. establishing a law practice to provide nonprofits and small business with more affordable legal services. serving as executive director of JURIST.org . Salisbury served for five years on Swissvale’s Borough Council and was its president for two years. Key issues Salisbury said she plans to focus on include improving infrastructure, standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, fostering small businesses, supporting public schools and preserving the environment. Photos from today’s swearing-in can be found here . Read more
Group meets at Avonworth High School to discuss federal Inflation Reduction Act Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, presented a $2.5 million check to the Allegheny YMCA today alongside Mayor Ed Gainey, State Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Fontana, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “This investment from the state will go a long way to improving the social fabric and quality of life for so many residents,” Abney said. “Thank you to all my colleagues for your leadership.” The funds will be utilized for a number of renovations to the 96-year-old facility, including to its pool, kitchen, locker rooms, meetings rooms and utility systems and are made possible by the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program . Read more
"This is an awesome and vibrant neighborhood, and we need some help from you guys to make it to continue to be so," Lou Kroeck of the South Side Chamber of Commerce said. Read more
State Rep. Jessica Benham hosted the gathering and says the state is investing in solving the issues, like the PennDOT project in the East Carson corridor and $8 million towards preventing youth violence. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 8 – Area fire and EMS companies were recently awarded over $2.5 million through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program , members of the state House Allegheny County Democratic Delegation announced today. “Allegheny County is home to some of the most dedicated first responders in the commonwealth and many of them are volunteers,” said state Rep. Nick Pisciottano, who chairs the delegation. “Our delegation is grateful to help emergency service companies throughout our region secure grants like these, which play an essential role in funding equipment, training, facility upgrades, and everything else our local heroes need to keep our communities safe.” Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, fire companies were permitted to apply for construction savings accounts for the purposes of new facility construction. The grant program is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner and makes funding available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. All fire companies, emergency medical service and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program. A complete list of the $31 million awarded to 2,336 applicants across the state in this round of grant funding is available here . Read more
“Those of us who live here know the challenges that we have faced, recently and stretching into the past, and I know – from my conversations with my colleagues – that many of these challenges are shared by other communities throughout Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Jess Benham said. Read more
Furthering his promise to prioritize investing in first responders, state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-Allegheny, announced today that $143,233.27 in state grants have been awarded to multiple fire departments and EMS agencies serving McCandless, Franklin Park, Ohio Township, Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights and Hampton Township. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 6 – The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens provided members of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee with a hands-on tour and discussion on the process needed and work being done to make this historic landmark a green facility designed with an emphasis on reducing harm – including energy efficient conservatories. “The Phipps Conservatory is an impressive resource for the entire region and state, featuring a tropical forest and indoor gardens as well as resources to educate visitors on cultural topics,” tour and roundtable co-host state Rep. Mandy Steele said. “One of the most impressive spots on the grounds remains the important work being done at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, where the energy needed for the building is produced on-site and water is reused in an environmentally sustainable setting.” Constructed in 1893, the gardens were a gift to the city by Pittsburgh steel magnate Henry Phipps. Located in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is city-owned but managed by a nonprofit organization. The National Register of Historic Places added the conservatory in 1976. “I’m always proud to introduce colleagues and friends to some of the great resources located in the heart of my legislative district,” co-host Rep. Dan Frankel said. “Phipps has been a leader in green innovation, opting to make changes 20 years ago that some Read more
MT. OLIVER, Feb. 6 – Nearly $63,000 has been awarded to local fire and EMS companies through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program , state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, announced today. “We are very fortunate to have incredibly hard-working first responders in the 36th Legislative District,” said Benham. “I’ll continue fighting for state grant funding to train and equip our courageous firefighters and EMS workers to ensure they have the best tools to serve our neighbors.” The following local funding was included among $2.5 million in FCEMSG grants awarded in Allegheny County: $10,000 to Brentwood EMS. $13,000 to Brentwood Volunteer Fire Co. $14,800 to Mt. Oliver Hook and Ladder Co. $15,000 to Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. $10,000 to Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (EMS). Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, education and public outreach, and recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, fire companies were permitted to apply for constructions savings accounts for the purposes of new facility construction. The FCEMSG is administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner and makes an annual grant program available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. All fire companies, emergency medical service and volunteer rescue squads are eligible to apply for this annual grant program. Read more
“The pandemic served as a wakeup call for many workers,” said Kinkead, who co-hosted the roundtable. “They saw employers demanding more work without any financial incentives, and this happened in some instances while zero safety precautions had been offered or even considered to protect the health of workers. I’m excited to report, however, that in the wake of these trying circumstances, workers are realizing their true bargaining power and the true benefits of organized labor.” Read more
Funding will help police, borough and local communities Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 2 – State Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr., R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, announced today that he will once again serve as co-chair of the Legislative Hunger Caucus and will be joined by Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Allegheny, as the House co-chair for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. “I’m excited to welcome Representative Kinkead as caucus co-chair this session and look forward to another successful growing season in our hunger garden, which harvested over 700 pounds of produce last season,” said Vogel. “I also hope to continue our momentum in September with the annual food drive, when we recognize Hunger Action Month across the state and highlight the critical importance of food banks in our communities.” “Hunger is perhaps the least partisan issue Pennsylvanians face,” said Kinkead. “Despite our state’s reputation as a world leader in food production and processing, data shows that over 1.1 million of our state residents struggle with food insecurity in both rural and urban communities. If elected officials at all levels work together and prioritize this issue, I believe we can end hunger in Pennsylvania.” The Hunger Caucus was founded in 2008 by former state Sen. Mike Brubaker, R-Chester/Lancaster, with the goal of educating legislators on food insecurity issues, improving access to nutrition programs and combating hunger across the state. In 2010, the Hunger Caucus established the Capitol Hunger Read more
“While the pandemic did not cause these issues, it crystalized the problem in a way where the public became acutely aware of its importance,” said Rep. Venkat, who is an emergency physician and the first physician to serve in PA's General Assembly in about 60 year. “Unfortunately, no silver bullet – or magical solution – exists to fix this complicated problem. As we saw when we peeled back layers of the issue today, addressing one issue often calls for the need to find a solution to several more related issues." Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 23 – Seeking to ease the burden of medical debt on working families, a plan to create the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Repayment Program was unveiled today by state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Nick Pisciottano, both D-Allegheny; Bridget Kosierowski, D-Lackawanna; and Tarik Khan and Donna Bullock, both D-Phila. “As a physician, I have seen firsthand how problems with our nation’s healthcare system – including medical debt – have hurt families and prevented people from getting the care they need,” said Venkat, the first physician to serve in the General Assembly in nearly 60 years. “While there are many issues that we need to address, including the systemic problems that lead to spiraling medical debt, this bill is an important first step toward helping people across Pennsylvania get the assistance and the care they need – and not phone calls from collection agencies.” “When my son was diagnosed with childhood leukemia, the last thing I wanted to worry about was the stress of medical costs. No family in Pennsylvania should ever need to think twice before seeking care for chronic or other serious conditions for fear of going into medical debt,” Kosierowski said. “We must do whatever we can at the state level to ensure that families don’t need to choose between going to the doctor or putting food on their table or buying clothes for their children.” The lawmakers likened the newly Read more
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