Bipartisan bill to expand tuition waver program headed for House chamber vote Read more
HARRISBURG, March 31 – State Reps. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny; Izzy Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster; and Malcom Kenyatta, D-Phila., have introduced legislation (H.B. 575) to protect minors from conversion therapy. “There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that tells us efforts to change an individual’s sexual identity through so-called ‘therapy’ causes serious harm to their mental health,” said state Benham, who co-chairs the PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. “It is shameful that in 2023 Pennsylvania still allows the abhorrent practice known as conversion therapy to occur, and I am looking forward to outlawing it to protect and affirm LGBTQ+ youth across our Commonwealth.” “Conversion therapy is anti-gay bias masquerading as science,” said Smith-Wade-El. “This abusive practice has caused immense harm on patients, including depression, trauma, drug use, homelessness and suicide. It reinforces the idea that there is something psychologically wrong with LGBTQ people because of their sexual identity. It’s long past time that PA joins 20 other states and the District of Columbia in banning this abhorrent practice to protect the physical and psychological well-being of LGBTQ minors.” The legislation, the Protection of Minors from Conversion Therapy Act, seeks to address harms associated with conversion therapy by prohibiting a mental health professional from engaging in this archaic treatment with an Read more
HARRISBURG, March 30 – Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, introduced two bills today which would help small businesses find their footing and establish a central collection of data for defendants in the state justice system. A modernization and recapitalization of the Small Business Incubators Act, House Bill 744, formerly HB 2839, would provide up to $20 million in grants and loans for small businesses in Pennsylvania. These funds could be used to cover startup and overhead costs. Workers and investments also would be protected in Abney’s bill because grant recipients who leave the commonwealth would be required to repay those funds awarded to them in full. “Successful, local businesses help grow our economy and create good jobs everywhere,” Abney said. “A financial jumpstart to help them get established should encourage entrepreneurship." House Bill 743, formerly HB 2760, would require the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency , in collaboration with our courts, police departments and other criminal justice agencies, to collect, record and analyze data related to the experiences of defendants within the justice system. This data would then be compiled and reported to the General Assembly and be made available to the public. New Jersey enacted a similar law three years ago, and other states have introduced similar proposals as well. “It’s Pennsylvania’s turn to do everything in our power to improve Read more
Argues $15 million could alleviate up to $1.5 billion in medical debt. Read more
Condemns statement as callous to hungry Pennsylvanians Read more
Would provide tax credit to those who serve. Read more
Will use his legislative position to work toward safer communities. Read more
Will work across the aisle to ensure best outcomes for her community. Read more
“It’s time for Pennsylvania to grow a spine and support the thousands of seniors who did everything right, dedicated their lives to their communities and paid their fair share, yet now are struggling to make ends meet,” House Majority Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro added. “Now in their golden years, former public employees and state workers have not received a cost-of-living adjustment since 2002-03, when a gallon of gasoline cost less than $1.70. It’s more important now than ever to attract and retain teachers, and we cannot expect to attract more teachers without first addressing pensions and salaries.” Read more
Will work through nuance to better the lives of all Pennsylvanians. Read more
Projects include blight remediation, road improvements, STEAM academy Read more
Two local projects have been awarded a combined $1,181,346 in state grants, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, announced today. Read more
Will improve two public spaces in the City of Pittsburgh. Read more
“The right to counsel is a fundamental right, essential to a fair trial and due process of law,” said Kinkead. “Our public defenders ensure that our criminal justice system works as it is supposed to – with quality representation on both sides – but that only happens if the government does its part in properly funding our public defense. Allegheny County is the second most populous county in the state, with a criminal caseload to match, and yet until very recently had some of the lowest paid public defenders in our Commonwealth because our state has shifted the burden of paying for this constitutional right to our counties for far too long.” Read more
Representative Mandy Steele announced today that municipalities throughout House District 33 will receive $2,164,103 in Local Share Account (LSA) grant funding. Read more
PITTSBURGH, PA – Today, state Rep. Joe McAndrew, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, announced $648,625 in grant funding across the Municipalities of Penn Hills, Oakmont, Verona and Plum in Multimodal Transportation Fund grants and Statewide Local Share Account grant opportunities created through gaming revenue. “The safety of our constituents is vital, and I’m proud to help support a strong local economy,” said McAndrew. “I appreciate working with Senator Costa in supporting the region with these crucial funds.” “All of us deserve to travel safely on our streets and live in strong, sound communities,” said Costa. “The grant funding we are announcing today will ensure that our public spaces, nonprofits, streets, intersections and neighborhoods have the resources they need to repair what’s broken and expand what’s working. I’m so proud of all the awardees and look forward to seeing the fruits of their labor down the line.” Grants awarded locally included: Oakmont Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $100,000 for additional space for their fire department garage, construction of an addition to extend the length of the garage to house the new ladder fire engine. Municipality of Penn Hills was awarded $70,000 for design of the VOPP Segment 2 Milltown Park Trail extension located in Penn Hills, including hiring an engineer to complete the design, engineering, Read more
Will improve multiple projects across the community. Read more
Will improve pedestrian safety and make upgrades to roadways. Read more
Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Aerion Abney are proud to announce $775,973 in grant funding within their legislative districts in Multimodal Transportation Fund Grants and Statewide Local Share Account Grants through the Commonwealth Financing Authority and Department of Economic and Community Development Read more
PITTSBURGH, March 16 – State Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, announced today that nearly $920,000 in state Local Share Account grants is being awarded to multiple local organizations. “These grants are essential sustainment, infrastructure and, most importantly, personal investments in the people and communities I represent,” Abney said. “I’m incredibly thankful to Senator Wayne Fontana for his vital collaboration in securing these funds.” Beneficiaries of the grants are: Amachi Pittsburgh: $42,000 to purchase front and back door cameras with cloud-based monitoring, a keyless entry system, a video intercom system, and 14 locked storage cabinets. The Amachi office, located in the lower Hill District of Pittsburgh, offers programs and services to families impacted by parental incarceration. Bethlehem Haven: $425,000 to renovate a women's shelter located at 1410 Fifth Ave. by reconfiguring the living spaces so each of the 26 women can have their own independent living space in a single occupancy unit. City of Pittsburgh: $250,000 to install a solar energy system on the Fourth Division Maintenance Facility upon completion of a new building for the facility. Pittsburgh Housing Development Corp.: $200,000 to demolish six homes in three of PHDC's target investment neighborhoods. The demolition process is termed deconstruction due to the methods used, which include recovering, reusing and recycling Read more
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