PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15 – More than $1.8 million in grants has been awarded to two area organizations through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, state Rep. Jessica Benham, D-Allegheny, announced today. Benham praised both awards, saying the funds will enhance community safety initiatives and increase access to essential victim services throughout the region. Funds were awarded as follows: $1.8 million to the Center for Victims , which provides critical support and services to victims of all crimes, including-domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, child sexual assault and physical abuse, elder abuse, homicide, burglary, and incidents of mass violence. $10,000 for security enhancement projects at the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corp. , a community organization focusing on racial and economic equity in the area. More information on PCCD grants can be found here . Read more
Kenyatta, Benham will lead the caucus in 2023-24 session Read more
CORAOPOLIS, Oct. 31 – Friends of Pittsburgh Professional Soccer secured $2 million in state funding for the next phase of development for the Sports and Athletic Complex at Montour Junction, announced state Rep. Anita Kulik, D-Allegheny. “It has been a long road in transforming Montour Junction from a former railyard into a premier place for young athletes and the community to access athletic fields for various sports,” Kulik said. “The state funding awarded today will help bridge the gap as the project enters its fourth phase and connect it with the previous phases of development.” Kulik said the project includes the construction of seven outdoor soccer fields and amenities, including bleachers, a concession stand, restrooms and parking areas. The fourth phase of development also includes the Allegheny Health Network Sports Medicine facility. Funding for Montour Junction is part of a package of $40 million in grants from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Today’s RACP funding is in addition to the $5.25 million approved last week for the Josh Gibson Foundation, Welly LLC and the Riverfront Industrial Development. Read more
Urges legislature to pass PA Fairness Act Read more
“Since the Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the health care landscape in Pennsylvania has changed significantly and become more complex,” Frankel said. “As we have heard during previous hearings and again today, restrictions on health care never makes a country healthier and it creates a number of underlying problems for residents as well as our health care providers.” Read more
“I wanted to hear from numerous experts on what the development of the hydrogen hub would mean for western Pennsylvania,” state Rep. Nick Pisciottano said. “Our state has long been a leader in energy production and industry, and I wanted to gather leaders with concerns and vested interests in this project under one roof to hear about what this could mean for PA’s economy, businesses and environment.” Read more
“I wanted to host this hearing because I wanted to be a part of a conversation with experts to learn about fusion, and – more importantly – understand how Pennsylvania industries could expand with fusion,” state Rep. Emily Kinkead said. “Fusion has the potential to be a clean, sustainable option more closely aligned with renewable energy that could not only be the future for electrical power but also manufacturing and job creation in PA and the U.S.” Read more
Funding awarded through state Green Light-Go program Read more
AMBRIDGE, July 14 – Nearly $1.4 million awarded to build and modernize Pennsylvania’s registered apprenticeship system will bring greater career opportunities to Beaver County, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding will give local students and job seekers a leg up in securing good-paying jobs by connecting them with trusted work partners. “Students and job seekers who go through pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs benefit from early exposure to career information, real-life experience with trusted local employers, and a steadier path to family sustaining jobs in key trades,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to expand all of those opportunities right here in Beaver County.” Matzie said the funding includes: $450,000 to KML Carpenters Apprenticeship and Training Fund to expand its Carpenters Apprentice Readiness Program to 100 pre-apprentices. $400,000 to the Pittsburgh A. Philip Randolph Institute Education Fund for the Breaking the Chains of Poverty program, which trains minorities and women for apprenticeships and entry-level jobs in the construction, manufacturing, energy and related industries. The fund plans to train a minimum of 64 students during the grant period and place a minimum of 48. $324,500 to Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Inc. for a Careers in Skilled Read more
HARRISBURG, July 8 -- State Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, issued the following statement after casting a “yes” vote for the state budget bill: “Budgets are never easy. We live in a big Commonwealth with many diverse needs. Finding common ground is often difficult. But there were numerous positives, especially to Beaver County, that made it easy to support. “Substantial increases for schools, libraries and community colleges stand out, along with fulfilling our commitments to our state and state-related universities. “Two important areas of particular concern – school safety and mental health awareness/treatment – received large increases, which should help make our schools and communities a bit safer. “Further, my legislation requiring the full use of LIHEAP funding was passed as part of the overall budget package, which will authorize the release of tens of millions of additional dollars to help people pay their utility bills this winter. “At the end of the day, this budget makes a substantial investment in our children and workforce, helps struggling families and funds the core functions of state government, all without raising a tax or fee. For me, that’s always a win, and an easy ‘yes’ vote.” The bill has passed the General Assembly and is now headed for the governor’s desk. Read more
Rather than vote, Republican use procedure to delay action on gun bills Read more
Democratic lawmakers file petitions to force votes on gun bills despite entrenched Republican obstructionism Read more
Vows to continue to fight for abortion access in PA Read more
State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, took office at the state Capitol today to begin his first term representing the 19th Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – Governor Tom Wolf today called on lawmakers to support legislation drafted by state Reps. Rob Matzie and Kevin Boyle that would invest $2 million to help Ukrainian refugees arriving in Pennsylvania. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the soon-to-be-introduced legislation would allow the commonwealth to fast-track aid to thousands needing it immediately. “America defends freedom. We have always welcomed those fleeing danger and oppression,” Matzie said. “Pennsylvania has the second-largest population of people with Ukrainian ancestry in the U.S. My district alone has three communities – Ambridge, Baden and Harmony – in the top 20% of folks whose families originally came from Ukraine. We have several Ukrainian churches. This is not some crisis affecting strangers on the nightly news. These are our neighbors’ families. This is local. This is real. This is touching our communities. “The $2 million will get immediate aid flowing to these displaced families. We will be able to help them with housing, food, and clothing, and work with relief organizations to set up longer-term support.” Pennsylvania Democratic House Finance Committee Chair Kevin Boyle said, “Many thanks to my colleague Representative Matzie for helping put this legislation together; I’ll be advocating that it’s heard in committee, but it’s ultimately up to the majority at this point how quickly we can get Read more
Kinkead specified that the new legislation would designate the portion of U.S. Route 19 between Ivory Avenue and Cemetery Lane in Ross Township, the area where Moses lost his life, as the Chief Vernon Moses Memorial Highway. Read more
Funding can be used for equipment, training, other expenses Read more
AMBRIDGE, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Rob Matzie is urging homeowners who are struggling with mortgage payments to see if they qualify for assistance under a new state program. Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which opened for applications this week, is designed to help homeowners facing unforeseen financial hardships because of the pandemic. “Housing expenses take the largest bite out of a family’s budget, and for many homeowners still feeling the effects of the pandemic, meeting a monthly mortgage payment may be much more difficult than it used to be,” Matzie said. “I urge anyone who is struggling with those payments to see if they qualify for the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund, which can help prevent delinquency, default or foreclosure.” Matzie said to that to qualify, a homeowner must: own and occupy the Pennsylvania property as their primary home. have experienced financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before that date and continued afterward). have a household income equal to or less than 150% of area median income ($89,050 for a family of one, $101,800 for a family of two, and $127,200 for a family of four). have a first mortgage that is a conforming loan and meets the federal Read more
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Grants will help fund library renovations, blight removal, flood control among other projects Read more
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