“With this legislation, we have the opportunity to address the maternal health care crisis, starting with one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality: hypertension,” Mayes said. “By expanding Medicaid coverage of blood pressure monitors, pregnant or postpartum enrollees may detect high blood pressure and receive treatment before it’s too late. When left untreated, women’s risk of cardiovascular disease increases. This legislation will improve maternal health outcomes, Black maternal health, and women’s health care overall.” Read more
“This funding will lay the groundwork for a riverfront park that will make fishing and boating more accessible for our neighbors in Cheswick and Tarentum, who currently must rely on the boat launch at Bull Creek Run,” Steele said. “As an advocate for outdoor recreation and conservation, I’m thankful to the commission for working with me to secure this funding, which will create more opportunities for residents and tourists to enjoy our beautiful Allegheny River.” Read more
“Speaker McClinton and I launched the Pennsylvania CROWN Act Coalition, inspired by the national CROWN Act Coalition, to stand together to create a world that respects natural hair and enact a statewide law to ban discrimination of how our hair naturally grows out of our head,” Mayes said. “When people face hair discrimination in the workplace like here in Pittsburgh in the case of Asani Porch who has a lawsuit against Aramark for hair discrimination, in school settings like Darryl George in Texas and public accommodations, it negatively affects their health. We must pass the CROWN Act to ensure that natural hair, hair styles and hair texture are respected in our commonwealth.” Read more
The Allegheny County Board of Health is addressing the relationship between landlords and tenants. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 8 – With more Pennsylvania drivers turning to electric vehicles, state Rep. Rob Matzie said the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee met Wednesday for an informational hearing on the state’s EV infrastructure. Matzie, who is majority chairman, said the committee heard testimony from stakeholders and discussed key issues such as the role public utilities will play, ratepayer protections, public demand and expectations for EV charging and other issues that will guide development of policy and legislation. “Electric vehicle infrastructure is a hot topic, with federal money pouring in to help expand that infrastructure,” Matzie said. “Today, we heard from stakeholders regarding what kind of legislative guidance is needed and how things are progressing. “We know utilities must have long-term plans in place to ensure that the needed infrastructure is ready, and I anticipate we’ll be having more conversations about those plans. Right now, we want to make sure we’re having conversations with all the stakeholders to make sure PA does it right.” Matzie added that Pennsylvania’s energy independence and ability to maintain a diverse energy portfolio will remain a central part of the dialogue. “I have said many times how important the grid is and how important it Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – The Pennsylvania House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee heard testimony Tuesday about legislation that would facilitate the use of mechanical insulation by electric distribution companies, Majority Chairman Rob Matzie announced. Matzie said H.B. 491 clarifies that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission may not disapprove an EDC’s required energy efficiency and conservation plan solely because it contains mechanical insulation. “Mechanical insulation is a key component when you’re talking about energy conservation,” Matzie said. “This is a fairly simple bill that would create an opportunity to expand the use of mechanical insulation, and we think we’re finally in a position to get it across the finish line.” At the hearing, Jim Cassidy, business manager for the Insulators Union Local No. 2, testified that mechanical insulation – which is used to insulate pipes, equipment, machinery and industrial processes – provides cost savings, prevents burns, inhibits mold growth that causes sick buildings and keeps equipment running longer. Act 129 of 2008 requires electric distribution companies to complete an energy efficiency and conservation plan that is approved by the PUC. Although the commission does not prohibit the use of mechanical insulation, the Read more
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 29 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Aerion Abney, both D-Allegheny, will hold a landlord and tenant legal rights panel on Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tripoli Street Community Center . “Fair and equitable housing is a right every neighbor should be able to acquire,” Powell said. “I’m looking forward to having a productive conversation with renters and property managers about their rights under the law.” “Fostering strong professional relationships between landlords and tenants is an important aspect when it comes to limiting displacement,” Abney added. “Laying out the legal rights of both parties with the citizens I represent will help accomplish that goal.” Local magistrates will also be present to provide additional information. Tripoli Street Community Center is located at 816 Tripoli St. , Pittsburgh 15212. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Education: Tutoring Program for Adults Grant Who May Apply: School districts, intermediate units, area career and technical centers/vocational-technical schools, community colleges, literacy councils, local libraries, community-based organizations, any other educational entity recognized by the Secretary of education for providing appropriate and effective adult or family literacy programs. Use: Funds may be used to provide adult literacy education for eligible adults, family literacy education for eligible parents and children, training for volunteer adult literacy education instructors, and administration, support services for learns, and outreach activities. Funds: $1.084 million in funds is expected to be awarded. Application Deadline: March 20, 2024 More information: PDE Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Assessing Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Who May Apply: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, or for-profit institutions. Organizations must have experience, expertise, and credibility to conduct key project deliverables associated with this funding announcement. Use: To pay for expenses directly related to the activities, management and coordination of the project, to provide stipends/compensation for individuals contributing to qualitative research activities, for other costs necessary for project implementation. Funds: Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 26 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has signed on as the sponsor of a bill that would utilize tax increment financing dollars for keeping individuals and families in their homes in TIF-designated districts. The legislation, H.B. 1064 , would update the Tax Increment Financing Act and allow designated districts to fund affordable housing, foreclosure and rental assistance, and workforce programs with TIF dollars. The bill would also increase the lifespan of TIF districts from 20 to 25 years and convert more of such collected monies into projects aimed at the measures outlined above. “TIFs have been an integral component of revitalizing economically distressed areas. Funding for anti-displacement activities, however, have never been allowable costs under prior TIF guidelines,” Powell said. “While we’ve seen areas rebound as a result of this program, long-time neighborhood residents have lost their homes because of resulting increases in property values and taxes. My amendment aims to prevent those consequences in future TIF districts. “These are commonsense changes to the program that should garner bipartisan support,” Powell continued. “From speaking with residents, community organizations and partners in the public and private sectors, we all want to see our region thrive. This legislation would make TIF districts more effective and equitable.” House Bill 1064 was originally Read more
The growing shortage of health care providers could be helped with a change in state law, says one group. Read more
State grants fund digital literacy, transportation resources Read more
“In the U.S., emergency physicians treat approximately 3.4 million patients for allergic reactions to food,” Venkat said. “I introduced this legislation after speaking to my constituent, Kathy Briden, whose son Matthew died after accidentally being exposed to peanuts while eating at a restaurant. As an emergency physician, I treated patients experiencing allergic reactions, and we must improve food safety at restaurants to prevent deaths such as Matthew’s.” Read more
Read more
State grants fund regional emergency services Read more
"The safety of our community and our law enforcement officers remains a top priority, and this funding underscores the state's commitment to providing the necessary resources and tools for the Monroeville Police Department to continue protecting the community," Markosek said. Read more
“This funding ensures emergency responders will have the resources needed to respond to emergencies,” Steele said. “These funds are especially important, considering there is a shortage of firefighters and EMS providers. I will continue to advocate for funding to provide assistance to emergency responders so that our communities remain safe.” Read more
BRADDOCK, Feb. 16 – New resources are coming to fire and ambulance companies in the 34 th Legislative District, thanks to $141,283 in grant funding from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury announced today. Salisbury, D-Allegheny, said the grants – awarded under the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program – will help get needed resources to local departments. “Our fire and EMS companies face constant challenges, from tight budgets that make it tough to meet equipment, maintenance and other operating expenses to ongoing recruitment and retention issues,” Salisbury said. “Any additional funding we can secure can ease some of those administrative burdens and, most importantly, help ensure that our first responders have the equipment and training they need to stay as safe as possible.” Salisbury said the funding includes: Churchill Volunteer Fire Company (fire) – $13,256. Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $15,000. Edgewood Volunteer Fire Department (EMS) – $5,000. Forest Hills Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $16,952. North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department Inc. (fire) – $20,000. Rivers Edge VFD (fire) – $26,645. Swissvale Fire Department (fire) – $15,000. Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department (fire) – $14,812. Wilkins Township Volunteer Fire Company No. Read more
L&I grants fund pre-apprenticeships, workforce diversity programs Read more
“By allocating these grants, we ensure that our EMS providers and firefighters have the ability to operate,” Venkat said. “Our EMS providers and firefighters work to save lives, and this funding will allow them to continue their crucial work.” Read more
DCNR grant money to study new species, support biodiversity Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.