PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19 – State Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny, announced more than $3.1 million in state grants to assist Pittsburgh Musical Theater and sewer system projects in four local communities. The following grants were awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through three grant programs. Details of grant recipients and projects are as follows: PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program : $40,020 to the Pittsburgh Musical Theater to offset operating costs to assist in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. H20 PA Program grants : $2.3 million to Crafton Borough for a storm sewer separation project. $400,000 to Scott Township for the replacement of storm sewer piping along Great Oak Drive, Sturdy Oak Drive, Orchardview Drive, Shady Knoll Drive and Green Oak Drive. PA Small Water and Sewer program : $223,400 to Rosslyn Farms Borough for the installation of a new storm sewer. $200,000 to Thornburg Borough for the rehabilitation of a sanitary sewer system. “These dollars that come back to the community are part of local economic stimulus and recovery programs that are vital to our communities,” Deasy said. “These investments are some of the most important that we make to help local projects move forward.” The CFA is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development, established in 2004 to administer Pennsylvania’s economic stimulus packages. Read more
MONROEVILLE, Dec. 19 – More than $3.4 million in state funding will support upgrades for eight water and sewer projects within the 25 th Legislative District, announced state Rep. Brandon Markosek. “The grants awarded today will help to keep critical infrastructure up to date, so that folks who live in these areas continue to have safe drinking water and reliable, working sewer systems,” said Markosek, D-Allegheny. “I am pleased that the state recognized how important these projects are and how they will help to improve the health and well-being of these communities.” The following projects were awarded funding: $187,000 to the Monroeville Municipal Authority to rehabilitate the East Thompson Run Sanitary Sewer system. $300,000 to Wall Borough to replace rusted metal pipes in the Valley Avenue culvert. $450,000 to the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority for the removal and replacement of an asbestos concrete waterline from the East McKeesport water line. $100,000 to East McKeesport for the Ice Plant Hill groundwater and stormwater remediation project. $265,323 to North Versailles Township Sanitary Authority for sanitary sewer upgrades along Woodland Street. $300,000 to Plum Borough Municipal Authority for a sanitary sewer replacement along Ohiopyle Drive. $889,778 to the Monroeville Municipal Authority for a sanitary sewer system rehabilitation project. $916,043 to the Plum Borough Municipal Authority for a Read more
PITTSBURGH, PA – December 19, 2023 –Today, Senator Jay Costa and Representative Joe McAndrew announce $4,657,528 in H2O Grants and Small Water and Sewer Grants benefitting their districts. “I am extremely proud to be delivering this grant funding to crucial infrastructure projects that deliver clean drinking water to the people who call our district home,” said Senator Costa. “These dollars will help ensure that our water systems keep us safe, healthy and clean. I look forward to continuing to fund projects that improve the lives of our working families.” “Across the board, our water/sewage rates are going up. I hope the money brought back through these efforts will stabilize these rates now and in the future,” said Representative McAndrew. “These projects are really forward thinking, for example the Municipality of Penn Hills will be using their funds for a new data management system called SCADA that will allow for systems optimization, safety enhancements, reduce travel and wait time for operations and controls, and better monitoring/prevention of overflow events.” H2O Grant Recipients: Oakmont Water Authority was awarded $1,303,316 to assist in the upgrade of the chlorine disinfection system located in Oakmont Borough, Allegheny County. The Municipality of Penn Hills was awarded $1,100,000 to replace the SCADA system in 8 locations throughout the sanitary sewer system located in Read more
Venkat partnered with Sens. Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny, and Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, to secure funding for Ohio Township and Ben Avon Heights Borough and Emsworth Borough, respectively. He also partnered with Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, and Reps. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny, and Rob Mercuri, R-Allegheny, to secure funding for the Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority, serving multiple townships in Allegheny County, including Hampton Township. Read more
“Since 2009, I worked as an advocate for reproductive health, rights, and justice to reform our criminal justice system and advance Black maternal health by providing protections for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women,” Mayes said. “This legislation will ensure pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women have access to health care and experience some of the most basic forms of dignity while serving their sentence. Most women are incarcerated for crimes of survival, in defense against domestic, intimate partner, and sexual violence. Now, the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act will provide trauma-informed care as part of the rehabilitation process in our state prisons.” Read more
In response to the announcement of U.S. Steel’s pending sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano released the following statement: Read more
Rep. Lindsey Powell (D-Allegheny) introduced a bill this week to bar employers from suspending health care coverage for striking workers, citing the “disastrous effects” discontinuing coverage could have on employees and their families. Read more
PCCD grants for security upgrades at nonprofits, houses of worship Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 14 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, joined dozens of state lawmakers from across the country at the White House for a state legislative meeting on gun violence prevention. The meeting, hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, included six key actions to help reduce gun violence at the state level: Establishing statewide offices dedicated to gun violence prevention. Investing in evidence-based solutions. Strengthening support for survivors. Implementing responsible gun ownership practices. Enhancing background checks. Establishing industry accountability and standards. “All Pennsylvanians deserve to feel safe in their communities, whether it be at home, school, work, a place of worship or at public gatherings,” Powell said. “I believe that it is the responsibility of the state legislature to protect the rights of our neighbors – the right to live without the fear and trauma of gun violence – and I am committed to commonsense policies to achieve that vision.” The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed two bills this year that are part of The Common Agenda to End Gun Violence package. They would create extreme risk protection orders and enact universal background checks . A bill to require the reporting of lost and stolen firearms failed to pass the House, while an additional bill to require guns to be safely stored in homes has not come up for a vote. Community Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 13 – Ten organizations in the 23 rd Legislative District are receiving combined grant funding of $737,310 to shore up security, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the funding – awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – will ensure the facilities have the security equipment, technology and upgrades needed to ensure visitors’ safety. “Our sanctuaries and schools should be places of peace and reflection, but we know from bitter experience that threats and violence can shatter that tranquility and endanger congregants and other visitors,” Frankel said. “This new funding will help ensure that residents who gather in these beloved community spaces enjoy the safety and peace of mind they deserve.” Frankel said the funding includes the following organizations and amounts: Bnai Emunoh Chabad, Inc. – $75,000. Community Day School – $25,000. Congregation Kether Torah – $25,000. Congregation Poale Zedeck – $150,000. Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh – $111,500. Lubavitch Center – $25,000. Rodef Shalom Congregation – $25,810. The Jewish Spark – $75,000. Tree of Life, Inc. – $150,000. Yeshivath Achei Tmimim of Pittsburgh – $75,000. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 13 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a bill that would ensure Pennsylvania workers do not lose health care coverage while on strike. Powell’s legislation, H.B. 1911 , would prohibit employers in Pennsylvania from denying health care benefits to workers who are on strike and is co-sponsored by PA House Majority Whip Dan Miller, D-Allegheny. Nearly 159 million workers depend on health care coverage through their employers, according to a KFF survey from last year . As a result, employees often end up paying an annual average of more than $7,700 for single coverage and $22,000 for family coverage through COBRA during a strike’s duration. “Compelling employees to choose between job security and safeguarding their well-being and that of their families is a dire proposition,” Powell said. “My bill keeps essential health coverage in place until the employer and employees reach a mutual compromise.” “Stripping health care from workers who exercise their rights to collectively bargain places a tremendous burden on working families, especially those with children,” Miller added. “I want to thank Representative Powell for introducing this legislation, which along with other bills we have passed this year , aim to level the playing field between workers and large corporations so that workers can exercise their rights and have their voices heard.” House Bill 1911 Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 12 – Majority House Health Committee Chairman Dan Frankel joined colleagues to celebrate a major step forward Tuesday for legislation that would allow access to dental care for thousands of Pennsylvanians. “When you are unable to get the dental care you need, all of the outcomes get worse and worse. Lapses in dental care can make it difficult to eat or talk, and they lead to serious health conditions. Pain from lapses in dental care can make it difficult to function at all,” said Frankel, D-Allegheny. “It’s nothing less than immoral to allow this necessary care to remain out of reach.” House Bill 1585 , introduced by Frankel, would establish teledentistry in Pennsylvania and require insurance plans to cover it, and H.B. 1417 would restore dental coverage under the state Medical Assistance program after cuts in 2011 eliminated services like root canals, periodontal disease work and emergency exams. Both bills passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. House Bill 1417 was introduced by then-Rep. Sara Innamorato, who cheered the votes from Pittsburgh, where she is preparing to take office as the Allegheny County Executive. “Everyone deserves access to quality health care, which includes dental health care. Pennsylvanians who utilize Medical Assistance are suffering because they cannot access the oral care they need,” Innamorato said. “Moving forward, Medical Read more
Bipartisan legislation would provide dental benefits to Medical Assistance recipients Read more
“While the plaintiffs and defendants such as CPERG, Grant Mackay Co., Controlled Demolition Inc. and others work toward a resolution to continue with the implosion, I will work closely with constituents and the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure that the implosion safely occurs,” Steele said. “To address these issues, I will aim to implement regulations to protect Pennsylvanians’ health from contamination at toxic sites, specifically regarding coal demolition sites, through legislation.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Office of the Budget: Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) Who May Apply: Applicants must have been previously itemized in a Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Use: Applicants can use funds for the purposes prescribed in the Capital Budget Project Itemization Act. Funds: Varied. Application Deadline: January 12, 2024 More information: OB website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street railway police, airport authority police, and county park police. Use: Funding is explicitly to support Act 120 training and recruitment activities for law enforcement officers that will take place between Oct. 19, 2023 and June 30, 2025. Funds: $14 million in federal COVID Relief (ARPA) is available. PCCD anticipates this funding being able to support approximately 2,000 new fulltime officers statewide. Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all funding is committed, at which point the application period will close. More information: PCCD Website Department of Aging: Senior Community Center Grants Who May Apply: Pennsylvania Senior Community Centers with an existing, contractual relationship with an Area Agency on Aging. Use: To help Pennsylvania’s Senior Community Centers increase Read more
“This grant will continue to support the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum’s efforts to highlight the bravery of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Mayes said. “By supporting the operations of this museum, we allow more people to learn about U.S. history, as well as recognize our military personnel.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – State Rep. Matthew R. Gergely’s bill that would ensure plasma donated throughout Pennsylvania is suitable for subsequent use in health and medical forums passed the state House of Representatives unanimously. The legislation (H.B. 1795 ) would require that source plasma specifically, undergoes extensive testing upon donation and before it is ultimately integrated into essential pharmaceuticals. Gergely’s bill, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, would also allow more focus to be devoted to developing such pharmaceuticals by eliminating a signification portion of subsequent testing conducted in labs during the clinical development phase. “Having several source plasma centers local to the citizens I represent is a big part of why it’s such a priority for me. Safeguarding healthy and viable plasma will save lives and enhance quality of life throughout the 35th District and the Commonwealth at large,” said Gergely, D-Allegheny. “Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for moving this commitment to human welfare a step closer to reality.” “Plasma is a lifeline for countless individuals battling critical conditions. This proposed legislation aims to optimize this life-saving resource, ensuring its safety while expediting its availability for pharmaceutical use,” Briggs added. “Collaborating on this bill underscores our dedication to advancing Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 11 – Two museums in the 23 rd Legislative District will benefit from $55,030 in new grant funding, state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, announced today. Frankel said the Carnegie Museum of Natural History was awarded $44,945, and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh was awarded $10,085 to enhance operations. “ Without our local historians, museum exhibits and archives, we lose touch with our history,” Frankel said. “The new funding to these key community centers will help ensure that the lessons they teach continue to resonate for visitors of all ages.” The funding is part of a package of Cultural and Historical Support grants awarded statewide by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Read more
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 11 – State Reps. Aerion A. Abney and Jessica Benham, both D-Allegheny, will host a legislative town hall from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at South Side Market House , 49 S. 12th St. in Pittsburgh . The lawmakers will provide updates on legislation that has recently passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and residents will have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues most important to them. There will also be information about state services. “My colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle have accomplished much positive change this past year, but much more of the people’s work still needs to be done,” Abney said. “Having a healthy dialogue with neighbors where they live shines a necessary spotlight on the issues most significant to them.” “Legislative and policy solutions often grow out of conversations constituents have with their elected officials,” Benham added. “Listening to and understanding the concerns of the people I represent is one of the most important aspects of my job. I encourage folks to come out to connect with me and my team, even those who don’t have a specific issue in mind.” Residents wanting more information should call Abney’s district office at 412-471-7760 or Benham’s district office at 412-881-4208 . A light meal will also be served. Read more
“Through this legislation, we will keep Pennsylvania open for business by reducing fees for small businesses, creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs and spurring economic growth,” Venkat said. “With more than 1.1 million small businesses employing more than 2.5 million people in Pennsylvania, we have the opportunity to incentivize more Pennsylvanians to start small businesses, but also attract more entrepreneurs to open their small businesses in our commonwealth.” Read more
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