My office will close Thursday, July 3 at noon and remain closed until Monday, July 7 at 9:00 AM in observance of Independence Day. Next week’s newsletter will go out on Wednesday, July 2.
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House Votes to Restore Dental Coverage for Medical Assistance Recipients
The House passed legislation to restore adult dental benefits under Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance program. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to reinstate coverage for dental services eliminated in 2011, such as root canals, emergency dental exams, and treatment for gum disease. These restored services will help low-income Pennsylvanians access care that prevents pain, serious health issues, and costly emergencies. I was proud to support this bill. Dental care is health care, not a luxury.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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PA Home Preservation Program Passes the House
Rep. Lindsay Powell’s bill to create the Pennsylvania Home Preservation Grant Program passed the House this week. The bill will provide competitive grants to local governments to fund repairs to aging, owner-occupied homes—such as fixing unsafe wiring, making homes accessible, or improving energy efficiency. Grants of up to $50,000 per home will prioritize health, safety, and habitability. Local governments can also partner with nonprofits and existing repair programs to deliver services. With nearly 60% of Pennsylvania homes built before 1970, this program will help communities address urgent housing needs and prevent further decline of our housing stock.
The Pennsylvania Home Preservation Program is a smart investment that will help keep people in their homes, stabilize neighborhoods, and preserve affordable housing options for future generations. I’m grateful to see bipartisan support for addressing this critical issue, and I urge the Senate to take up the bill and pass it swiftly.
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Shapiro Administration Urges CDC, RFK Jr., Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Approve Tested and Safe Vaccines
On Wednesday, Governor Shapiro and his administration urged the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the newly reconstituted Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend and approve only vaccines that have undergone rigorous, science-based testing and review.
In the face of rising disease outbreaks and a coordinated campaign to undermine public trust in vaccines, it is essential that we in Pennsylvania reaffirm our commitment to protecting children, supporting families, and following the guidance of medical experts.
If vaccination rates continue to decline in the Commonwealth, we will face more outbreaks, more hospitalizations, more preventable deaths—and greater strain on our public health infrastructure and economy.
I join Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen in urging the CDC, Secretary Kennedy, and his hand-picked advisory council to reject any effort to politicize or dismantle our national immunization schedule. Pennsylvanians deserve nothing less than full access to the tools that keep them healthy.
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Community Events and Resources
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Future-Ready Facilities Plan: SchoolSearch Tool
Pittsburgh Public Schools released an online tool for parents to see which schools a child would attend under the proposed facilities plan. You can type in your address or look on a map to find your child’s possible elementary, middle, and high schools.
Try the SchoolSearch Tool here.
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RAD Pass
This is a reminder that some of Pittsburgh’s favorite attractions, like the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Heinz History Center, The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and many more, will offer free admissions this summer. All you need is an Allegheny County library card to make a RAD Pass and reserve tickets.
Ticket offers will appear on RADPass.org
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Parks on Tap Beer Garden
Today, June 27, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Schenley Park Visitor Center
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is collaborating with Eleventh Hour Brewing to fundraise for Pittsburgh’s parks! There will be a beer garden, and a variety of food trucks to sample.
No registration required.
Learn more here.
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Summer Fridays at the Frick
Today, June 27, 5:00 – 8:00 PM | The Frick Pittsburgh
The Frick Lawns will be open to all for live music, food trucks, artmaking, and family-friendly activities. Music begins at 6:30 PM, and the Museum Store and Visitor Center will be open with extended hours.
Admission is free; a $5 donation per adult is suggested by the museum.
Learn more here.
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Summer Reading Kickoff: Mad Science & Creative Reuse
Saturday, June 28, 1:00–3:00 PM | CLP – Main (Oakland)
CLP’s Summer Reading Kickoff takes flight with Mad Science’s “Up, Up and Away” presentation from 1–2 p.m., exploring air and flight through hands-on experiments for grades K–5. From 2–3 p.m., teens can get creative with a DIY recycled-material kite-making workshop led by the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Squirrel Hill Night Market
Saturday, June 28, 6-10 p.m. | Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill from Forbes Avenue to Beacon Street.
Murray Avenue will be turned into an open-air market full of vendors and entertainment. Sen. Jay Costa and I will be sharing a booth with information on state issues and will be available to assist with senior bus passes and other constituent services. Stop by and say hello!
Learn more here.
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Czech and Slovak Genealogy Workshop
Sunday, June 29, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Heinz History Center or Virtual
Join nationally recognized genealogists Rich Custer, Jim Hudec, and Michal Razus for a full-day workshop exploring Czech, Slovak, and Carpatho-Rusyn family history. Designed for both beginners and experienced researchers, the program will highlight key resources including birth, marriage, and death records; census data; military files; and historic maps. Sessions will provide practical strategies for identifying ancestral villages and accessing online records.
Registration Required. $40 General Admission.
Learn more and register here.
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Open Streets
Sunday, June 29, 10 AM- 2 PM | Shadyside, East Liberty, Larimer, and Homewood
Enjoy a car-free Sunday exploring East End neighborhoods with OpenStreetsPGH! Walk, bike, or roll through community hubs packed with live performances, games, fitness classes, food specials, and more.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch
Sunday, June 29, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Mellon Park
Enjoy a free concert by Cello Fury in Mellon Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic and a blanket or a chair but should note that alcohol is prohibited in the park. This series will run every Sunday until July 27, each concert featuring a different musical group.
Free and open to all.
Learn more here.
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Outdoor Movie: Wicked
Sunday, June 29, 7:00 PM | Bakery Square
All are welcome to view Wicked at the Bakery Square courtyard – seating first come, first served, and personal lawn chairs are permitted. Enjoy complimentary popcorn from the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company.
Free, registration is preferred but not required.
Learn more here.
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Cinema in the Park
Sunday, June 29 & Wednesday, July 2, dusk (roughly 8:50 PM)
The City of Pittsburgh hosts free movie nights. Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets to make themselves comfortable on the lawn. The movies will begin at dusk throughout the summer, so start times will vary slightly from day to day.
Sunday, June 29—Schenley Plaza—National Treasure (2004) (PG)
Wednesday, July 2—Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park— National Treasure (2004) (PG)
Free and open to all.
Learn more here.
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Meet a Rescue Raptor at Schenley Park
Wednesday, July 2, 12:00–2:00 PM | Schenley Park Visitor Center
Meet a peregrine falcon up close! This is a part of a new monthly series with Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy. Learn about local birds of prey and wildlife conservation during this family-friendly event.
Free.
Learn more here.
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Jellyfish
Thursday, July 3, 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM | The Carnegie Museum of Art - Sculpture Court
Jellyfish is a dance party celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Presented as part of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Inside Out series, the event features music, dancing, and outdoor festivities.
Free, museum admission not included.
Learn more here.
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Anthrocon Parade and Block Party
Saturday, July 5, 2 PM | Penn Avenue between 9th and 11th Streets
Anthrocon’s annual Fursuit Parade and Block Party is free and open to the public. The parade will begin at 2 p.m., and the block party will commence immediately after. Refreshments and food trucks will be available at the block party.
Learn more here.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
152 Main Capitol Building
PO Box 202023
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-1875
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District Office
2345 Murray Avenue
Suite 205
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1774
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