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Lawmakers celebrate policy for urgent school facility repairs in FY 2026-27 state budget

(Jul 17, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

“The physical spaces where our students learn for 180 days a year are just as critical to their success as the classes they take and the teachers who support them,” Powell said. “If we don’t know what problems schools across the state are facing, we cannot make informed decisions about where facility investments are needed most. Now, thanks to the inclusion of the school facilities inventory in this year’s budget, we will be able to help communities that need it the most and make sure that every student can have a safe, successful education, regardless of their ZIP code.” Read more

 

Rep. Lindsay Powell welcomes $6 million in community redevelopment grants

(Jul 16, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, July 16 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, today welcomed $6 million in grant funding from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to community revitalization projects in her legislative district. “Aging buildings provide prime opportunities to revitalize our community through the creation of new commercial and residential spaces,” said Powell. “This funding will bring new opportunities to our community and continue our region’s development into a place people are proud to call their home. “I look forward to seeing these developments come to fruition, and I will keep working to help projects like these that create opportunities for the future of our community.” The projects supported with this funding include: $5 million to MI Strip Works LLC for the creation of Brickworks, a 3.5-acre, two-city block residential development in the Strip District that will include two multi-purpose, multi-family buildings, each with residential units and in-building parking. $500,000 to 358 Butler LLC for restoration of three existing buildings in Etna to create a mixed-use development of residential and commercial storefronts. $500,000 to the Millvale Borough Development Corporation to cover construction costs to complete exterior work and plumbing/sewer tap in at the 216 North Avenue Zero Energy Mixed-Use Hub. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Read more

 

Grant Memo: Agriculture, CTE, Tourism, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District

(Jul 08, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Agriculture: Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program Who May Apply: Family farm corporations, family farm partnerships, farm enterprises, nonprofit education institutions Use: Reduce operating expenses through practices that are ecologically beneficial, improve soil quality and fertility, improve water quality, and reduce or eliminate the need for the purchase of off-farm inputs, such as chemical or synthetic fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides. Funds: Grants may not exceed $25,000 except as provided in this subsection. An additional amount of up to $25,000 may be granted if the grantee matches that additional amount dollar for dollar so that an individual grant may not exceed $50,000 in one calendar year. Application Deadline: August 28, 2026 More information: PDA Website Department of Transportation: Career and Technical Education Grant Who May Apply: Public, private, and cyber schools, career and technical centers, youth development centers, and institutions of higher learning Use: To develop and implement new technical training curriculum or to expand existing technical training curriculum and/or delivery, relevant to the heavy highway industry Funds: The total amount of direct grant reimbursement funding available under this program is $12 million. PennDOT intends to award a single individual grant up to $500,000 per eligible applicant. Read more

 

State House passes bill to expand public-private transportation projects

(Jun 08, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, June 8 – In an effort to address Pennsylvania’s aging infrastructure, the state House has unanimously passed legislation that would allow local governments to participate in public-private partnerships to improve transportation infrastructure, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, state Rep. Lindsay Powell. House Bill 2469 would allow all counties, as well as the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to use public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, which authorize governments to coordinate with private entities on the engineering, construction, operation, financing, and maintenance of transportation projects and facilities. “Pennsylvania has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, and repairs can be daunting for local governments, especially when taxpayers are responsible for the costs,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “This legislation will allow our counties to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects more efficiently and cost-effectively, ensuring that long-needed repairs -- ranging from aging bridges and congested corridors to major transit and roadway upgrades -- can be completed.” Current law allows only PennDOT and certain transportation agencies to use P3s. Under this legislation, the existing P3 application process would remain unchanged. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania’s infrastructure a grade of C- in 2022, with Read more

 

PA House passes bipartisan bill to protect homeowners

(Jun 02, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, June 2 – The Pennsylvania State House has passed bipartisan legislation, 190-11, in favor of regulating shared equity agreements, a novel home lending product, according to the bill’s co-prime sponsors, state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell , both D-Allegheny, and Tim Twardzik , R-Schuylkill. Shared Appreciation Agreements are contracts in which a homeowner receives funds in exchange for granting a third party a future interest in the appreciation, equity, or value of their home. The legislation, H.B. 2120 , would add Shared Equity Agreements to current laws that provide statutory safeguards for other home-secured financial products, such as residential mortgages. “For most Pennsylvanians, their home is their most valuable asset,” Venkat said. “Homeowners may enter into these agreements believing they are making a beneficial decision for their family’s future, but when marketing is unfair or deceptive, they could face significant financial hardship down the road. “Given the importance of homes and their value to so many Pennsylvanians, we must expeditiously bring shared equity agreements into a regulatory framework similar to that of mortgages so that Pennsylvanians can be assured of transparency and protection against predatory lending practices in these products.” The legislation would require shared equity agreements to meet disclosure requirements, Read more

 

Rep. Lindsay Powell to host second annual Family Fair

(Jun 01, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, June 1 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, will be hosting a family-friendly, block party style festival completely free to the community on Saturday, June 20. Powell’s Family Fair, which is now in its second year, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at the intersection of 51st and Butler streets in Lawrenceville . “This event will bring our community together for some summer fun, while also providing access to critical services for kids and families,” said Powell. “Whether you need assistance with state and local resources, or want to enjoy the fun that summer brings, this will be the event for you and your family." The event will include access to dozens of state and local resources, appearances from beloved Pittsburgh mascots, a dunk tank and stands from several local organizations such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, You be You Music and the Undercliff Volunteer Fire Company. Read more

 

State Representative Lindsay Powell on Pittsburgh school building closures

(May 28, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, May 28 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has issued the following statement after last night’s decision by the Pittsburgh Public Schools board to approve the closure of 12 schools: “Our focus must shift to getting this right for Pittsburgh's students and families,” said Powell. “This transition must reflect the unique needs of every child, be responsive to the very real concerns raised by parents and communities and ensure equitable access to opportunities no matter a student's ZIP code or school assignment. “While change of this scale is never easy, we have a responsibility to make sure this process builds a stronger, more supportive foundation for Pittsburgh Public Schools and delivers the resources, stability, and opportunities that every student deserves.” Schools in Powell’s legislative district set to close include Arsenal PreK-5, Spring Hill K-5 and Woolslair K-5. Other schools set to close include Allegheny 6-8, Fulton PreK-5, King PreK-5, Linden PreK-5, Manchester PreK-5, Miller PreK-5, Milliones 6-12, South Brook 6-8 and South Hills 6-8. Read more

 

Rep. Powell welcomes over $1.1 million in Main Street Matters grant funding

(May 27, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, May 27 – Through the Main Street Matters program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, three projects in the 21st Legislative District have received more than $1.1 million in grant funding, state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced today. “There are so many ways that we can work to elevate our main streets, and this funding proves that,” Powell said. “From the creation of new mixed-use facilities and infrastructure improvements to the expansion of resources for our local mothers, these projects will give so much back to our communities. I am proud to back this funding, and I am excited to see these projects come to fruition.” The projects in Powell’s district that will be supported with this funding include: $900,000 to support Phase 2 of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank’s Expansion and Rehab Program. $153,421 to Etna Borough to cover demolition, parking and stormwater improvement costs. $100,000 to the Millvale Borough Development Corporation to support a zero-energy mixed-use revitalization program at 216 North Ave. Main Street Matters supports downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, welcoming communities and back revitalization efforts in planning and business support. Read more

 

Powell introduces bill to expand public-private transportation projects

(Apr 29, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, April 29 – Pennsylvania has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country, and local governments are facing major difficulty and expenses in funding projects—especially for transportation purposes. This is why state Rep. Lindsay Powell has introduced legislation that would allow local governments to take part in public-private partnerships to improve transportation infrastructure. House Bill 2469 would allow all counties, as well as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, to use public-private partnerships, also known as P3s, which authorize governments to coordinate with private entities for the engineering, construction, operation, financing and maintenance of a transportation project or facility. “From aging bridges and congested corridors to major transit and roadway upgrades, we have all seen transportation projects in our communities that need urgent support,” said Powell, D-Allegheny. “These projects can be daunting to take on, especially because taxpayers are footing the bill. My legislation would allow counties to partner with private groups to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects more efficiently and cost-effectively.” Current law allows only PennDOT and certain transportation agencies to use P3s. With this legislation, the current P3 process would remain unchanged. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave Pennsylvania’s infrastructure a grade of C- in 2022, Read more

 

State representatives host Delta Day in Capitol

(Apr 28, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, April 28 – To recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, four alumnae of the sorority, state Reps. Lindsay Powell and La’Tasha D. Mayes, both D-Allegheny, Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware, and Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., hosted Delta Day in the state Capitol today. Delta Day is celebrated by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. , which was founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University. Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is one of the preeminent service-based sororities, with more than 300,000 predominantly Black members and more than 1,000 chapters worldwide. The sorority has maintained a commitment to social activism, academic excellence and civic engagement. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has 29 chapters in Pennsylvania. On Delta Day, members from throughout the Commonwealth come to the Capitol to connect with elected officials, advance legislation and serve as a voice for others. “It was an honor to welcome sorors from across Pennsylvania to continue our long history of sisterhood, service and leadership to advocate for our communities,” Powell said. “Having even just one voice at the table can be powerful, but the hundreds of us here today prove that our lifelong service to our communities will continue.” “As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., I am deeply honored to stand alongside everyone here Read more

 

Powell applauds $700,000 investment to redevelop blighted buildings

(Apr 17, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, April 17 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, applauded a $700,000 investment to redevelop two blighted structures in the Spring Garden neighborhood to create more housing and business opportunities in the community. The project will turn two currently vacant and blighted structures – a four-story building and an adjoining single-family home – into a mixed-use property at the intersection of Spring Garden Avenue and Chestnut Street . “A blighted building can be difficult to handle, but it also provides a prime opportunity for redevelopment with the right resources,” said Powell. “This funding will allow for redevelopment that will be incredibly impactful for our community by creating business opportunity and allowing for more neighbors to proudly call Spring Garden home.” Once completed, the development will bring four affordable residential units and a ground-floor commercial space for a neighborhood-serving business to the community. Funding for this project was made available through the Community Revitalization Fund Program via the Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit. The funding will cover more than one-quarter of the total cost of the development, which is being led by the Community Alliance of Spring Garden and East Deutschtown, in collaboration with Rising Tide Partners and Main + Elm Development Company. Powell is the prime sponsor of H.B. 1650 , Read more

 

Rep. Lindsay Powell: $1.8M in grants secured for out-of-school programs

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, April 15 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, today announced five grants that will support out-of-school and after-school programs for at-risk youth and in high-need neighborhoods. “ After-school programs play a vital role in shaping the success and well-being of our students, ” Powell said. “From learning practical skills to developing leadership abilities and interpersonal relationships, these programs can make a lasting positive impact on a child’s life . I’m proud to support the funding for these outstanding programs, and I look forward to the lasting impact that these programs will have on our children and our communities. ” The projects included in this funding are: $499,947 to Light of Life Inc. to expand its place - based violence intervention outreach for adults experiencing unsheltered homelessness in 13 encampments across 11 Pittsburgh neighborhoods with persistently high levels of gun violence. $499,904 to the STEM Coding Lab to expand its Out-of-School Time and summer programming, which teaches computer science, AI and STEM programming to K-8 students in Allegheny County’s highest-need neighborhoods. $415,771 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania to expand out - of - school time services for students in grades 5-8 at Arsenal Middle School by providing consistent, structured after - school and summer programming to approximately 30 youth Read more

 

Powell secures over $24 million for Water and Sewer Authority

(Apr 15, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, April 15 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been awarded $24,050,459 in funding to support upgrades, repairs and replacements to aging pipes, water mains, fire hydrants and sewer lines. “Everyone should have access to safe and clean water in their homes and businesses,” said Powell. “I’m pleased to see these investments in our community, as they will continue to ensure our region has the healthy water we need for generations to come.” The first project, totaling $2,279,460 , will see approximately 15,000 feet of aging water mains, 306 valves, 34 fire hydrants, 366 water service lines and 733 residential lead service lines replaced. The funding for this project comes from a $1,644,844 grant, and a $634,616 low-interest loan. The second project, coming from a $21,770,999 low-interest loan, will replace aging 4-inch to 16-inch diameter pipes with new zinc-coated ductile iron pipes ranging from 4 to 24 inches. Water mains, valves, fire hydrants and water service lines will also be replaced. These projects will cover a service area of 70,061 residential customers with a population of 303,255. Both are proposed to begin in October 2026 and be concluded by November 2027. The projects are funded through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority , which provides low-cost financial assistance to Read more

 

House approves Family Care Act

(Mar 25, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

In bipartisan fashion, the House today approved a bill sponsored by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, to bring economic stability to more working families by creating a family and medical leave insurance program in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

House tourism committee looks at reforms to short-term rentals

(Mar 25, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, March 25 – Ahead of a busy tourism season in Pennsylvania, with events from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to the World Cup in Philadelphia, the House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee met today to discuss reforms to how short-term rentals are regulated across Pennsylvania, based on legislation introduced by state Reps. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, and Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery. “One of the best parts about short-term rentals is the opportunity they provide,” said Powell. “They provide access to so many communities across our commonwealth, allowing each of us to visit areas across Pennsylvania comfortably and easily. “The need for reform is especially personal to me and my district. Over the last two years, there have been two shootings, with one being fatal, at Airbnbs in my community. This legislation would ensure that a growing part of our economy is regulated both for the safety of guests and for the continuing development of our tourism industry. I am thankful to Chair Daley for hosting this hearing and supporting this legislation with me.” Powell’s legislation, H.B. 2303, would establish countywide registries of short-term rental properties, require the designation of a 24/7 “person in charge” for each property, create distinct regulatory categories for homestay operators, vacation rental operators and corporate operators, and implement baseline Read more

 

Legislation to reform short-term rentals introduced in state House

(Mar 19, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, March 19 -- State Reps. Lindsay Powell, Jennifer M. O’Mara and Mary Jo Daley today introduced legislation to establish a statewide regulatory framework for short-term rentals across Pennsylvania. The legislation, H.B. 2303 , is based on recommendations from a nonpartisan, independent study conducted by the Joint State Government Commission, which was directed by a 2024 House Resolution sponsored by Powell and O’Mara. The bill aims to create consistent, baseline standards for short-term rental properties while preserving flexibility for local communities. “On New Year’s Eve, a member of our community was seriously injured in a violent incident at a short-term rental in my district. This was the second such event in the same neighborhood in recent years – the prior taking the lives of two teenagers,” said Powell , D-Allegheny. “That is why, two years ago, Rep. O’Mara and I led passage of a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the short-term rental industry and develop recommendations for a statewide framework. “Today, we are proud to introduce legislation that turns those recommendations into action. This bill strikes a necessary balance of protecting public safety, supporting responsible operators, and ensuring transparency for local officials and law enforcement. As short-term rentals continue to grow across Pennsylvania, we have a Read more

 

Powell welcomes $75,000 in grant funding to local Planned Parenthood

(Mar 16, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

PITTSBURGH, March 16 – The Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania has received $75,000 to invest into security measures for their facility, announced state Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny. Powell is the prime sponsor of H.B. 670 , legislation that would mirror federal law and make it a state-level criminal offense to obstruct physical access to a reproductive health care clinic. “ Across Pennsylvania and our nation, we’ve seen far too many incidents where patients and health care workers are threatened or attacked,” said Powell. “The fact that Planned Parenthood needs this funding for security shows exactly why Pennsylvania must pass a state-level FACE Act to protect safe access to care. “I’m proud to support these funds so our region can continue accessing essential health care, and I will keep fighting in Harrisburg to protect reproductive rights.” In addition, $25,000 has been awarded to the Persad Center , located in Upper Lawrenceville, to make similar investments in their facility to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to safely receive mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment. The funding for these projects comes from the Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program , which administers grants to organizations that serve individuals, groups or institutions that are included in the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics as a motivation category for a Read more

 

Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees

(Mar 09, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

HARRISBURG, March 9 – Many older Pennsylvanians face health conditions that make it unsafe for them to continue driving, which often leads them to surrender their driver’s licenses and receive a free state photo identification card. However, subsequent renewals of these cards include a fee, which state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Lindsay Powell , both D-Allegheny, intend to remedy. The Pittsburgh-area legislators plan to introduce legislation that would exempt Pennsylvanians age 65 or older that have surrendered their driver’s license for medical reasons from the fees associated with renewing their state photo ID. “Giving up a driver’s license can be difficult, especially when it is due to a medical condition,” said Venkat. “We do not need to add an extra cost for seniors during this challenging situation. This legislation will allow older Pennsylvanians to make the responsible decision to surrender their license without the burden of additional financial hardship.” “When many of our older neighbors live on fixed incomes, we should not be charging them unreasonable fees that could go toward health care, groceries, transportation, or any other costs they may have,” said Powell. The current fee to renew a photo ID, as of July 2025 , is $44.50. Over 20% of Pennsylvanians — nearly 2.6 million people — are aged 65 or older, one of the highest shares in the Read more

 

Spring 2026 Newsletter

(Mar 03, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

My Spring 2026 Print Newsletter Read more

 

Powell encouraged about Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan

(Feb 12, 2026) Rep. Lindsay Powell

"Housing is one of the issues we hear about most from families in our communities, because it affects everything—whether people can stay near their jobs, raise their kids in stable neighborhoods, and plan for their future,” Powell said. “I’m encouraged to see the governor put forward a comprehensive plan that treats our housing shortage with the urgency it deserves." Read more

 

Lawmakers celebrate policy for urgent school facility repairs in FY 2026-27 state budget
Jul 17, 2026

Rep. Lindsay Powell welcomes $6 million in community redevelopment grants
Jul 16, 2026

Grant Memo: Agriculture, CTE, Tourism, and Additional Grant Opportunities for your District
Jul 08, 2026

State House passes bill to expand public-private transportation projects
Jun 08, 2026

PA House passes bipartisan bill to protect homeowners
Jun 02, 2026

Rep. Lindsay Powell to host second annual Family Fair
Jun 01, 2026

State Representative Lindsay Powell on Pittsburgh school building closures
May 28, 2026

Rep. Powell welcomes over $1.1 million in Main Street Matters grant funding
May 27, 2026

Powell introduces bill to expand public-private transportation projects
Apr 29, 2026

State representatives host Delta Day in Capitol
Apr 28, 2026

Powell applauds $700,000 investment to redevelop blighted buildings
Apr 17, 2026

Rep. Lindsay Powell: $1.8M in grants secured for out-of-school programs
Apr 15, 2026

Powell secures over $24 million for Water and Sewer Authority
Apr 15, 2026

House approves Family Care Act
Mar 25, 2026

House tourism committee looks at reforms to short-term rentals
Mar 25, 2026

Legislation to reform short-term rentals introduced in state House
Mar 19, 2026

Powell welcomes $75,000 in grant funding to local Planned Parenthood
Mar 16, 2026

Venkat and Powell to introduce legislation to create exemption for state ID renewal fees
Mar 09, 2026

Spring 2026 Newsletter
Mar 03, 2026

Powell encouraged about Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan
Feb 12, 2026