Powell, Howard, Daley & Shusterman advocate for reproductive rights in Harrisburg

(Apr 07, 2025)

HARRISBURG, April 7 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell, Kristine C. Howard, Mary Jo Daley and Melissa Shusterman rallied for reproductive rights today in the state Capitol Rotunda, alongside Planned Parenthood PA advocates. “In this post-Roe era, the blurred lines between legality and restriction have dangerously entangled law, politics and human life,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Elected officials take an oath of office to defend the rights of the people, not strip them away for the sake of political agendas. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.” “While abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania, it is heavily regulated by the Abortion Control Act, a Reagan-era law that became the playbook for abortion restrictions nationwide,” Howard, D-Chester, added. “My legislation, the Reproductive Freedom Act , would eliminate this law and replace it with a much more perfect statutory scheme, a more rational and compassionate model positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in reproductive rights.” "Our state must be a place where personal freedoms are protected and where every resident can access health care without interference," Daley, D-Montgomery, and co-chair of the PA Women's Health Caucus, said. "By supporting these safeguards, we affirm our shared commitment to personal liberty, civil discourse and the protection of every Pennsylvanian’s right to seek care safely and freely." “We Read more

 

Pittsburgh state rep. pushes new protections for Pennsylvania’s abortion clinics

(Apr 07, 2025)

Pittsburgh-area state Rep. Lindsay Powell is rallying in Harrisburg today, urging lawmakers to enshrine into Pennsylvania law a federal act that protects abortion clinics from threats and damages. Powell’s bill comes on the heels of a Trump administration memo directing the Department of Justice to dismiss several cases against those accused of obstructing care at reproductive health clinics. Read more

 

March 31, 2025 Email

(Apr 03, 2025)

The tax filing deadline of Tuesday, April 15 is less than two weeks away, so I want to ensure neighbors have information on multiple resources available to make the process a little less stressful. Read more

 

March 24, 2025 Email

(Mar 27, 2025)

This week, I proudly joined state Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-Schuylkill, other fellow state legislators, and advocates to launch the bipartisan PA Housing Caucus at the state Capitol! With over 25 of my colleagues having already joined the Caucus, we have the chance to pass meaningful reform to Pennsylvania’s housing market. Read more

 

With Pittsburgh's Powell as co-chair, Housing Caucus seeks affordability, zoning reform

(Mar 25, 2025)

Pittsburgh state House member Lindsay Powell on Monday launched a bipartisan pro-housing caucus in Harrisburg, with aims of lowering home costs by creating more residential units across the state. Read more

 

Powell, Twardzik, and fellow legislators launch PA Housing Caucus

(Mar 25, 2025)

HARRISBURG, March 25 – State Reps. Lindsay Powell and Tim Twardzik joined a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers at the state Capitol Monday to launch the Pennsylvania Housing Caucus. Powell said the caucus has three main initiatives for housing in PA: Producing more housing to meet demand by alleviating zoning burdens, ensuring permits do not slow down development, investing in new and affordable housing options, and enabling state funding for land banks and land trusts. Preserving existing housing by increasing repair funding for senior homeowners, offering flexible loans for small landlords, and keeping existing subsidies with properties. Protecting Pennsylvanians’ access to housing by preventing institutional investors from purchasing houses on the market and increasing funds and resources for eviction assistance and first-time homeowners. “Without stable housing, everything else, no matter how well designed, rests on a shaky foundation. That foundation, in many parts of the Commonwealth, is showing cracks, cracks that too many of our neighbors are falling through,” Powell, D-Allegheny, said. “Let’s do what Pennsylvanians sent us here to do – let’s listen, let’s compromise and, most importantly, let’s act.” “Housing is not a partisan issue – it’s a fundamental need. This caucus is committed to finding real solutions that work for all Read more

 

March 17, 2025 Email

(Mar 20, 2025)

For years, I relied on Pittsburgh’s buses to travel everywhere—to work, the grocery store, doctor’s appointments—until I had no choice but to get a car to go back and forth to Harrisburg as a state representative. Read more

 

March 10, 2025 Email

(Mar 13, 2025)

Earlier this year, my office held its inaugural “There Ought to Be a Law” contest, where 7th through 12th grade students in the Shaler Area School District assumed the role of state legislators and wrote a two-page paper on their proposal for a new state law. 60 students stepped up with creative ideas, and I awarded five winners with honor citations. I had the opportunity to present two of the winners with their citations in person at Shaler Area High School this week. Read more

 

March 3, 2025 Email

(Mar 06, 2025)

My visit to A.W. Beattie Career Center last week brings into focus the need to support and grow educational opportunities for students of all ages who wish to pursue a trade career and/or a career in technical education. Read more

 

February 24, 2025 Email

(Feb 28, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width: 660px) { .u-row { width: 640px !important; } .u-row .u-col { vertical-align: top; } .u-row .u-col-38p13 { width: 244.032px !important; } .u-row .u-col-50 { width: 320px !important; } .u-row .u-col-61p87 { width: 395.96799999999996px !important; } .u-row .u-col-100 { width: 640px !important; } } @media (max-width: 660px) { .u-row-container { max-width: 100% !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; } .u-row .u-col { min-width: 320px !important; max-width: 100% !important; display: block !important; } .u-row { width: 100% !important; } .u-col { width: 100% !important; } .u-col > div { margin: 0 auto; } } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } table, tr, td { vertical-align: top; border-collapse: collapse; } p { margin: 0; } .ie-container table, .mso-container table { table-layout: fixed; } * { line-height: inherit; } a[x-apple-data-detectors='true'] { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; } table, td { color: #000000; } #u_body a { color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline; } Read more

 

Powell, Policy Committee focus on increasing achievable housing

(Feb 26, 2025)

“The lack of attainable housing is a complex issue, negatively affecting workers, businesses and families,” said state Rep. Lindsay Powell, who represents a portion of Allegheny County. “The lack of attainable housing means workers are sometimes unable to accept higher paying jobs because they cannot afford to move to a new geographic location, which heightens Pennsylvania’s workforce needs. It also means an entire generation of workers have been denied one of the basic tenets in building generational wealth through home ownership.” Read more

 

Powell: $250,000 for infrastructure project in local community

(Feb 24, 2025)

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 24 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced that a $250,000 state grant was awarded to the city of Pittsburgh for work focused on pedestrian safety and ease of travel throughout the Strip District. This grant was made possible by the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund and will be used to make Smallman Street safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. “Protecting residents and visitors through infrastructure is a commonsense investment, but it requires sustained commitments. Residents and visitors in the Strip District and throughout Pittsburgh deserve to travel safely to work and spaces of relaxation, arts and culture every day,” Powell said. “I want to thank Senator Wayne Fontana for his collaboration in securing these dollars and keeping neighbors connected.” Powell and Fontana procured a grant of nearly $1 million for the Smallman Street project last year as well. The MTF, a Commonwealth Financing Authority program, provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of Pennsylvania. Read more

 

February 17, 2025 Email

(Feb 21, 2025)

The Dobbs decision, coupled with the current presidential administration, has placed an immeasurable burden on mothers and birthing individuals across the country. Read more

 

Powell introduces bill to keep Pennsylvanians seeking reproductive healthcare services safe

(Feb 20, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 20 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced a state version of a federal law that protects patients from violence and harassment when visiting sites where abortions and reproductive healthcare services are provided. Powell’s legislation ( H.B. 670 ) would establish a state version of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act to guarantee the rights of Pennsylvania mothers and birthing individuals. The FACE Act prohibits intimidation, obstruction and/or violence against those seeking reproductive healthcare services and providers, while also prohibiting defacement/damage to sites offering such services. “As long as abortion is legal in PA, all efforts must be made to not only keep reproductive healthcare readily accessible, but to keep both patients and providers safe during these processes. Intolerance of any kind runs counter to the constitutional rights of residents and has no place in this Commonwealth,” Powell said. “My bill would help curb potential threats and put the health and well-being of Pennsylvanians first.” President Bill Clinton signed the federal FACE Act into law in May 1994. Read more

 

February 10, 2025 Email

(Feb 14, 2025)

96 @media only screen and (min-width: 660px) { .u-row { width: 640px !important; } .u-row .u-col { vertical-align: top; } .u-row .u-col-38p13 { width: 244.032px !important; } .u-row .u-col-50 { width: 320px !important; } .u-row .u-col-61p87 { width: 395.96799999999996px !important; } .u-row .u-col-100 { width: 640px !important; } } @media (max-width: 660px) { .u-row-container { max-width: 100% !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; } .u-row .u-col { min-width: 320px !important; max-width: 100% !important; display: block !important; } .u-row { width: 100% !important; } .u-col { width: 100% !important; } .u-col > div { margin: 0 auto; } } body { margin: 0; padding: 0; } table, tr, td { vertical-align: top; border-collapse: collapse; } p { margin: 0; } .ie-container table, .mso-container table { table-layout: fixed; } * { line-height: inherit; } a[x-apple-data-detectors='true'] { color: inherit !important; text-decoration: none !important; } table, td { color: #000000; } #u_body a { color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline; } Read more

 

Powell secures $146,000+ in state grants for local fire & EMS companies

(Feb 13, 2025)

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 12 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, announced today that the Office of the State Fire Commissioner has awarded more than $146,000 in funding to fire and EMS companies in the 21st Legislative District. “Our first responders are committed to protecting us all and sacrifice a great deal of their time and energy. Reciprocating that same level of commitment to them is essential,” Powell said. “These dollars are investments in their ability to save lives and to keep themselves safe on the job every day. I’m honored to advocate on their behalf and will continue to work toward providing them with the tools and resources they need.” Grant recipients are: Bauerstown Volunteer Fire Department: $14,170.24 Cherry City Volunteer Fire Co.: $14,600.59 Elfinwild Volunteer Fire Co.: $14,815.77 Etna Volunteer Fire Department: $16,106.84 Millvale Volunteer Fire Department: $14,385.41 Reserve Volunteer Fire Department: $28,322.02 Shaler Area Emergency Medical Services Inc.: $15,000 Shaler Villa Volunteer Fire Co.: $12,663.99 Undercliff Volunteer Fire Co.: $16,322.02 The Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program is administered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and is available for volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. Eligible projects include facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training and certification, Read more

 

February 3, 2025 Email

(Feb 06, 2025)

I joined my House colleagues and legislative partners in the Senate on Tuesday to hear Gov. Josh Shapiro deliver his vision for Pennsylvania’s budget needs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This was my second budget address as a state representative, and I heard several exciting initiatives my colleagues and I will work to make reality. Read more

 

Powell introduces bill to prohibit remote stalking

(Feb 05, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has reintroduced a bill that would ban the unauthorized tracking of victims using AirTags and similar devices. House Bill 407 would forbid the use of AirTags and similar technology for any nefarious motive, with an emphasis on remote stalking. Bad actors have utilized AirTags to put trackers on vehicles and pinpoint the location of their victims, but Pennsylvania still hasn’t outlined penalties for abusing this technology. “This bill cannot undo the damage—physical and mental—that victims have endured, but it is a step in the right direction to ensuring that would-be stalkers will never again be able to perpetrate such abuse in Pennsylvania without being held accountable by the law,” Powell said. “By embracing a proactive approach to regulating technology, we can harness its potential to foster a society where innovation thrives, and our neighbors remain safe.” Multiple plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in December 2022 for remote stalking and despite the company’s attempt to dismiss the case, it is moving forward. AirTags, launched more than three years ago, is intended to help individuals find items that are often misplaced, such as keys, wallets or bookbags. House Bill 407, previously H.B. 416, passed with a near unanimous vote in last year’s session. The bill has been referred to the body’s Judiciary Read more

 

Powell introduces bills to help make home ownership possible for more Pennsylvanians and reduce displacement & gentrification

(Jan 30, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, has introduced legislation that would provide money to Pennsylvania individuals and families seeking to own their own home and utilize tax increment financing dollars to keep Pennsylvanians in their homes in TIF-designated districts. The first of Powell’s bills ( H.B. 275 ) would establish the Affordable Homeownership Program under the state Department of Community and Economic Development . The program would award grants to sponsoring organizations, who would then provide the funds to individuals or households with annual incomes between 60% and 120% of the area median income. “As the years go by, the median home price has nowhere to go but up. In March of last year, in fact, it reached nearly $225,000 and shows zero signs of decreasing. Owning a home has become that much more unattainable for Pennsylvanians,” Powell said. “Home ownership, however, helps to achieve a stable and sustainable livelihood for neighbors and their families. My bill would benefit everyone who calls this Commonwealth home.” Qualifying applicants would be able to use these funds for projects such as: Home purchasing assistance programs Home repairs Work force housing programs Acquiring residential properties Designing and constructing properties Asset management studies of properties Social and environmental studies of properties Homeownership education programs Land Read more

 

Powell: $810,000 for community infrastructure

(Jan 29, 2025)

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny, today announced that $810,000 in state funds was awarded to multiple local entities to improve community infrastructure. Powell and state Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Allegheny, helped secure a $460,000 grant for Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh to purchase a blighted lot and convert it into their VisAbility Place. She also worked with state Rep. Aerion A. Abney, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. Fontana to deliver $150,000 to Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. for the modernization of a passenger elevator at Heinz Hall to ensure its facility is ADA-compliant. State Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, partnered with Powell as well to help acquire a total of $200,000. A $140,000 grant went to North Hills Council of Governments for a sewer separation project in Etna, and the Shaler Township received $60,000 for flood levee maintenance. “Our neighbors deserve to feel safe in their communities, and these dollars will go a long way in modernizing our shared spaces. Not only that, local infrastructure and our cultural institutions will benefit too,” Powell said. “Thank you to my legislative colleagues in the state House and Senate for getting these funds to neighborhoods in need.” Three of these grants are made possible by the Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund, under the Commonwealth Financing Authority . These grants, funded through gaming revenue, provide Read more