Reproductive rights are under attack by the Trump administration across the country. This week, I led a coalition of fellow lawmakers and concerned neighbors dedicated to keeping those rights enshrined in state law and to uplifting women throughout the Commonwealth.
It’s with these goals in mind that I introduced legislation to create a state version of the Freedom of Access To Clinic Entrances Act (FACE). Abortion is legal here in PA and, as long as it retains that status, patients and providers should be protected from harassment and harm when seeking out this procedure and reproductive health care measures.
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It's also with these goals in mind that I’m proud to support crucial reproductive health bills authored by my House Democratic colleagues Reps. Kristine Howard and Melissa Shusterman. Their legislation would help keep abortion legal in the Commonwealth, protect access to emergency health care like abortions, and provide coverage for abortions through PA’s Health Insurance Exchange.
The battle for reproductive rights does not affect just one group of Pennsylvanians – it affects all of us. When fundamental, longstanding rights are taken away, it’s imperative for all of us to stop these unlawful actions through our words and deeds. We cannot afford to lose this fight, and winning starts with you!
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Remote Stalking Bill Passes House
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My legislation that would ban stalking using Apple AirTags or similar technology passed the state House this week 201-2! It now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
Neighbors deserve not only their peace of mind and privacy back but their safety most of all. Thank you to my PA House colleagues for voting to keep Pennsylvanians safe.
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With the tax filing deadline of Tuesday, April 15 nearly here, please click here to file your taxes in as little as 30 minutes with IRS Direct File. Click here to view more resources available to help you file on time as well.
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Don’t’ forget that United Way of Southwestern PA and 211 PA are offering FREE tax preparation services with I.R.S.-certified volunteers. They will be available at multiple sites in Allegheny and neighboring counties to help households get their maximum refund and Earned Income Tax Credit.
Please dial 211 or 855-567-5341 to locate the site nearest to you and click here to schedule an appointment online.
Also, the Shapiro administration has launched a new online petition center for PA taxpayers to file appeals. To learn more, please click here.
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I want to remind eligible residents about taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit too.
This credit, expanded under a law passed by the General Assembly, provides financial relief to working families with child or dependent care expenses.
Please click here to learn more and to apply.
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In addition, the Allegheny County Senior Citizen Tax Relief Program provides qualified applicants a 30% tax discount on the gross amount of county taxes. The maximum discount is $650 for one year.
To learn more and apply, please click here. Apply by Monday, June 30.
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The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has made it easier for older friends and neighbors to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes made in 2023, income-eligibility and rebate amounts have increased significantly!
Please click here to apply by Monday, June 30. My staff and I are here to assist with applications as well, so please don’t hesitate to stop by the district office.
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Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/photo ID card, or another form of federal identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID.
PennDOT will be holding several REAL ID Days in the area to help residents apply. Please see the graphic above for details and click here to learn more about REAL IDs.
If you don’t need a REAL ID to fly or visit a federal facility by May 7, don’t worry! You will always be able to apply for a REAL ID after the deadline.
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Commonwealth Grant Programs
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To review and apply to grant programs available across PA, please click here or on “Grant Programs” under “Help & Services” on the homepage of my legislative website.
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Opportunity for Future Leaders
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The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is open for applications. The program provides four-year scholarships to two high school seniors per year and is to be used towards the cost of tuition and fees for a four-year program at a college, university, or career school in the Commonwealth.
Please click here for eligibility criteria and to apply. Applications are due by next Tuesday, April 15.
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Ground was broken for the Locust Street Development project in Etna, which seeks to construct affordable housing where blighted properties once stood.
Our district needs more projects like this—ones that produce dignified housing for our neighbors!
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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office on Tuesday, April 15, Wednesday, April 16, and Monday, April 21.
Please consult the graphic above for the rest of these service dates throughout 2025.
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My next mobile office hours event will take place at De Fer Coffee & Tea next Tuesday, April 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
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Connecting to Good Careers
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Sign up to receive the monthly Career Connect update email from NorthSideWorks!, an initiative of the Northside/North Shore Chamber of Commerce to help get good people into good jobs. The monthly update includes date-dependent information that can assist in skill building and job search decisions in the month ahead.
View the most recent Career Connect here and sign up to get next month’s delivered directly to your inbox here!
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NorthSideWorks! will also hold the Northside Job Fair on Wednesday, May 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stage AE (400 North Shore Drive in Pittsburgh). More than 50 employers, service organizations, and training providers will be on hand.
Please click here to register. You can also contact Quinn Kirby at quinn@northsidechamberofcommerce.com or at 412-231-6500 if you have questions.
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The Etna Neighborhood Association will hold an Easter egg hunt TOMORROW from noon to 2 p.m. at Fugh Hall (27 Crescent Street).
There will also be games, crafts, candy, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny!
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Goodwill of Southwestern PA will hold a career fair on Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Goodwill’s Workforce Development Center (118 52nd Street in Pittsburgh).
To register, please use the QR code on the flyer above or click here.
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Millvale’s first of two market days this year is Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 40 local businesses and many more purveyors will be available, so please consider attending and supporting the community!
To learn more or to become a vendor, please click here.
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The Wall That Heals is coming to Shaler
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From Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, The Wall That Heals will be at Shaler Area High School’s Anderson Field (1350 Anderson Road in Pittsburgh).
The Wall is a ¾ size replica of the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., which travels the country to help educate the public about U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and help all veterans reflect and find closure on their own military service.
Please click here to learn more.
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Local Roadwork in Progress
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Daylight roadway work will continue on Mt. Royal Boulevard (Route 4019) starting TODAY. Please click here to learn more.
Roadway improvement work is also underway on Route 8 (Butler Street). To learn more, please click here.
Additionally, work on Route 8 (William Flinn Highway) has also resumed weather permitting. Please click here to learn more.
The southbound right-hand lane of McKnight Road between Perrymont Road and the Babcock Boulevard/Evergreen Road interchange is closed to traffic as well. To learn more, please click here.
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My Spring Newsletter is Coming Soon!
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Check your mailboxes because my spring newsletter should be arriving soon!
To view an electronic version, please click here.
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My office is looking to accept interns for the upcoming summer months. Interns will interact with district residents, attend district-wide events, and more!
Please click here to apply today.
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My office provides notary services that include:
- Taking an acknowledgement.
- Administering an oath or affirmation.
- Taking a verification on oath or affirmation (which includes affidavit).
- Witnessing or attesting a signature.
- Certifying or attesting a copy or deposition.
- Taking a note protest of a negotiable instrument.
Please click here or on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Help & Services” tab on my website.
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The district office is open:
- Monday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Evening appointments are also available by request on Wednesdays.
The Shaler office is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. or any weekday by appointment.
My staff and I are here to help with all of your state government-related questions and concerns, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to the district office, call us at 412-781-2750, or visit www.RepPowell.com! You can also sign up for my weekly e-newsletters by going to the bottom of my website homepage and submitting the requested information.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-9114
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District Office
5154 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 781-2750
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