What President Trump has done to Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not only disgraceful – it is illegal.
He has lived in the United States for 14 years and raised a family while working in construction. He sought to replicate the American Dream for his family. He was a lawful resident in the United States and was waiting for his green card application to be processed.
Despite this, he was deported to a prison in his home country of El Salvador without a trial because of unfounded claims that he belonged to the notorious MS-13 gang.
President Trump is also violating the Supreme Court’s decision that Mr. Garcia be returned to the U.S. because of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “administrative mistake.” The president is threatening the safety of Mr. Garcia and threatening to undermine the rule of law itself.
I urge the Supreme Court to enforce their unanimous 9-0 ruling to reunite Mr. Garcia with his family and adopted country.
That being said, there is good news for new neighbors who immigrated here – the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Allegheny County’s Department of Human Services has pledged nearly $450,000 to help refugees secure housing and get further acclimated to their surroundings. The Trump administration has suspended monetary support for resettlement efforts since January, throwing support for resettlement, education, and health care out the window.
These funds are a shining example of what we as a nation should be focused on – supporting and protecting our neighbors rather than subjecting them to harassment and harm. We are all in this together and need to do our part to make the United States a welcoming place for everyone!
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Keeping Maternal Health Resources Available Statewide
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I joined a bipartisan group of legislators in Pittsburgh for a PA House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on modernizing midwifery in the Commonwealth and eliminating maternal health deserts. The hearing was part of the PA Black Maternal Health Week Summit.
Every mom and birthing individual in PA deserves fair and equitable access to the health resources they need, and I’m committed to making this a reality.
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Community Budget Briefing
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The Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation will hold a community budget briefing alongside Rep. Jordan Harris on Monday, April 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Tony Deluca Room at the Penn Hills Library (1037 Stotler Road in Pittsburgh).
The briefing will include a public comment and question period, so I encourage neighbors to join us and learn more about our goals to get sufficient funding for all walks of life in PA.
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A veteran service officer will next be at my Lawrenceville district office Monday, May 19 through Wednesday, May 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 Millvale Community Library on Tuesday, May 6 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 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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RAD’s Summer Staycation Returns
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The Allegheny Regional Asset District is bringing back its Summer Staycation program, which allows FREE admission to select Pittsburgh attractions through Sunday, August 31.
Please click here to learn more, including the participating institutions, and book your RAD Pass today!
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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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The Earth Day Butler Street Cleanup is next Tuesday, April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 3706 Butler Street, 4635 Butler Street, and 5308 Butler Street.
Etna and Sharpsburg’s 5th annual Earth Day Challenge will take place next Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at 437 Butler Street in Etna.
Millvale will also have its Rainbow Raccoon Park cleanup on Saturday the 26th from 9 a.m. to noon at 533 East Ohio Street.
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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 continues on Mt. Royal Boulevard (Route 4019). 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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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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A friendly reminder that the district office is closed TOMORROW, April 18 in observance of the Easter holiday.
I wish all who celebrate a safe, fun, & happy Easter!
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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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