In the wake of the April storms that left so many in our community without power, I am hosting a July 10 town hall to address ways we can strengthen our storm response at all levels of government to better serve residents. Members of the community will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from PEMA and Duquesne Light.

The event will be held from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 union hall, 100 Kingston Dr., Pittsburgh. I encourage all residents to attend.

I’m excited to report that we have secured $1 million to support affordable housing construction projects, home repair and neighborhood revitalization programs, and services to empower residents and help people break the cycle of homelessness. You can read more here.

Last week, my PA House colleagues and I passed legislation that would invest $1.5 billion into our state public transit system – the largest such increase in more than a decade. The bill would fund public transit without raising taxes by increasing the existing amount of sales tax revenue transferred to the Public Transportation Trust Fund.  

In addition to ensuring access to reliable transportation for more than 1 million Pennsylvanians who use it every day, the bill would support jobs – our mass transit system employs nearly 40,000 workers – and would invest $500 million for road and bridge repairs. Investing in public transit also benefits our economy by generating $5.4 billion in activity annually. You can read more about the bill here.

There will be a Reentry and Expungement Resource Fair on Wednesday, June 25, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Braddock Carnegie Library, 419 Library Street, in Braddock. 

District office staffers will be joining the hosts of the event to provide state constituent services.  If you will be seeking help with filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate application, please remember to bring the items listed above right. 

The Pennsylvania Board of Pardons has launched an online clemency application to make it easier for people who are seeking a second chance to access the process. There is also a Spanish-language application and translation support available for 17 additional languages, a fillable .pdf version of the application for those who prefer a downloadable form, and access to AI technology to streamline review of handwritten applications. More information about the clemency process is available here. 

This is a reminder that the original date for the farmers market voucher distribution has been changed. The new distribution date is Tuesday, June 24. Visit this page to find a list of distribution sites and this page to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements.

With extreme temperatures hitting our region that may strain the electric grid, Duquesne Light is encouraging customers to prepare for the heat as well as the possibility of power outages by following the tips below.

Outages can be reported here, through the company’s mobile app, or by calling 888-393-7100. Also, please be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, below.

This is a reminder that if you are searching for state grant funding, you can find a helpful tool here and a listing of the latest state grant openings at this page.
 

If you need help with state services, my talented staff can assist with filing applications, answering questions involving PennDOT and other state agencies, obtaining a disability placard or senior bus pass – and a host of other matters. Contact us or stop by to see how we can help!

Please be aware that our office will be opening at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24.

Finally, residents should be aware that a movie is being filmed in Braddock on Friday, June 27. The activity will include road closures and sounds of gunfire. Please visit this page for details.

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner. 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400