Our third annual Nonprofit Symposium last Thursday was a whirlwind of productive energy, as our dynamic speakers shared strategies on developing donor programs, maximizing state grant funding, nonprofit budgeting and financial management, and much more!

More than 200 nonprofit managers, board members, and staffers networked, learned, and strategized about how to make their organizations stronger. It was truly inspiring to see so many talented people come together to help the communities they love. It was also exciting to announce the five grant-writing scholarship winners (below with Health and Education Alliance Founder Krishna Patel at far right).

My profound thanks to everyone who helped make this our most successful symposium yet! 

The federal government shutdown has wreaked havoc on critical human services, interrupting payments that support the delivery of SNAP benefits for nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians.

There is some good news to report, though: Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a disaster declaration and is releasing $5 million in state funds for distribution to the state’s food banks. The governor is also leading a private-sector donation campaign that has secured more than $1 million in private donations for food banks through the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund. Visit this page to read more.

Additionally, in response to a lawsuit filed by about two dozen state governors, including Gov. Shapiro, two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to pay for SNAP using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.

Later this week, I will be joining my colleague Rep. Dan Frankel and a panel of nonprofit and faith-based leaders to work to address food insecurity throughout our region. Stay tuned for updates on our meeting.

Finally, please remember that if you or someone you love is struggling to keep healthy food on the table, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is an excellent resource. The food bank can also use volunteers.

As a result of the federal shutdown, the state has not yet received its federal allocation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Because of this, our Department of Human Services is unable to open LIHEAP on Nov. 3 and the program is now scheduled to open on Dec. 3. Visit this page for information about utility assistance programs.

For general assistance with living resources, visit pa-navigate.org or pa211.org.

I recently had a chance to talk to Larry Kaspar at Pennsylvania Cable Network about autism. We discussed possible causes, common misconceptions, and the danger of misinformation being disseminated at the federal level.

I shared some of my personal experiences and discussed the dangers of harmful rhetoric. Click on the image above or here to watch.

A simple blood test at birth can save your child a lot of pain and potentially save their life if they have Gaucher disease. Last week, I joined advocates and fellow lawmakers at the state Capitol to rally for passage of my legislation that would require newborns to be screened at birth.  Until recently, Pennsylvania provided this testing. It's time to bring this screening back, to give families a fighting chance with early treatment.

Click on the image below to hear video from the news conference.

Last week in the House, I voted for – and the House passed – bills that would:

• Protect vaccine access by allowing our state Health Department (in consultation with professionals) to determine which immunizations must be covered by insurance.
• Allow hospital patients to take their unfinished medication home with them.
• Promote early detection of colorectal cancer by lowering the age screenings are covered and updating the kinds of tests covered.
• Ban “grinch bots” – automated software that purchases event tickets in bulk for resale, which severely limits ticket supply for consumers.
• Provide consumers with the ability to repair their own electronics or have them repaired by independent repair technicians.
• Ensure reverse mortgage contracts are readable for older consumers by requiring larger print on the contract and disclosures.
• Make it easier to get licenses for ignition interlock devices, which reduce recidivism among DUI offenders.

Visit this page to read more news from the House.

The Babies in the Burgh Mobile Unit will be making a stop at 300 Holland Ave. in Braddock from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6. You can learn more here.

I recently had the honor of being invited to speak about affordable housing at the NAACP PA State Conference. I’m pictured with my colleague Rep. Napoleon Nelson.

The Swissvale Halloween Parade was a perfect opportunity for residents to show their creativity. Our district office director, Aaron, got into the spirit while providing information on state services.

If you’re searching for state grant funding, please visit this page to see a list of the latest state grant program openings and this page to search for grants by topic.

Our office can also assist with a wide range of state services, including applying for programs such as the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, obtaining a Senior Citizen ConnectCard or disability placard, solving questions or problems involving PennDOT and other agencies, and more! Stop by or give us a call to see how we can help!

Finally, please remember that our office will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 4, for Election Day. We will return for regular business hours on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

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.

District Office

501 Braddock Ave.
Braddock, PA 15104

(412) 273-3400

Pennsylvania State Capitol

123-B East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-1914