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.

I recently sat down with members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who provided an insider’s look at some of the factors that drive rate increases and cause service delays. Click here or on the image above to watch the third part of our series, discussing the ways that utility practices impact our community, from our tree canopy to our local businesses.

Speaking of trees, I was delighted to help district resident Marilyn Albert save the beautiful tree in front of her house as part of our efforts to encourage Duquesne Light to prioritize tree trimming and pruning over removal. Marilyn and I met up to celebrate, in honor of spring and upcoming Earth Day!

Practice pays off! I was thrilled to take home First Place in the Judge’s Choice for Meat Chili and overall People’s Choice Award at the Rotary Club of Forest Hills' 17th Chili Cookoff last weekend! It felt good to know that people enjoyed my chili – and equally good to know that our efforts supported the Woodland Hills Foundation, the local VFD, and other community initiatives. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Join volunteers for Park Day at Braddock’s Battlefield History Center on Saturday, April 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to help clear litter and debris and prepare a flower bed for spring planting. The group will meet at 609 6th St. in North Braddock. Learn more here.  

Humane Action Pennsylvania will host a community volunteer day on Sunday, April 26 from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Swissvale Community Pollinator Garden, located at 7702 Edgewood Ave. (between Lucci's and Arby's). Meet up with neighbors as we weed, plant, and help this vital habitat for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife thrive! Visit this page to learn more.

Last week, I met with staff from wastewater treatment services provider ALCOSAN to talk about rates, operations, infrastructure, overflow issues, and green spaces for the boroughs. Thank you to Douglas Jackson, Jill Snyder, Joe Day, and Michelle Byes for a productive dialogue! 

Free air purifiers will be distributed at the times and dates above. Please visit this page to register.

Our staff will host a mobile office from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, April 28 at the Swissvale Library, located at 1800 Monongahela Ave. Stop by for help filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or for assistance with other state matters. If you are seeking rebate help, please remember to bring the items listed above.

Stop by the One Roof Housing Resource Fair on Friday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Commonwealth Charter Academy, 162 East Bridge St., Homestead. The event will feature information about housing opportunities, support services, and workshops.

If you’re looking for a new job or a fresh start to reenter the workforce, stop by the Community Forge Job Fair on Monday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1256 Franklin Ave. in Wilkinsburg. You’ll have a chance to meet with multiple employers and receive free resources like professional headshots, clothing, resume help, and access to the wellness pantry. The fair is a reentry-friendly space. Visit this page to RSVP.

Come add your vision for Wilkinsburg’s housing, parks, transportation, and economic development at the next Wilkinsburg Comprehensive Plan public input meeting on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Borough Building, 605 Ross Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. Click here to register for the public input meeting, here to take a survey, and here to indicate the places that are most important to you.  

The governor’s Advisory Commission on Women has launched a statewide listening tour and digital survey to gather input from women across Pennsylvania about their experiences and priorities.

Visit this page to learn more and reserve a spot for the Pittsburgh listening session, which will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at K&L Gates LLP, 210 6th Street. Visit this page to take the survey, which will be open through May 30.

More than $110,000 in new funding is coming home to the district to strengthen urban agriculture. The funding includes:

• $45,000 to Grow Pittsburgh to replace a blighted structure in Wilkinsburg with a 2,168-square-foot building that will house an accessible green commercial kitchen, cold storage, and career education and community gathering spaces.
• $40,500 to Landforce to fund a conveyor to expand production and efficiency for a biochar kiln that will produce zero-waste, soil enhancing, wood by-product at The Mill in Wilkinsburg.
• $25,009 to Bible Center - Oasis Farm to support Pittsburgh Urban Farm Collaborative in its efforts to increase food security in Homewood and Wilkinsburg by funding improvements in garden beds, cold-weather structures, irrigation, and food safety. 

With thousands of visitors expected for the NFL Draft April 23-25, local leaders have unveiled a transportation plan that includes select road closures and increased public transit options. Visit this page to learn more.

In related news, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will assist the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh in enforcing a security zone on local waterways during the upcoming NFL Draft to ensure public safety. You can read more here.  

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

• Require utilities to provide customer assistance programs to people who fall behind on payments.
• Help school sports coaches to spot signs of mental health distress or illness in student athletes.
• Hold AI data centers accountable by requiring them to report energy and water usage to the state.
• Expand access to baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms, including men’s restrooms.
• Require state buildings to support refillable water bottles.

We also passed the governor’s proposed budget, which invests in education, health care, public safety, affordable housing, mass transit and more, without raising taxes. Details of the final budget must still be negotiated and approved by the state Senate. I’ll keep you posted on our progress in the weeks ahead. Visit this page to read about other recent legislation.

In other news from the state Capitol, it was a pleasure meeting civic-minded college and high school students to discuss state government and legislation.

Student teachers can now apply for a $10,000 stipend in the 2026-27 school year through the PA Student Teacher Support Program. Stipends are available on a first-come, first-served basis for future educators who enter a student teaching placement and commit to working in Pennsylvania as a teacher for three years.

The program also provides up to $2,500 to cooperating teachers who mentor and assist student teachers. You can read more here.

Please remember that our office can help with a wide range of state-related matters – from filing a Property Tax/Rent Rebate or obtaining a Senior ConnectCard, to navigating state benefits and more. Contact us to find out how we can help!

If you’re searching for state grant funding, you can a list of the latest state grant program openings here and a handy grant-finding tool at this page.

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