Improving the guardian selection process; civics bee finalist competition; digital driver’s licenses, May 4 job fair; free healthy home assessment

Improving the guardian selection process; civics bee finalist competition; digital driver’s licenses, May 4 job fair; free healthy home assessment – and more!

Rep. Abigail Salisbury May 5, 2026 | 10:02 AM

House passes my bill to improve the guardian selection process

For people unable to make complex life decisions because of advanced age, illness, or disability, nothing is more important than having a qualified, caring guardian. Unfortunately, guardianship proceedings are not widely publicized under current state law, which can prevent word from reaching the best person for the job.

Today, the House took an important step to change that by unanimously passing my bill that would expand the list of people entitled to notice of guardianship proceedings, helping courts make the best possible selection. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

Cheer on our civics champs this Thursday, May 7!

Come cheer on the finalists at the first-ever Greater Pittsburgh Regional Civics Bee on Thursday, May 7, starting at 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) The event will be held at The Stage at Carnegie One, 419 Library St. in Braddock.

Register by Monday, May 4, to vote in the Primary Election

If you’re planning to vote in the May 19 Primary Election but you haven’t yet registered, please be aware that the deadline to do so is today, May 4. Visit this page to register online and this page to check your registration status.

If you plan to vote by mail, you’ll need to request a mail ballot by May 12. Visit this page to apply for a ballot online. You can find additional voting information here.

Around the District

Our staffer Leslie attended the Workers’ Memorial Day program at the Steelworkers Plaza downtown and heard moving speeches from Broadcast Journalist and SAG-AFTRA member Bill Flanagan and Bishop Mark Eckman (above) and Mayor Corey O’Connor and United Steelworkers International President Roxanne Brown (below).

Below, I joined Sen. Jay Costa and Forest Hills Mayor Patricia DeMarco for Law Day at Woodland Hills High School, where we spoke with students about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including the importance of voting and getting involved in their community.

We also distributed copies of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution!

I participated in a panel of elected officials for a “Pittsburgh Town Hall on the Affordability Crisis,” convened by PA United. Residents talked about how rising prices have affected their lives, and we discussed our efforts to address the affordability crisis.

After the event, I signed on to co-sponsor three of my colleagues’ bills that would eliminate corporate tax loopholes, update the tax laws on “passive” unearned income, and implement a digital advertising tax on Big Tech companies.

I also attended the JFCS Employable Tour, where we discussed the group’s immigration, career, and counseling services.

Our staffer Simon toured Evolve Coaching’s Inclusion Center, which will offer autistic and disabled adults an accessible space for learning, support, and community building. Thank you to Evolve Executive Director Heather Conroy (above left) for organizing the tour!

Our district office director, Aaron, joined officials from the state Department of Human Services, staff and students from the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, and community partners for a tour and roundtable discussion on programs that can connect SNAP participants with education, employment and training to help them meet federal work and community engagement eligibility requirements.

Simon attended a tour and meeting with the Pittsburgh child advocacy center A Child’s Place, PA, where the group discussed funding and resources needed to serve child abuse survivors. The group also discussed H.B. 2443, which would strengthen services by creating a dedicated Child Victim Recovery Fund paid for by fees assessed on offenders.

How we voted last week in the House

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

Make parking fees transparent for renters.?
Strengthen school counseling services.
Expand access to high-quality midwife care.
Allow digital driver’s licenses and vehicle registration cards.
Improve social media safety for school-age children.
Cap consumer fees for electronic medical records.
Extend health protection for youth sports outside of school.
Prohibit discrimination in housing.
Protect tenants at risk of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking?by making it easier to change locks or break a lease

Visit this page to read more about these bills and others we passed last week.

Upcoming Events

This is a reminder that Community Forge will be hosting a job fair Monday, May 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1256 Franklin Ave. in Wilkinsburg. The event is a reentry-friendly space and will provide a chance to meet with multiple employers and receive free resources such as professional headshots, clothing, resume help, and access to the wellness pantry. Visit this page to RSVP.

Join Wilkinsburg neighbors on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Borough Building, 605 Ross Ave., to share your thoughts on how to improve housing, parks, transportation, and economic development. Doors will 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.

Check out Neighborhood Night in Braddock on Friday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., when local restaurants, artists, and other businesses will set up pop-up locations at the Frick Pittsburgh, located at 7227 Reynolds St. The evening includes exclusive after-hours access to Lewis Hine Pictures America before the exhibition closes. Visit this page to read more!

Residents of Edgewood Center Retirement Residence: Come chat with Police Chief Altieri and enjoy coffee and donuts on Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m.!

Teachers – check out “History in our Backyard” on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at Braddock's Battlefield History Center – a free event at which you can earn three Act 48 hours.

The event will feature two sessions: the first, about the 1755 Battle of Monongahela, will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the center, located at 609 Sixth St. North Braddock. The second, about the history of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, will take place from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the site, located at 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd. Pittsburgh. Registration is required, and space is limited to 20 participants. Visit this page to learn more and sign up.

Wilkinsburg has been named an official Bird Town through the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and the Bird Town Pennsylvania Program! Check out one of the free Spring Pollinator Garden workshops above. You can register for the Birds of Prey workshop here and the Backyard Habitat workshop here.

Healthy Homes is providing free home assessments to discuss hazards such as mold, lead paint, and other dangers. Visit this page to learn more and schedule an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 412-404-2872 or scanning the QR code above.

Finding funding & help with state services

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!

Nonprofits: Allegheny County Economic Development is hosting a virtual public meeting on the Mon Valley Public Health and Welfare Fund this Wednesday, May 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to explain the application process, funding priorities, and eligibility requirements. Visit this page to register.

The following funding guidelines apply:

Applications are open now through 4 p.m. on June 15, 2026.
Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Mon Valley communities.
Projects must support public health and air quality improvements with clear, measurable impact.
Apply through the ACED Application Portal and select “Mon Valley Public Health & Welfare Fund.”

If you have questions about the portal or the fund, email mvph@alleghenycounty.us or call ACED at 412-350-1000.

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

You can find an online copy of the 2026 Pennsylvania Grant and Resource Directory here or pick up a hard copy by stopping by our 501 Braddock Ave. district office!